Integrating scientific and local knowledge to address environmental conflicts: the role of academia

Abstract

The world is witnessing an increase in environmental conflicts (ECs) caused by the overexploitation and pollution of natural resources. We argue that addressing the unsustainable and vicious cycle of most contemporary human-nature interactions fuelling these conflicts requires a shift towards inter- and transdisciplinary research. Through critical reflection upon six case studies, we conclude that transdisciplinary approaches often require academic researchers to not only integrate local and scientific forms of knowledge but also to open the research process to changes of epistemological assumptions and initial research designs in conjunction with local populations. We suggest that addressing ECs from a transdisciplinary viewpoint requires academia to review its role from ontological and epistemological perspectives through theoretical and procedural standards, to the reward and funding systems.