Building University Capabilities to Respond to Climate Change Through Participatory Action Research: Towards a Comparative Analytical Framework. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nussey, Charlotte; Frediani, Alexandre Apsan; Lagi, Rosiana; Mazutti, Janaína; Nyerere, Jackline
• Is Part Of: Journal of human development and capabilities. Volume 23:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Institutional capabilities -- climate justice‌ -- participatory action research (PAR) -- climate change -- higher education -- universities; Economic development -- Periodicals; Social change -- Periodicals; Human rights -- Periodicals; Welfare economics -- Periodicals; 303.44
• DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2021.2014427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1945-2829

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper aims to explore how the principles of participatory action research (PAR) articulate with questions of climate justice. Drawing on three qualitative case studies in Brazil, Fiji and Kenya, the paper explores university institutional capabilities, asking how the principles of mobilising PAR to support transformative outcomes can further climate justice. The paper argues that for participatory action research to become a pathway to build universities' capabilities, key considerations are needed. PAR needs to: (a) move beyond change in individual behaviour to respond to climate change and affect institutional norms, procedures and practices; (b) recognise and partner with marginalised groups whose voice and experiences are at the periphery of climate debate, enabling reciprocal flows of impact and knowledge between universities and wider societies; and (c) foster "relationships of equivalence" with actors within as well as outside university to influence university governance and wider climate-related policy-making processes.