PAR is a collaborative research style actively involving research scientists, practitioners, and community members, which aims to change a particular social reality on the basis of insights obtained by means of participatory research.

 

It combines ‘action’ research – studies conducted in the course of a particular activity to improve the approach of those involved – and ‘participatory’ research – a partnership approach that equitably involves community members, service providers and researchers in all aspects of the research process and in which all partners equally contribute expertise and share decision making and ownership.

In-keeping with the emancipatory and potentially transformative potential of PAR, our focus is on facilitating a process of community change and empowerment.