Bridging Eco-Health Knowledge Gaps in the Global South: A Participatory Frieze Study, Senegal

Eco-health challenges in the Global South increasingly require integrating endogenous and academic knowledge into sustainable development. This study examines an inclusive forum-debate in Senegal that used the frieze method to decentralize and diversify stakeholder perspectives by connecting knowledge with practice. A national forum brought together academics and practitioners of traditional resilience techniques to explore links between technological innovation and eco-sanitation practices. The frieze method supported collective reflection on ecosystem management, environmental health, and the empowerment of women and youth, while data were complemented by qualitative interviews and direct observations. The findings show both the potential and limits of practical knowledge and identify gaps that academics can help address. Group discussions revealed interconnected stakeholder networks that contrast with siloed approaches, which can restrict the contribution of local initiatives to broader development. The frieze methodology offers a simple and effective way to map practical knowledge, assess its heuristic value, and bridge epistemic gaps between academic institutions and communities in African contexts.