This paper explores the potential of an online TimeBank for inclusive research to address some of the challenges related to the unequal distribution of power and money for researchers within and outside the academy working in collaboration. The problem, the concept of TimeBanking, and the relationship of TimeBanking to inclusive research principles are explained. The case is made for developing an online TimeBank for inclusive research, and an account is given of initial co-production of a prototype by an English interdisciplinary academic team and a Welsh workers cooperative set up and run by people with and without learning disabilities aiming to make public life more inclusive. The paper concludes that, while the concept is some way from becoming a reality, a hybrid digital-physical TimeBank, if accessible and flexible enough to attract usage, has potential for supporting democratised, inclusive research in practice.
Abstract. Participatory and inclusive approaches to research have become more common as researchers recognize the benefits of enabling the meaningful involvement of representative community users in the development of accessible technologies. One of the major challenges in this context is the how the involvement of community members can be appropriately supported in project-related activities: payment for time and contributions is a particularly difficult and longstanding issue. This paper discusses the inclusive development of an online Timebank involving community members with intellectual disabilities. The TimeBank is conceived as a tool that enables people to contribute their different expertise on the basis of time, rather than monetary reward. The development process of the TimeBank is described as well as the challenges faced by the research team. There is much potential in the Timebank idea, although considerable further research is needed to establish an accessible, usable, credible and trustworthy resource.
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