A primer for methods based on principles of research and learning of Paulo Freire.
Workshops and Book Project / Special Issue JEP (Journal für Entwicklungspolitik).
Workshop time: Wed., October 30, 2019 + Thurs., Oct. 31, 2019, 10.00 – 17.00 hours
Location: Audre Lorde-Studio, C3 – Centrum für Internationale Entwicklung, Sensengasse 3, 1090 Vienna
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Abstract
Paulo Freires approach to literacy and conscientization incorporates ground-breaking principles for individual and social transformation. The idea of learning to ‘read and to write the world’ embraces the appropriation of the world through understanding, and a belonging to a world to which we inscribe ourselves in order to transform it. Learning how to read the world aims at providing orientation and awareness of one’s own positionality and situatedness, while learning how to write the world allows for (re-)capturing the power of world-making. The underlying principle of what Paulo Freire calls praxis is that reflection and action are interconnected like two sides of a coin.
It is this entanglement of reflection and action that is of interest when it comes to establish transformative research. Sustainability scientists call for a mode of research that not only contributes to explanation and understanding, following epistemic aims, but one that contributes to transformations towards more sustainability alike, following transformative aims. This shift has strong implications for the understanding of research. First, it raises the question, who is considered to be legitimized to research. Second, the diversification of research objectives has significant methodological consequences that require different procedures and quality criteria. And third, these methods need to be both concrete enough to train and open enough to adapt to the specificity of the research situation.
With this call we want to gather researchers that have been exploring Paulo Freire’s work with regards to its potential for transformative research. We are particularly interested in gathering research methodologies that enable collaborative research in inter- and transdisciplinary teams.
Overall concept
We aim to develop approx. 7-9 articles introducing research methodologies that are grounded in principles of Paulo Freire’s work and that serve collaborative, boundary-crossing, inter- and transdisciplinary research. The volume/ Special Issue should comprise the following parts:
An introduction that
a) presents Freirean principles of literacy, learning and research;
b) provides a historically and culturally divers introduction to the development and influence of Freires work and it’s further development in different fields of research,
c) opens up a critical debate about transferability in space and time, and diverse societal realms (such as academic research),
d) elaborates on the concept of research and
e) the complementarity of this volume to other, existing material.
A main methodology section that comprises approx. 7-9 articles with a clear methodological focus. All contributions comprise 3 core elements:
an introduction to the specific methodology based on a case of application,
the presentation of the incorporation of Freirean principles,
and the description procedures/ components of the methodology/method in a de-contextualized way that can be applied by others.
An epilogue that emphasises specific aspects, tbd during the preparation phase of the articles.
Roles and Contributions
Editors: Gerald Faschingeder, Ulli Vilsmaier, Juliana Mercón (tbc)
Coordination: Paulo Freire Center, Leuphana University (Oct 2019—Dec 2019)
We envision a collaborative process developing the articles in order to learn jointly and to improve the quality/ consistency of the volume.
Envisioned time frame
1. Send out call for papers
2. Invite to workshop in Vienna (Oct., 30-31) and Mexico (Nov., 16-17, 2019; coordination: Loni Hensler, Katrin Aiterwegmair, tbc): aim of the workshop: presentation and discussion of on-going writing; improve learning and consistency of the book/SI
3. Collect manuscripts by the end of the year (Dec 2019)
4. Review process (Jan-April 2020)
5. Publication mid 2020 (to clarify with funder)
Options for publication
JEP – Journal für Entwicklungspolitik, ed. by Mattersburger Kreis (English)
UNAM, Mexiko (Spanish)
Workshop Outline: 30-31, Oct, 2019, Paulo Freire Center and the C3-Center for International Development, Vienna
The two days workshop should serve presentation and discussion of on-going work and to explore common ground with regards to the methodologies potentials to collaborative research in inter- and transdisciplinary teams.
A public evening event (in German language) on Oct 30, 2019 will emphasise the epistemological and methodological consequences of research as a transformative praxis. Find more information about this event here …
Deadline for abstract submission: October 15, 2019
The abstracts must be sent to:
Ulli Vilsmaier (vilsmaier@leuphana.de) and Gerald Faschingeder (faschingeder@pfz.at)
You will get a reply if your paper is accepted to be presented at the workshop taking place Oct. 30.+31., 2019, in Vienna. There, presentations are discussed and the further proceeding will be clarified.
The final decision if articles will be published in the JEP is taken by the editorial team of the JEP in a double-blind-process. The JEP is a refereed journal. All submitted articles will be read and commented by the members of the editorial team.
Formal Guidelines for the abstract
– Language: English
– Maximal length is 5.000 characters (including spaces and bibliography).
– The papers should be mailed as Word or *.txt files (no PDFs), in common formatting (Times New Roman, 12-point, 1.5 line spacing).
– Please make only limited use of footnotes and do not forget to include a complete bibliography.
– A brief biography (name, education, residence, research interests…) of about 250 characters should be enclosed with the paper.
For the Spanish version, published by UNAM in Mexico, the proceeding has yet to be clarified.
Formal Guidelines for the articles in the publication as a JEP-edition can be found here.
The workshop is organized by the Paulo Freire Zentrum and the Leuphana University Lüneburg.
