What is to be done? The place of action research

Abstract

Action research concerns action, and transforming people’s practices (as well as their understandings of their practices and the conditions under which they practise). Sometimes we may feel that action research works best when it contributes to our understandings. In this paper, by contrast, I want to explore the ‘happening‐ness’ of action and practice, as they are lived and changed by action research. I want to explore the place of action research in shaping and making history by changing what is done. The central argument of this paper is that, while action research certainly does contribute to theory, it also, and perhaps more importantly, contributes to history.

Keywords:

• action research
• praxis
• practice architectures
• sustainability

Notes

1. This paper is adapted from a keynote address presented at the Collaborative Action Research Network Annual Conference, Athens, Greece, 29 October–1 November 2009.