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P03


Participatory methods in times of crisis - between performative tokenism and decolonial approaches 
Convenors:
Chiara Scheven (University of East-Anglia (UEA) University of Copenhagen (KU))
Tom Parkerson (University of East Anglia (UEA))
Taibat Hussain (University of East Anglia)
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Chairs:
Tom Parkerson (University of East Anglia (UEA))
Taibat Hussain (University of East Anglia)
Discussants:
Chiara Scheven (University of East-Anglia (UEA) University of Copenhagen (KU))
Tom Parkerson (University of East Anglia (UEA))
Format:
Paper panel

Short Abstract:

This panel explores innovative participatory methods and methodologies in a global development context. It poses the question of generating a meaningful and non-hierarchical research environment rather than using participatory approaches merely as a token to mark a project as decolonial.

Long Abstract:

Times of political, economic, and social unrest paired with a mutually enforcing environmental crisis call for a shift away from the “big” development narratives. Rather, indigenous, local, and participatory knowledge creation in various spaces, contexts, and scales is required. This can potentially develop grassroots research projects informed by and embedded in its specific context. Thus, this panel explores the opportunities and challenges participatory methods pose. Further, in returning to the real-life experiences and local narratives global questions can be explored in a multitude of experiences. Close collaboration and co-generation of data can generate a rich understanding of people’s day-to-day experiences, perceptions, and handling of crises. However, simultaneously, this does not guarantee a decolonial research project. Participatory has also been adopted as a token to coin research as innovative. Thus, we would like to discuss different methods and methodologies in terms of the tension between participatory and performative.

We propose a mixed design, practising the methods in mini-participatory tasks allowing participants to explore the methods themselves using the conference’s theme as a prompt. Thus, we suggest two sessions (preferably on different days). The first session includes brief paper presentations, introducing different methods. The second half leads into the participatory part for those interested. In the second session, we discuss challenges, issues, and the before-mentioned dynamic between decolonial and tokenism. This is then followed by bringing together the first-hand experience the participants in the session made themselves in the form of e.g. PhotoVoice, audio, visual, or mapping techniques.


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