Learning together about disasters through action research partnerships

ABSTRACT

Walking along side those responding to climate-related threats as co-researchers is surfacing new understanding of the potential for community action in complex and chaotic situations. Action research enables academia, government, non-government organizations and community members to learn collaboratively, building knowledge that is nuanced and contextualized. Whilst this approach aims to disrupt traditional power in relation to knowledge production, it continues to struggle for legitimacy and, hence, policy and practice traction, sitting uncomfortably in a field dominated by positivist empirical strategies a “single truth.” This article draws on two action research case studies – the first a multi-partner place-based engagement and the second a learning partnership with a philanthropic organization operating across two Australian States – to illustrate how we might navigate the contours of power that shape our efforts to build knowledge collaboratively. Drawing on these experiences we identify two key challenges to successful industry/academic action research partnerships: shifting power and translating knowledge to broader audiences. We conclude with ideas to improve future action research practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Learning
• action research
• disasters
• partnerships

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal Infrastructure NSW.