"Maybe you need to do something about it": challenges in global environmental change research with and within local communities

This study investigates challenges faced by researchers collaborating with local and indigenous communities on global environmental change projects. Through interviews with 15 researchers and analysis of their publications, eight key challenges were identified: external pressure, engaging local participants, project relevance, prior negative experiences, cultural/historical/geographical differences, language barriers, payment for participation, and diverging epistemic cultures. Researchers consistently demonstrated ethical care and responsibility. However, published articles rarely reflected these challenges, highlighting a need for greater transparency in research reporting.

Roxana Roos