Marginal Voices Research Articles

Problematizing street vending: The uncanniness of a disembodied urban policy

ABSTRACT Street vending is an important source of livelihood for many urban dwellers in Africa but remains a challenge for urban policy and planning. This paper uses Ghana as a case study to examine how street vending is treated in urban policy frameworks. We use qualitative content analysis to critically review four major urban policies that shape the planning, development, and management of Ghanaian cities. Our findings reveal a misalignment of local urban policies with national policy on the regulation of street vending. The regulation of street vending is unclear, contradictory, and ineffective, failing to provide a clear policy direction and adequate planning tools for integrating street vending into urban spaces. We argue that these policy inconsistencies persist due to power imbalances and governance challenges, with local authorities maintaining ambiguous policies that benefit powerful stakeholders while keeping street vendors in a state of insecurity. We call for more coherent and inclusive policies that recognize the socioeconomic value of street vending and foster more inclusive urban spaces. We also highlight the need for reformed urban governance that empowers marginalized voices and builds cross-scale alliances to address the complexities of urban informality and support the informal economy.

Responsible Crowdsourcing for Responsible Generative AI: Engaging Crowds in AI Auditing and Evaluation

With the rise of generative AI (GenAI), there has been an increased need for participation by large and diverse user bases in AI evaluation and auditing. GenAI developers are increasingly adopting crowdsourcing approaches to test and audit their AI products and services. However, it remains an open question how to design and deploy responsible and effective crowdsourcing pipelines for AI auditing and evaluation. This workshop aims to take a step towards bridging this gap. Our interdisciplinary team of organizers will work with workshop participants to explore several key questions, such as how to improve the output quality and workers' productivity for GenAI evaluation crowdsourcing tasks compared to discriminative AI systems, how to guide crowds in auditing problematic AI-generated content while managing their psychological impact, ensuring marginalized voices are heard, and setting up responsible and effective crowdsourcing pipelines for real-world GenAI evaluation. We hope this workshop will produce a research agenda and best practices for designing responsible crowd-based approaches to AI auditing and evaluation.

The view from ‘My Pitch’: Homeless voices in The Big Issue during the cost-of-living crisis

This paper presents a framing analysis of 12 editions of The Big Issue published in the last 3 months of 2023. The study employs framing analysis to investigate the language used by the magazine to report on poverty and homelessness. The paper analyses the ‘My Pitch’ column which represents the voice of the often-homeless vendors who sell the magazine. Using Entman’s approach to framing we analyse how individuals with lived experience of poverty and homelessness define the causes and solutions to poverty and homelessness. Furthermore, the paper offers a critical examination of the claims of the magazine to provide a platform for marginalised voices. We find that the magazine offers a platform for people with lived experience of poverty and/or homelessness to have their voices heard, although the My Pitch column offers limited space to inform the magazine’s readers of the wider context of homelessness. It also reinforces social enterprise solutions to poverty and homelessness. This framing avoids discussing shortfalls in the UK welfare system although the narrative logic of these profiles offers latent evidence of welfare dysfunction.

A Theological and Scriptural Basis for Laylayan Theology

This paper aims to deepen the understanding of laylayan theology by examining its foundations in sacred scriptures and teachings of the Catholic Church. Among the myriad approaches in Asian theologizing, laylayan theology appropriates a Filipino cultural concept to articulate the lived religion of those on the peripheries. Through reflection on the scriptures, church teachings, and theological concepts concerning the marginalized, laylayan theology seeks to foster a dialogical imagination among the community of missionary disciples. It emphasizes the importance of attentively listening to and amplifying marginalized voices. In the spirit of synodality, all Christians, by their vocation, competence, and experiences, are on “mission on this earth” and called to bear witness to the Kingdom of God.

How to … do decolonial research.

