Participatory Visions
Redesigning research for social justice.
![File of folders with headings of Funding, Projects, and Grants](/grand-challenges/sites/grand_challenges/files/styles/large_image/public/case-study/istock-841614564.jpg?itok=szkgkQBI)
6 March 2023
Despite increasing support within universities and amongst research fundersÌýfor participatory research approaches,Ìýinstitutional processes and fundingÌýrequirements continue to limit participatoryÌýengagements that meaningfully furtherÌýsocial justice. Recognising this disconnect,ÌýUCL’s Institute for Global Prosperity,ÌýCo-Production Collective, and InstituteÌýof Education, supported by UCL’s GrandÌýChallenge of Justice & Equality, set out toÌýinvestigate the practical barriers universityÌýresearchers and community partners faceÌýin conducting participatory social justiceÌýresearch.Ìý
Between May and August 2022, 21 semi-structured interviews were conductedÌýwith research facilitators, universityÌýresearchers, andÌýcommunity partners -Ìýall of whom had expertise supporting orÌýengaging in participatory social justiceÌýresearch across a range ofÌýdisciplines.ÌýThey were asked what barriers theyÌýfaced in conducting participatory socialÌýjustice research, particularly in termsÌýof funding and university processes.ÌýDrawing on the barriers identified in theÌýinterviews, a workshop was organised that brought together university researchers,Ìýcommunity partners, and funders to coproduce recommendations for change.Ìý
The projectÌýfound that the obstacles researchÌýfacilitators, university researchers, andÌýcommunity partners faced generallyÌýcoalesced around three key themes:
- Challenge 1: Relationship-building is undervalued;
- Challenge 2: Community partnersÌýaren’t valued;
- Challenge 3: SectorsÌýwork in silos.
The project's final reportÌýdetails the main aspects and impacts ofÌýthese challenges, as well as incorporating aÌýcase study of an ongoingÌýparticipatory research collaboration, which illustrates the importanceÌýof long-term funding to supporting cross-sectoralÌýpartnership,Ìýequality, and theÌýdevelopment of new research pathways.ÌýThe report also summarises theÌýcollectiveÌýrecommendations for changeÌýthat emerged from the workshopÌýwith community partners, universityÌýresearchers, and funders.Ìý
The full report is available hereÌýor an executive summary can be accessed below.