Respect frontline communities’ time and effort
Research activities can be time-consuming, especially if community members are involved in analysis and interpretation. Community members may question whether the time and energy spent participating in research will result in meaningful outcomes for them. This may be the case even if community organizations initiate research projects or acknowledge the need for more technical or scientific approaches to building evidence that can inform policy or advocacy. Participants may lose motivation, especially when academic or technical objectives overshadow community priorities.
Solutions
1.
Align research expectations
Co-develop short-term and longer-term research agendas. Aligning on these and transparently setting expectations from the outset can help to maintain trust and participation. Participatory diagnoses and community-defined indicators of success can also help clarify what is achievable and valuable for everyone involved.
2.
Tailor outputs to the context
Prioritize generating practical and situated outputs, rather than only theory-oriented or academically-focused outputs like journal articles, scientific papers, or reports. More situationally helpful outputs could include data products, like datasets or tools, to support continued data collection and analysis.
3.
Map stakeholder power and interest
By mapping power relations, you might identify people who can ally with your work, or further its intended impact (e.g., interested policymakers).
4.
Value community spaces and time
Show up in community spaces when invited (or when open to the public) and offer to support work that may not directly align with your priorities, but has been identified as central to the project and collaboration by your partners. Allocate financial or other development resources to compensate community participation in collaborations.
Know of another resource or solution?
Resources
CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance
The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance provide a framework for considering the collective benefit of data collection and use activities, specifically for Indigenous data and collaboration.
Thriving Earth Exchange
AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange has shared resources for co-producing research and advancing outcomes rather than just standalone products.
Research for the Frontlines
Research for the Frontlines provides a model for cooperative environmental research wherein volunteer academics respond to community requests for research support.
The Collective Power Playbook’s Starter Advocacy Strategy Play
The Collective Power Playbook’s Starter Advocacy Strategy Play provides a group exercise how-to for stakeholder mapping. While not all collaborative research efforts will focus explicitly on advocacy strategy, this exercise can help collaborations think through who has power and influence in a given arena, and how to engage them.