Participatory research, educational experience, and empowerment of adults

Abstract

The article by Dr. Rajesh Tandon talks about the practices of participatory research as a philosophy of subaltern knowledge systems. He states how historically, knowledge systems have been dominated by elites who maintain hegemonic control over them while negating the perspectives of marginalized people, and defines participatory research as an alternative process and method. The article goes on to trace the origins of participatory research to the practice of Adult Educators in poor communities of Asia, Africa, and Latin America and lists networks promoted by organizations that became the breeding ground for experiments in participatory research. Dr. Tandon further mentions PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia) and documents its evolution and interventions in the work of participatory research in various fields like environment, workers' education, occupational health, and women’s issues. The article ends by identifying challenges in the form of bureaucratic state institutions, statism, and emerging technologies, also placing emphasis on the role of adult education to help citizens regain their capacities.