Decolonizing and Participatory Research with Youth in Library Makerspaces

Abstract

Most of the literature surrounding makerspaces is designed by researchers in isolation or in partnership with adults working in makerspaces and centers adult voices, even when focusing on spaces and programs designed to serve youth. Rarely does this literature position youth as collaborators or co-researchers in investigating makerspaces. Researchers of youth participation in makerspaces have the opportunity, however, to go one step further, working with youth as collaborators and co-researchers rather than just as participants. Given the multiple marginalizations many youth face, it is critical that researchers design their research and collaborate with library and makerspace professionals to design library makerspace and research experiences that are decolonizing and participatory. This work must be taken up consciously and intentionally, as both libraries and makerspaces have histories of prioritizing dominant white, middle-class, Western values and practices (Honma, 2005; Vossoughi, Hooper, & Escudé, 2016).