scholarly journals Beyond Forecasting: Using a Modified Delphi Method to Build Upon Participatory Action Research in Developing Principles for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692090321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Revez ◽  
Niall Dunphy ◽  
Clodagh Harris ◽  
Gerard Mullally ◽  
Breffní Lennon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Delphi Panel ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Modified Delphi Method ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
The Way

Energy transition debates have been characterized by a strong emphasis on the technical implications of shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, with little consideration of social contexts. This is now changing, with a growing emphasis on reconfiguring the social aspects of energy, particularly in terms of introducing more democratic processes into behavior change and energy practice engagements. This article situates itself within these debates and demonstrates the transformative potential of combining participatory action research (PAR) approaches with a modified Delphi method for understanding energy transition issues, particularly beyond forecasting instruments. There remains a dearth in literature combining the Delphi method with PAR; its application in the field of energy transitions is very innovative. PAR draws from grassroots and local-based knowledge, Delphi panels typically focus on the insights from a panel of professional experts. In combining these two approaches, to develop principles for an inclusive and just energy transition, a reflexive form of dialogue emerges that gives voice to what are often considered dissonant or mismatched perspectives. Furthermore, the experimental use of a modified Delphi panel, combined with PAR, offers a strategy to promote knowledge sharing between different groups and to counter potential communication barriers among different actors in society. This article shows how a modified Delphi panel approach is considerably enhanced by combining elements of PAR, raising the potential of Delphi panels beyond forecasting instruments, which often seek to determine the way the future “will be,” toward an envisioning tool that collaboratively seeks to explore the way a low-carbon system “could be,” or perhaps “should be.” The development of energy transition principles, endorsed through the modified Delphi panel, offers a concrete way to enact practices of energy justice within a more democratized energy system.

scholarly journals The Development of an Experience Measure for an Online Digital Mental Health Community

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Mindel ◽  
Lily Mainstone-Cotton ◽  
Santiago de Ossorno Garcia ◽  
Aaron Sefi ◽  
Georgia Sugarman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Digital Service ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Communities ◽  
Community Roles ◽  
Experience Measure

Online digital mental health communities can contribute to users’ mental health positively and negatively. Yet the measurement of outcomes and impact relating to digital mental health communities is difficult to capture. In this paper we demonstrate the development of an online experience measure for a specific children and young people’s community inside a digital mental health service. The development is informed by three phases: (i) item reduction through Estimate-Talk-Estimate modified Delphi methods, (ii) user testing with participatory action research and (iii) a pilot within the digital service community to explore its use. Rounds of experts talks help to reduce the items. User experience workshops helped to inform the usability and appearance, wording, and purpose of the measure. Finally, the pilot results highlight completion rates, difference in scores for age and community roles and a preference to ‘relate to others’; as a mechanism of support. Outcomes frequently selected in the measure show the importance of certain aspects of the community, such as safety, connection, and non-judgment previously highlighted in the literature. Self-reported helpfulness scales like this one could be used as indicators of meaningful engagement within the community and its content but further research is required to ascertain its acceptability and validity. Phased approaches involving stakeholders and participatory action research enhances the development of digitally enabled measurement tools.

scholarly journals Community acceptability and the energy transition: a citizens’ perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Breffní Lennon ◽  
Niall P. Dunphy ◽  
Estibaliz Sanvicente
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Every energy transition has had its winners and its losers, both economically and in terms of social justice and community cohesion. The current transition is no different given the complex, intersecting matrices of power and experience that influence the key stakeholders and actors involved. Local oppositions to the deployment of renewable energy technologies have been significantly higher than expected. In numerous instances, these oppositions have been in reaction to the disempowerment of local rights and entitlements associated with specific developments. Consequently, there is a clear need for governance structures and organisational formats that are participatory, inclusive and mindful of the lived experiences of local people. Despite the knowledge gaps and financial constraints that continue to persist, how can local communities become empowered to drive project development and meaningfully engage in the low-carbon energy transition? Methods This paper presents a methodology for investigating citizen perceptions of the energy transition and the kinds of roles they see themselves having in its implementation. Working with six communities across five European countries (France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK), we conducted a series of iterative cross-sectional community engagements using a mixed methods approach. In addition, a number of innovative participatory action research tools were incorporated to engage citizens in co-designing their own energy transition pathways. Results Participants expressed having restricted agency as citizens participating in the energy system. They also felt locked in to a limiting set of false choices as ‘energy consumers’ that do not translate into real or meaningful power, despite popular narratives to the contrary. The research also resulted in a co-designed characterisation tool to help local communities assess the energy democracy and citizen participation potential of a number of participatory business models. Conclusions Citizens remain locked out of the decision-making processes of the energy transition. We outline a more integrated approach, using co-design and participatory action research, to incorporate citizen perspectives into the planning and implementation of more appropriate business configurations. This paper presents demonstrable examples of how extended stakeholder perspectives can improve procedural justice outcomes and ensure the rollout of more equitable energy configurations into the future.

Launching Reconciliation in Somalia

2019 ◽  
pp. 191-202
Author(s):  
Joakim Gundel
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Power Sharing ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Reconciliation Process ◽  
The Way

This chapter argues that a reconciliation process is key to strengthening the Somali state. Reconciliation has persistently been omitted from past peace processes, and has essentially been replaced by power-sharing arrangements, neglecting the interests and grievances of the Somali population. The continuance of violence in Somalia's regions and within the capital itself shows that there is a serious need for reconciliation. The first step in a reconciliation process would be to bring Somalis together to determine the way in which key issues are addressed, which is likely to involve forgiveness or truth and justice. Beyond this, the agenda of the reconciliation process can be derived from bottom-up, participatory action research methodologies in order to identify grievances and the principles for their resolution.

scholarly journals Moving with the Movements: Participatory Action Research in In/Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-104
Author(s):  
Jonathan Langdon ◽  
Sheena Cameron ◽  
Natalie Krieger ◽  
Alhassan Shani
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

Participation by its very nature is iterative, meaning Participatory Action Research (PAR) must be responsive to the way participation manifests and what actions emerge from this participation. In the article that follows, we share the complex and intertwined stories of PAR in action in two social movement contexts in Ghana, as well as the conditions that led to inaction in these two stories. This article builds on previous related work, where PAR was described as “moving with the movement” (Langdon & Larweh, 2015), and describes the complexities of trying to move with the movement as conditions and relationships change over time. By sharing challenges and achievements that have emerged from the movement and research, we illustrate how moving with the movement has resulted in rich and unanticipated learnings.

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