Paper Short Abstract:

This paper explores how participatory ethnography can amplify the voices of residents in a deindustrialised South Wales community while navigating the epistemological challenges. It examines the tension between solidarity and critical inquiry, reflecting on the expectations of interlocutors who hope for tangible change and the researcher’s responsibility to manage these hopes transparently. By highlighting the co-production of knowledge and the researcher's dual roles of collaborator and observer, the paper contributes to discussions on the intersection of activism and research.

Paper Abstract:

My research explores the lived experiences of residents in a deindustrialised community in South Wales, shaped by decades of economic decline, political marginalisation, and the normalisation of crisis. Designed as a participatory project, it seeks to understand what matters most to my interlocutors—documenting their struggles and resilience while collaboratively exploring potential pathways for change. Through co-producing knowledge, I aim to amplify their narratives of being "left behind" and the strategies they use to endure and adapt.

As an ethnographer with personal ties to the community, I feel a responsibility to give back to a region that shaped my identity and values. My personal investment drives a desire to shed light on systemic inequalities and advocate for meaningful change. However, this also necessitates constant reflection on the limitations of my role. While many interlocutors hope my research will directly transform their circumstances, I must clarify that its impact lies primarily in raising awareness and advocating for their concerns. Managing these expectations requires transparency, trust-building, and the careful navigation of my dual roles as collaborator and observer.

This tension between solidarity and critical inquiry challenges me to resist the paternalistic impulse to “fix” their struggles or provide false hope while remaining deeply committed to highlighting their stories. This paper examines how participatory ethnography can elevate marginalized voices while grappling with epistemological boundaries. It contributes to the panel’s discussion on the intersection of activism and research, exploring how solidarity, collaboration, and reflexivity can enrich ethnographic inquiry without overstating its transformative potential.