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Participatory research to influence participatory governance: managing relationships with planners
Author(s) -
Blackstock Kirsty,
Dinnie Liz,
Dilley Rachel,
Marshall Keith,
Dunglinson Jill,
Trench Hamish,
Harper Katie,
Finan Katriona,
MacPherson Julia,
Johnston Eilidh,
Griffin Anna
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
area
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1475-4762
pISSN - 0004-0894
DOI - 10.1111/area.12129
Subject(s) - transformative learning , agency (philosophy) , corporate governance , citizen journalism , sociology , public relations , government (linguistics) , participatory planning , participatory action research , public participation , democracy , public administration , political science , management , politics , social science , economic growth , economics , pedagogy , linguistics , philosophy , anthropology , law
This paper explores the tensions and opportunities involved in becoming a ‘critical friend’ to government agency planners trying to practise more inclusive forms of governance. It thus tackles two interrelated issues: how to build and manage rapport while retaining a critical research agenda, and how to locate niches for further democratising participation within congested multi‐level governance structures. A five‐year research programme allowed researchers to explore practices by planners charged with developing and implementing natural resource management plans in Scotland. The focus reflects a research interest in opening up governance structures beyond the ‘usual suspects’ to enhance the democratic promise of participatory approaches. The paper reflects on how the balance between rapport and critique influenced the goal of opening up these processes to more public participation. The paper concludes by arguing that analysis of participatory geography must attend to the ways in which transformative opportunities are embraced, resisted or co‐opted.