Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1111/cobi.14325
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Strategies for advancing inclusive biodiversity research through equitable practices and collective responsibility
Author Valdez, J.; Damasceno, G.; Oh, R.R.Y. ORCID logo ; Quintero Uribe, L.C.; Barajas Barbosa, M.P.; Ferreira Amado, T.; Schmidt, C.; Fernandez, M.; Sharma, S.
Source Titel Conservation Biology
Year 2024
Department BioP
Volume 38
Issue 6
Page From e14325
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords collaboration; conservation; diversity; ecology; equitable participation; equity; global south; inclusivity; representation; tropical regions; colaboración; DEI; equidad; inclusión; participación equitativa; regiones tropicales; representación; Sur Global
Abstract Biodiversity research is essential for addressing the global biodiversity crisis, necessitating diverse participation and perspectives of researchers from a wide range of backgrounds. However, conservation faces a significant inclusivity problem because local expertise from biodiversity-rich but economically disadvantaged regions is often underrepresented. This underrepresentation is driven by linguistic bias, undervalued contributions, parachute science practices, and capacity constraints. Although fragmented solutions exist, a unified multistakeholder approach is needed to address the interconnected and systemic conservation issues. We devised a holistic framework of collective responsibility across all research participants and tailored strategies that embrace diversity and dismantle systemic barriers to equitable collaboration. This framework delineates the diverse actors and practices required for promoting inclusivity in biodiversity research, assigning clear responsibilities to researchers, publishers, institutions, and funding bodies. Strategies for researchers include cultivating self-awareness, expanding literature searches, fostering partnerships with local experts, and promoting knowledge exchange. For institutions, we recommend establishing specialized liaison roles, implementing equitable policies, allocating resources for diversity initiatives, and enhancing support for international researchers. Publishers can facilitate multilingual dissemination, remove financial barriers, establish inclusivity standards, and ensure equitable representation in peer review. Funders must remove systemic barriers, strengthen research networks, and prioritize equitable resource allocation. Implementing these stakeholder-specific strategies can help dismantle deep-rooted biases and structural inequities in biodiversity research, catalyzing a shift toward a more inclusive and representative model that amplifies diverse perspectives and maximizes collective knowledge for effective global conservation.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29509
Valdez, J., Damasceno, G., Oh, R.R.Y., Quintero Uribe, L.C., Barajas Barbosa, M.P., Ferreira Amado, T., Schmidt, C., Fernandez, M., Sharma, S. (2024):
Strategies for advancing inclusive biodiversity research through equitable practices and collective responsibility
Conserv. Biol. 38 (6), e14325 10.1111/cobi.14325