Political and ethical dilemmas in multi-agency participatory research: the role of the buffer zone

Bennett, H. and Brunner, R. (2022) Political and ethical dilemmas in multi-agency participatory research: the role of the buffer zone. Methodological Innovations, 15(3), pp. 387-399. (doi: 10.1177/20597991221129775)

Abstract

The ‘buffer zone’ frames the contested space that university researchers must persistently animate and mediate to successfully pursue participatory research with public and third sector partners. This article explores this conceptualisation through a consideration of political and ethical dilemmas in participatory research practice. We contend that participatory researchers must identify, respond to and reflect on everyday and momentous dilemmas by combining technical, relational and political skills. We illustrate this by drawing on extensive collaborative action research conducted with public service partners as part of the What Works Scotland programme (2014–2019). By critically reflecting on university research realities, this article shares insights into complex multi-agency participatory research dilemmas; offers methodological, conceptual, ethical and political evidence to help university researchers navigate such contexts, notably by engaging the buffer zone and finally, considers how universities and research funders should better support participatory research practices.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and Scottish Government, grant number ES/M003922/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brunner, Dr Richard
• Authors: Bennett, H., and Brunner, R.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
• Journal Name: Methodological Innovations
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2059-7991
• ISSN (Online): 2059-7991
• Published Online: 11 October 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Methodological Innovations 15(3): 387-399
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190851		What Works Scotland	Nicholas Watson	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/M003922/1	S&PS - Institute of Health & Wellbeing (Social Sciences)