Developing a Social Responsibility Pilot Tool to Reduce Helicopter Research and Improve Social Benefit: A Cleanup Site Case Study

Environmental cleanup processes take place after contamination and possible human exposure to a range of pollutants. Researchers often contribute significantly in developing knowledge to assist remediation efforts; however, their work has sometimes been critiqued as “helicopter research” that does not benefit communities. This study aimed to develop a social responsibility tool that promotes the social impact of research conducted at cleanup sites. We used a qualitative case study approach to understand perspectives of stakeholders working at a contaminated site called Jones Road in Houston, Texas. Data collection included ongoing participant observation at community events and semi-structured stakeholder interviews, consisting of fifteen exploratory interviews followed by nine interviews to validate the tool. We analyzed interview data using both inductive and deductive approaches to design a preliminary social responsibility tool that was later refined and validated. Our tool is intended to help researchers map out stakeholder needs, develop goals that align with those needs, identify their responsibilities to effectively engage with and benefit stakeholders, and evaluate social benefits. Notably, we provide reflexive questions to assist researchers to enable advocacy, share expertise, develop knowledge, manage the harms of science, ensure safety, increase transparency, and ultimately build lasting relationships.