Research Policy
Plan Research Responsibly.
Research involving Lake Kariba may require institutional agreement and permissions relating to field access, sampling, equipment, biological material, data or engagement with communities. Requirements depend on the proposed activity and the relevant authorities.
Before beginning fieldwork.
Contact the Institute with a clear proposal describing objectives, methods, study sites, timing, team members and expected outputs. Identify any sampling, specimen movement, interviews or access to restricted information. Do not assume that a collaboration discussion grants permission to begin work.
Data and publication arrangements.
Discuss data ownership, permitted uses, access restrictions, attribution and publication arrangements before exchanging information or collecting new observations. Historical datasets may have gaps or methodological changes that must be understood before analysis.
Scientific and community responsibility.
Research planning should minimise avoidable environmental disturbance, use appropriate ethical review where required and explain the purpose of community engagement clearly. Where local or confidential information is involved, agree how it will be handled and communicated.