Placing Science for Natural Resource Management and Climate Variability: Lessons from Narratives of Risk, Place and Identity

Abstract

Making salient, credible and legitimate knowledge for natural resource management (NRM) and adaptation to climate change is achievable when scientific knowledge is grounded in place. Making scientific knowledge locally relevant can be assisted by an understanding of the way 'placed knowledge' comes into being. Taking two prominent conceptions of place (Massey and Ingold), we ground these empirically using narratives from graziers in the eastern Australian rangelands. We examine placed conceptions of risk and uncertainty and the ways they are linked to narratives of identity, local environmental change, and understandings of place. Paying heed to narratives enables a reframing of risk and uncertainty into locally-meaningful forms. This fosters dialogue between various epistemic communities in ways that acknowledge and respect different ways of knowing and differences in the content of knowledge. It provides an analytical basis for scientists and institutions to reflect on the applicability of their information and technology in particular contexts. With this approach, scientists, policymakers and other rural community stakeholders can develop their awareness of how placed narratives link social practices and locally-legitimate understandings of good farm management and biophysical systems. This will help to 'place' science for NRM, agricultural extension and rural development.

Challenges, solutions and research priorities for sustainable rangelands

“…There are large quantities of climate data, technical information, simulation models, calculators and factsheets available to rangeland managers. However, much of this information is discounted because it is not positioned in a 'place-based' context, nor does it incorporate local knowledge (Leith and Vanclay 2017). Overcoming this challenge is not simply a matter of identifying user needs; a deeper understanding of behavioural barriers to uptake and trigger points for engagement is required (McCartney 2017; Paxton 2019).…”

Narrative matters for sustainability: the transformative role of storytelling in realizing 1.5°C futures

“…Cognitive research suggests narratives constitute a common socio-psychological 'infrastructure' [11] that "provides spatial-temporal coordinates for moving through and manipulating the world" [19, p. 2]. That is, narrative structure simultaneously constitutes the basis for knowing how the world can be changed and manipulated (epistemology), while shaping the individual and cultural cognition that engenders a sense of being-in-theworld (ontology) [20]. On the surface, then, 'narrative' is 'about' something, such as neoliberal narratives, science narratives, Indigenous Australian narratives, or global change narratives.…”

Psychological influences on biosecurity control and farmer decision-making. A review

“…Other researchers argue that place attachment could also facilitate resilience and increase the likelihood that a community could rebuild after a disaster (Manzo and Perkins 2006;Miles 2015). While inconclusive, the research certainly suggests that place attachment could be an important factor to consider when exploring risk decisionmaking (Leith and Vanclay 2016). As Norris et al (2008) describe, disasters happen to entire communities and members within the community are exposed together and are likely to benefit from recovering together.…”