5.Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies...

5.Transitioning from the past, through the present to potential futures of knowledge hierarchies in ocean biodiversity governance research.

5/5 Panels of the 2023 Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment, 14 September 2023.

One Ocean Hub continues to collaborate with Global Network for Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) co-organising a series of panels for GNHRE & UNEP Summer/Winter School for Human Rights & the Environment. This year the Summer/Winter School focused on the theme “Transformations and Transitions”. The School was held in collaboration with the University of Southampton Law School and with the ongoing support of the One Ocean Hub.

Knowledge hierarchies refer to the systematic ordering, ranking, and valuation of knowledge and its production according to their perceived authority, legitimacy, or status. Knowledge hierarchies have become embedded and continue to be reinforced across marine biodiversity governance and associated research.

Knowledge and associated processes of production are steeped within histories of colonisation and the parallel development(s) of environmental marine (social) sciences and Western-dominated conservationism. As researchers address modern ocean biodiversity and conservation challenges, researchers must not only be aware of the history of knowledge extraction, imposition, and assumption within their fields, they must also actively work to continuously acknowledge and address these in their work.

Yet, even within research that recognises the need to implement paradigm shifts and transformations, knowledge hierarchies have proven to be multi-layered and perpetuating, even within the context of conscious attempts to address hierarchies through such methods as the integration or ‘bringing together’ of diverse knowledge systems. Researchers from a diversity of disciplines are interrogating the challenges and commitments required to address imbalances created by knowledge hierarchies, even within the construct that favours the status quo.

The Panel will reflect on research undertaken as part of the One Ocean Hub and will interrogate three questions, utilising a combination of case studies and experience in their diverse disciplines:
● Why are knowledge hierarchies an issue?
● How have knowledge hierarchies arisen with respect to marine biodiversity governance and how are they perpetuated?
● How does our research respond (or engage with) to their presence/the issue of knowledge hierarchies?



Panellists:
1.Dr David Wilson, One Ocean Hub and University of Strathclyde, UK (chair)

2.Dr Alana Lancaster, One Ocean Hub and University of the West Indies, Barbados.

3.Dr Holly Niner, One Ocean Hub and University of Plymouth, UK.

4.Marly Muudeni Samuel, One Ocean Hub and Glasgow School of Art, UK.