Studying Citizen Science Platforms from Within: A Walkthrough Analysis of iNaturalist

In a highly digitised society characterised by growing interconnection between the analogue and digital dimensions, sociology is faced with new methodological challenges in understanding emerging social practices. Science and technology studies (STS) have played a crucial role in investigating digital technologies, especially through the use of innovative theoretical approaches such as actor-network theory (ANT), developed by Latour and Callon. This standpoint accentuates the inherent materiality and heterogeneity of socio-technical networks, underscoring the interaction between human and non-human agents in the configuration of quotidian experiences. In this theoretical context, the concept of digital footprints proposed by Latour offers an interesting interpretative key for analysing technologically mediated human behaviour, emphasising how digital technologies are deeply rooted in everyday social practices. The present paper is concerned with the issue of online participation in the domain of scientific knowledge, with a particular focus on the potential offered by Citizen Science projects in creating and supporting digital communities of practice. The central question concerns the ability of these collaborative initiatives to promote effective forms of cooperation and interaction through online platforms. In order to answer this question, the walkthrough technique is adopted as a methodological tool that allows the researcher to take the user’s point of view, systematically exploring the technical, symbolic and socio-material characteristics of digital platforms. The analysis conducted on iNaturalist, a globally popular citizen science platform, allows for a detailed examination of user interaction with the technological and community elements of the platform itself. The findings indicate that iNaturalist, through the integration of algorithmic mechanisms and reputational dynamics, can effectively foster the development of online epistemic communities. This process, however, is accompanied by the emergence of critical concerns regarding inclusivity, algorithmic transparency, and the participatory governance of digital scientific knowledge.