Email: maria.sanu-joe-mathew@warwick.ac.uk

Dissertation context

Maria was a part of an international research team based at Chiang Mai University. The team consisted of Indigenous scholar-activists, media producers, researchers, and professors from Madagascar, Indonesia, France, and the UK.

Since 2019, the team has been investigating the impact of changes in land use and conservation policies on the livelihoods of forest-dwelling Indigenous peoples. Their goal is to contribute to conflict resolution and encourage more inclusive conservation policies.

The research involved using innovative qualitative research methods, such as storytelling and heritage studies, survey research, and exploring new policy directions using satellite data and behavioural science. Maria's primary responsibility was to compile a policy brief that synthesised the research, policy, and engagement work of the team members.

Dissertation supervisor

Dr Nicholas Bernards

Goals/aims

Maria's primary aim was to contribute to the reform of how Indigenous people are treated within Thailand's governance framework concerning forest protection.

This involved increasing the involvement of Indigenous communities in decision-making processes and safeguarding their rights. Her proposed changes were designed to create a policy brief that bridges the gap between academic research and policy formulation.

Her intention was to reshape policymakers' perspectives and cultivate an environment in which Indigenous communities are not seen as problems but as opportunities for collaborative growth.

Outcomes/conclusions

Maria created a policy brief that can influence positive changes in how Indigenous communities are included in forest protection and conservation policies within Thailand. Her proposed changes include:

• Addressing the disconnection between academic research and policymakers by increasing accessibility of the policy paper via design with salient features and easy-to-understand language.
• Utilising stakeholder theory as a framework to incorporate the diverse perspectives of stakeholders, creating a fit-for-purpose policy paper helping bridge the gap between policymakers, academia, and Indigenous community members.
• Revealing the unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies to highlight how existing policy hinders the government from reaching some of its objectives.
• Employing nudges based on behavioural science principles (such as the MINDSPACE framework) to discreetly and unconsciously influence policymaker behaviour. Suggested nudges that foster trust through community involvement
  
  By leveraging these diverse strategies, Maria aimed to facilitate positive change while fostering a sense of pride and commitment within Indigenous communities. Her proposed changes represented a departure from the existing policy in several key ways:
• Reframing Indigenous People: While existing policy regarded Indigenous people as the issue, Maria aimed to present them as part of the solution.
• Culturally Aligned Approach: Existing policy viewed forests and conservation through a Western lens, whereas Maria introduced a more regionally and culturally aligned approach.
• Community-Led Management: Existing policy provided little autonomy to Indigenous people, favouring top-down management approaches. Maria proposed community-led management options, underpinned by behavioural science principles.

Ultimately, Maria's paper aimed to weave empirical research, stakeholder engagement, and behavioural insights into a comprehensive framework for change.