Our foundational ethos is:

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• Respect for Indigenous Knowledge and Practices: We place paramount importance on respecting and integrating indigenous knowledge systems into our research. We believe that the wisdom passed down through generations is crucial for understanding local ecosystems and cultural practices.

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• Community Empowerment and Inclusivity: We are dedicated to empowering local communities, particularly marginalised groups such as women and minorities. We advocate for inclusive decision-making processes where community voices are heard and valued in shaping research and development projects.

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Our operational strategies are:

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• Collaborative Approach: We work through a collaborative approach, partnering with local communities, NGOs, government agencies, and international bodies. This collaboration ensures a holistic understanding of issues and the development of comprehensive solutions.

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• Innovative and Adaptive Research: We are committed to innovative methods that blend traditional knowledge with modern scientific research. In so doing, we aim to adapt our strategies to the unique challenges posed by the changing climate and socio-economic conditions in the region.

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Our approaches to work are: ​

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• Decoloniality as the Foundation: By embracing decoloniality, our approach challenges the traditional power dynamics in research. It aims to dismantle the legacy of colonialism, which often manifests in the form of external entities leading research about the region without adequate representation or input from the local people.

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• Local-Led Research: Central to our approach is the belief that locals best understand their own issues. This means prioritising local voices, perspectives, and methodologies in research. It's about shifting the locus of knowledge production to local researchers who have lived experiences and deeper insights into the local context.

 

• Inclusive Yet Local-Centric: While not excluding non-local researchers, the approach firmly places locals at the forefront of the research process. This includes conceptualising, conducting, and disseminating research. Non-local scholars and experts may contribute, but the primary leadership and decision-making should rest with the locals.

 

• Building a Platform: Establishing a platform dedicated to this approach will be crucial. This platform can serve as a hub for local researchers to collaborate, share resources, and disseminate findings. It can also be a space for capacity building, where local researchers can enhance their skills and knowledge.

 

• Influencing Policy with Indigenous Knowledge: By ensuring that the bulk of the research is conceived, conducted, and disseminated by locals, the approach aims to influence policymaking with insights grounded in indigenous knowledge and context-specific realities. This is a significant step towards policies that are more relevant, effective, and respectful of local culture and needs.

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• Networking and Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration among local researchers and between local and non-local researchers under this framework can foster a more balanced and equitable exchange of knowledge and perspectives.

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• Addressing Global Discourses of Decolonization: By adopting this approach, our research contributes to the broader global discourse on decolonization in academia. It challenges the status quo and insists that research about a country or a community should be led by the people from that very community.

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In a nutshell, our research approach is not just about changing who conducts the research but also about transforming how research is conducted, for whom, and with what impact. It's a step towards reclaiming agency in the narrative about the local peninsula and ensuring that research serves the needs and aspirations of the local people.