Action research with young people: possibilities and ‘messy realities’

Barry Percy-Smith, Morena Cuconato, Christian Reutlinger, N.Patrick Thomas

Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue

Abstract

This paper reflects on our experiences of using participatory action research (PAR) with young people as part of an EU H2020 project exploring the spaces and styles of youth participation in formal, non-formal and informal settings. The paper outlines key tenets of action research and provides a brief review of the literature concerning the use of PAR in youth research. Drawing on three case studies, we provide an honest account of some of the messy realities involved in realising the promise of participatory action research in practice. The central focus is on how the action research played out in practice, the challenges of undertaking PAR within the context of a funded project with predefined deliverables, the power relationships between researchers and young people and how agendas are negotiated in action research. We conclude with some critical reflections on lessons learnt, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the exploratory nature of PAR and the critical role of the researcher as facilitator.
LanguageEnglish
Number of pages22
JournalDiscourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 23 May 2019

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Percy-Smith, Barry ; Cuconato, Morena ; Reutlinger, Christian ; Thomas, N.Patrick. / Action research with young people : possibilities and ‘messy realities’. In: Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research. 2019.
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Percy-Smith, B, Cuconato, M, Reutlinger, C & Thomas, NP 2019, 'Action research with young people: possibilities and ‘messy realities’', Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research.

Action research with young people : possibilities and ‘messy realities’. / Percy-Smith, Barry; Cuconato, Morena; Reutlinger, Christian; Thomas, N.Patrick.

In: Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research, 23.05.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Special issue

TY - JOUR

T1 - Action research with young people

T2 - Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research

AU - Percy-Smith, Barry

AU - Cuconato, Morena

AU - Reutlinger, Christian

AU - Thomas, N.Patrick

PY - 2019/5/23

Y1 - 2019/5/23

N2 - This paper reflects on our experiences of using participatory action research (PAR) with young people as part of an EU H2020 project exploring the spaces and styles of youth participation in formal, non-formal and informal settings. The paper outlines key tenets of action research and provides a brief review of the literature concerning the use of PAR in youth research. Drawing on three case studies, we provide an honest account of some of the messy realities involved in realising the promise of participatory action research in practice. The central focus is on how the action research played out in practice, the challenges of undertaking PAR within the context of a funded project with predefined deliverables, the power relationships between researchers and young people and how agendas are negotiated in action research. We conclude with some critical reflections on lessons learnt, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the exploratory nature of PAR and the critical role of the researcher as facilitator.

AB - This paper reflects on our experiences of using participatory action research (PAR) with young people as part of an EU H2020 project exploring the spaces and styles of youth participation in formal, non-formal and informal settings. The paper outlines key tenets of action research and provides a brief review of the literature concerning the use of PAR in youth research. Drawing on three case studies, we provide an honest account of some of the messy realities involved in realising the promise of participatory action research in practice. The central focus is on how the action research played out in practice, the challenges of undertaking PAR within the context of a funded project with predefined deliverables, the power relationships between researchers and young people and how agendas are negotiated in action research. We conclude with some critical reflections on lessons learnt, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the exploratory nature of PAR and the critical role of the researcher as facilitator.

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KW - Reflection

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Percy-Smith B, Cuconato M, Reutlinger C, Thomas NP. Action research with young people: possibilities and ‘messy realities’. Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research. 2019 May 23.