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The Ideal Society Workshop: an experiment in creating a new method that contributes to reclaiming Participatory Action Research for emancipation, critical consciousness and citizen power.

Harle, Emily LU (2019) WPMM42 20191
Department of Sociology
School of Social Work
Sociology
Abstract
Action Research, Participatory Action Research and participatory methods have faced a number of criticisms, including that they do not actually involve citizens or create social change, and that they are tokenistic. This thesis develops and tests a new participatory method that contributes to a democratic and emancipatory PAR that responds to these criticisms and the shortcomings of current methods. The Ideal Society Workshop, a 3- hour, small group workshop with a focus on creativity, asks participants, ‘What would your ideal society look like?’. It combines deliberative discussion from the Northern PAR tradition, a focus on
emancipation and conscientization (critical consciousness) from the Southern PAR tradition, and the creation of... (More)
Action Research, Participatory Action Research and participatory methods have faced a number of criticisms, including that they do not actually involve citizens or create social change, and that they are tokenistic. This thesis develops and tests a new participatory method that contributes to a democratic and emancipatory PAR that responds to these criticisms and the shortcomings of current methods. The Ideal Society Workshop, a 3- hour, small group workshop with a focus on creativity, asks participants, ‘What would your ideal society look like?’. It combines deliberative discussion from the Northern PAR tradition, a focus on
emancipation and conscientization (critical consciousness) from the Southern PAR tradition, and the creation of knowledge in the form of utopian future possibilities from Critical Utopian
Action Research. Data in the form of the content and the interaction within these sessions was analysed. The findings include that utopian futures were created and everyday knowledge
brought up, valuable deliberation took place on both the individual and group level, and that some level of conscientization (critical consciousness) was displayed, although in a limited
form. The Ideal Society Workshop was experienced as enjoyable and valuable by participants but also has some limitations and areas in which it can be developed. (Less)
Popular Abstract
The Ideal Society Workshop helps people to come together to create and discuss ideas about what an ideal future society could look like, with the aim of making it a reality. It is a new type of participatory method to create real participation in decision making and social change
in society.This project looked at the ways in which citizens and residents are currently included in methods of participation, such as empowerment projects and government or local
consultations. It looked at how much our knowledge and ideas are utilised and how much power we have to create change. It found that the current approaches and methods create
dependency instead of empowerment and uphold the status quo, keeping the power in the hands of the experts... (More)
The Ideal Society Workshop helps people to come together to create and discuss ideas about what an ideal future society could look like, with the aim of making it a reality. It is a new type of participatory method to create real participation in decision making and social change
in society.This project looked at the ways in which citizens and residents are currently included in methods of participation, such as empowerment projects and government or local
consultations. It looked at how much our knowledge and ideas are utilised and how much power we have to create change. It found that the current approaches and methods create
dependency instead of empowerment and uphold the status quo, keeping the power in the hands of the experts and the elite.
So this project has argued that there is a need to recognise how valuable ordinary people’s knowledge and ideas are. It is also necessary to help them create an understanding of the inequalities and oppression in society so that they are empowered to take power back and
create the changes society needs. This requires understanding each other’s experiences and being able to debate important topics and issues.
The Ideal Society Workshop is a fun, creative, 3-hour workshop that aims to start achieving these things with the aim of creating a form of participation that is more about emancipation
and re-distribution of power. It’s suggested uses include in educational settings, organisations, action groups, communities, by local government and policy makers, or anyone that wants to
create shared understanding, ideas for the future and an increased awareness of the power structures in society. The Ideal Society Workshop can also be adapted to different topics and contexts and is also still being further improved and developed by the author after this project.
With a looming climate crisis requiring action, distrust in politicians and experts at high and increasing polarisation it is more necessary than ever to come together to discuss new ideas
for the future and feel more empowered to make the changes necessary. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Harle, Emily LU
supervisor
organization
course
WPMM42 20191
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
action research, participatory action research, critical utopian action research, participatory methods, deliberative democracy, critical consciousness
language
English
id
8988412
date added to LUP
2019-06-27 08:56:11
date last changed
2019-06-27 08:56:11
@misc{8988412,
  abstract     = {{Action Research, Participatory Action Research and participatory methods have faced a number of criticisms, including that they do not actually involve citizens or create social change, and that they are tokenistic. This thesis develops and tests a new participatory method that contributes to a democratic and emancipatory PAR that responds to these criticisms and the shortcomings of current methods. The Ideal Society Workshop, a 3- hour, small group workshop with a focus on creativity, asks participants, ‘What would your ideal society look like?’. It combines deliberative discussion from the Northern PAR tradition, a focus on 
emancipation and conscientization (critical consciousness) from the Southern PAR tradition, and the creation of knowledge in the form of utopian future possibilities from Critical Utopian 
Action Research. Data in the form of the content and the interaction within these sessions was analysed. The findings include that utopian futures were created and everyday knowledge 
brought up, valuable deliberation took place on both the individual and group level, and that some level of conscientization (critical consciousness) was displayed, although in a limited 
form. The Ideal Society Workshop was experienced as enjoyable and valuable by participants but also has some limitations and areas in which it can be developed.}},
  author       = {{Harle, Emily}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Ideal Society Workshop: an experiment in creating a new method that contributes to reclaiming Participatory Action Research for emancipation, critical consciousness and citizen power.}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}