A Wrinkle in Time: Tracing a Legacy of Public Science through Community Self‐Surveys and Participatory Action Research

Abstract

Community self-surveys, popularized by Margot Haas Wormser and Claire Selltiz in the 1950s, brought together diverse community groups to examine racial injustice in their local contexts. A precursor to contemporary participatory action research, the self survey method provides evidence of SPSSI's long history of "engaged scholarship." In this article, we resurrect this history and connect it to contemporary research in critical psychology that shares commitments to participation, methodological complexity, expanded notions of "expertise," as well as social and political relevance.

Poetics of Justice: Using Art as Action and Analysis in Participatory Action Research

“…Nineteen youth representing twelve high schools worked with adults in two day-long and one overnight youth "research camp" (Torre & Fine, 2011). These camps were opportunities for youth and adult allies to develop a common framework for understanding the research process.…”

“…Using Torre and Fine's (2011) idea of a "graffiti wall," we offered a space on the wall covered with blank paper and markers during each of the research camp sessions. Youth and adults were invited to write or draw their reactions to what they were learning, hearing, processing or discussing with others.…”

“…This reflection and re-imagining created a space of possibility where the policy outcomes were not the only place where transformation could happen. Instead the filmmakers validated as critical sites of resistance the relationships, experiences, and production of knowledge formed within and across city-based teams of youth, families, community organizers, and educators (Fox, 2012;Lykes, 2013;Torre & Fine, 2011;Tuck, 2009). Using the arts, the critical imaginary can be a way of "engaging a collective dream life" (Kapitan et al, 2011, p. 64) where reflections and analyses in the context of everyday oppressions are shared in multiple ways.…”

“…Not simply a method, PAR is characterized by a set of assumptions about knowledge production, expertise, and social change (Fals Borda, 2001;McIntyre, 2008;Torre & Fine, 2011). Specifically, participatory action research operates from the assertion that in research, those most affected by a social issue should be key players in any research process that seeks to understand the issue.…”

“…As members of collectives can be differently positioned (e.g., youth and adults) in terms of power and privilege, multiple approaches are used to communicate and build relationships, and to create messages and products for different audiences (Fine, Roberts, & Torre, 2004). Any research conducted must incorporate actions toward social change; however, the members of a collective should define these actions (Cammarota & Fine, 2008;Fals Borda, 2001;McIntyre, 2008;Torre & Fine, 2011). Methods and tools used by PAR collectives to achieve their inquiry and social action goals vary according to the questions they are investigating and the context of the research.…”