Conducting climate change research in Togo: Challenges and promises to promoting social justice via research

This viewpoint reflects on the ethical imperative of conducting climate change research in understudied regions, focusing on a project in Togo, West Africa. It highlights the challenges and opportunities encountered when conducting research with a social justice lens. The study, a collaboration between an Israeli academic institution and a Togo-based NGO, examined the lived experiences of older persons amidst a changing climate, recruiting 90 participants, and employing a mixed-methods approach (qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys). Challenges included language barriers, differing professional backgrounds, internet connectivity issues, and differing expectations regarding research benefits. Ethical considerations arose concerning data collection methods and participant compensation. Despite these obstacles, the collaboration fostered mutual learning, raised awareness of underrepresented voices, and identified future research areas. The paper underscores the necessity of detailed discussions about collaboration goals, additional training in research methods, and the importance of mixed-methods approaches when addressing climate change impacts in vulnerable communities. It offers valuable lessons for researchers navigating cross-cultural collaborations and promoting social justice in climate change research.