5:15 PM - 7:15 PM
[MZZ45-P07] Issues for returning academic research results to Geoparks
Keywords:Mt.Kurikoma Area Geopark, Geopark Academic Research Grant, Returning the results of research
Introduction: Accessing the website of the Japan Geoparks Network, we can see that many geoparks offer grants for academic research every year. Although the amounts differ depending on regions, they are not small and are applied by geoscience researchers annually. Each geopark deliberates on the contents of the applications and selects the successful ones. Researchers who are academic advisors for that geopark were selected in some cases, but this is not always. The academic research grants are an opportunity for researchers who happen to be studying the area to become involved in the area, in other words, an opportunity to build relationships between geoparks and earth scientists. However, the scientific facts obtained by the geoscience researchers are published in academic conferences or journals, but they seldom give feedback to the local inhabitants. Then, how should the fruits of the geoscience research be conducted with these grants being returned to the area? What issues are there in returning them? In this study, we will discuss the latest research and methods of feedback to the area from the perspectives of both the geopark management side and the researchers, using the initiatives and practices of the “Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark” (hereinafter called "Kurikoma Gp") as an example.
The Geopark's Intentions: Kurikoma Gp has promoted regional research in the Kurikoma Mountain Foot area by selecting several projects each year under the title of the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark Academic Research Encouragement Project. From 2023, the project has been accepting applications for further themes and raising the maximum amount of funding. This is because we are seeking a diverse range of research results, and we believe that by having scientific surveys and research conducted on the issues that the Kurikoma Gp is currently facing, we will be able to obtain rapid feedback. For several years now, we have been holding a research results presentation at the end of each fiscal year, and we have been disseminating the results to residents living within the Geopark area and to those involved in the Geopark.
Researcher's Issues : One of the authors has been working with students as a young researcher for several years, and has been commissioned to research the histories of landform development and Quaternary stratigraphy in and around the Kurikoma Gp, but there have been issues with reflecting the results of this research to the local community and the program of the geopark guides on both sides. And the negotiations and applications to landowners and public offices for the permission of field survey were occasionally unable to go smoothly.
Methods of communication : Both Geopark management and researchers were unable to find a way to build a relationship. Therefore, in order to deepen the relationship between research grantees and Geopark management, the Kurikoma Gp has decided to assign a research cooperation officer to the secretariat to negotiate and coordinate with landowners. The researchers also understood this intention, and contacted the secretariat to carry out the survey, requesting detailed cooperation and accompaniment for the survey. By continuing these activities, a relationship was built that allowed the secretariat to resolve research issues and introduce more specialized researchers for the issues.
Conclusion: We have introduced some examples of initiatives that were carried out from the perspective of researchers and the secretariat through the academic research grant. These initiatives were linked to the research results and future research issues for the 2024 academic year, and they were also reflected in the feedback to the geo-guides, reaffirming the significance of the academic research grant. While communication between individuals is essential for building mutual relationships, incorporating these into a system will bring us closer to disseminating more appropriate results.
The Geopark's Intentions: Kurikoma Gp has promoted regional research in the Kurikoma Mountain Foot area by selecting several projects each year under the title of the Mt. Kurikoma Area Geopark Academic Research Encouragement Project. From 2023, the project has been accepting applications for further themes and raising the maximum amount of funding. This is because we are seeking a diverse range of research results, and we believe that by having scientific surveys and research conducted on the issues that the Kurikoma Gp is currently facing, we will be able to obtain rapid feedback. For several years now, we have been holding a research results presentation at the end of each fiscal year, and we have been disseminating the results to residents living within the Geopark area and to those involved in the Geopark.
Researcher's Issues : One of the authors has been working with students as a young researcher for several years, and has been commissioned to research the histories of landform development and Quaternary stratigraphy in and around the Kurikoma Gp, but there have been issues with reflecting the results of this research to the local community and the program of the geopark guides on both sides. And the negotiations and applications to landowners and public offices for the permission of field survey were occasionally unable to go smoothly.
Methods of communication : Both Geopark management and researchers were unable to find a way to build a relationship. Therefore, in order to deepen the relationship between research grantees and Geopark management, the Kurikoma Gp has decided to assign a research cooperation officer to the secretariat to negotiate and coordinate with landowners. The researchers also understood this intention, and contacted the secretariat to carry out the survey, requesting detailed cooperation and accompaniment for the survey. By continuing these activities, a relationship was built that allowed the secretariat to resolve research issues and introduce more specialized researchers for the issues.
Conclusion: We have introduced some examples of initiatives that were carried out from the perspective of researchers and the secretariat through the academic research grant. These initiatives were linked to the research results and future research issues for the 2024 academic year, and they were also reflected in the feedback to the geo-guides, reaffirming the significance of the academic research grant. While communication between individuals is essential for building mutual relationships, incorporating these into a system will bring us closer to disseminating more appropriate results.