Key practices for ethical research during scientific expeditions

Abstract

Scientific expeditions are crucial for creating new knowledge. The term itself carries strong colonial associations and a legacy of extractive practices. In many cases, expeditionary practices undermined local knowledge and expertise. Here, we advocate for a shift from “parachute science” towards collaborative approaches that incorporate diverse expertise, perspectives, languages, and knowledge systems, strengthening local capacities and focusing on developing and supporting ethical, long-term partnerships. Building on recent publications that encourage a more equitable and respectful fieldwork environment, and drawing on our experiences, we synthesize some previously proposed practices and develop new ones. We reflect on and suggest best practices during scientific expeditions within research teams and in the team's interactions with different communities, from project planning and fieldwork to data management, publication, and outreach. By emphasizing transparency and mutual respect, this collaborative approach enhances scientific outcomes and the societal impact of research. Furthermore, the practices proposed here apply to any kind of fieldwork, not just scientific expeditions, making them valuable across diverse cultural, social, and environmental contexts.