Makassar, May 2026 — The TRG (Thematic Research Group)–MARG (Maritime Anthropology Research Group) team has once again conducted field research on Barrang Lompo Island as part of MARG’s activities and an independent study program focused on climate change issues in the Spermonde Archipelago. This activity supports the strengthening of students’ academic capacity as well as the development of faculty research agendas within the framework of TRG’s collaborative research.
The selection of Barrang Lompo as the research site was based on the island community’s direct exposure to various impacts of climate change on social life and the coastal environment. This research seeks to understand climate change not only as an ecological issue but also as a social process that influences how communities build knowledge, solidarity, and adaptation strategies in their daily lives.
One of the research’s primary focuses is exploring coastal communities’ digital storytelling practices in documenting and disseminating their experiences of confronting climate change. Through social media, visual documentation, short videos, and community-produced digital narratives, this research examines how experiences related to tidal flooding, shifts in fishing seasons, coastal erosion, and various forms of local adaptation are narrated and disseminated to the public.
In this context, digital storytelling is understood as a form of local knowledge production as well as a medium for spreading social-ecological awareness regarding the climate crisis in the archipelago. The digital narratives constructed by the community are also seen as capable of strengthening collective identity, building community solidarity, and serving as a means of advocacy regarding the environmental issues they face.
Additionally, the research highlights the emergence of social change agents in the climate adaptation process, particularly the involvement of coastal youth through communities, environmental movements, and community-based participatory activities. This study examines how young people develop environmental education practices, digital campaigns, and collective spaces that foster social awareness of the climate crisis in coastal areas.
On the other hand, the research also explores the socio-ecological dynamics of fishermen in coping with climate change, which affects fishing patterns, fishing grounds, household income, and social relations within coastal communities. Unpredictable weather changes, increased risks of coastal disasters, and changes in ocean conditions are understood as part of an ecological crisis that is also transforming the way of life of fishing communities.
The research was conducted using ethnographic methods with a participatory observation approach, in-depth interviews, field notes, and documentation of the community’s socio-cultural practices. In addition to being part of the students’ academic process, this activity also served as a hands-on learning space for independent study participants to understand ethnography-based field research practices.
Shakila noted that this research provided a new experience in gaining a deeper understanding of fieldwork. “Through this research, I learned how to build rapport with the community, conduct direct observations, and understand that climate change is not merely an environmental issue but is also closely tied to the social lives of coastal communities. This experience has been very helpful in enhancing my field research skills, particularly in the interview process, recording ethnographic data, and analyzing the social dynamics of the island community,” she said.
Shakila also noted that her involvement in this research broadened her perspective on maritime anthropology and climate change issues. “During fieldwork, I witnessed firsthand how the community and youth in Barrang Lompo are striving to adapt to environmental changes. This made me realize the importance of research that focuses not only on theory but also on the realities of people’s lives,” she explained.
Through this initiative, the research team hopes the findings will evolve into research reports and scientific articles that contribute to the advancement of maritime anthropology studies, particularly regarding climate change, island communities, and social transformation in coastal regions.