The imperative for decolonial research in health professions education (HPE) is rooted in a resistance to coloniality, which characterises modern medicine and HPE. Coloniality is a residual effect of colonialism, which upholds White, Western, Eurocentric knowledge systems while simultaneously marginalising diverse epistemologies. We outline the problematic nature of coloniality in HPE typified in unequal research partnerships, skewed student exchanges and poor representation of diverse authors. Decoloniality advocates for the active disruption and dismantling of colonial hierarchies to promote epistemic justice. We suggest a practical framework for applying decolonial principles in research, emphasising awareness (critical consciousness), deliberation (reflexivity) and action (transformative praxis). Practical steps for decolonial practice include interrogating research conceptualisation, sharing power and diversifying research teams, adopting participatory and reciprocal (mutually beneficial) methodologies, (re)centring marginalised voices and amplifying 'Other' knowledges, and disrupting hegemonic dissemination practices. By employing decolonial strategies, researchers can produce equitable, socially accountable and epistemically just scholarship, ultimately enhancing the relevance and impact of HPE research for all people globally.

A Precondition for Justice: Political Listening, Feminism and Sexual Violence

Questions of speech, silencing and injustice have long been central to feminist understandings of sexual violence, and to activism around it. Listening, and its relationship to justice, in contrast, remains under-explored by feminist scholars and activists. In this article, I argue for a feminist politics of listening as an essential precondition for justice around sexual violence. I argue that feminist engagements with listening have tended to be limited to questions of belief but that this is inadequate for a just practice of listening. Instead, I call for the development of a feminist listening public that engages in active practices of both attentive listening in for the details and nuances of survivor speech and listening out to unheard and marginalised voices. It is only within the context of collective political labour around listening, I suggest, that we can begin to develop a just politics around sexual violence.

‘It Will Start With Me’: A Documentary Film Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Participatory Research

‘It will start with me’ documents the experiences of six peer researchers (Virginie Clayton, Gislaine Mbayi, Lydia Gitamvu, Syeda Sadaf, Lill Casas Tortoledo, Weam Al Zaidi), one professional researcher (Lisa Garnham), and one post-graduate research student (Lily Owens-Crossman), who came together to design, develop, and deliver an evaluation of a community project (Our Rights, Our Communities) in Glasgow, Scotland in 2022. The ambitions and priorities of the peer researchers drove both the evaluation and the film, which was facilitated by film-maker Bircan Birol. The film was created to describe the power of research through co-production, to both professional and community-based researchers, and demonstrates the importance of ‘holding space’ for marginalised voices in sociological research.

Participatory Visual Methods and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Analysis for Sustainable Consumption Insights

Sustainable consumption is crucial for mitigating global sustainability challenges. Understanding consumer behaviors and motivations, particularly in developing regions, is essential for designing effective interventions. This study pioneers an innovative methodology integrating participatory visual methods (photovoice) and artificial intelligence analysis to investigate food waste perceptions in an emerging economy context. Twenty-six university students participated in the study, documenting their lived experiences and perspectives on household food waste through photographs and narratives. The key results included 32% of participants expressing shock at the extent of food waste in their daily lives, while 28% showed relative indifference. AI-powered (Artificial Intelligence) computer vision and natural language processing were used to efficiently analyze the large visual and textual dataset. The mixed methods approach generated nuanced, situated insights into consumer attitudes, behaviors, and socio-cultural drivers of wastage. The key themes included low waste consciousness, aesthetic and convenience motivations, social norms, and infrastructural limitations. The participatory process proved effective for raising critical consciousness and uncovering consumption practice dynamics. AI analysis enabled rapid knowledge discovery from the qualitative data while mitigating researcher bias. This innovative integration of participatory methodologies and computational analytics advances sustainable consumption research by empowering marginalized voices and generating contextual insights from unstructured data. With further development, such human-centered AI approaches can transform the study and governance of sustainable consumption.

