Research Into Action
Research plays a crucial role in helping us to better understand and shape our environment. There is a wealth of varied and interesting research being developed across the UK and around the world. But how often has your company commissioned a research report, only for it to sit unused on a shelf somewhere?
It can be hard for organisations to find ways to properly engage with research and to make the appropriate changes. This is very understandable — life happens and things move on! It is easier to stick with Business As Usual than embark on a large transformation programme.
RECONSTRUCT offers organisations and researchers the space to discuss research findings in relevant and meaningful ways. The Research Into Action series asks industry professionals not to just read the recommendations on the back page, but to inquire into the research topic; to reflect on its potential; and to find ways to implement its findings.
It can be hard for organisations to find ways to properly engage with research and to make the appropriate changes. This is very understandable — life happens and things move on! It is easier to stick with Business As Usual than embark on a large transformation programme.
RECONSTRUCT offers organisations and researchers the space to discuss research findings in relevant and meaningful ways. The Research Into Action series asks industry professionals not to just read the recommendations on the back page, but to inquire into the research topic; to reflect on its potential; and to find ways to implement its findings.
What is Action Research?
At the heart of the RECONSTRUCT ethos is an methodology called Action Research.
Action Research (AR) blurs the lines between who does the thinking (theory) and who does the doing (practice).
Action Researchers reflect upon the consequences of their own questions, beliefs, assumptions, and practices with the goal of understanding, developing, and improving social practice.
It promotes the idea that change happens on three levels:
(1) Self-awareness and reflexivity — by participating in the research, you are reflecting on your own impact, assumptions and experiences. You may want to challenge or question these.
(2) Collective understanding — by working together with others who bring a different angle or perspective, you can build a collective understanding of how your team or organisation should operate.
(3) Theory and knowledge — using the 'real-world' understanding that you have gathered, this process helps inform the way that academic research is taught: bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Action Research (AR) blurs the lines between who does the thinking (theory) and who does the doing (practice).
Action Researchers reflect upon the consequences of their own questions, beliefs, assumptions, and practices with the goal of understanding, developing, and improving social practice.
It promotes the idea that change happens on three levels:
(1) Self-awareness and reflexivity — by participating in the research, you are reflecting on your own impact, assumptions and experiences. You may want to challenge or question these.
(2) Collective understanding — by working together with others who bring a different angle or perspective, you can build a collective understanding of how your team or organisation should operate.
(3) Theory and knowledge — using the 'real-world' understanding that you have gathered, this process helps inform the way that academic research is taught: bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Beyond Gender Balance
RECONSTRUCT features as part of a PhD research project led by Emily Miles at University College London (UCL). Emily is using Action Research (AR) to explore gender balance in major projects.
The project is exploring:
– Why does gender inequality persists in major projects?
– How do project organisations respond to equality issues? Are their responses effective?
– What is the potential for action research in better tackling inequalities?
The project is exploring:
– Why does gender inequality persists in major projects?
– How do project organisations respond to equality issues? Are their responses effective?
– What is the potential for action research in better tackling inequalities?