Decolonizing Sociology Through Collaboration, Co‐Learning and Action: A Case for Participatory Action Research¹

Abstract

Despite important efforts by postcolonial scholars to “decolonize” sociology, this endeavor remains limited by the scaffolding of empirical research, or the institutionalized practices and beliefs embedded within data collection and researchers' relationship to research subjects. In its current form, this scaffolding excludes “subaltern” voices from critiquing and extending sociological theory, deriving benefits from the study, or informing social actions that stem from the research. This limits the field's understanding of the multi‐faceted impacts of colonialism and retrenches inequalities between scholars and participants. Participatory Action Research (PAR) offers an alternative, decolonial infrastructure. PAR acknowledges the value of knowledge from the periphery and calls for (1) the participation of marginalized research populations in each step of the research process; (2) co‐learning between researchers and participants; and (3) collaborative social action that centers the needs of marginalized research populations. Drawing on a case study of PAR in Rio de Janeiro, I demonstrate how PAR allows sociologists, in partnership with historically colonized groups, to decolonize sociology not only in theory, but in the concrete practices of empirical research.

Evaluating and Improving Department Racial Climate through Action Research

“…Our working group was guided by the principles of PAR. PAR proposes the participation of members of researched communities in study design, data collection, and interpretation, with the goals of promoting co-learning between researchers and participants and creating positive social change for participants and their broader communities (Fahlberg 2022). This approach seeks to promote equity through “an orientation that is community-based, and often community-directed, rather than merely community placed” (Wallerstein et al 2018:3).…”

“…Our working group used participatory action research (PAR) that built upon our expertise in navigating the department as sociology majors and minors, and as a faculty instructor and advisor. Over the course of the semester, we designed and implemented several initiatives and research projects with the explicit goal of producing knowledge that would lead to institutional change (Fahlberg 2022). Below, we situate our analysis in previous research on the racial climate of PWIs and we provide an overview of PAR.…”

Participatory action research: Developing a collaborative approach to modern slavery research with survivors of exploitation

“…When designed effectively, the advantages of peer research methods are multiple, including empowerment and co-learning of research subjects (Hollis et al, 2022; Kennedy et al, 2022); establishing meaningful relationships with community groups; extension of research impact (Hollis et al, 2022); better quality data (Hollis et al, 2022; Kennedy et al, 2022); and, in the case of this research field, increase the effectiveness of programmes and policies addressing modern slavery (Asquith et al, 2022). Moreover, Fahlberg (2023) spoke about decolonising the research process, ensuring the inclusion of peer’s voices, allowing them to derive benefits and inform the study’s impact.…”

“…Traditionally, modern slavery research has involved targeting survivors of modern slavery (alongside practitioners, law enforcement and support services) as interview participants only, without actively consulting survivors on how their lived experience can shape ethical research practices that maximises impact (for example see: Bales et al, 2015; Caruana et al, 2021; Lightowlers et al, 2022; Ramiz et al, 2020). Given the lack of a protocol, most lessons learned are taken from previous reflections on other topics (for example see: Fahlberg, 2023; Peltier, 2018; Wallerstein et al, 2017), or learning from your own research practice. This means survivors are rarely engaged appropriately, or to the full extent in ways which acknowledge their expertise.…”

“…Consequently, this paper offers recommendations and lessons learned when carrying out PAR, given the dearth of knowledge in modern slavery studies (University of Birmingham, 2021; Yang and Dibb, 2020). High quality peer research methods involve peers in the research process from conception, with activities led, co-produced, and advised on by survivors (Fahlberg, 2023; Kennedy et al, 2022; Yang and Dibb, 2020). Yet by failing to address critical barriers to inclusion (Holland-Hart et al, 2019), research has neglected to capture voices that are not privileged or socially prominent (Beresford, 2013; Kalathil and Jones, 2016).…”