Journal Articles

Speaking for ourselves: A Colombia-Canada research collaboration

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As an Assistant Professor in Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) at Algoma University College,
Ontario, Canada and a member of Asopricor Holistic Association, Cundinamarca, Colombia, respectively,
the authors have engaged in an ongoing dialogue regarding the inherent contradictions of forming a North—South,
university—community research collaboration. For those who have engaged in and/or read about action research, the questions addressed in this article are familiar: How can we maintain respectful relations between us? How can we ensure the project respects local knowledge? How can we ensure the ownership of the new knowledge created by the project remains with the collective? How can we balance the power dynamics between ourselves, and between the organizations involved? What the article offers, is a dialogical reflection on how these challenges are being met within this particular project. It examines the development of a common set of values and beliefs that emerge as the researchers attempt to engage within the `ethical space' (Ermine, 2005) necessary for the development of a respectful collaboration. The article explores and develops a series of questions for researchers to consider as they struggle to find common ground where such an exchange, crossing cultural and power divides, can occur.

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Detail Information

Series Title

Action Research

Call Number

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Publisher

Los Angeles : Sage Publications., 2008

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

1476-7503

Classification

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Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2008. Page 129-147

Subject(s)

community— university partnerships
ethical space
informal learning
social transformation
Speaking for ourselves

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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