No Single Story: Exploring the Viewpoints of Estonian Environmental Civil Servants on Citizen Science with Q-Methodology

Citizen science (CS) can provide valuable input for public policy, but its realization depends on how key stakeholders perceive CS, which can be contradictory. We explored environmental civil servants' perspectives on CS within Estonian environmental governance, addressing a notably under-researched stakeholder group. As we were among the first in the CS field to employ the increasingly recognized Q-methodology, we identified four distinct perspectives, which have not yet been articulated in the CS literature: Enthusiasts regard CS as pivotal for data collection, Educators prioritize public awareness, Promoters see it as enhancing organizational visibility, while Cautious Conservatives express skepticism. The study identified numerous barriers, leading to civil servants' uncertainty about leveraging CS effectively. This research is pioneering in its detailed examination of civil servant perspectives, with tailored recommendations for each viewpoint. We advocate the structured integration of CS to enrich environmental governance practices internationally, while accounting for perceived barriers of CS.