The Imperative of Praxis-based Environmental Communication Research: Suggestions from the Step It Up 2007 National Research Project

Abstract

In this essay, we discuss our development and implementation of a national research project on the Step It Up 2007 campaign calling for political action to mitigate climate change. Specifically, we discuss this project as it relates to our goal to engage in praxis-based research that can be accessible to activists, publics, and practitioners. First, we discuss the practice of organizing a national praxis-oriented research project. We offer this project, with its benefits and challenges, as one model for engaged research on relevant environmental issues. Second, we discuss how our research findings can serve as a form of praxis when an effort is made to make the findings relevant to practitioners in environmental campaigns and movements. Reflecting on our process, we offer four suggestions for making connections between environmental communication research and environmental advocates. The essay concludes by discussing the imperative of engaging in praxis-based research about our contemporary environmental crisis.

Keywords:

• Praxis
• Social Movements
• Activism
• Climate Change
• Public Scholarship

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank everyone who is involved in the SIU 2007 research project for their commitment to their vision, hard work, and critical insight.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Danielle Endres

Danielle Endres is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah

Leah Sprain

Leah Sprain is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Communication and holds the Research Professorship in Environmental Humanities at the University of Washington

Tarla Rai Peterson

Tarla Rai Peterson is the Boone & Crockett Chair and Professor in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University and Professor of Environmental Communication at the Swedish Agricultural University