Brushed under the carpet: Examining the complexities of participatory research

Caroline Lenette,Tina Cook,Nelli Stavropoulou,Sarah Banks,Sui Ting Kong,Kate Coddington,Caitlin Nunn

doi:10.18546/rfa.03.2.04

Abstract

Participatory research is sometimes difficult and risky, but there is a paucity of opportunities – and some reluctance – to reflect on its challenging aspects. In this article, we present subjective accounts of our everyday experiences of conducting participatory research as women researchers. We focus on four themes from our combined research experiences to explore some of the frustrations we encounter in participatory research. We argue that it is crucial to identify, reflect upon and address such aspects in academic outputs to broaden debates and scholarly discussions. We offer these reflections, and related strategies, as a contribution to critical debates on participatory research practice.

Highlights

Participatory research is a process whereby people with lived experiences of the topic of study are co-creators of knowledge (Abma et al, 2019; Cook et al, 2017; Lenette, 2017; Nunn, 2017)
Our challenges as participatory researchers are how to get research funded if we are honest: for example, if we say that we know the general issue to be researched but not what the specific question might be until we begin the critical reflection inherent to our research process; if we say that we are not sure what the best methods are yet, as this will emerge as we develop our work together; if we say that we are all researchers, so ‘participants’ is not a relevant concept; and if we say that, while we have some hopes and expectations for outcomes, others will be generated as the research process develops
The themes discussed here are by no means the only issues emerging from our participatory research experiences and discussions, but they are prominent issues through which we hope to launch an open discussion on the topic, so that others will continue to build on our findings and contribute reflections on their own experiences, dilemmas and strategies to the literature

Summary

Introduction

Participatory research is a process whereby people with lived experiences of the topic of study are co-creators of knowledge (Abma et al, 2019; Cook et al, 2017; Lenette, 2017; Nunn, 2017). As Foster (2016: 68) comments, in practice, implementing participatory research models takes ‘a great deal of time and energy to work through, and extensive emotional labour in terms of forging and maintaining meaningful relationships. This is not always recognised in research accounts.’. This is not always recognised in research accounts.’ As such, this important topic warrants a reflexive writing process that attends to the more demanding aspects of participatory research from the perspectives of women academic researchers

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion