Our Voice Discovery Tool

Functionality & Mechanism The Our Voice Discovery Tool, developed at Stanford University, is a tablet-based citizen science platform for documenting local built environments. The system leverages integrated GPS to track a participant's route through their community. Throughout a data collection session, the interface enables the capture of geocoded audio narratives and time-stamped photographs, allowing residents to precisely identify environmental features that either support or hinder health-related behaviors. This process generates granular, place-based qualitative data for subsequent analysis by research teams.

Evidence & Research Context

• The associated research describes the tool as a core component of the "Our Voice" method, a four-step participatory citizen science framework designed to advance health equity outcomes.
• An initial evaluation (N=27 older adults) demonstrated the tool's utility for engaging community residents in identifying environmental factors that impact opportunities for active living.
• The study captured 464 geocoded audio narratives and photographs, revealing site-specific environmental profiles that were distinct to each of the three low-income housing neighborhoods assessed.
• Data collected with the tool can assist decision-makers and planners by complementing other environmental assessments and facilitating consensus-building processes for community-level change.

Intended Use & Scope This tool is designed for public health researchers, urban planners, and community practitioners conducting participatory environmental assessments. Its primary utility is the collection of granular, geolocated qualitative data to inform community-level planning and health equity initiatives. The platform facilitates data gathering and community engagement; it does not provide interventions or generate policy recommendations directly. Data requires expert analysis to guide planning.