Community Education & Collaboration

Scientific research is becoming less restricted by national boundaries, creating many opportunities to directly interact with, teach, and learn from people in other countries that depend directly on environmental resources for their livelihood. One of the central components of my research program is direct incorporation and collaboration with members of local communities. These interactions are among the most valuable experiences I have had in my career, and will continue to be an integral part of my scientific endeavors. For example, a fish tagging study conducting in association with local fishing guides of the Cinaruco River resulted in new ecological insights, as well as an excellent introduction to fisheries management, conservation, and ecology for the local people. Individuals, from children to community elders, have assisted with my field experiments and data collection in Venezuela, allowing them to have a stake in the work being conducted. In the Bahamas, all of my work is conducted with students or other local community members. This collaboration builds capacity in individuals with little formal research training, and facilitates mutual understanding among scientists and resource users. This approach to research facilitates data collection that would not be possible otherwise, and provides valuable insight from differing viewpoints that can be used to guide research and conservation efforts.

top