New Learning Pathway on One Ocean Learn: Participatory Research
A brand new Learning Pathway has been launched in November 2024 through One Ocean Learn, focusing on Participatory Research: What is it, how do we use it, and its potential impact for transformative ocean governance.
Participatory research has been a foundational element of One Ocean Hub approaches, being a collaborative approach that focuses on meaningful representation and co-production with a variety of actors, i.e.,community members, researchers, civil society organisations, policymakers, lawyers, and artists — as active contributors in the research process. Unlike traditional research, participatory approaches involve research participants in every stage, from identifying research questions to analysing results and implementing solutions. This approach values local knowledge, promotes mutual learning, and ensures that research outcomes are responsive to the needs and priorities of those most affected by the problems trying to be solved. As such this Learning Pathway links closely to topics covered in other Learning Pathways on the platform, including Transdisciplinarity, and Learning from Local Knowledge and its Role in Ocean Science.
The Participatory Research Learning Pathway consists of four modules. Module 1 unpacks what participatory research is and the potential of this approach to explore people’s understanding and relationship with the world’s ocean in an inclusive way. Module 2 focuses on the use and development of arts-based participatory research methods that draw on different art forms such as theatre, storytelling and photography, and can help facilitate equitable and inclusive public dialogue and action for transformative ocean governance. Module 3 explores the potential impacts of participatory research methods for transformative ocean governance by including diverse voices, especially from marginalised coastal and other ocean-dependent communities. Module 4 highlights important things to consider before deciding to undertake participatory research, such as having enough time, capacity and resources, and poses several critical questions to consider regarding, for example, power dynamics, historical injustice, integrity in relationship building and reflecting on one’s positionality in the research process.
This learning pathway was developed by Nina Rivers, One Ocean Hub ocean governance and knowledge integration researcher (University of Strathclyde, Scotland) and research fellow at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.
Sign up for the Participatory Research learning pathway on the One Ocean Learn website here >>
Artwork by: Elisa Morgera
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