Take a moment to recognise the lenses shaping the way you see things
To what degree are you emotionally involved in the research?
Are there any elements of the research created by the researcher and the participants?
What part do the participants play in generating knowledge in the research?

Active engagement with participants enhances understanding and builds richer insights; however, emotional involvement without rigorous reflexivity can risk the research becoming biased. 

When conducting transformative research, insufficient engagement risks detachment, thereby reducing the depth and relevance of findings. Furthermore, it can hinder the positive socio-ecological impact it aims to achieve. 

As researchers working on transformative change, mainting a critical involvement is a true challenge.

What you will achieve with this tool?

Strive for a conscious, reflective, and ethical engagement with the communities under study

Explore how to take action

Remember, this is an inspiration guide (not a recipe) to help you decide what will be most transformative for your context. Every context is unique!

1
STEP 1 Keep a diary of the research activities to enable reflection on one's influence on the research
2
STEP 2 Reinforce one's professional role and clarify to the participants that your role is that of a researcher, not an advocate or a friend
3
STEP 3 Back research analysis with evidence to reduce emotional influence
4
STEP 4 Increase one's visibility by building presence in the community through attending local events and spending unstructured time in the field
5
STEP 5 Ask open ended questions that invite conversation
6
STEP 6 Seek feedback from the participants to deepen understanding of the participants.

With whom and for whom are you transforming?

Dr J. (Jessica) Soedirgo

Which power dynamics might hinder local communities from caring for ecosystems?

Managing the level of engagement ensures that the research process remains respectful and builds on mutual understanding. Reflecting and adjusting one's level of engagement creates an awareness on power dynamics, emotional boundaries and a shared ownership of knowledge. This creates conditions in which participants freely contribute and diverse perspectives are valued.

References

Kitagawa, K. (2023). Researcher positionality in participatory action research for climate justice in Indigenous communities. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231205178. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205178

Soedirgo, J., & Glas, A. (2020). Toward active reflexivity: Positionality and practice in the production of knowledge. PS: Political Science & Politics, 53(3), 527-531. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049096519002233