Towards co-production of knowledge? : Natural scientists’ perspectives on collaboration with local communities in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract: Solving complex sustainability problems requires diverse perspectives from different academic disciplines and non-academic actors. However, no generally accepted guidelines exist on how to apply transdisciplinarity or other collaborative approaches in a research process. Therefore, applied research approaches reflect the perspectives and expectations of researchers in terms of collaboration. This thesis aims to analyse how natural scientists view and involve indigenous people and local communities in a collaborative research process. To fulfil this aim, an international natural resource-related project in the Brazilian Amazon was examined as a case study and semi-structured interviews were conducted with natural scientists. The empirical data shows that local communities are directly involved in the project, incorporating their knowledge and opinions. Although the researchers think the collaborative approach is valuable, the majority believe that local community participation and decision-making power should be enhanced. The challenges faced by scientists are the communication of science and the difficulties related to power asymmetries or social, such as cultural differences. Simultaneously, cultural and social exchange can serve as inspiration for new perspectives for scientists if they are open-minded and flexible. The most highlighted benefit is the local knowledge of the communities. Scientists maintain that they cannot conduct research without local communities’ knowledge of the environment and the forest. Therefore, communities should also benefit from the academic knowledge of the scientists and the co-produced knowledge generated through the collaboration. Furthermore, the role and help of community members in research should be acknowledged, enhancing their involvement and authority in decision-making within research.