Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy

In this paper, we reflect on the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a pedagogy. To do so, we first introduce PAR and review the burgeoning literature discussing PAR as a pedagogical approach at the university level. We then provide vignettes of our independent experiences as college educa...

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Main Authors: Julia S. Dancis, Brett R. Coleman, Erin Rose Ellison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Specialty Publications 2023-06-01
Series:Journal of Participatory Research Methods
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.75174
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author Julia S. Dancis
Brett R. Coleman
Erin Rose Ellison
author_facet Julia S. Dancis
Brett R. Coleman
Erin Rose Ellison
author_sort Julia S. Dancis
collection DOAJ
description In this paper, we reflect on the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a pedagogy. To do so, we first introduce PAR and review the burgeoning literature discussing PAR as a pedagogical approach at the university level. We then provide vignettes of our independent experiences as college educators facilitating PAR within undergraduate classrooms. Through our stories, we engage with the messy space between our efforts to change unjust systems and the neoliberal constraints of the academy with a chokehold on those efforts. In this narrative reflection, we examine key themes across our experiences, including: 1) relationship development as a political act; 2) the importance of emergent and responsive pedagogy; and 3) the challenges associated with prefiguring democratic practices in the classroom. Altogether, this paper grapples with the value and risk of bringing PAR into university classrooms and urges PAR educators to refrain from tidying up their pedagogy.
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spelling doaj-art-3d5818c2dd924ef7a580bc8f37c3f1472025-08-20T02:16:39ZengSpecialty PublicationsJournal of Participatory Research Methods2688-02612023-06-014210.35844/001c.75174Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay MessyJulia S. DancisBrett R. ColemanErin Rose EllisonIn this paper, we reflect on the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as a pedagogy. To do so, we first introduce PAR and review the burgeoning literature discussing PAR as a pedagogical approach at the university level. We then provide vignettes of our independent experiences as college educators facilitating PAR within undergraduate classrooms. Through our stories, we engage with the messy space between our efforts to change unjust systems and the neoliberal constraints of the academy with a chokehold on those efforts. In this narrative reflection, we examine key themes across our experiences, including: 1) relationship development as a political act; 2) the importance of emergent and responsive pedagogy; and 3) the challenges associated with prefiguring democratic practices in the classroom. Altogether, this paper grapples with the value and risk of bringing PAR into university classrooms and urges PAR educators to refrain from tidying up their pedagogy.https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.75174
spellingShingle Julia S. Dancis
Brett R. Coleman
Erin Rose Ellison
Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
Journal of Participatory Research Methods
title Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
title_full Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
title_fullStr Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
title_full_unstemmed Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
title_short Participatory Action Research as Pedagogy: Stay Messy
title_sort participatory action research as pedagogy stay messy
url https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.75174
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