Outreach

I involve communities in my research through workshops and discussions to share information about the projects and programs being implemented in their territories. To initiate a research project in a specific place, I first reach out to community leaders and organize a public discussion to introduce the project and request information and authorization (informed consent) to conduct it in compliance with national or regional science regulations.

Mostly, liaising with communities helps expand the horizon and breadth of research questions, save for a few instances. In some situations, communities approach me to assist them in finding solutions to socio-ecological problems that demand scientific input from multiple actors, and this stems from a bond of trust between us. In my experience, access to water and its appropriateness for use or consumption are usually the foremost needs. To address this requirement, it's important to allocate adequate funds in work plans to carry out a pilot study and gather the pertinent information and tools that support coherent project proposals that also meet the needs of people in diverse territories.

Besides, exchanging ideas with children of the communities and with students from schools and high schools is a rewarding activity for me as a scientist. In these interactions, they exhibit a keen interest in all things "aquatic". Their pertinent (they occupy their territory; we are just visitors in it) and thought-provoking questions often make me reevaluate my research queries. It's truly satisfying to share project-generated knowledge with communities and exchange different perspectives about rivers, the sea, resources, food, health, and environmental aspects of their territories. The duties of a researcher should be true to the surrounding realities, all from the humble construction process of science.

Like how emergent properties arise in ecology, I have come to realize that certain concepts and mechanisms only emerge when the knowledge from different fields collides and interacts during a research project. This phenomenon is also replicated through the interplay between the knowledge of communities and the scientific knowledge generated within the framework of science. At times, unexpected results can only be grasped collectively. This is why I strongly believe that teamwork is fundamental in hastening the acquisition of knowledge, enabling us to better understand nature and society, thereby offering practical solutions derived from our work.

Lastly, from a personal standpoint, I think that scientists involved in ecology, environment, and territory must impact their surroundings through their work to offer solutions to a world in crisis.  To achieve this, we must first properly disseminate the facts and findings of our research while being modest and kind in the process.

I have included some photographs taken while conducting my research projects depicting outreach activities with communities in their respective territories.