Participatory Research in International Development
Summary
Participatory research in international development embraces collaborative inquiry methods that centre the voices, knowledge and priorities of local communities alongside those of external researchers. It shifts the role of affected populations from passive subjects to active partners in the design, data collection, analysis and dissemination of research. Grounded in principles of equity, transparency and mutual learning, this approach seeks to redress historical power imbalances by valuing diverse ways of knowing and by fostering capacity development within partner communities. Methods range from community mapping and photovoice to participatory action cycles, each tailored to cultural contexts and development goals. By co-creating research agendas, participatory scholars aim to generate more relevant evidence for policy and practice, enhance the legitimacy of findings and promote sustainable change. Key challenges include negotiating institutional constraints on funding and timelines, ensuring genuine power-sharing and managing ethical tensions arising from long-term community engagement.
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Participatory Research in International Development publication trend
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Technical terms
Co-production: Joint planning and execution of research activities by academic and community partners to ensure shared ownership of outcomes.
Power asymmetry: Imbalance in decision-making authority or resource control between different participants in a research partnership.
Epistemic justice: Fair recognition and inclusion of diverse knowledge systems, ensuring that local or marginalised perspectives are valued.
Capacity development: Strengthening skills, capabilities and resources of individuals or organisations to engage effectively in research processes.
Stakeholder engagement: Systematic involvement of individuals or groups with an interest in or influence over research design, conduct and application.
References
- Research as usual in humanitarian settings? Equalising power in academic-NGO research partnerships through co-production. Conflict and Health (2021).
- Beyond partnerships: embracing complexity to understand and improve research collaboration for global development. Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue canadienne d études du développement (2021).
- Rethinking research partnerships: Evidence and the politics of participation in research partnerships for international development. Journal of International Development (2019).
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