General Information
Biography
My work focuses on understanding the growing role and impacts of technologies in citizen science. My research research highlights the design, management, and technology configurations that address the needs of diverse stakeholders in citizen science, and informs the development of systems and policies to support public participation in science. I serve in an advisory capacity for citizen science programs across a range of disciplines, from astrophysics to social sciences, as well as federal policy initiatives, and I collaborate extensively with the citizen science community.
Teaching Interests
I teach MIS courses on management, data analysis, and IT ethics. My courses often include service learning components that help students practice real-world skills while contributing to social good.
Research Interests
My research investigates the interactions of organizational settings, work design, and technologies in open collaboration systems. I study sociotechnical systems in citizen science to better understand and design information systems for open participation and collaboration in data-intensive contexts. My research focuses on the role of technologies and data practices in citizen science, and evaluating individual and collective performance and productivity in open collaboration. I'm interested in how ordinary people become involved in meaningful real-world research through citizen science projects, and how technologies can help.
Service Summary
I focus on service to my profession, prioritizing advisory roles with federal agencies such as EPA, NIH, and NASA, and peer review of competitive grant proposals for the National Science Foundation and National Academies, as well as their equivalents in other countries. I have served as a peer reviewer for conferences and journals across a variety of disciplines.I am also a certified Nebraska Master Naturalist and volunteer with numerous local organizations to promote conservation of Nebraska's natural resources.
Education
Ph D, Syracuse University School of Information Studies, Syracuse, NY, Information Science & Technology, 2012
MS, University of Michigan School of Information, Ann Arbor, MI, Information, 2007
BA, Alma College, Alma, MI, Mathematics, 2000
Scholarship/Research/Creative Activity
Selected Publications
Wiggins, Andrea, Wilbanks, John. 2019. The Rise of Citizen Science in Health and Biomedical Research, American Journal of Bioethics, 19, 8, 3–14.
Rosser, Holly, Wiggins, Andrea. 2019. Crowds and Camera Traps: Genres in Online Citizen Science Projects, IEEE.
Wiggins, Andrea, Bonney, Rick, LeBuhn, Gretchen, Parrish, Julia, Weltzin, Jake. 2018. A Science Products Inventory for Citizen Science Planning and Evaluation, BioScience, 68, 6, 436-444.
Externally Funded Research
Streamlining Embedded Assessment to Understand Citizen Scientists' Skill Gains, National Science Foundation, Universities, 09/01/2017 - 08/31/2019
Service
Department, College, and University
IT PhD Doctoral Program Committee, Committee Member, 01/01/2020 - 12/31/2020
Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Committee Member, 09/01/2019 - 09/30/2019
Division of Continuing Studies Faculty Academic Policy Committee, Committee Member, 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2019
Professional
ACM International Conference on Computer-supported cooperative work & social computing, 2020, Chairperson, General co-chair: oversight, governance, and coordination of international conference., 12/01/2018 - 12/31/2018
Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, Editorial Review Board Member, 09/01/2018 - 09/30/2018
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Editorial Review Board Member, Associate Editor for citizen science submissions to one of the top peer-reviewed publications in ecology., 09/01/2018 - 09/30/2018
Media Contributions
Radio, Diane Rehm Show, National Public Radio, In-studio panelist for nationally-syndicated radio show., 05/05/2015