The development of community‐based adaptation (CBA) approaches is one response to the call for more usable science for adaptation. Emerging from the participatory development field, and supported more broadly by calls for deliberative governance practices in society,17, 18, 19 CBA can be defined as ‘a community‐led process, based on communities’ priorities, needs, knowledge, and capacities, which should empower people to plan for and cope with the impacts of climate change.’20 Research has an important role in this process, where ‘research’ refers to systematic investigation or inquiry aimed at contributing to knowledge on climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation, and which builds upon local, traditional, and scientific knowledge systems. Capacity building, knowledge mobilization, empowerment, and training are also viewed as essential features of research in CBA, with various actors performing research functions in CBA projects, including academics, consultants, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and communities themselves. Implicit to CBA is some form of external engagement to assist communities in this process, and may range from projects where communities themselves request support to those that are initiated by outside actors. This reflects the nature of climate change, where despite communities often having significant knowledge on local environmental risks, understanding of projected climate change, and potential vulnerabilities is often limited.21