Challenges of participation in cross-cultural Action Research

Abstract

In this article, the challenges of conducting participatory action research in cross-cultural contexts where different historical, political, social, and cultural backgrounds of the participants mark the interaction are discussed. Empirical data is drawn from a one-year educational development project including participants residing in a country in Sub Saharan Africa and in a country in Northern Europe. As participation is one of the crucial and controversial issues in conducting action research, it is scrutinised through several key incidents that took place during the project period. These will illustrate the complex dynamics of collaboration between the participating actors, such as researchers and teacher educators on one hand, and schoolteachers on the other, who came together to conduct participatory action research. In the concluding discussion, the importance and challenges of exercising participatory practices, and nurturing collaboration beyond differences are further elaborated and some recommendations presented.