Why action needs compassion

Creating space for experiences of powerlessness and suffering in participatory action research

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6134416
AutoresSaskia Elise Duij (0000-0002-5678-5340, Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, autor de correspondencia), Vivianne Baur (0000-0001-7618-8335, University of Humanistic Studies), Vivianne E Baur (University of Humanistic Studies), Tineke Abma (0000-0002-8902-322X, Cal Humanities), Tineke A Abma (Department of Medical Humanities, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam)
Año2019
Volumen19
Número3
Páginas498-517
Fecha de publicación2019-05-07
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAction Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1476-7503 • E-ISSN: 1741-2617
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1476750319844577
OpenAlexW2944284824
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas24

Participatory action research is often informed by strength-based approaches such as appreciative inquiry. However, when social change and collective action appear to be difficult, feelings of powerlessness and suffering can arise. There is an ongoing debate on the place and importance of these so-called negative emotions within strength-based approaches. In a participatory action research project on citizen participation in the Netherlands we encountered a social and political context that was beyond our ability to change. We came to realize that change or action is not always possible in participatory action research and that ‘pushing’ for action can become a disempowering experience for those involved. In this article we share the moral dilemmas that we encountered and reflect on our own learning experiences as academic researchers. We argue that researchers need to anticipate upon these moral challenges by reflecting upon their personal position towards powerlessness and suffering. Nussbaum’s notion of compassion can help researchers to create space for these experiences and to acknowledge these experiences as sources of generative knowledge. Researchers should carefully navigate between fostering action and expressing compassion in participatory action research. With this article we aim to contribute to a care ethical perspective on participatory action research that acknowledges vulnerabilities and precariousness in research practices

Action (physics · Action research · Citizen journalism · Compassion · Context (archaeology · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Participatory action research · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Sociology · Appreciative Inquiry and Organizational Change · Community Health and Development · Law · Mental Health and Patient Involvement