Tuesday's Parallel Workshops

Prof. Dr. Yvonne Riaño

Tuesday, 6 June, 9:20 – 15:30, RAA-E-30

This workshop explores how researchers position themselves in relation to the populations they study. We will begin by introducing approaches from from feminist and postcolonial theory that challenge traditional approaches to scientific knowledge production. These approaches question power relations that can exist between " research objects" and researchers when the latter have absolute control over the questions asked, the methods used, and over the interpretation and dissemination of the results. Feminist and postcolonial approaches call on us to "democratize" research practices in the social sciences.  

In a second step, we will present the Minga methodology, developed in 2014 by Yvonne Riaño in the context of a research project with migrant women in Switzerland and further developed in the context of other research projects. This methodology attempts to meet the challenge of feminist and postcolonial approaches by proposing a participatory approach that aims, on the one hand, to generate "spaces of mutual learning" and, on the other hand, to produce social science knowledge in collaboration with "experts and professionals of daily life". Issues of scientific validity, reflexivity, and positionality will be placed at the centre of this participatory research practice.

 In a third step, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the following questions based on their own research projects:  

•  How can we conduct socially responsible research that aims to collaborate with research partners, rather than engaging in an extractive practice? What participatory research methods are appropriate depending on the research context?  
• With which research partners and in which contexts should we collaborate? What inclusive spaces can we create to co-produce knowledge with our research partners?
• How can participatory research contribute to better scientific understanding? How can it lead to social and personal change?

These reflections will be followed by group work, the results of which will be presented to the plenary of participants, followed by a general discussion on the limits and possibilities of participatory methods.

Dr. Ruth Förster

Tuesday, 6 June, 9:20 – 15:30, RAA-E-27

By focusing on frameworks and methods for designing for transformative, participatory research, this workshop brings together beginners as well as advanced citizen science researchers who seek to increase the intensitiy of citizen participation in their project.

We introduce and discuss a common framework (phases, principles, involved actors) and variations for participatory research design. We will also reflect on commonalities and differences to (disciplinary) research processes attendees are familiar with. Based on this, participants can generate first ideas on how to implement the research design within their research project or idea.

 In addition to short theoretical inputs, interactive exercises and plenary discussions allow for a multi-layered engagement with research design. Participants' application contexts will be integrated into the workshop and may include research projects, participatory decision-making processes and policy development and implementation.

Learning objectives:

Participants

• know the central features of designing participatory Citizen Science research processes also in comparison to disciplinary research.
• know basic frameworks (phases, priniciples etc.) and variations for designing a research project.  
• generate initial ideas on how to implement/adapt the research design within their concrete project or project idea.

You can find more information about all our speakers and trainers here.