Jacqueline Goldin

Jacqueline Goldin is a citizen science anthropologist specializing in participatory research and water sciences. She serves as an Extra-Ordinary Associate Professor of Anthropology and Water Sciences in the Centre of UNESCO Chair in Groundwater and Earth Sciences at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. Goldin has more than 20 years of experience in survey implementation, including designing questionnaires, training interviewers, and reporting findings. Her work focuses on human well-being and the relationship between communities and their environment, with an emphasis on planetary health and sustainable water management.

Goldin's research centers on participatory methods and social justice, particularly in the context of water resources. She advocates for the involvement of local communities in the stewardship of natural resources, employing ethnographic approaches to gather insights from those living near groundwater sources. Her doctoral research examined the roles of shame and trust, highlighting how exclusion from scientific discourse can impact community engagement. Goldin uses art and inclusive methodologies to bridge gaps between diverse stakeholders, fostering environments where multiple perspectives are valued.

Goldin founded the citizen science project "Diamonds on the Soles of our Feet," which engages residents of rural Limpopo Province in South Africa in groundwater monitoring. The project enables farmers and farm laborers to collect and share data on underground water using smartphones, providing critical information for regions where 74 percent of the rural population relies on groundwater for agriculture and domestic use. The initiative has contributed to transforming community members into active participants in scientific research.

"Diamonds on the Soles of our Feet" has received international recognition, including selection as a winner at the Falling Walls Summit during Berlin Science Week and the Falling Walls Science Engagement Award. Goldin has co-authored academic papers such as "Decolonisation of education through citizen science: Slow science, not slow violence" and "Pedagogy with a heartbeat: the transformative potential of citizen science in education," contributing to discourse on science, equity, and education.

Goldin also established the Citizen Science Association for Southern Africa to promote participatory science across the continent. Her work advances citizen science, water literacy, and the democratization of knowledge through accessible technology. Goldin is a frequent speaker on science, sustainability, and the decolonization of knowledge, recognized for her academic expertise and commitment to inclusive research practices.