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Short Abstract

Diverse knowledges from peripheral regions need to be integrated into environmental policy processes. This research uses citizen science and co-research to explore two conservation conflicts in Lieksa, by building citizen-initiated research to form an epistemic partnership.

Abstract

Knowledge production via citizen science broadens existing epistemic communities and challenges expert-driven policymaking. In this research, citizen science is seen as a means for initiating research from within civil society, creating research collaboration that positions citizen as co-researcher identifying research gaps from their perspective. The two-way connection serves as a mutual learning opportunity: it deepens the researcher’s understanding about historical and contextual dependencies, while offering local community wider framing of the problems they face and a pathway for having their voices heard.

The aim of this research is to build epistemic partnership (Peltola 2022) that forms the epistemological foundation of research in specific conflict-driven case studies. The first case is about conflict known as the “rapids war” over the Ruunaa rapids in Lieksa, located in the eastern part of Finland during the 1970s and 1980s. The river was originally planned for hydropower development, but the rapids were ultimately protected. The second case focuses on a more recent wolf conservation conflict and poaching case also in Lieksa and the surrounding areas. The self-initiated qualitative material collection by the co-researcher, along with supplementary interviews, is combined with existing research to form the empirical basis for case studies.

The eastern parts of North Karelia are peripheral regions that have historically relied heavily on the use of natural resources and nowadays contribute to sustainable transformation. There is a need for diverse knowledges from these regions to be integrated into policy processes. Along with rewriting conservation histories, this can help and empower marginalized communities.

Peltola, T. 2022. Kansalaistiede ja yhteinen tiedon muodostus luontoa koskevissa ristiriidoissa. In Laakso, S. & Aro, R. Planeetan kokoinen arki. Askelia kestävämpään politiikkaan. Gaudeamus, Helsinki. 231–250.