Get active Powassan: developing sport and recreation programs and policies through participatory action research in a rural community context

ABSTRACT

Participatory action research (PAR) is characterised by processes of community partnership and respectful attempts to address and mitigate power relationships between researchers and those affected by research. Further, these approaches to research seek to not only understand social phenomena within communities but also to affect change or action in and with community members. However, PAR projects are diverse in their theoretical underpinnings and the political economies of their research and action initiatives. These underpinnings are often located on a continuum between the participatory/Freirian and action-oriented/Lewinian ideologies of PAR approaches. In this paper, we reflect on the processes involved in a four-year PAR partnership with a rural community recreation committee located in Central Ontario, Canada. We discuss the process chronologically, including how we acquired and managed resources; developed programs and policies, and; monitored and evaluated outcomes. Drawing from field notes pertaining to the research partnership, we trace the way our research and action initiatives oscillated between these theoretical/philosophical approaches while we attempted to engage in the processes of empowerment and ongoing research and action. While much of the literature describes PAR processes rooted in either a Freirian or Lewinian tradition, we suggest that fluid movement within and between the two was a productive and enriching process. In doing so, we advance the idea of shifting along the PAR continuum as a framework for thinking about the methodological and logistical practices involved in PAR.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural
• sport and recreation management
• participatory action research
• action research continuum
• program development
• empowerment
• community partnership

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the immense contributions made by many community members which allowed this project to take shape. The enthusiasm and commitment to improving sport and recreation in Powassan is truly remarkable. Although their contributions warrant more than a footnote in this manuscript, this is how they have indicated they wish to be acknowledged. Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions!

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Henceforth, our use of the terms ‘we’, ‘researchers’, and ‘research team’ refer to the academic researchers (doctoral student and supervisor) as well as the Recreation and Facilities Manager who was our main partner associated with the Recreation Committee. In preparing this manuscript, all examples were discussed by the research team for suitability and appropriateness. Although offered the opportunity, the Recreation and Facilities Manager did not elect to be acknowledged as an author on academic manuscripts associated with the project.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kyle A. Rich

Dr. Kyle A. Rich is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Brock University (St Catharines, Ontario, Canada). His research focuses on the social aspects of community sport and recreation management with a focus on rural communities. His research engages participatory and action-oriented methodologies in a variety of organizational contexts in the public and nonprofit sectors.

Laura Misener

Dr. Laura Misener is an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology at Western University (London, Ontario, Canada). Her research focuses on how sport and events can be use as instruments of social change, with an emphasis how sport for persons with a disability can positively impact community accessibility and social inclusion. Her research program is interdisciplinary in nature and pushes the traditional boundaries of her field to emphasize the importance of critical scholarship for innovation. She also serves as a research and policy advisor to a number of disability sport organizations focused on broadening the role of sport in positive social outcomes.