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Creating space for Indigenous perspectives on access and benefit-sharing: encouraging researcher use of the Local Contexts Notices
  • Libby Liggins,
  • Maui Hudson,
  • Jane Anderson
Libby Liggins
Massey University Auckland

Corresponding Author:l.liggins@massey.ac.nz

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Maui Hudson
University of Waikato
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Jane Anderson
New York University
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Abstract

A recent Molecular Ecology editorial made a proactive statement of support for the “Nagoya Protocol” and the principle of benefit-sharing (Marden et al. 2020) by requiring authors to provide a “Data Accessibility and Benefit‐Sharing Statement” in their articles. Here, we encourage another step that enables Indigenous communities to provide their own definitions and aspirations for access and benefit-sharing alongside the author’s “Statement”. We invite the Molecular Ecology research community to use Biocultural-, Traditional Knowledge-, and Cultural Institution Notices to help Indigenous communities gain visibility within our research structures. Notices are one of the tools offered by the Biocultural Labels Initiative (part of the Local Contexts system) designed specifically for researchers and institutions. The Notices are highly visible, machine-readable icons that signal the Indigenous provenance of genetic resources, and rights of Indigenous communities to define the future use of genetic resources and derived benefits. The Notices invite collaboration with Indigenous communities and create spaces within our research systems for them to define the provenance, protocols, and permissions associated with genetic resources using Labels. Authors contributing to Molecular Ecology can apply Notices to their articles by providing the persistent unique identifier and an optional use-statement associated with the Notice in their “Data Accessibility and Benefit‐Sharing Statement”. In this way, our research community has an opportunity to accelerate support for the principles of the Nagoya Protocol, to alleviate concerns regarding Indigenous Data Sovereignty and equitable outcomes, and to build better relationships with Indigenous collaborators to enhance research, biodiversity, and conservation outcomes.
24 Feb 2021Submitted to Molecular Ecology
25 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
25 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
02 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Apr 20211st Revision Received
06 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Accept