Freedom of expression in films: A qualitative study exploring challenges and opportunitiesin Pakistan

The study delves into the complicated prospect of freedom of expression in the film industry, specifically focused on Pakistan. It starts by recognising the historical and worldwide importance of free speech in cinema and its vital role in formulating cultural stories. The study adopted a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews and the participants of the study comprised filmmakers and actors. The study aimed to identify challenges and opportunities essential for steering innovative boundaries, censorship, and societal expectations in Pakistan’s film industry. Results reveal a composite connection of factors including government limitations, social and political pressure, as well as historical lack of diversity and representation. The study also sheds light on noteworthy opportunities in Pakistani films for real expressions by exploring different stories, engaging social and political issues, and boosting marginalised voices. Further, the study provides recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to boost a culture that protects artistic freedom, supports diversity, and appreciates responsible filmmaking. Moreover, implications of the identified challenges and opportunities for the film industry are discussed, emphasising the importance of embracing diversity, addressing historical biases, and leveraging the power of cinema for positive societal change.

Stakeholder dynamics in rural Lebanese women’s entrepreneurship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges faced by rural women entrepreneurs in Lebanon and explore how stakeholder engagement strategies, guided by stakeholder theory, can mitigate these challenges. By analyzing the interactions between stakeholders and women entrepreneurs, the study aims to uncover effective solutions that contribute to the sustained success of women entrepreneurs in Lebanon's rural areas.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses participatory action research (PAR) and narrative inquiry. PAR involves women entrepreneurs as active collaborators, fostering participation and enabling marginalized voices to address business challenges. Narrative inquiry delves into their experiences deeply, accessing multiple perspectives and insights.FindingsThis study uncovers challenges in resource accessibility, societal norms and market limitations for rural women entrepreneurs in Lebanon. Stakeholder influence, especially community support and tailored training programs, proves crucial. However, governmental involvement remains limited, relying more on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and expert mentorship. Targeted interventions and policies are essential for inclusive growth and gender equality in entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis paper offers a unique perspective by focusing on rural women entrepreneurs in Lebanon, exploring their specific challenges within the country's socioeconomic landscape. Its interdisciplinary approach and actionable recommendations for practical strategies, along with a comprehensive stakeholder analysis, provide novel insights into women's entrepreneurship in rural settings.

Edward W. Said: Not so lost reflections On Lost Causes such as the one-state solution

ABSTRACT The article examines the enduring relevance of Edward Said's perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, juxtaposing contemporary challenges with Said's visionary advocacy for a one-state solution. The analysis delves into the complexities of the evolving Middle East dynamics, emphasising the need to reconsider alternative frameworks. Central to our analysis is Said's intellectual ethos, which champions the role of secular intellectuals and profoundly influences his democratic values, his defence of a binational state, and his staunch support for academic freedom. Said's legacy serves as a guiding beacon, stressing the moral imperative to challenge entrenched power structures and advocate for truth. The article explores Said's arguments for a binational state rooted in democratic principles and universal values, arguing that despite scepticism and political marginalisation, his vision offers a compelling pathway toward reconciliation and peace, transcending conventional paradigms and amplifying marginalised voices. This approach highlights how Said's commitment to democracy and intellectual freedom shapes his support for causes other believe to be hopeless and continues to inspire contemporary discourse.

Extolling The Role of Sociology of Education in Empowering Individuals with Disabilities in Nigeria

The paper examined the extolling the role of sociology of education in empowering individuals with disabilities in Nigeria. The paper discussed the concept of disabilities, education, sociology, and sociology of education. The paper also discussed the Contributions of Sociology of Education to People with Disabilities in Nigeria which included; critical analysis of educational systems, understanding social dynamics, advocacy and policy development, examining intersectionality, empowering marginalized voices, critical analysis of social structures, advocacy for inclusive policies, understanding intersectionality among others. The paper concluded that sociology of education stands as a beacon of empowerment for individuals with disabilities in Nigeria. sociology of education paves the way for the empowerment of individuals with disabilities, nurturing a society where every member has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully. Sociology of education serves as a powerful force for empowerment among individuals with disabilities in Nigeria. The paper recommended among others that; government, non-governmental organization and education philanthropists to provide training and professional development opportunities for educators on inclusive teaching strategies, government should empower individual with disabilities themselves by providing them with opportunities for leadership, advocacy and skill development, teachers and care givers of the people with disability should treat and give them adequate care, love and attention, only specialized teachers with at least a minimum of first degree in special education should be allowed to teach and handle people with disability.

