[Coral-List] Parachute Science and how we work/engage

[martina]

Hi Contessa,

the largest EU research programme (previously Horizon 2020, current one 
is Horizon Europe) has a mandatory ethics list to check and complete in 
order to finalise the submission of proposals. Among the various items, 
one section refers to doing research in "third Countries" (= countries 
that are neither EU Member States nor Associated Countries) and asks 
for: specifics about using local resources (from genetic materials to 
historical materials); importing/exchanging materials or personal data; 
planning for benefit-sharing actions in case of low and lower middle 
income countries. Another item, focused on "Environment and safety", 
asks whether the research will include endangered flora/fauna and/or 
protected areas.

While none of the above is specifically designed to avoid parachute 
science, this list is a first step to define some basic actions that 
have to be taken in order to be funded (after proposals are selected 
based on merit). For instance, asking for authorisations for work in 
MPAs in developing countries puts black on white that researchers need 
to establish a communication channel with local authorities (and 
hopefully communities) and/or enter into negotiations with them about 
rules/collaborations etc.

Such items are not just a one-time box to tick - if the proposal is 
funded and the project starts, periodic deliverables to allow monitoring 
of ethics are also required (e.g. renewed authorisations).

Finally, over the last decade or so, this funding programme has boosted 
a number of cross-cutting themes that should be included in the research 
plan irrespective of the specific text of the call for proposals. RRI (= 
Responsible Research and Innovation) is one of such themes, which are 
also considered at the evaluation stage.

I must admit I still have to check how this applies in the new programme 
(Horizon Europe), but I'm sure it won't be modified much unless to 
strengthen it.

Cheers!
Martina

Dr Martina Milanese, PhD

skype: m.milanese
https://it.linkedin.com/in/martina-milanese-46963436
twitter: @martix_m

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Studio Associato Gaia Snc dei Dottori Antonio Sarà e Martina Milanese
Piazza della Vittoria
15/23 Genova 16121
PI 01600400996

Il 23/06/21 22:50, Contessa Ricci via Coral-List ha scritto:
> Hello Dr. Perry - thank you for sharing this work. It is indeed
> thought-provoking and a very digestible read.
>
> I would like to know people's opinions on the role that funding agencies
> could/should play. For example, I know NIH has implemented a requirement to
> explain how sex differences will be taken into account for grant
> applications in human research (because much of our understanding of human
> health is based on white males). I wonder if something similar can be
> required by the NSF for grants proposing international work - for example
> also, how host-nations/universities/researchers/etc. will be involved in
> the work and appropriately compensated...
>
> Cheers,
> Contessa Ricci
>
> On Wed, Jun 23, 2021 at 10:13 AM Chris Perry via Coral-List <
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>
>> Apologies if I have missed postings/discussions on this topic but this
>> recent paper on the impacts of, and actions to address, what has been
>> called parachute science has just come to my attention.
>>
>> https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.01.029
>>
>> This short and thought-provoking piece in Current Biology should probably
>> be read by everyone.
>>
>> There is a rapidly growing debate around this topic in the UK University
>> sector (at least across my discipline) and we have had some quite
>> challenging (and for me at times uncomfortable from a retrospective
>> viewpoint) discussions around this topic.
>>
>> Anyway - it is worth a read and some thought.
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> *Professor Chris Perry*
>> Geography
>> University of Exeter
>> 01392 723334
>> www.exeter.ac.uk
>> Room D431, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4
>> 4RJ
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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