Frogs, bogs and people: Community science outreach on Haida Gwaii" - ERI Seminar - June 2024

I will share some of my stories, research findings, and lessons from science outreach and community engagement during my PhD research on amphibians on the remote archipelago of Haida Gwaii (British Columbia, Canada), home of the Haida Nation. I spent over six years studying the ecological interactions, genetics, and distribution of amphibians on Haida Gwaii - and building relationships with people. My work with the Haida Nation, schools, government, farmers, forestry companies and the general public became integral to the success of my project. Societal benefits from science require community engagement and outreach. Increasingly scientists are required to work with the communities in which we do our research to achieve these benefits. But this should not be seen as an inconvenience; often research outcomes improve greatly from community involvement in research. It can be challenging and emotional work. There is no handbook on doing ethical and effective community engagement, as the right approach varies depending on the community. However, there are some commonalities and, in this talk, I will share some lessons that apply to Aotearoa and beyond.

Roseanna is a restoration ecologist and National Geographic Explorer who grew up in Te Tai Poutini/West Coast of the South Island. She has worked with numerous different ecosystems and species here in Aotearoa and abroad. She is currently a postdoc at the University of Otago, doing various community-led projects in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. She is passionate about working with communities, science communication and connecting research results to land managers and the public.