Science in Service of our Communities

Mona Behl

doi:10.5670/oceanog.2021.403

Abstract

In the Golden Isles of Georgia, the Gullah art of braiding sweetgrass into baskets can be traced back over 400 years to its West African roots. This skill is passed on from generation to generation, preserving the oral history, sovereignty, and culture of the Gullah people. Local and indigenous coastal communities, like the Gullah-Geechee, have a deep connection with their natural environment as they depend on forests, fisheries, and wildlife resources for their livelihood and culture. These frontline communities are also facing a complex web of challenges that include rising sea levels, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, encroaching development and increasing property taxes, and loss of fisheries and other coastal livelihoods. As communities develop strategies to address these complex challenges, they need access to place-based research and education that is unique to their people, culture, and ecology.

Highlights

Scientists have a responsibility (Hooke, 2015) to support their local and indigenous communities by providing data and scientific information that make sense to them, and to do so with humility and respect
Scientists can collaborate with programs like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program to help build community resilience to weather and climate events
Our collaborations should not be limited to colleagues at R1 universities but must be extended to researchers at minority-serving institutions as well (NASEM, 2019b)

Summary

Introduction

Scientists have a responsibility (Hooke, 2015) to support their local and indigenous communities by providing data and scientific information that make sense to them, and to do so with humility and respect. Relationship building with communities does not always have to begin from scratch. Our university-based agricultural extension and Sea Grant programs already have long-standing and trusted relationships with local and indigenous communities.

Results

Conclusion