Reflexivity in Participatory Research: Theory and Practice

Reflexivity within participatory research goes beyond reflection of applying methods to recognising and attending to shifting power relations within and alongside community engaged research projects (Kindon et al. 2007).

Participatory and action-based research with communities requires an examination of collective and self-identity, positionality and power. It involves an immediate, dynamic and continuing self-awareness that reminds the researcher to deconstruct their positionality with the aim of producing a more trustworthy, transparent and honest account of the research (Finlay 2002; McGee 2002; Finlay and Gough 2003).

This one-day in person course aims to provide learners with an understanding of the key concepts and principles behind reflexivity in participatory research, including an understanding of the impact that positionality and power have on equitable research partnerships and outcomes. The course will provide practical tools and techniques for building reflexive practice into projects from research design to dissemination.

This in person course is taking place at The University of Liverpool Management School and will run from 9:30am to 4pm.

Course Description

The course covers:

• Overview of positionality and power in participatory community engaged research
• Reflexivity in participatory research – terminology and key concepts
• Reflexivity for understanding community context and appreciating local knowledge to foster collaboration, engagement, and collective learning
• Ethics, safeguarding and dilemmas - the role of reflexivity
• Reflexivity for rigour and trustworthiness within participatory research
• Tools and techniques for embedding reflexive practice in participatory research projects
• Reflexivity in safeguarding and risk management (personal and community)
• Reflexivity with co-researchers and community research partners
• Tools that encourage reflexive practice at key moments within the partnership

 

By the end of the course participants will be able to:

• State and define the main concepts and principles of power, positionality and reflexivity in participatory research
• Critique and analyse power and positionality in participatory research- within and beyond the research partnership
• Identify the importance and value of embedded reflexive practice in participatory research
• Be able to choose, justify and apply reflexivity techniques (collective and individual) that respond to power imbalances within community engaged research
• Identify and demonstrate an awareness of the limitations and challenges of reflexivity
• Embed and disseminate reflexive evidence within projects
• Design and implement reflexivity techniques to safeguard community engaged research partnerships