4. Communication and Engagement

The mutual exchange of ideas helps connect researchers with local communities, building lasting relationships that stem from shared interests and goals

Communication and community engagement in science is about creating long-lasting relationships that are built on transparency, mutual respect,  shared goals, and shared interests. Research is fundamentally connected to the island and the community in which we work. Therefore, it is crucial that this work is collaborative and fits into the interests of the community. Proactive, intentional, and meaningful interactions provide opportunities for shared learning between researchers and the community that can help determine whether scientific output is useful to the long-term conservation of cultural and natural resources. These interactions also provide a breadth of perspectives and worldviews that can both inform and drive scientific directions. Opening lines of communication between scientists and community members ensures that science is accessible and transparent to everyone, helping to create opportunities for researchers and community empowerment.

Community engagement can come in many forms, but we must carefully consider how we establish these community interactions and establish trust. Some guiding principles in creating open and meaningful community relationships can include (but are not limited to):

• Establish points of contact: Gump station is isolated from the community as we live and work on or from the station, but we have resources on campus that we can call on (e.g., you can find official liaisons between the researchers and community here, here, or here). It's also crucial that we adequately recognize their contribution and guidance in our scientific efforts.

• Respect the community’s preferred method of communication: The method of communication is likely different according to what community body you intend to reach and connect with (e.g., fishermen vs. school children vs. community activists). Learn these preferences and use accessible language. If you’re interested in learning either French or Reo Tahiti, you can find resources here and here.

• Build pathways for active engagement in scientific research: Build in project involvement for community members that can include help with project design, implementation, reporting & presentations, and outreach, remembering to compensate their time, effort, and intellectual contributions

• Ask for the opportunity to learn from the community:  As a visiting researcher, build mutual respect, develop an appreciation of Polynesian culture, gain generational knowledge of local natural resources, and hone scientific objectives by asking for the opportunity to understand.

Resources