The research and practice of integrating conservation and development: Self-reflections by researchers on methodologies, objectives and influence

Pasgaard, Maya, Dawson, Neil, Rasmussen, Laura Vang, Enghoff, Martin and Jensen, Arne (2017) The research and practice of integrating conservation and development: Self-reflections by researchers on methodologies, objectives and influence. Global Ecology and Conservation, 9. pp. 50-60. ISSN 2351-9894

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Abstract

This study examines the application of mixed-method and participatory approaches to conservation and development research. Both approaches were applied in a research project on the relationship between ecosystem governance and the wellbeing of local communities adjacent to a protected area in Laos. By encouraging four of the involved field researchers to reflect upon and expose their practical approaches as scientific experts (in terms of methodologies, objectives, reliability of results and research influence), this article aims to improve our learning from research practice and to promote reflexivity in research. The reflexive study presented here emphasizes the social and political context or real world situation against which research outputs can and should be evaluated, and retrospectively sheds light on the barriers to reach research objectives. In essence, the article addresses the relation between science and policy, and underlines the political undercurrent of conservation and development research in facilitating institutional change. The article outlines the very role of researchers in developing conservation policies, and provides a foundation for institutions and individual researchers to promote critical and constructive self-reflections in scientific practices.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	practical reflexivity,boundary work,environmental governance,scientific expertise
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Global Environmental Justice
Related URLs:	http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/...
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	04 Jan 2017 00:03
Last Modified:	12 May 2023 00:27
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/61900
DOI:	10.1016/j.gecco.2016.11.006

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