Taking stories: The ethics of cross-cultural community conservation research in Samburu, Kenya

Main Article Content

Sarah E Walker
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3095-9194
Brett L Bruyere
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7802-5468
Meredith Grady
Alexandra McHenry
Carrie Frickman
Will Davis
Unity Women's Village

Abstract

Biodiversity is under threat at a global level, and many of the most biodiverse hotspots are in developing regions of the world. In many of these communities, livelihoods are often dependent on the same natural landscapes that support biodiversity. As a result, achieving global conservation and development goals is a priority in these regions, and therefore they attract the interest of both local and international researchers. However, research by outside, Western-based researchers can present ethical and practical challenges in these areas. Fortunately, community-based participatory research (CBPR), if managed well, can contribute to responsible conservation research in these regions. In this article, we investigate strategies to address ethical issues associated with cross-cultural conservation and development research. Our analysis draws on the experiences of a women’s village in northern Kenya and six Western researchers. Using qualitative methodologies, we identify common themes in ethical conservation and develop research including critical consciousness, relationship-building, reciprocity, and adaptive research processes. We discuss the implications for ethical CBPR and, specifically, the need for both researchers and funders to only conduct such research if they can devote the resources required to do so ethically. 

Article Details

Section
Research articles (Refereed)
Author Biographies

Sarah E Walker

Sarah is currently a Ph.D. candidate and instructor in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department at Colorado State University. 

Brett L Bruyere

Associate Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department (HDNR) at Colorado State University, and Director of HDNR’s Conservation Leadership graduate program.

Meredith Grady

Meredith Grady is a human dimensions specialist at Colorado State University. The majority of her professional career has focused on human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Her current work explores the social science components of invasive species management and conflict in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Alexandra McHenry

Alex has a Master's of Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Occidental College. Her work focuses on using systems-thinking and monitoring and evaluation to tackle complex social and environmental issues. 

Carrie Frickman

Carrie Frickman is a graphic recorder, illustrator and conservationist based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. With a master’s from Colorado State University, her work is inspired by interconnections between humanity and the environment and she harnesses the power of visual communication to deepen and strengthen these connections

Will Davis

Will Davis has a Master’s of Conservation Leadership from Colorado State University. Will earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and worked on varied conservation work in the western U.S. He is currently working at a watershed coalition in Northern Colorado specializing in community engagement