Stories of world Politics: Between History and Fiction

The discipline of International Relations is defined by a fundamental tension between history and fiction. On the one hand, historical approaches are crucial in tracing the origins of international order, contextualising key concepts, and uncovering marginalised voices. On the other, the discipline is invariably caught in its own mythologies, which shape what is “real” and “true” in global politics. Instead of treating the ambiguous distinctions between history and fiction as problems to be definitively resolved, this Special Issue takes up these tensions as generative for understanding, manoeuvring, and even disrupting and (re)imagining the field of IR. Examining these dynamics from several perspectives – from the writing of history to the political force of fictional imaginaries – the articles in this Issue show that the relation between history and fiction is a constitutive force of the international, in both theory and practice. Bringing together historical and critical perspectives, the Issue elucidates how ideas of history and fiction, reality and storytelling, facticity and imagination shape and are in turn shaped by world politics. Historical approaches to IR, we argue, can do much more than adjudicate between these amorphous categories. Here, we pursue the possibilities.

Unveiling the Necropolitics of Oil on Migrant Bodies in Deepak Unnikrishnan’s Birds

Oil played a significant role in fuelling the sociopolitical and economic development of Middle Eastern nations, attracting mass migration from South Asian nations. The article draws a nexus between the energy dynamics and labour exploitation within these petroleum-rich nations. It undertakes a close reading of the text Birds from Deepak Unnikrishnan’s novel Temporary People as it depicts the lives of migrant labourers who navigate an exploitative petro-capitalist system. The fictional text employs a narrative strategy juxtaposing elements of magic and realism, opening up a space for multilayered marginalised voices. The article engages with energy theories and interweaves Mbembe’s theory on necropolitics to grasp oil’s sovereign influence in delineating the boundaries between life and death in migrant lives. The surplus energy generated through fossil fuel extraction contributes to notions of boundless growth, coupled with technical and economic progress, which conceals the intensive manual labour underpinning these petrocultures. The magical property alluded to oil and the spectral absence of labour in the socio-cultural imagination co-constructs an exploitative and dehumanising labour regime for migrants. The migrant body is kept alive, and their existence is contingent upon the instrumental value of their labouring body, which constructs them as easily disposable and expendable as they are positioned outside the formal boundaries of citizenship.

(Re)envisioning inclusive futures: Applying narrative foresight to deconstruct the problem of urban flooding in the slums of Bengaluru, India

AbstractMotivationRecurring urban flooding in Bengaluru, India, has brought multiple intersecting development challenges to the forefront. While climate change is a catalyst for flooding, rapid urbanisation has aggravated the problem by neglecting its ecological history. Repeated floods have particularly affected migrants living in the slums, further worsening their already vulnerable conditions. Currently, only about 40% of slums are formally recognized by city authorities, leaving most slum dwellers with limited access to public benefits and basic infrastructure. Although the city offers piecemeal solutions, it currently lacks foresight for long‐term planning that includes marginalized voices.PurposeWe explore the multiple and intertwined development challenges faced by Bengaluru city, attempting to frame them from the perspective of migrant slum dwellers experiencing flooding. We try to bring to the forefront the everyday risks and vulnerabilities of the marginalized populations in Indian cities, which have received limited attention both in research and policy.The results of this exercise are intended to create sustainable collaborative processes to inform future decisions, particularly addressing the problem of urban flooding.Methods and approachOur proposed methodology integrates climate risk assessment—urban flood modelling and exposure mapping of slums across the city—with vulnerability assessments at the household level including analysis of life histories to capture the relative vulnerabilities of slum dwellers and the slums in which they live.FindingsWe deconstruct urban flooding, particularly from the perspective of migrant slum dwellers to identify some critical challenges, especially that of recognition, to foresight thinking. By incorporating marginalized voices, our methods aim to be inclusive and contextually relevant, while considering intersectional variations among those marginalized.A mixed‐methods approach allows climate risk assessment to be augmented by life histories of vulnerable slum populations to collaboratively reimagine a more inclusive future.Policy implicationsTo make policy more inclusive, more participatory processes are needed. The proposed methods will contextualize everyday vulnerabilities and risks of migrant slum dwellers to bring these perspectives into conventional climate risk assessment. Thus, a more inclusive future with lower impacts from urban floods can be envisaged.

