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Conservation Research Institute

 

Next week, we have three speakers joining us:

They’re going to be talking to us about “Principles for the Socially Responsible Use of Conservation Monitoring Technologies”, full details below. This will be happening at our usual time of 1pm next Wednesday (12 May).


When: 1:00 – 2:00pm, Wednesday 12 May

Speakers: Chris Sandbrook, University of Cambridge; Douglas Clark, University of Saskatchewan; Trishant Simlai, University of Cambridge

Title Principles for the Socially Responsible Use of Conservation Monitoring Technologies

Abstract: Wildlife conservation and research benefits enormously from automated and interconnected monitoring tools such as remote cameras, which can collect data on humans either accidentally or deliberately. There is increasing evidence that such technologies, and the data they yield, can have both positive and negative impacts on people, raising ethical questions about how to use them responsibly. We recently proposed a provisional set of principles for the responsible use of such conservation surveillance technologies (CSTs) and their data (Sandbrook/Clark et al. 2021: https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.374): 1. recognize and acknowledge CSTs can have social impacts; 2. deploy CSTs based on necessity and proportionality relative to the conservation problem; 3.  evaluate all potential impacts of CSTs on people; 4. engage with and seek consent from people who may be observed and/or affected by CSTs; 5. build transparency and accountability into CST use; 6. respect peoples’ rights and vulnerabilities; and 7. protect data in order to safeguard privacy. These principles require testing and could conceivably benefit conservation efforts, especially through inclusion of people likely to be affected by CSTs.  We will present the findings and recommendations from our paper and illustrate them with examples from our own research.

Date: 
Wednesday, 12 May, 2021 - 13:00