EVENT
27.04.2012 /

Participatory Action Research 1: Introduction to PAR:
Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, Durham University

Led by Professor Rachel Pain

This workshop aims to provide an introduction to Participatory Action Research and some of the techniques associated with it. It is aimed at new and established researchers in universities, the voluntary and public sectors, who are interested in expanding their repertoire of research skills and finding new ways to work with sections of the community, particularly those who are often ignored in research and policy. The workshop will also raise awareness of the shortcomings and dangers of the ‘participation’ agenda.

Participatory approaches involve research in collaboration with rather than research on people. Key stages of research – from problem definition right through to dissemination of findings - are conducted jointly, and research skills and outcomes are shared, increasing participants’ ability to bring about positive changes on a range of social issues. A toolkit of participatory techniques exists that provides more inclusive and accessible tools for exploring, developing and communicating research topics. Because Participatory Action Research works on the basis of knowledge co-production, it provides one model for two-way University-public engagement. It is also widely used outside academic settings.

The workshop will cover:
• The limits of traditional models of research
• What participatory research is and where it came from
• When, where and how it might be appropriate to employ participatory approaches and methods
• Strategies for accessing and engaging people in participatory research
• Developing and using participatory techniques such as diagramming
• Critical perspectives on and the limits to ‘participation’, and some of the institutional and political barriers to using these approaches

Teaching and learning methods in the workshop include plenary presentation, group discussion and hands on-practical exercises. By the end of the day participants should feel confident using participatory methods, and understand broader issues around the use and misuse of participatory approaches.

For more details on any of these training workshops, please contact social.justice@durham.ac.uk, rachel.pain@durham.ac.uk or a.j.orton@durham.ac.uk at the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, Durham University.

Please see our website www.dur.ac.uk/beacon/socialjustice for details of events and other activities.