Investigating the Linguistics Features, Impacts, and Corresponding Strategies of Translation in Feminist Literature

With the growing interest in feminism, feminist translation has become an important field of study. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of feminist translation, focusing on its impact, linguistic characteristics, translation strategies, and applications. It explores how feminist translation critically engages with language to address gender biases and patriarchal norms. The analysis underscores the significance of feminist translation in promoting gender equality and empowering marginalized voices. The discussion on linguistic characteristics highlights how feminist translation scrutinizes gendered language, stereotypes, and linguistic bias. It emphasizes the need to challenge the use of gender-specific terms and advocates for more inclusive language practices. Alternative strategies, such as gender-inclusive language and cultural adaptation, are examined as effective means to challenge linguistic biases and promote equality. Furthermore, the examination of translation strategies delves into the interventions employed by feminist translators. These strategies aim to disrupt patriarchal narratives, expose gender biases, and foster critical dialogue. They include amplifying women's visibility and agency, introducing alternative readings, and incorporating cultural adaptations. The applications of feminist translation in various domains are explored, revealing its impact and transformative potential. Specifically, in literature and arts, feminist translation amplifies marginalized voices, challenges traditional gendered narratives, and facilitates cross-cultural exchange. In legal and political discourse, it addresses gender biases in laws and policy documents. Additionally, feminist translation plays a role in media and activism, disrupting harmful representations and promoting social justice. Feminist translation emerges as a dynamic and transformative practice that confronts gender biases, challenges oppressive discourses, and advocates for gender equality. It recognizes the power of language to shape societal norms and actively employs strategies to subvert gender biases within translation.

Architectural learning networks: a study on eliciting the learning agendas of architectural schools

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how network theory and methods can provide insights into the forces shaping architectural learning agendas and knowledge construction in architectural schools.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involves conceptualising learning as a constructivist process and the agenda as an interconnected network of actors, concepts and relations. Network analysis techniques, including centrality and brokerage metrics, are used to identify roles and knowledge flows using the data locally collected from Turkish universities as well as from the OpenSyllabus open-source database.FindingsThe analysis reveals the enduring influence of early modernists, signalling imbalanced canon formation in the architectural learning system. However, marginal voices highlight struggles in integrating unconventional perspectives. Limited integration of local figures indicates a consolidation of Eurocentric epistemes. Identifying these hidden forces is vital for reimagining learning agendas and socio-culturally engaged forms of learning. Pioneering figures demonstrate potential for synthesis when situated as brokers, not bifurcated schools.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcomes are limited by the geographical and temporal boundaries of the data and the analysis method employed. Despite limitations, the diagnostic network framework reveals architectural learning as an open, contested ecosystem demanding pluralistic pedagogies concerning not only the global but the local, both canonical and marginal. Further research covering more data could enrich the understanding of qualitative complexities.Practical implicationsThe network perspective prompts critical reflexivity about power, ideology and exclusion in knowledge construction. Strategic inclusion and diversification of voices provide pathways to bridge divides and ground learning locally.Originality/valueThis research offers a methodology model to examine forces and influences shaping architectural education by elucidating hidden and remote roles and knowledge gaps in learning agendas. Extending the techniques more widely can enable strategic interventions toward inclusive, impactful learning across disciplines, time and geographies.

