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Paper short abstract

What can critical realism offer development studies research? We review the main features of critical realism; its generic value in exposing context and contingent causality, and in supporting interventionist research; and its specific value in providing a basis for critical modernism.

Paper long abstract

There is little overt engagement with research paradigms in development studies research, and yet all research is underpinned and shaped by a particular paradigm, even if not made explicit. This paper reviews the value of one such paradigm: critical realism. We concisely review the main features of critical realism: its ontological realism combined with epistemological relativism; its iterative, pluralist and reflexive methodology; and its emancipatory values. Alongside the general value of explicit use of any research paradigm, we argue two particular types of value of critical realism for development studies. First, generic values including exposure of context, a contingent causality that reflects real-world development experiences, legitimisation of different stakeholder views and reduction of research bias, and support for an interventionist approach and its goal of delivering international development. Second, specific value in addressing issues in development studies: integration of structure and agency; providing a basis for critical modernism; and framing research into the politics of development. We conclude that delivery of critical realism's utility will require the development studies community to take actions that enable this emergent research paradigm to flourish.

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Paper short abstract

Community Participation is noted as one of the key pillars for Sustainable Development. It is long presented as a tool for reinforcing accountability, genuine sense of ownership and social justice. This paper will focus in its contestable yet taken for granted aspects.

Paper long abstract

Community participation is noted as one of the key pillars for sustainable development. International Development community has long presented the power of community participation in reinforcing accountability, genuine sense of ownership and social justice. While in agreement with some of the long established links of community participation and Sustainable Development, this paper will focus in its contestable yet taken for granted aspects.

Drawing on Ethnographic data collected from Rural Ethiopia where sentiments of 'community participation for sustainable development' is echoed by the State, this paper highlights the complexities of community participation and implications from it in rural context.

Drawing on analysis of rural community participatory initiatives in the context of under resourced schools, it reveals issues of power, repercussions, and unintended marginalisation of categories of rural people. The paper calls for expanded understanding of community participation and its relevance to Sustainable Development.

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Paper short abstract

It is commonplace for researchers to undertake research in turbulent contexts where they may frequently encounter challenges and dilemmas in terms of risk and data security. So, how should researchers prepare to minimise risk both on and off-line? How can universities best support them?

Paper long abstract

Universities prepare PhD students for becoming excellent researchers, covering topics such as methods, theory, and ethics. Nevertheless, when it comes to the risks that researchers have to overcome as part of their projects, Universities often fall short. This is particularly the case in development studies research where Universities based in the global north often have little understanding of the risks and dilemmas that researchers may face in their fieldwork. While official risk assessment procedures often serve as little more than a tick-box exercise, researchers are often left on their own to face some of the most pressing and risky dilemmas of research.

Some of the questions we feel Universities are currently ill-equipped to help researchers navigate include: What types of trade-offs exist, if any, between getting high quality data and minimising risk? Do university procedures ever increase the risks that researchers face in the field? Do on-line profiles help protect or make researchers and participants more vulnerable?

We explore these questions and key themes in relation to our own fieldwork in Morocco (Medland) and Colombia (Pinto Campo). We also draw on further exploration of these issues from a workshop at the University of Bristol (to be held June 2017). Reflecting on the un-met risk-related dilemmas that (particularly PhD) researchers often find themselves facing alone, we look at how researchers can better break a routine of research in isolation. Finally, we reflect on how Universities could better make spaces of support for the kind of challenging research that they encourage.