Side-effects of doing research? Potential consequences of involving non-academic actors in natural hazard research

Abstract

Academia is more and more under the demand to create both scientific and societally relevant research with beneficial effects for society. There is a strong consensus that the engagement of non-academic actors in research activities is associated with greater societal relevance and usability of science for society. Involving non-academic actors within natural hazards and disaster risk research has seen a rise in popularity with the advent of participatory and transdisciplinary research approaches. Particularly in countries of the Global South, the participation, engagement, or involvement of non-academic actors in research on natural hazards and disaster risk is seen as promising strategy for solving data issues, raising awareness and generating knowledge. However, besides beneficial consequences, the participation, engagement, or involvement in scientific research may also have negative side-effects for non-academic actors (e.g., causing mistrust, anxiety, or research-fatigue). Against this background, the aim of the ImSE-R project is to assess how the participation, engagement, or involvement in scientific research on natural hazards and disaster risk may have consequences – ranging from intended impacts to unintended implications and negative side-effects for non-academic actors. This contribution presents the results of a systematic review of studies on hazards and disaster risk in the Himalayan region (2000-2022) to better understand how academic actors negotiate and manage research relationships with non-academic actors in the context of natural hazards and disaster risk research. The contribution derives insights on how non-academic actors were involved in natural hazard and disaster risk research activities (actively, passively); underlying motivations and goals of academic actors for involving non-academic actors in natural hazard and disaster risk research; and perceived impacts and implications of involving non-academic actors in research. The results of the review feed into the development of a conceptual framework on research impacts and implications in the context of natural hazard and disaster risk research.