Action Learning and Action Research Journal

Vol 32 No.1 Cover and Table of Contents

2026-10-03T05:30:04+00:00

Vol 32 No.1 Cover and Table of Contents

Editorial

2026-10-03T05:27:23+00:00

Multilingual Issue Editorial

Interfaces entre Educação Popular, Pesquisa Participante e Prática Exploratória

2025-12-23T03:06:44+00:00

Resumo:

Este trabalho se propõe a perceber possíveis pontos de aproximação entre Educação Popular, a Prática Exploratória (PE) e a Pesquisa Participante. O texto estabelece pontos de convergência entre essas duas perspectivas de investigação, a fim de reconhecer, valorizar e fortalecer um modo de fazer pesquisa tipicamente latino-americano. O trabalho busca ainda criar entendimentos, em diálogo com o campo da Linguística Aplicada Crítica, sobre a importância dada aos sujeitos envolvidos nas pesquisas cujos paradigmas epistemológicos são pós-modernos, em comparação com o lugar que esses participantes ocupavam anteriormente nas concepções tradicionais de pesquisa. As aproximações apontam que a Prática Exploratória pode ser entendida como um tipo de Pesquisa Participante, de modo que essa vinculação pode agregar aos princípios norteadores da Prática Exploratória uma explícita dimensão política percebida a partir do Grupo da Prática Exploratória no Brasil.

Abstract:

This work aims to understand possible points of rapprochement among participatory research: Popular Education, Exploratory Practice (EP) and Practitioner Research. The text seeks to establish points of convergence between these research perspectives, in order to recognize, value and strengthen a typically Latin American way of doing research. The work also seeks to create understandings, from the field of Critical Applied Linguistics, about the importance given to the subjects involved in research whose epistemological paradigms are post-modern, in comparison to the place that these participants previously occupied in traditional conceptions of research. The approaches indicate that Exploratory Practice can be understood as a type of Participatory Research, so that this link can add to the guiding principles of EP an explicit political dimension perceived from the Exploratory Practice Group in Brazil.

Participación y planeación estratégica para el rediseño curricular en Educación Superior: un modelo procedimental empleando Teoría Fundamentada

2025-12-23T03:18:20+00:00

Resumen

Se explica el proceso adoptado para la creación de un modelo procedimental cuyo objetivo es facilitar a los comités académicos de las universidades llevar a buen término los rediseños curriculares de su oferta educativa. Es el resultado de un proceso mediado por la teoría fundamentada que le da origen. La particularidad del modelo procedimental radica en la integración innovadora entre planeación y generación de categorías emergentes a partir de los datos, superando enfoques prescriptivos tradicionales. En cuanto al rigor metodológico, la teoría fundamentada permitió construir el modelo desde la voz de docentes, estudiantes, directivos y empleadores, garantizando validez y coherencia con la práctica educativa. Su relevancia e impacto se evidencian en la capacidad de responder a contextos sociales y laborales cambiantes, fortaleciendo la pertinencia y sostenibilidad de los planes de estudio mediante la participación de la comunidad académica.

Abstract:

This paper explains the adopted process for the creation of a procedural model aimed at supporting academic committees at universities, in successfully carrying out curriculum redesigns of their educational programs. The model emerged from a process grounded in theory, which shaped its development. Its originality lies in the innovative integration of strategic planning with the generation of data-driven emerging categories, thereby moving beyond traditional prescriptive approaches. Regarding methodological rigor, grounded theory enabled the construction of the model from the perspectives of faculty, students, administrators, and employers, ensuring validity and alignment with educational practice. Its relevance and impact are reflected in its capacity to address changing social and labor contexts, strengthening the pertinence and sustainability of curricula through the active participation of the academic community.

Γυναίκες και Συμμετοχική Έρευνα Δράσης στη Νέα Σμύρνη, Ελλάδα: Διαδικασία, προκλήσεις, και οφέλη για τον αστικό σχεδιασμό

2025-12-23T00:00:03+00:00

Περίληψη

Σε μια περίοδο συνεχούς αστικοποίησης, αυξημένων περιβαλλοντικών προβλημάτων καθώς και κοινωνικών ανισοτήτων, ο συμμετοχικός αστικός σχεδιασμός και η συμπεριληπτική (inclusive) διακυβέρνηση είναι τα μεγάλα ζητούμενα στην μετάβαση προς βιώσιμες πόλεις. Σε αυτή την εργασία παρουσιάζω μια πρωτοβουλία Συμμετοχικής Έρευνας Δράσης με γυναίκες της Νέας Σμύρνης (Αθήνα, Ελλάδα), που στόχο είχε την ενδυνάμωση των γυναικών να εκφράσουν τις ανάγκες τους στην πόλη και τον συλλογικό οραματισμό της πόλης από τη γυναικεία σκοπιά. Συζητώ τη διαδικασία με διάθεση κριτικού αναστοχασμού, διερευνώ τις προκλήσεις και τους παράγοντες που διευκολύνουν, και αναδεικνύω τα οφέλη αυτής της προσπάθειας.

Η πρωτοβουλία παρήγαγε χρήσιμες ιδέες για τον τοπικό αστικό σχεδιασμό, ενώ αμφισβήτησε την παραγκώνιση των γυναικών, ενδυναμώνοντας την ικανότητά τους για δράση και ισχυροποιώντας τη συλλογική τους φωνή. Παράλληλα, ανάδειξε έναν σημαντικό περιορισμό: τέτοιες συμμετοχικές διαδικασίες περιορίζονται μόνο σε μια κίνηση συμβολικής σημασίας, αν δεν υπάρχουν θεσμικοί μηχανισμοί που συνδέουν τη γνώση που έχει παραχθεί συμμετοχικά με τη διαδικασία λήψης αποφάσεων. Η εργασία αυτή τονίζει τον διπλό ρόλο της ΦΣΕΔ: ως διαδικασία για την ενδυνάμωση της κοινότητας αλλά και ως μέσο δημοκρατικής αστικής διακυβέρνησης.

