Volcano Voices, a cost-effective tool to collect and share narratives on the environment. An example from Chaitén, Chile

This paper details the development and implementation of Volcano Voices , an interactive mapping methodology designed to collect environmental data and disseminate research findings ethically within communities affected by natural hazards. It focuses on Voces de Chaitén , a case study in Chaitén, Chile, as part of a broader effort to memorialise past disasters in the territory and to raise awareness of geological hazards. The methodology involves creating an interactive map with 360-degree images enriched with community narratives, scientific insights, and multimedia content. This approach significantly enhances data collection by providing a visually immersive context for interviews, improving the precision of geolocated information, and fostering a more natural dialogue. Furthermore, it counters scientific extractivism by returning research outputs in a user-friendly format, empowering local voices, and integrating diverse perspectives on an equal footing. The major conclusion is that Volcano Voices offers a cost-effective, flexible, and easily deployable tool adaptable to various research and educational contexts. Its iterative, co-development process, coupled with open-source code, enables effective knowledge exchange, promotes hazard awareness, and contributes to more equitable research practices in disaster risk research. • Enhances data collection by linking narratives to 360-degree images • Promotes dialogue between local and scientific knowledge • Returns results to local communities in an accessible, engaging format • Cost-effective methodology highly adaptable to diverse topics and disciplines • Open-source code enabling easy replication or adaptation