Feminist Participatory Action Research (PAR)
Feminist Participatory Action Research (PAR)
This approach to transformative inquiry and action planning has been in existence for decades, with more or less radical influences and uses. At its best, it is conducted and led from within the affected community(ies). The point is to enable participants to better understand a specific
problem they are facing through engaging in quantitative and/or qualitative research, reflect on their findings, and then take action based on those findings to improve their situation. PAR can be a stand alone methodology or used as a component of a popular education-based organizing effort.
EXAMPLE:
While FPAR has a history of use in countries of the Global South, it also has found all kinds of applications in the Global North. For example, feminist organizations in Andalusia, Spain currently are using FPAR as both a research methodology and process for social change and capacity building related to human trafficking in Southern Spain.
EXAMPLE: SEEDS OF FIRE
At the famed Highlander Center (New Market, TN),Advisory Committee members and fellowship participants in the Center’s Seeds of Fire youth organizing project are launching a FPAR effort “to create communal care systems as an alternative to carceral systems.” For more information contact Rosemary Paz rosemary@highlander.org or Teddy Lee teddy@highlander.org.
Check out these great resources related to Feminist Participatory Action Research:
- Reclaiming Migrant Women’s Narratives: A Feminist Participatory Action Research project on ‘Safe and Fair’ Migration in Asia
- Blending Feminist, Indigenous, and Participatory Action Research Methodologies: Critical Reflections from the Northeastern Ontario Research Alliance on Human Trafficking
- Patricia Maguire
- trailblazers and good troublemakers
- collaborates with academics, community organizations, schools, prisons, and public institutions to design, conduct, and support research and practice aimed at interrupting injustice.
- Tab
- Youth PAR Hub
https://gaatw.org/publications/Reclaiming%20Migrant%20Women%27s%20Narratives.pdf
This report, “Reclaiming Migrant Women’s Narratives: A Feminist Participatory Action Research project on ‘Safe and Fair’ Migration in Asia” is an excellent example of FPAR.
https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/802396/summary
This journal article, “Blending Feminist, Indigenous, and Participatory Action Research Methodologies: Critical Reflections from the Northeastern Ontario Research Alliance on Human Trafficking” provides helpful insights into decolonial and indigenous approaches to FPAR.
https://www.patriciamaguire.net/teaching_resources.html
Publications, downloadable course syllabi, presentations, and links to many PAR networks and organizations from a noted feminist PAR scholar and activist.
https://www.parfemtrailblazers.net
This website contains podcasts showcasing the contributions of many PAR Feminist “trailblazers and good troublemakers” working in various countries on a range of issues. Learn about their struggles, successes, and insights for the future of PAR informed by intersectional feminisms. Also contains an extensive resource section.
Based at the City University of New York, the Public Science Project “collaborates with academics, community organizations, schools, prisons, and public institutions to design, conduct, and support research and practice aimed at interrupting injustice.” Website includes current PAR projects, links, backgrounders, and reading lists.
https://participatoryactionresearchsites.carleton.edu/about-par
This is a thoughtful discussion of different types of PAR, a historical overview of the different strands of struggle and research contributing to this methodology in use today, current use and ethical issues.
https://yparhub.berkeley.edu/home.
Based at UC Berkeley, the Youth PAR Hub focuses specifically on resourcing youth and youth groups to engage in PAR themselves. Website contains an excellent and deep set of resources on different research methods, best practices, curriculum, and some inspiring stories of how youth are using this methodology to organize and advocate for change.