Slow science and “caring” research – the transformative power of collaborative research with hard of hearing youths

In our paper we explore the transformative power of a collaborative research on our own academic perceptions and functions. We have been working with hard of hearing youths since the autumn of 2021 in Szeged (Hungary) in a social citizen science case study within the YouCount project to increase social inclusion in the city. During the process, we, authors of this paper, as senior hearing academics, identified significant aspects where our academic functions led to inner transformations. These experiences led us to recognize the overwhelming importance of relational aspects and caring, the perceived and fostered “slowness” of the research. Inclusion can be viewed as a joint and interdependent transformation of all actors involved towards the defragmentation of community.