Our research principles

At E&Z, our research is guided by a commitment to ethical, context-aware, and responsible science. As a group that often collaborates with traditional communities that steward pharmacological and medicinal knowledge, we recognize that one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work. Instead, each of our projects is adapted to the specific cultural, ecological and legal landscape in which it operates, ensuring that our work honors local customs and protects the rights of traditional knowledge holders and nature.

We rely on international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol, as well as national and regional regulations, to guide our work. However, we believe that legal compliance alone is not enough. At our research group, we aim to move beyond duties and cultivate research practices that are genuinely collaborative and mutually rewarding.

Ethical collaboration with
knowledge holders

We are deeply committed to conducting fair and horizontal research with our collaborators. Every collaboration is guided by respect, transparency, and mutual benefits. Throughout our practice we ensure that knowledge holders and communities are active participants, not just sources of information. To do this, we co-design research approaches, share findings through workshops, and strive to maintain an ongoing dialogue, even once the research is finished. Our goal is to create equitable, context-sensitive partnerships that honor the expertise and rights of those who have safeguarded these practices for generations, acknowledging that we are not “discovering” new medicines but rather learning about them from those who have held this knowledge from time immemorial.

Sustainable research & conservation

Protecting and safeguarding the environment is just as valuable to us as ensuring ethical and horizontal collaborations, in fact, for us they are practically the same. The traditional communities we work with often hold deep-rooted conservation practices and ways of living that sustain both people and ecosystems. At E&Z, we learn from these traditions, put them into practice, and help carry them forward so that others can also benefit from their wisdom.

From responsible sample collection to supporting local conservation initiatives, we strive not only to advance health research but also to ensure that the species, habitats, and communities we work with continue to thrive for generations to come.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to fostering a research environment that is respectful, inclusive, and safe for everyone. Our group actively supports diversity in all its forms and does not tolerate sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, queerphobia, ableism, or any other form of discrimination or harassment. We value people as whole and recognize that different backgrounds, identities, ways of thinking, and ways of working as essential strengths in scientific practice.

Participatory, circular research cycle

As a direct outcome of the principles outlined above, we’ve developed the participatory, circular research cycle described on the right. This approach ensures that communities are active partners throughout the research process, that ecological and cultural knowledge is respected and protected, and that scientific insights are generated responsibly and shared thoughtfully. Here’s how it works:

  • 1. Fieldwork & documentation

    We learn from traditional communities and observe wild animals to understand how different species are used for healing. This phase emphasizes trust-building and contextual understanding.
  • 2. Collection & verification

    We collect samples according to local sustainable practices and prepare herbarium vouchers and extract libraries. This is a key step to help preserving the local biodiversity while respecting traditional knowledge.
  • 3. Laboratory analysis

    We test the samples to determine their pharmacological activity and identity, balancing the generation of open scientific knowledge with protection against misuse or exploitation.
  • 4. Knowledge sharing & community engagement

    We return the findings to the collaborating communities and, when possible, share them with the public. Here transparency, reciprocity, and context-awareness take the stage.

Addressing systemic challenges in academia

We recognize that academia is still far from being fully equipped for truly participatory, transparent, and equitable research. Institutional incentives, funding structures, and publication practices often favor speed, novelty, or individual recognition over long-term, context-sensitive collaboration. However, we do not see these challenges as a reason to hold back. On the contrary, they motivate us to keep pushing for change, carving out spaces within academia where more collaborative, relational and fair practices can exist.