In Latin America, transdisciplinary commons research is constantly challenged by the need to communicate effectively and comprehend the varied perspectives, knowledge systems, and worldviews between local communities and academic researchers. Communication challenges can materialize through a lack of engagement of academic researchers in fully including local communities into their projects. Some researchers are more involved with pressing issues than others, leading to minimal efforts to foster social transformations in local territories and improve livelihoods. These dynamics directly impact collective action and effective governance in the region.
Since 2021, the Latin-American Network of Participatory Research (Red de Investigación Participativa en América Latina - Red IPAL) seeks to reflect on these challenges through promoting exchanges between academics and grassroots organizations and movements in the region. This panel aims to identify which communication methods, tools, and strategies are most effective in enhancing the communication capacities of local communities and researchers, and in bridging the gap between these groups in transdisciplinary commons research across Latin America. Researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders are invited to share their experiences with communication in transdisciplinary research. Following the presentations, there will be a question-and-answer session designed to foster dialogue and exchange ideas. Presentations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese are welcome, accommodating our audience's linguistic diversity.
Artisanal fisheries in Uruguay face multiple and interdependent challenges, including those related to resource conditions, socioeconomic, cultural, and governance dimensions. Climate change is one of the drivers that can intensify the so-called fisheries crisis. In this dynamic and uncertain context, fishers’ adaptation becomes crucial. In 2023, the Latin American Network of Participatory Research (RIPAL), joined efforts with Uruguayan academic institutions and other actors (e.g. the National Union of Seaworkers) to lead a transdisciplinary project on this topic involving artisanal fishers. The objectives were (1) to collaboratively analyze challenges imposed by climate change on artisanal fisheries in Uruguay’s coastal and inland areas, and (2) to generate a co-creation and learning environment between researchers and fishers from multiple locations of the country to explore ongoing and potential adaptation strategies. Fifty-five fishers and fishworkers (39 men and 16 women) participated in the project (August - December 2023), belonging to 4 regions of the country with different fishing and environmental characteristics: rivers, Río de la Plata estuary, lagoons, and Atlantic Ocean. The main methods used were photo-voice, semi-structured interviews, and workshops. In this presentation we focus on the communication components of the project, considering both the process and its outcomes/outputs. The combination of in-person, virtual and hybrid activities allowed for the involvement of fishers from multiple locations and promoted learning and relationship-building among them, as well as between academic and non-academic participants. Two important outputs of the project were a web map showing fishers’ perspectives about the changes in the social-ecological systems they inhabit, and a photo-exhibit with pictures shared by fishers (through photo-voice), available online and printed. Communication and participation challenges in this national-level participatory research project are also discussed.
In the Ecuadorian Andes, community-based irrigation systems managed by peasant and indigenous communities are under threat due to the increasing migration of young people to cities and abroad and the lack of economic opportunities in rural areas for young professionals. This research aims to examine how young people contribute to transforming community water management for agroecological production in hydrosocial territories of the Ecuadorian Andes. It first analyzes the inclusion of young people in community irrigation organizations. Then, it evaluates the role of international cooperation in supporting the implementation of agroecological practices as socioeconomic opportunities for young people. Finally, it explores avenues for strengthening youth leadership in community management of irrigation water and agroecological innovations. More broadly, we aim to break with the stereotypes often associated with young people as being lazy or apolitical. Another common imaginary is to portrait a massive return of young entrepreneurs to rural areas and place all the responsibility for a sustainable future on their shoulders. On the contrary, this research aims to show the more complex realities and challenges faced by the actual rural youth. This research analyzes these transformations in three hydrosocial territories of the Ecuadorian Andes: the indigenous communities of Cangahua (province of Pichincha) and Quisapincha (province of Tungurahua), and the peasant community of Yunguilla (Metropolitan District of Quito, DMQ). This project offers a transdisciplinary approach by enhancing collaborative research between academia and the community, by involving young people from rural areas into the production of research results through creative products such as multilingual videos in Kichwa and Spanish. The main result of this project is expected to be the strengthening of youth leadership in community organizations that manage irrigation water systems and agroecological practices in community territories.
