Institutional impact on environmental research partnerships between Indigenous communities and mainstream scientists

Abstract

Individuals who are situated within both mainstream scientific institutions and Indigenous communities are key to the success of environmental research partnerships that span those boundaries. However, the currencies of mainstream scientific career progression may present challenges for scientists seeking to boundary span. In interviews with twenty-four environmental scholars across North America, we examine how scientists navigate their employer institutions while they also seek to promote Indigenous community priorities. We found that many boundary spanners develop expertise in navigating administrative policy with which they aim to shift power and resources towards Indigenous communities. Major barriers to boundary spanners include career progression incentives, project administration, and capacity. Indigenous scholars, who we identify as key boundary spanners, face these barriers in addition to others. Finally, we offer recommendations for institutions to better support boundary spanning researchers.