Turning the tide of parachute science

Stefanoudis, Paris V.; Licuanan, Wilfredo Y.; Morrison, Tiffany H.; Talma, Sheena; Veitayaki, Joeli; Woodall, Lucy C.

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.029

Cited by 191 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Over time, this led to a disproportionate accumulation of wealth in the Global North that continues to drive economic disparities and participation imbalances in science today [16][17][18] . Despite outward criticism of colonialism and legal provisions aimed at preventing international transport of biological and genetic resources (e.g., the Nagoya Protocol), affluent nations continue to lead bio and genomic prospecting efforts and parachute science remains prevalent 40,41 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from 20 years of plant genome sequencing: an unprecedented resource in need of more diverse representation

Hotaling

Frandsen

VanBuren

2021

Preprint

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The field of plant genomics has grown rapidly in the past 20 years, leading to dramatic increases in both the quantity and quality of publicly available genomic resources. With an ever-expanding wealth of genomic data from an increasingly diverse set of taxa, unprecedented potential exists to better understand the evolution and genome biology of plants. Here, we provide a contemporary view of plant genomics, including analyses on the quality of existing plant genome assemblies, the taxonomic distribution of sequenced species, and how national participation has influenced the fields development. We show that genome quality has increased dramatically in recent years, that substantial taxonomic gaps exist, and that the field has been dominated by affluent nations in the Global North, despite a wide geographic distribution of sequenced species. We identify multiple inconsistencies between the range of focal species and the national affiliation of the researchers studying the plants, which we argue are rooted in colonialism--both past and present. Falling sequencing costs paired with widening availability of analytical tools and an increasingly connected scientific community provide key opportunities to improve existing assemblies, fill sampling gaps, and, most importantly, empower a more global plant genomics community.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from 20 years of plant genome sequencing: an unprecedented resource in need of more diverse representation

Hotaling

Frandsen

VanBuren

2021

Preprint

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“…We note that historically disenfranchised groups may view even solutions‐based research with suspicion and distrust when it is led by scientists and managers from institutions external to the community and/or from majority demographics (Pandya, 2012). Histories of exploitation and colonialism have legacies in many mainstream geoscientists’ work: some fail to consider local values, cultures, and knowledge; others fail to involve community members directly in the research process (Cuker, 2001; David‐Chavez & Gavin, 2019; Stefanoudis et al., 2021), even when engaging in place‐based work. Within communities that continue to experience loss of land, rights, jobs, culture, or traditions, problem‐based approaches to science learning are likely to fall short of inclusion because they are rooted in the assimilation of Indigenous 2001).…”

Section: Geoscience Research At the Intersection Of Place And Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Equitable Exchange: A Framework for Diversity and Inclusion in the Geosciences

et al. 2021

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Despite growing demographic diversity in the United States population at large, in the 50 years that the National Science Foundation has been keeping demographic statistics, there has been a continuing lack of diversification in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce, leading to growing frustration and a compelling need for both equity and inclusion (Bernard & Cooperdock, 2018).Within the geosciences (Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Polar Sciences), there is a current wave of energy and attention to issues of equity and social justice in geoscience spaces that is long overdue. Calls to action (Ali et al., 2020;Morris et al., 2020), publications (e.g., Chen et al., 2020;Marín-Spiotta et al., 2020), personal stories (#BlackAndStem (#BlackAndStem was created by Stephanie Page, PhD; twitter: @ThePurplePage)), new centers (e.g., AGU Ethics and Equity Center), and emerging movements (URGE: https://urgeoscience. org/) are pushing the edges and reforming approaches to broadening participation. This is encouraging, as past strategies to accelerate demographic and ethnocultural representation have not succeeded as hoped. Many existing approaches portray the lack of diversity as a problem of unequal access (e.g., via affordability or as a consequence of structural racism), and/or one of unequal interest, with evidence existing for both perspectives (Dutt, 2020; Posselt, 2020). One mechanism to broaden participation in the geosciences is to

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“…This is further exacerbated by the phenomenon of 'parachute science', which is a model of practice where scientists undertake fieldwork in a nation different from their own, and once samples or data are collected, they leave with little or no further engagement with anyone from that nation [5,6]. Typically, this involves scientists from a wealthier nation visiting a country with a lower gross domestic product [7]. Not only is this approach ethically questionable, it neglects to appreciate the value of the representation, skills, knowledge and perspectives of the resident scientists, stakeholders and government.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-development, co-production and co-dissemination of scientific research: a case study to demonstrate mutual benefits

et al. 2021

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Inadequate and inequitable distribution of research capacity and resources limits both the opportunity for leadership and participation in science. It also results in biases of effort, poor and misinterpretation of global patterns and the availability of limited usable knowledge for current challenges. Increased participation in ocean research and decision-making is needed to account for many stressors and challenges. The current intergovernmental attention on the ocean (e.g. UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development) and the development of technologies that permit exploration and accelerate exploitation suggest that it is timely to focus on the ocean and its stewardship. Employing the principles of co-development, co-production and co-dissemination, this paper uses a case study of a deep reef project in Seychelles to illustrate some activities that can be employed to magnify research outcomes and legacy. We provide examples that range from ministerial briefings and planning meetings to joint fieldwork, grant allocation and co-authoring outputs. These activities helped us to align priorities, promote authentic interactions and focus on equitable science. Finally, reflecting on our experiences, we acknowledge the benefits brought by respectful and long-term partnerships, the variety of activities needed to develop these and challenges of maintaining them. In the future, we also want to include more opportunities for regional peer-to-peer learning and technology transfer.

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Turning the tide of parachute science

Cited by 191 publications

References 4 publications

Lessons from 20 years of plant genome sequencing: an unprecedented resource in need of more diverse representation

Lessons from 20 years of plant genome sequencing: an unprecedented resource in need of more diverse representation

Equitable Exchange: A Framework for Diversity and Inclusion in the Geosciences

Co-development, co-production and co-dissemination of scientific research: a case study to demonstrate mutual benefits

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