Against common sense: Conducting participatory working land research requires heightened contextual awareness

Authors: Wilmer, Hailey; WILBUR, RYAN - University Of Wyoming; SCASTA, DEREK - University Of Wyoming; LEVY, MOLLY - Boise State University; NEWMAN, GREG - Colorado State University; HILLIS, VICKEN - Boise State University; PELLATZ, DAVE - Thunder Basin Grasslands Prairie Ecological Association; Porensky, Lauren

Submitted to: Ecology and Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In working lands where agricultural lands support wildlife, social conflicts are common but collaboration is an important tool for solving social and ecological problems. This study asks: how can researchers effectively work with agricultural communities? Findings from a case study from the Thunder Basin Ecoregion of east-central Wyoming, USA include a framework and a list of activities for participatory working land research (PWR) practitioners. The framework emphasizes the importance of recognizing: 1) context and collaboration, 2) positionality, 3) ecological dynamics, and 4) ownership in research. Awareness of these dimensions can help PWR teams develop a “good sense” to effectively conduct research in complex real-world settings.

Technical Abstract: As biodiversity conservation becomes more urgent, and the links between wildlife and rural wellbeing become more apparent, conservation researchers are increasingly seeking to engage with partners in agricultural communities through participatory approaches. A central hypothesis in participatory research is that inclusive, co-produced research facilitates more relevant, usable, and credible knowledge that can inform real-world decision-making processes, such as those that shape management of rangelands. But how can conservation sciences more effectively collaborate with agricultural groups when dealing with divisive topics on working lands managed for multiple goals? The goal of this paper is to draw lessons for effective participatory working lands research (PWR) from a participatory prairie dog conservation research project in the US. We draw on interviews and participant observation from the case of the Prairie Dog/Cattle Weight Gains (PDCWG) project in the Thunder Basin Ecoregion of east-central Wyoming, USA. This project involved scientists and managers from multiple disciplinary backgrounds and took place in a social-ecological setting with high levels of social polarization around wildlife conservation and management. Our specific objectives were to 1) synthesize the participatory methods scholarship into a conceptual framework for understanding the PWR context; 2) to apply this framework to the specific experiences of the PDCWG project; and 3) to develop an associated toolset researchers could use to better understand and respond to PWR contexts more generally. Our analysis reveals how social-ecological context impacts how different actors (researchers or participants) experience PWR, who bring assumptions and backgrounds to the project in a way that influences ownership of the research process. Awareness of social-ecological context and critical reflection on individual and group ownership can foster sincere, authentic, and creative research collaborations that support the well-being and goals of diverse participants and communities. We emphasize a suite of activities PWR practitioners can use to foster awareness of historical conflict context and collaboration, positionality, ecological dynamics, and ownership in research.