Aims

This module aims to support students in developing a critical understanding of the theories, practices and politics of participatory development and research in a range of contexts across the global North and the global South. Participation has become a buzzword. Participatory approaches to development have exploded in popularity in recent years, and are now widely used in international and community development, planning and research that seeks to make a positive difference. The advantages of the participation of local people in activities previously governed by ‘experts’ is that it should result in development that is more democratic, context-specific, culturally-sensitive, and fit for purpose.
But in reality, many uses of participation take it far from its radical grassroots origins such as independence movements in the Global South. As states, NGOs and other institutions (including Universities) now claim to practice more participatory ways of going about their business, we can see the dangers of subverting participation for reactionary, neoliberal and even oppressive purposes are sometimes realised, and sometimes challenged. Many smaller organisations and social movements still attempt to deploy participation in social justice struggles. Participation is, fundamentally, about competing attempts to hold onto or redistribute power.
Through wide ranging examples, and engaging you as students in hands-on learning through participatory exercises, the module explores the nature and contested meaning of participation, and investigates the conflicting political, philosophical and everyday perspectives that affect why and how it is used in different settings. We consider the intersections of theory and practice in participatory research, and the importance of geographical concepts and methods to understanding it.
The module involves a set of core lectures on the history, theories, practices, politics, ethics and methods of participatory development and research. Tracking participatory practice from radical pedagogy, postcolonial, anti-racist and feminist perspectives, it pays special attention to the geographies of participation, and explores critiques and debates in academic Geography. It is relevant to social, economic and political geography, connecting with key issues and providing an approach to research/activism across the discipline. It takes on board perspectives from local as well as international development and research, and thus draws on a rich variety of case studies from across the world; from sexual health in Zambia to violent crime in north east England. A guest session will involve a North East community organisation demonstrating their own participatory practices in community-led development.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture 1: Introduction to the module: key concepts in participatory development and research

Lecture 2: Histories and philosophies of participation

Seminar 1: Histories and philosophies of participation

Lecture 3: Participatory geographical research

Workshop 1: Understanding participatory techniques

Lecture 4: Reflections from the field: Rachel

Workshop 2: Reflections from the field: local community partners

Lecture 5: Participatory ethics, positionality and reflexivity

Lecture 6: Critiques of participation

Seminar 2: Power and participation

Lecture 7: Geographies of participation: space, place and scale

Seminar 3: Geographies of participation

Lecture 8: Indigenous perspectives and critical race theory

Lecture 9: Feminist approaches to participatory development

Seminar 4: Indigenous/feminist/anti-racist approaches to participation

Lecture 10: Emotions and embodiment in participation

Lecture 11: Participatory action research – outputs, impacts and legitimacy

Lecture 12: Revision

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

•       Lectures will focus on key theoretical, political, ethical and methodological issues and concepts, introducing students to interdisciplinary literatures and using selected case studies in illustration. They will encourage students to reflect on the nature and impacts of participatory development and research, and critically appraise different models. Some methodological and reflection skills will also be taught.
•       Workshops will involve students in hands-on activities to learn, practice and evaluate participatory techniques. One of these sessions will be led by a community partner organisation, offering the chance to be involved in real-world development activity.
•       Seminars provide students with the opportunity to discuss key themes focused around key readings and help prepare them for the exam.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

•       The assessed seminars will encourage participation and engagement with key readings, which provide a foundation for later assignments.
•       The personal reflections assignment will require students to practice critical reflection on workshop material, and connect this to themes in academic literatures.
•       The essay will require students to read widely and synthesise the literatures on participatory development and research, in order to produce an advanced discussion of key theoretical, political, ethical and/or methodological issues.