New publication: Closing the parachute and opening the umbrella

New paper alert! "Closing the parachute and opening the umbrella: Strategies for inclusivity and representation in producing impactful coastal ecosystem research." This paper was written in collaboration with several international friends and colleagues. Thanks for all your hard work!

Parachute science is the problematic and extractive practice of non-local researchers taking data, knowledge and information from communities of which they are not members. This practice fails to engage the local community and local scientists, marginalizing them in most aspects of the research to the benefit of the non-local researchers. Parachute science is perpetuated by colonialism and unequal access to resources like funding, education and data. It is harmful to local scientists and undervalues the contributions of the community as a whole.

Here, we offer our perspectives on parachute science and suggestions on how to avoid it, based on our collective experiences conducting research internationally with diverse scientists and communities. Instead of a parachute, we suggest opening the scientific "umbrella" to incorporate diverse perspectives and local contributions to generate relevant and impactful science.