Ethics and ambiguity in wastewater development on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize

AbstractDevelopment projects present ambiguous ethical terrain for anthropologists to navigate. Particularly in relation to WaSH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) infrastructures which mediate human and environmental health. Our interdisciplinary team of anthropologists and engineers initially set out to design context‐sensitive on‐site wastewater treatment infrastructures for homes along Belize's Placencia Peninsula. The project's beginning coincided with the announcements of a government sponsored centralized wastewater infrastructure project and the construction of a cruise ship port on a nearby island, however. Soon the wastewater project's promises—economic opportunity, improved human and environmental health, modernization ‐ came crashing into its pratfalls—exacerbating existing inequalities, loss of livelihoods, and diminished local governance. Our team was left with uncertain decisions about how to engage with improving infrastructure, given the emerging community dynamics. By detailing the imperfect trade‐offs at play, we highlight ethical complexities inherent when communities’ development futures are at stake. Anthropology's fraught history includes legacies of unintended harms from entanglement in others’ inequities. However, avoiding involvement out of excessive caution risks leaving marginalized voices unheard and extant problems unresolved. This case immersed our team in the inherent optimism and ethical experimentation which underlie development contexts. Our analysis adopts the structure from Whiteford and Trotters’ (2008) “Ethical‐Problem Solving Guide” to reveal the layered tensions that underly critical WaSH infrastructures.

Plato’s Shadows in the Digital Cave: Controlling Cultural Bias in Generative AI

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, like ChatGPT, have the potential to perpetuate and amplify cultural biases embedded in their training data, which are predominantly produced by dominant cultural groups. This paper explores the philosophical and technical challenges of detecting and mitigating cultural bias in generative AI, drawing on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave to frame the issue as a problem of limited and distorted representation. We propose a multifaceted approach combining technical interventions, such as data diversification and culturally aware model constraints, with a deeper engagement with the cultural and philosophical dimensions of the problem. Drawing on theories of extended cognition and situated knowledge, we argue that mitigating AI biases requires a reflexive interrogation of the cultural contexts of AI development and a commitment to empowering marginalized voices and perspectives. We claim that controlling cultural bias in generative AI is inseparable from the larger project of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in AI development and governance. By bridging philosophical reflection with technical innovation, this paper contributes to the growing discourse on responsible and inclusive AI, offering a roadmap for detecting and mitigating cultural biases while grappling with the profound cultural implications of these powerful technologies.

The Illusion of Truth in Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost

Michael Ondaatje's Anil’s Ghost, a literary masterpiece, focuses on the distortion of truth. Set against the backdrop of civil unrest in Sri Lanka, the novel follows forensic anthropologist Anil Tissera as she exposes the complexities of revealing truth in a world rife with political and personal turmoil. This research abstract delves into the multifaceted layers of reality distortion portrayed in Ondaatje's work .At its core; the novel questions the notion of objective reality. Ondaatje masterfully employs fragmented narratives, shifting perspectives, and unreliable memories to diminish the lines between truth and fiction. Through Anil's investigation into the skeletal remains of victims of political violence, Ondaatje exposes the subjective nature of memory and the inherent biases that shape our understanding of past events. Moreover, the novel explores the psychological toll of living in a reality distorted by trauma and political oppression. Characters like Anil and Sarath, haunted by their pasts, grapple with the existential question of whether it is possible to reconcile personal truth with the external realities imposed upon them. Ondaatje's lyrical prose evokes a sense of disorientation, mirroring the characters' internal struggles as they confront the elusive nature of reality. Furthermore, the novel examines how power dynamics influence the construction of reality. Ondaatje exposes the ways in which those in positions of authority manipulate narratives to serve their own agendas, perpetuating falsehoods and suppressing marginalized voices in the process. Through Anil's quest for justice, the novel underscores the importance of bearing witness to the silenced truths obscured by those in power. The novel serves as a profound exploration of the distortion of reality in the face of political upheaval and personal trauma.