The network beyond the network: the potential of FabLabs as partners in participatory environmental monitoring efforts

This speculative paper analyses the theoretical potential for FabLabs to take part in participatory environmental monitoring efforts using open technologies on a large scale and contribute to reporting networks in Europe. It explores where FabLabs could fit into the European environmental monitoring ecosystem, while considering their role as often situated at the crossroads between various stakeholder groups, and presenting potential venues of collaboration between FabLabs and traditional actors within environmental monitoring. The argumentation for this paper leverages the multifaceted role of FabLabs, positing that they can provide access to infrastructure, training, skills and beyond, and therefore have the potential to play a pivotal role in participatory environmental monitoring efforts as a network, ultimately acting as an agent that enables both, long-term sustainable engagement, and large scale data collection. This potential is explored through analysis of experiential data in the provision of low-cost environmental monitoring devices and the support to beneficiaries from a Fablab perspective, which is complemented with existing data regarding FabLabs’ skill sets and manufacturing capabilities; interests, motivations, and current activities; and finally, their location in relation to points of interest specific to environmental monitoring that enhance this potential. Taken together, this analysis seeks to consider the scalability of participatory environmental monitoring activities within the FabLab network itself, through multi-stakeholder collaboration between traditional actors and FabLabs, the potential impact of such partnerships, and suggestions for next steps.