Allin-Wayra: Small sensors for atmospheric science

Webinar Series

Allin-Wayra is hosting a webinar series. The first webinar (April 3, 2025 from 13:00-14:00 UTC) will explore the role of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) activities in addressing air pollution, including their latest report on air quality sensors. The invited speakers are Dr. Sara Basart (WMO) and Dr. Carl Malings (Morgan State University, lead author of the WMO report on small sensors). More information can be found at the registration link.

Join Allin Wayra at EGU!

The European Geosciences Union General Assembly will be held in Vienna, Austria from 27 April - 2 May, 2025. Members of the Allin-Wayra SC have co-organized a session on 'Low-cost air quality sensors: challenges, opportunities, and collaborative strategies across the world' that is co-sponsored by iCACGP/IGAC and WMO. In addition, a Splinter Meeting, will be organized. More information on that to follow!

What is Allin Wayra?

Allin-Wayra, which can be interpreted as “good air” or “winds of change” in Quechua (Runasimi, or "people's language") a pre-colonial South American native tongue, is the new IGAC Activity on small sensors. 

Motivation (Why do we want to do it?)

After consulting with small sensor users in the atmospheric science community, it has become clear that there are many researchers and research groups using small sensors. We would like to connect the dots with some of the current activities on small sensors and more deeply engage researchers in atmospheric science. 

Mission (What do we do?)

Our mission is to foster a diverse and inclusive global small sensor community of practice - with a particular focus on regions lacking air quality measurements -  and advance knowledge of sensor use for air quality and atmospheric science through collaborative initiatives that address critical issues, build capacity, and promote accessibility.

Vision (Where are we going?)

Our vision is a world where small sensor technology is accessible and widely used in a transparent and equitable manner, contributing to an improved understanding of air quality and atmospheric science to foster planetary health and strive for environmental justice.

Preliminary Objectives*:

*These objectives are suggestions and we would like to shape and expand on these preliminary objectives with your input.

1. Publish an initial commentary paper to raise awareness about the importance of small sensor technology in research, with a specific focus highlighting the challenges and opportunities related to air pollution and environmental justice in Global South countries.
2. Engage the community through an inclusive workshop, ensuring that different perspectives and voices are represented in shaping the scope, direction, and goals of Allin Wayra.
3. Identify and/or adapt a collaborative, user-based, open-access, repository on small sensor resources to promote transparency, accessibility, and collaboration among researchers and practitioners, while addressing the need for equity in the distribution of resources and knowledge.
4. After 4-5 years of Allin Wayra, write a community-authored article to share the collective knowledge, experiences, and insights gained through Allin Wayra's collaborative efforts (further topic/specific focus to be determined) for air quality and atmospheric science in regions where measurements are lacking.

Get involved!

We are looking to engage a broad, diverse community that is truly global. Please sign up for our mailing list if you are interested. 

We welcome your input in developing these plans! Contact us at allin.wayra@igacproject.org to contribute your ideas. 

Past Events

The Community Scoping Workshop Summary

We hosted a Community Scoping Workshop on March 26, 2024 (8:30-11:00 UTC or 14:30-17:00 UTC) to get input from the community on what Allin Wayra should be doing in the coming years. It was also an opportunity for participants to network with colleagues also working with or interested in small sensors. A summary of the workshop can be found here. Thank you to everyone who participated!!

Allin Wayra Side Meeting at iCACGP-IGAC 2024

Allin Wayra held a Side Meeting at iCACGP-IGAC where participants could learn more about Allin Wayra and join in discussions about the activities we are scoping and/or share ideas for where we should be going. This took place on Sept. 10, 17:30-19:00; it was an in person only event.

We also conducted a follow-up survey. Participation in the survey was open to everyone in the community and conducted online. Two years ago at the IGAC Conference in Manchester, UK, we launched a survey asking: "Is there a place for sensors in atmospheric chemistry science?" Now, we aim to revisit this question and understand how perceptions may have evolved within our community. The survey results will be shared in a publication that is currently in preparation.