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Positive, non-exploitative interactions between Gump researchers and the community of Moorea benefit the island, the sea, researchers, and the local community.
Research and science should necessitate knowledge exchange within a community. Sharing our results with the communities that rely on the resources we study is an integral part of responsible research. Listening to community members expertise, questions, and concerns is also critical to conducting responsible research — this is bidirectional. Understanding who comprises this community - our combined traditions, languages, lives, etc - and the impact of research on this community helps build long-lasting rapport and ensures that scientific efforts are not one-sided or exploitative of people or ecosystems. Good research ethics consider what science will take from the land, sea, participants, and community, and what we give back: in knowledge, in agency, in understanding, in stewardship, in publications to the public domain, in compensation when appropriate for the burden of time/labor or resources, and more. This can also be possible through early, flexible data collection plans, information sharing in formats that are useful and accessible, publication credit, and a commitment to maintaining rewarding long-term relationships. Each of these requires self-reflection. Co-investing in learning about the island, from the island, and for the future of the island (as a core objective of the Long Term Ecological Research network and generations living in Moorea) can incentivize the scientific success that arises from data sharing and collaboration.
The resources we provide below - particularly those required for permitting - outline access and ownership of data derived from Moorea’s ecosystems. It is imperative to be intentional when applying for these permits, as they often incorporate strict parameters such as: end users of samples, who can access scientific information gathered, who is included in publications, how much an ecosystem is impacted by research, etc.
Some questions to consider when applying for these permits include:
Why are we collecting samples or data in Moorea, rather than anywhere else in the world?
Who can use this data in the future and how?
What is the use of this data/project for others?
What trace will you leave on the environment? Will you clean up after your experiment or data collection?
Resources
Continued Reading
Reciprocal Research: Providing Value in Design Research from the Outset in the Rural United States Hanrahan, Betanzos, Ma, and Savage et al. NSF. https://par.nsf.gov/servlets/purl/10175706
Rethinking Collaboration for Coral Reef Science. Love et al. 2021. ASLO. https://doi.org/10.1002/lob.10426
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