Drawing as a participatory method alongside interviews and 'talanoa' to understand children's views of reef passages on Ovalau island, Fiji, in 2025.

The described research was part of SOCPacific2R. The project designs its research activities using an empirical inter- and transdisciplinary approach combining natural and social science methods, and focusing on reef passages in Fiji and New Caledonia. The particular study was conducted on Ovalau Island, Fiji, in autumn 2025, using a qualitative and child-centered approach in which drawing serves as the primary data collection method, supported by individual semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Drawing allows students to visually express their knowledge of land-sea connections, spatial uses of the reef, and views of the reef passage located in front of their school, which cannot be understood through words alone. The study report presents the multi-method approach as an example for others who plan to work with childrens' drawings in environmental research.