NIKITA SHIEL-ROLLE, “BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE IVORY TOWER: PERSPECTIVES ON EQUITABLE COMMUNITY BASED RESEARCH”

Nikita Shiel-Rolle, MSc (Principal Research Scientist, Cat Island Conservation Institute, Bahamas) presents as part of the Ethics Center’s 2020-21 series, Models for Equitable Minority Inclusion in Institutional Research

–> Zoom registration: https://uncc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcuygrD0pGN3z30mrL45Xfph8EjXeW6qr 

Shiel-Rolle founded the Cat Island Conservation Institute, which is focused on developing climate resilient communities capable of adapting to and withstanding the changing climate, with an emphasis on small island states and coastal communities.  Nikita’s research is applied and is based on the understanding that the world as we know it has created socio-economic, political, and educational institutions based on injustice, and has marginalised and abandoned the people and natural habitats that are most vulnerable. As a consequence, access to resources, power, basic human living standards, and pristine, biodiverse ecosystems have been compromised. Nikita designs and co- creates community driven conservation projects that work with multi stakeholders using participatory methodologies.  Her current work with the Cat Island Conservation Institute focuses on implementing participatory science research projects, education programming, and community activities that inform policy, management and restoration of ecosystems.

About the series: Because citizen science work often works outside of institutional channels, it often faces difficulties when it intersects with institutional structures, often disproportionately hurting minoritized communities and those not traditionally served by academic and institutional research models. In this series, we explore this intersection with an aim of understanding how community participation can be made more equitable and just.  For the entire series during Spring semester, see here.