Training young co-researchers to interview their parents: The transformative potential of intergenerational interviews

Abstract

The turn to co-production in geographical research is underpinned by the social justice aim to democratise academic practice, and in recent years this has extended to training young people as co-researchers. However, discussions of intergenerational dynamics in co-produced research are limited, and there are no accounts of family members interviewing one another. This paper responds to this oversight by presenting a reflective account of a research project centring on intergenerational family discussions and negotiations of climate change knowledge, in which young co-researchers interviewed parents. We share key considerations for developing bespoke interview training and preparing co-researchers to undertake interviewing, and we highlight the strengths and opportunities of intergenerational interviews in families. Our core contention is that, when planned and supported with tact and consideration, intergenerational interviews can boost young people's confidence in their skills and generate rich dialogues that may lead to decisions and outcomes that will outlive the research. However, engaging co-researchers and their pre-existing familial relationships in research requires careful consideration, practical training, and ongoing reflection, because these relationships are defined by intergenerational dynamics that precede and outlast the research.