Our Decolonising Knowledge Practices reflective toolkit (photo credit: Maria Blanca Ayala).

By Susana Finlay-Smits, Maria Ayala, Will Allen, Andrea Grant, Alison Greenaway, Sara MacBride-Stewart, Liz O’Brien, and Katja-Soana Ehler.

Read the full paper here.

This paper explores how critical thinking, collaboration, and inclusion can improve research for biosecurity and biodiversity protection in Aotearoa New Zealand. Traditionally, funding availability, institutional competition, bureaucracy, and cost-efficiency have constrained the science system underpinning biological threat research and management in Aotearoa. This has often led to neglect of environmental needs and community concerns—in particular Māori values ​​and aspirations. While recent policies recognise the importance of collaboration between government agencies and indigenous communities, working across knowledge systems has proven challenging.

In search of better ways of working we surveyed, interviewed, and collaborated with plant pathology, ecology, social science, and kaupapa Māori professionals affiliated with different organisations and involved in tree-pathogen research and management. Our goal was to understand the challenges and opportunities around incorporating different perspectives into biosecurity research and management. Our findings led to the development of a reflective toolkit. This toolkit supports individuals and teams to reflect on and adopt six key dimensions of good practice (illustrated in the photograph, below). Each dimension is presented on a separate card and is accompanied by a set of reflective prompts. For those wishing to evaluate their own, or their team’s, practice of each dimension, the toolkit also includes a self-assessment board.

Our toolkit encourages reflexivity, critical thinking, evaluation, and collaborative planning. It is designed to bridge the gap between different knowledge systems and facilitate collaboration between people from diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, the aim of our project is to support work to decolonise the culture of biosecurity research, leading to a more robust system for protecting biodiversity in Aotearoa and recognising the role of Māori and other local communities as custodians of the land they inhabit.