Abstract

In a period of increasing urbanization, increased environmental problems and continued social inequalities, participatory urban design and inclusive governance are two fundamental requisites in the transition towards sustainable cities. In this paper, I present a Participatory Action Research (PAR) initiative with women of Nea Smyrne (in Greater Athens, Greece) that aimed to the expression of their concerns and needs in the city, a collective envisioning of the ‘good city’ for the future and women’s empowerment. I will discuss the process, its challenges, and the benefits for the participants and urban planning. The initiative generated valuable insights for city planning, while it challenged women’s sense of invisibility, emphasizing women’s sense of agency and collective voice. At the same time, it revealed a critical limitation: without institutional mechanisms to connect participatory knowledge to decision-making, community-driven insights risk remaining symbolic. By examining both the empowering aspects and the challenges of the process, the paper highlights the dual role of feminist participatory action research: fostering community empowerment and serving as a conduit for democratic urban governance.

Recherche-action participative en transition : lorsque les citoyens fixent les priorités.

2026-01-18T01:26:29+00:00

Résumé

Nous discuterons d'une expérience innovante menée en France avec un panel de citoyens, visant à combler le fossé entre la recherche scientifique et les priorités sociétales. L'accent a été mis sur la recherche sur les plastiques, où les scientifiques ont sollicité l'avis des citoyens afin de hiérarchiser les efforts en faveur de solutions biodégradables, durables et économiquement compétitives.

Le projet s'est inspiré des panels de citoyens habituels, mais s'en est écarté par quatre innovations clés : un groupe plus restreint, un temps plus court, l'accompagnement de présentateurs experts, la facilitation des discussions à l'aide d'outils issus de la science des systèmes.

Abstract

We will discuss an innovative citizen panel experiment conducted in France, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and societal priorities. The focus was on plastics research, where scientists sought input from citizens on prioritizing efforts for biodegradable, sustainable, and economically competitive solutions.

The project was inspired by the usual citizen’s panels, but differed in four key innovations: smaller group, less time, coaching of expert presenters, facilitating discussion using tools from systems science. It produced a series of propositions and priorities that the researchers are now handling.

Participants engaged with the topic by learning about the scientific, economic, social and political issues at stake, and by building a sense of community. The findings emphasise the importance of a reflective approach by the organisers and a practical strategy for identifying and mitigating the risks of manipulation inherent in participatory processes.

Gvidi la demokratiigon de la scienco: kiel la Esplorado-Agado Partoprenata nutras la Civitanan Sciencon

2025-12-20T22:13:33+00:00

Resumo

La demokratiigo de la scienco kutime prezentiĝas ene de la nuntempa emo profundigi en la partoprenadon de la socio. Tamen ĝi ankaŭ estas postulata ekde aliaj pluraj flankoj, kiel la rajtoj esplori kaj la liberiĝo de la popoloj. Ĉi tiu laboraĵo prezentas konkretan vidpunkton praktiki la demokratiigon de la scienco kiel ekzemplon de Civitana Scienco riĉigita de la Esplorado-Agado Partoprenata. Pro tiu celo, la dokumento (1) priskribas bremsilojn realigi la demokratiigon, (2) analizas kvar generaciojn de interplektado scienco-popolo (ni faras ĉi tion, venu kaj helpu, ni iel kunesploru, la komunumo sciencumas), (3) ofertas sintezan gvidilon demokratiigi la sciencon kaj (4) ekzempligas ĝin pere de du spertoj okazintaj en la suda parto de Hispanio: grupo de virinoj el marĝena kvartalo kaj grupo de lernantoj en altlernejo.

Abstract

The democratization of science is often presented within the current trend of deepening participatory processes in society. However, it is also advocated from other perspectives, such as the right to research and the liberation of peoples. This paper presents a concrete perspective for practicing the democratization of science as an example of Citizen Science enriched by Participatory Action Research. To this end, the document (1) describes the barriers to achieving democratization, (2) analyzes four generations of science-society engagement (listen to what we do, come and help, let's investigate, the community does science), (3) offers a concise guide to democratizing science, and (4) illustrates it with two experiences from southern Spain: a group of women from a marginalized neighborhood and a group of high school students.

In Search of Revolutionary Praxis: Decolonization, Participatory Action Research, and the Politics of Radical Commitment

2026-07-12T12:38:00+00:00

In a world where leftist scholars publish thousands of articles every year about decolonization yet simultaneously fascism rises evermore quickly, this article attempts to wrestle radical scholars from their political inactivity. While this piece takes a critical look at PAR’s potential to promote an anti-colonial approach to research and action, I argue that such work requires a larger political framework linked to class struggle and anti-fascism. One area to develop a more integrated, radical PAR method is to address the need for professional researchers to develop a stronger class consciousness of their own. While PAR practitioners have long pointed out the necessity to decenter the power and privilege of university institutions and professional trappings, little attention has been paid to the class nature of these connections and the corporate and colonial forces at work that depoliticize the more radical possibilities of critical PAR. I propose that PAR researchers reflect on their own class consciousness as part of developing the radical relationships and solidarity necessary to do revolutionary work. As possible models for such efforts I raise the work of 20th Century revolutionaries such as Amilcar Cabral, Frantz Fanon, and Che Guevara who all incorporated anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism with the need for popular education, research and praxis as part of their revolutionary movements.

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2026-10-03T05:32:14+00:00

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