Short answer

Shift from an extractive approach to a collaborative and community-led research model when working with Indigenous knowledge systems.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: Environmental Research Letters (2018)
Method: Systematic Review
Evidence: Strong effect

The majority of climate research involving Indigenous communities adopts an extractive model, limiting community participation and decision-making, which hinders responsible knowledge integration. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Environmental Research Letters. Using Systematic review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Shift from an extractive approach to a collaborative and community-led research model when working with Indigenous knowledge systems.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Extractive Research Models Undermine Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Studies

The majority of climate research involving Indigenous communities adopts an extractive model, limiting community participation and decision-making, which hinders responsible knowledge integration.

Environmental Research Letters · 2018

Key Findings

0187% of climate studies employ an extractive research model with minimal Indigenous community participation or decision-making.
02Few studies report on outputs directly serving Indigenous communities, ethical guidelines, or providing community access to findings.
03Studies initiated with or by Indigenous community members demonstrate significantly higher indicators of responsible engagement.

Application

Design takeaway

Shift from an extractive approach to a collaborative and community-led research model when working with Indigenous knowledge systems.

How to apply

When designing projects that involve Indigenous communities, establish clear protocols for shared decision-making from the outset, ensuring research outputs are mutually beneficial and accessible.

Project actions

01When your design project involves cultural knowledge, ensure you are building genuine partnerships, not just collecting information.
02Consider how your design process can empower the community whose knowledge you are using, not just benefit your own project goals.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the extent and nature of Indigenous community engagement in climate research globally and identify patterns of participation across the research lifecycle.

MethodSystematic Review

ProcedureThe researchers conducted a global systematic review of climate field studies that accessed Indigenous knowledge. They developed indicators to assess responsible community engagement and analyzed the level of Indigenous community participation and decision-making in research initiation, design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination.

ContextClimate change research involving Indigenous communities

Variables

IVResearch initiation source (outside researchers vs. Indigenous community members)

DVIndicators of responsible community engagement

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a comprehensive global overview of a critical issue.
+Develops clear indicators for assessing research engagement.
+Offers actionable recommendations for responsible research practice.

Limitations

It can be challenging to establish genuine partnerships within the time constraints of a typical design project, and ensuring equitable benefit sharing requires careful planning and resources.

Reliability & validity

The systematic review methodology, with defined indicators for engagement, enhances the reliability and validity of the findings regarding the prevalence of extractive models.

Think critically

How can design methodologies be adapted to actively dismantle extractive practices and foster equitable, community-led innovation when working with traditional knowledge systems?

Design Principles

"Prioritize Indigenous self-determination and equitable partnership in all research and design processes involving traditional knowledge."

Designers and researchers must move beyond superficial engagement to co-create research processes that empower Indigenous communities. This shift ensures that knowledge is shared ethically and benefits the communities who hold it, leading to more robust and relevant climate solutions.

What This Means for Your Design

Many studies that use Indigenous knowledge about climate change don't properly involve Indigenous people in the research, treating their knowledge like a resource to be taken rather than a partnership to be built.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study to justify the importance of community engagement and ethical considerations in your design process, especially if your project touches on cultural knowledge or environmental issues relevant to specific communities.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights a critical issue in environmental studies: the prevalence of extractive research models that limit Indigenous community participation and decision-making. For instance, David-Chavez and Gavin (2018) found that 87% of climate studies accessing Indigenous knowledge employed an extractive approach. This underscores the necessity for design projects to move beyond mere consultation towards genuine co-creation, ensuring that communities are empowered partners throughout the research and design lifecycle and that outputs are mutually beneficial.

Source

Environmental Research Letters

A global assessment of Indigenous community engagement in climate research

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about extractive research models undermine indigenous knowledge in climate studies?: Shift from an extractive approach to a collaborative and community-led research model when working with Indigenous knowledge systems. Evidence: Environmental Research Letters (2018).
Why does "Extractive Research Models Undermine Indigenous Knowledge in Climate Studies" matter for design?: Designers and researchers must move beyond superficial engagement to co-create research processes that empower Indigenous communities. This shift ensures that knowledge is shared ethically and benefits the communities who hold it, leading to more robust and relevant climate solutions.
How can designers apply this research?: Shift from an extractive approach to a collaborative and community-led research model when working with Indigenous knowledge systems.
What were the main findings?: 87% of climate studies employ an extractive research model with minimal Indigenous community participation or decision-making.. Few studies report on outputs directly serving Indigenous communities, ethical guidelines, or providing community access to findings.. Studies initiated with or by Indigenous community members demonstrate significantly higher indicators of responsible engagement.
What research method was used?: Systematic Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Environmental Research Letters.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing projects that involve Indigenous communities, establish clear protocols for shared decision-making from the outset, ensuring research outputs are mutually beneficial and accessible.
What are the limitations?: The review focused on climate field studies accessing Indigenous knowledge, potentially excluding other forms of environmental research or engagement.