| This dissertation introduces and applies new theoretical approaches to the study of participation and collaboration in natural resource management to contribute to the theory and practice of sustainability. Sustainable management of common pool resources, such as the grazing lands, watersheds and riparian areas discussed here, requires collaboration, or at least coordination, among the diverse stakeholders who have influence over the use of those resources. Various formalized participatory processes have evolved to encourage stakeholder collaboration in this context, yet there is a lack of critical research on how these formalized structures contribute to the learning and empowerment goals of collaborative resource management. This research uses critical discourse analysis and participatory action research to examine three different aspects of collaboration: 1) adaptive management, with a focus on how diverse stakeholders engaged with each other in learning, communication and decision-making to support adaptive management of riparian areas on a US National Forest, 2) civic engagement with a focus on how different communication strategies used in a series of participatory workshops relate to the learning and empowerment goals of formalized participatory processes, and 3) collaboration in research with a focus on the emergent qualities of complex partnerships that can lead to transformative social change and/or co-option by powerful interests. Findings from the first study suggest that consensusbased participatory processes in adaptive management may privilege the expert knowledge of those leading the process, while marginalizing other incompatible perspectives. Findings from the second study build on this to suggest that formalized participatory processes designed with dialog as the goal, instead of the conventional focus on consensus, can more effectively promote empowerment, creative thinking and civic engagement. Findings from the third study indicate that PAR requires institutional support that is flexible, supportive of critical reflection linked to action and responsive to the emergent qualities of complex partnerships. Overall, findings from this qualitative dissertation address important gaps in the theory and practice of collaborative resource management, suggesting ways that critical constructivist research can advance the science and practice of sustainability in creative new directions. |
