Engagement

Research that makes an impact

Community and partner engagement leads to more equitable and applicable research. Alaska Sea Grant is committed to projects that both engage and inform relevant communities, partners, and user groups. This list is designed to help you consider engagement activities in your research.

Collaborative research and meaningful engagement

• The project includes meaningful and equitable collaboration with communities, industry, agencies, or other interested parties.
• The project team has identified and engaged with parties who are affected by the problem being addressed, as well as those affected by the research activities and outcomes.
• The project draws on collaborative input from interested parties, and members of local communities are included in the development of potential research questions, research plans, data collection, etc.
• The project encourages and incorporates knowledge from Indigenous and other local residents, and uses best practices.

Resources on best practices for building partnerships and generating collaborative and equitable knowledge:

• • National Sea Grant Traditional and Local Knowledge vision PDF, pages 21 and 22
  • Navigating the New Arctic Community Office (NNA-CO)

 

Types of Engagement

• Inform: share information about program or deliver outcomes to those affected, typically via a one-way flow of information. Examples: develop a website, newsletter, or social media presence or hold a lecture, field day, or town hall for sharing program updates.
• Consult: ask for opinions or information. Examples: develop an online survey, conduct individual or group interviews or in-person listening sessions to gather input on specific aspects of the program.
• Involve: engage communities in certain aspects of the program. Examples: invite community members to participate in data collection or meet regularly with an advisory board of stakeholders to ask for help making decisions about the program.
• Collaborate: partners with the program, guiding the program's direction or contributing resources. Examples: involve communities in all aspects of the program activities from start, including establishing objectives, planning, and implementing the work, and interpreting and applying the results.

 

Outreach activities target relevant parties or communities

• Key outreach outcomes are clearly articulated. Who and approximately how many people will be engaged in what types of ways? What will they learn about the project and its results? How do you expect them to apply the results?
• Methods of dissemination of information are identified, appropriate, and likely to be effective in the community or communities.
• Methods for evaluating outreach success are specified.
• The project team has outreach expertise or an education partner.
• If Alaska Native or other cultural groups are targeted, the proposal demonstrates cultural respect and partnerships with existing organizations.
• Appropriate consultation with educators has occurred to ensure that what is proposed is feasible and that lesson plans or other educational resources developed for project outreach will be used, if outreach to K-12 teachers or students is proposed.

Resources for communicating with public audiences:

• • AAAS Communication Toolkit
  • Education and Public Outreach: A Guide for Scientists

 

Also consider ...

• Costs are specified and realistic.
• Outreach plan includes a reasonable timeline of activities.
• Partnerships will not create conflicts of interest in terms of favoring viewpoints of particular interested parties.
• The proposed outreach will not duplicate work already being done by others.

Alaska Sea Grant can help

Alaska Sea Grant has resources to help you with:

• Development and production of publications, videos, websites, and other outreach or education products
• Coordination of meetings and workshops
• Release of information to news media

For outreach to K–12 teachers or students, contact Alaska Sea Grant about effective strategies and the development and dissemination of educational resources.

 

_________________________________________________

Our Values: the Four R's

Alaska Sea Grant supports research engagement that embodies the Four R's of Relationship, Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Redistribution described by Harris & Wasilewsky, 2004 (https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.631).

Research is conducted in Relationship: Researchers foster trust and open communication with communities and/or partners throughout the research process. Communities and partners are provided the opportunity to define research objectives, and the research is aligned with their interests and priorities. Research is respectful and recognizes the unique cultural context, values, and perspectives of those involved.

Research is conducted Responsibly: Researchers uphold high ethical standards throughout the research process, including considering potential impacts on communities and taking steps to mitigate any harm. Researchers recognize their positionality and how their identity and viewpoints influence their research and engagement. Researchers take action to address ongoing social, economic, and environmental issues facing marginalized or underserved communities. Researchers promote the sovereignty of communities involved in the research, including autonomy over research and data. 

Research is conducted in Reciprocity: Researchers invest in communities and partners in tangible ways, and recognize their partners investment in the research. Researchers share findings and provide benefits from the research. Researchers engage with community members and partners to seek input and guidance, acknowledging their knowledge and perspective. Researchers work with younger generations to engage them on the topic and build their critical thinking skills.

Research is conducted with Redistribution: Communities and partners mutually benefit from the research, whether financially through an equitably distributed project budget, or through other means. Outcomes of the research are shared equitably and contribute to the well-being of those involved.