19 Mar “From Being Studied to Leading Change”. Participatory Action Research as a Transformative Political Tool
What kind of ‘subject’ is a ‘research subject’? A subject acts, makes decisions, and exercises agency. A subject has power. An object, on the other hand, remains passive, observed, and analyzed from the outside.
Traditional academia has long drawn clear distinctions between the researcher and the subject of study, positioning objective, external observation as the foundation of legitimate knowledge. This perspective, particularly in the social sciences, has often meant that individuals’ lived experiences are only validated when interpreted by an external authority. Yet, this approach reinforces knowledge hierarchies that mirror broader societal inequalities.
“We are tired of being studied,” says Antonia Ávalos, president of Mujeres Supervivientes, a migrant women-led organization in Seville, Spain. “Power structures have historically positioned migrant women as mere sources of information, with our knowledge and experiences often left in academic archives or used in presentations—without bringing real change to our lives.”
Her words resonate with many migrants who experience research as an extractive process. They are frequently consulted and interviewed, yet rarely involved in shaping research questions or methodologies, or analysing the results. Their time is often uncompensated, while researchers are paid for their work. In a world where urgent social issues demand action, knowledge creation alone is not enough—it must be accompanied by transformative initiatives.
A Shift Towards Participatory Action Research
Participatory Action Research (PAR) offers an alternative approach, not just as a methodology but as a reimagining of the role of research itself. While the concept has deep roots, social psychologist Kurt Lewin formally introduced it in the 1940s, emphasizing the integration of theory and practice to drive social change. By the 1960s and 1970s, PAR was thriving in Latin America, closely tied to movements for empowerment and community-led resistance. Today, it is experiencing a resurgence, particularly in migration studies, as many migrants seek to redefine their roles as political actors rather than passive subjects.
DignityFIRM: Supporting Research that Drives Collective Action
DignityFIRM seeks to support this participatory and action-oriented approach, aiming to not only to deepen understanding of migrant workers’ conditions but also to influence policy and drive practical solutions. The project kicked off the new year together with three new partners across Europe, applying PAR to facilitate collective analysis and action among migrant workers in the food supply chain. These organizations will collaborate with migrant peer researchers, providing them with the tools to examine their own realities and develop strategies for change.
– Amsterdam, Netherlands:
Here to Support, founded in 2013, amplifies the voices of undocumented people, supporting their participation in policy debates and advocacy efforts. It also facilitates the work of the Amsterdam City Rights coalition, offering logistical and strategic support to the coalition that gathers together representatives from diverse undocumented migrant communities to build collective power.
– Seville, Spain:
Mujeres Supervivientes emerged in response to the 2008 financial crisis, led by migrant women to confront gender-based violence, precarious work, and exclusion. Through mutual aid networks and PAR methodologies, they transform personal experiences into political action, advocating for the dignity and rights of marginalized women.
– Wroclaw, Poland:
With 15 years of experience, Nomada works to strengthen migrant communities’ political and labour advocacy. Focused on vulnerable sectors like agriculture and hospitality, they support migrant workers in defending their rights, securing fair working conditions, and engaging in dialogue with unions and employers to combat exploitation. They are working closely with the migrant-led Latin American Workers’ Committee to challenge systemic exploitation and labor rights violations.
The project’s motto states: Dignity for migrant workers in Farm to Fork labor markets.
Let’s extend this call for dignity to academia as well—ensuring that research is not just about studying communities, but empowering them to lead the change they envision.