PAR Philosophy

The methodology is based on participatory action research (PAR), whereby the research process is dynamically related to awareness raising and action in the community where the research is undertaken. We are using multiple methods of data collection (local surveys, interviews, focus groups, life histories, and diaries) in which we, as research facilitators, hope to involve a number of local people. Concomitantly with the collection and analysis of data, we intend to organise a number of community events, or seminars, to which a number of participants will be invited to reflect on the data generated by the research into the local context, evaluate the research process and, ultimately, set up a community action plan to tackle the issues related to the public perception of refugees (media coverage, stereotypes, local gossip and rumour, popular myths about the immigration and asylum processes, etc.). The ownership of the project is shared between the research team, the funders, and the local community where the research will be undertaken.

Research team:
Dr Roger Hewitt (project leader)
Caroline Blunt (researcher - Margate)
Dr Saulo Cwerner (researcher - Hull)
Sanda Kolar (consultant)

Centre for Urban and Community Research (CUCR)
Goldsmiths College,
New Cross, London SE14 6NW
Tel. 020 7919 7390
fax 020 7919 7383
email cucr@gold.ac.uk

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