Respect, reflect, and engage – enhancing biophysical research practices with Indigenous people, their land, and culture

ABSTRACT

Enhancing the research practices of biophysical scientists who conduct research with Indigenous people or on their land is important for scientific, ethical, and conservation reasons. Many areas of high biodiversity overlap with areas of high cultural diversity, and many Indigenous communities own and manage biologically significant areas. By taking a reflective, ethical, and empowering approach to their research practice, scientists can achieve more rigorous, effective science that gains from indigenous knowledge and support while assisting local people to conserve and manage their resources. A co-participatory approach to conservation-relevant research with Indigenous people or on their land is recommended, and the implications of this approach compared to more narrow approaches are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Conservation
• science
• engagement
• co-participatory
• co-research
• conflict

Acknowledgements

This article greatly benefited from the input of B. Pamphilon, P. Bridgewater, V. Brown, Å. Ferrier, R. Mac Nally, D. Pepper, and two anonymous reviewers. I also acknowledge and thank the Indigenous people who have worked with me, allowed me onto their lands, and guided me with their knowledge. The current research project in Papua New Guinea with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance and villagers of the Torricelli Mountain Ranges is generously supported by the Hermon Slade Foundation and the University of Canberra. The current PNG research project (no. 14-200) has been assessed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Canberra.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Hermon Slade Foundation and the University of Canberra.