Cross-cultural learning as a foundation for reimagining ocean governance

Research is a key tool that can contribute to the transformation of governance systems and help uncover solutions to our planetary crises. In recognition of the need for research itself to be transformed, researchers and research institutions are increasingly being challenged to move away from unidirectional approaches to partnership building, to decolonise science, and to be aware of individual and institutional positionality and established power relations. Yet the ways and means of doing so are poorly articulated and often extremely challenging. This paper seeks to explore the practical realities of engaging with a reflexive approach to research, through three distinct case studies which examine the critical role that cross-cultural interactions can play in triggering social learning and transformative change. Across all three case studies, we found that engaging across diverse, cross-cultural and knowledge interfaces has profoundly influenced the projects and partnerships in which we are involved, by shifting perceptions, challenging established norms and triggering reorientation and redirection in institutional rules and behaviours. Yet we also highlight the many challenges and mistakes we made along the way. As such, we offer suggestions on how the reflexivity might be better supported and nurtured within institutional research structures.