Community collaboration and climate change research

Abstract

Research on climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation, particularly projects aiming to contribute to practical adaptation initiatives, requires active involvement and collaboration with community members, and local, regional, and national organizations that use this research for policy making. Communities are already experiencing and adapting to environmental changes, and researchers have a practical and ethical responsibility to engage communities who are the focus of the research. This poster draws on the experiences of researchers working with communities globally, including in the Canadian Arctic, Africa, South Pacific Islands, Bangladesh, Chile, and Canadian Prairies, together with the expertise of local organizations, research institutes, and community partners, to outline key considerations for effectively engaging communities in collaborative research. These considerations include: initiating early and ongoing communication with communities, regional and national contacts; involving communities in research design and development; facilitating opportunities for local employment; and dissemination of research findings. Examples of each consideration are drawn from climate change research conducted by members of the Global Environmental Change Group with communities in Canada and internationally.