Wear and aware: Citizens, sensors and data to design inclusive research processes.

"Wear and aware: Citizens, sensors and data to design inclusive research processes" explores the evolving role of citizen science (CS) in the context of urban development and design research. It highlights the growing importance of involving citizens in scientific research, as emphasized by the European Commission's Green Paper, which advocates for more open and participatory research processes. The paper particularly focuses on the active participation of citizens in urban settings through the use of wearable devices, a trend that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic with citizen-led data collection playing a crucial role. However, the paper also addresses the challenges faced by CS, such as participation inequality and the need for engaging diverse and marginalized communities, especially in the context of smart cities. It examines how technological advancements have influenced the integration of CS into smart city initiatives, while also pointing out issues related to data interoperability, reusability, and the building of trust among participants. A significant concern raised in the paper is the gender data gap and social exclusion in digital systems, illustrated through initiatives like GeoChicas and the Boston pothole mapping project. The role of wearable sensors as activators in CS is discussed, highlighting their potential in collective monitoring but also their limitations in terms of adaptability for non-conforming bodies. Lastly, the paper delves into the ReSET project, which aims to enhance environmental intelligence for urban adaptation to climate change. This project involves community-driven co-design activities, utilizing wearable devices for data collection and developing data visualization tools, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and participatory approach in urban development and research.