Going to Tuvalu

Hey. So, this afternoon I got the incredible news that a small grant I applied for has been funded. Basically, the grant covers a project I'll carry out this summer and fall to develop my dissertation research proposal on site in Tuvalu. My brain hasn't quite recovered from the shock of the grant being approved, so, while I want to explain to everyone what this means, I don't feel quite capable of it. Lucky for all of us, I've already explained what this means, in grant application form. It's neat and concise and, thanks to the super-editing skills of my beta Jeremie (thanks, Jeremie!), it is also well-written enough that some people decided to give me money for it.

Below is a section from the grant application, explaining what I will be doing in Tuvalu and why. I don't think it's jargony or difficult to read, so it should be cool here. But if you think it's jargony or difficult to read, please comment as much and I'll post again later when my brain is working once more so that I can explain in non-academia American English.

2. Description of activity and applicant’s role in it

The purpose of this activity is to develop my dissertation research proposal in collaboration with key community stakeholders in Funafuti, Tuvalu. By developing my research proposal on site in Tuvalu, I will be able to effectively collaborate with multiple community members who are stakeholders in the topic of my research in both professional and personal capacities. Their face-to-face involvement in the choices about specific research questions, sources for data, methods of inquiry, and analysis paradigm will ensure that the research to be conducted will be both truly representative of the experiences of Tuvalu within this topic and will be meaningful to the people of Tuvalu. This trip will further deepen my own understanding of the culture and community climate of this country.

The research topic to be addressed is the psychology of climate change in Tuvalu. Tuvalu is a small, low-lying island nation near Fiji. A vast majority of this chain of atolls is less than one meter above sea level. Tuvalu and other low-lying island nations are experiencing a unique threat from global climate changes in that the projected sea level rise will consume their countries. Tuvaluans, therefore, experience the threat of climate change differently than do Americans or Europeans. For several years already, Tuvaluans have been leaving their island home for New Zealand and other countries as “environmental refugees.” Meanwhile, the Tuvalu government is considering options for the future. The threat of climate change is very salient in this country.

The Psychology of Climate Change is a growing field. In 2009, a task force from the American Psychological Association released a 200+ page report about current research and potential future directions. The task force noted that current research suffers from a developed-nations bias, in that a majority of the research has been conducted in wealthy (and continental) nations. Current research is therefore not representative of the experience of people in developing or island nations. My research in Tuvalu would seek to address this gap.

While in Tuvalu, I will meet with private individuals to whom I am connected through colleagues and classes (community members with no professional stake in climate change, only personal stakes); as well as with professional individuals and organizations such as Alofa Tuvalu (an international climate change organization); the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy, and Environment; and the Tuvalu Meteorological Society. During both formal and informal meetings, we will determine the exact research focus and methods that will best address the broad topic of “Climate Change and Tuvalu.” My hope is that this research will reflect both private and professional understanding of the threat of climate change, although such decisions will ultimately be made in collaboration with these groups and individuals.

The entire research development activity will consist of three parts. 1) Connecting to these individuals and organizations through phone calls, mail, and email from Honolulu so as to establish interest, relationships, and willingness to collaborate. 2) Traveling to Tuvalu for two weeks of hands-on collaboration in the development of the research framework. 3) Further communication through phone calls, mail, and email from Honolulu in order to finalize the research framework.

My role in this activity will be to organize and synthesize the multiple viewpoints and priorities of these diverse community stakeholders, and to ensure that the research framework is consistent with the cultural and community values, norms, and priorities in Tuvalu. Another important role in this activity will be to establish rapport so that the overall research process can be conducted as smoothly as possible with a very high level of open communication and trust. The initial ‘research framework development’ activity which will be funded by this grant will take place in the 2010 calendar year, between the months of August and December. The fieldwork of the larger research process (outside of the scope of this grant) will take place in the 2011 calendar year. Analysis and reporting will be completed in 2012.