Navigating Ethical Place-Based Research in Transdisciplinary Marine Science (and Beyond)

Ella-Kari Muhl, Vitor Renck, Maria B. Battaglia, Lívia R. Cruz, Lowine S. Hill, Rafael Lembi, Willem Malherbe, Deborah S. Prado, Kinga Psiuk and Mia Strand
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Ella-Kari Muhl: Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Vitor Renck: Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil / Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Australia
Maria B. Battaglia: School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Canada
Lívia R. Cruz: Center for Biology and Society, Arizona State University, USA
Lowine S. Hill: School of Planning, University of Waterloo, Canada
Rafael Lembi: Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, USA
Willem Malherbe: Savoirs, Environnement et Sociétés (SENS), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), France
Deborah S. Prado: Institute of Marine Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
Kinga Psiuk: Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Mia Strand: Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa

Ocean and Society, 2026, vol. 3

Abstract: Place-based research (PBR) allows for genuine engagement with the deep-rooted dynamics of complex social-ecological systems. Ideally, PBR centres reciprocal relationships with communities to co-produce research grounded in transdisciplinary, participatory, and solution-oriented approaches. Yet, for early career researchers (ECRs), the ethical, relational, and cultural dimensions of PBR can be difficult to navigate, especially when research takes place in social, cultural, or ecological contexts that differ meaningfully from one’s own. While critiques of “parachute science” are widely acknowledged, academic training often falls short in preparing ECRs for the relational and ethical realities of transdisciplinary and context-specific research. Accordingly, in this commentary we offer practical strategies and shared perspectives for conducting ethical, relational PBR by: (a) drawing on experiences, tensions, and lessons from PBR; (b) building on conceptual debates about ethics, positionality, and relational reflexivity; and (c) translating experiences and lessons into actionable practice. Further, we outline tools we piloted to promote reflexive capacity (e.g., booklet, reflexive archetypes) needed for PBR. We present these practical insights as contributions to help ECRs navigate the deep dynamics rooted in marine and coastal social-ecological systems research to support meaningful, inclusive, and actionable ocean sustainability.

Keywords: early career researchers; positionality; reflexivity; relational practices; social-ecological systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:ocesoc:v3:y:2026:a:12800

DOI: 10.17645/oas.12800

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