Constructing transnational action research networks : observations and reflections from the case of the Citizenship DRC

Abstract

Many contemporary issues of development and governance are complex beyond \nthe capacities of single institutions or countries. As a result, in recent years we \nhave seen growing attention paid to the importance of networks – ranging from \nadvocacy networks to multi-stakeholder partnerships – for the solution of \ndevelopment problems. This paper is particularly interested in the construction of \ntransnational action research networks that effectively bridge the differences that \nseparate the local from the global, practice from research, North from South, and \nmany relevant disciplines from one another. Such networks must span inequalities \nin power and resources as well as differences in cultural and intellectual \nperspectives. \nUsing a unique ‘insider-outsider’ perspective, the paper examines the emergence \n(during the period 2000–2005) of the Development Research Centre on \nCitizenship, Participation and Accountability, a network of seven partners – from \nthe UK, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil – concerned \nwith research, capacity building and policy influence on these issues. This case is \ninteresting for several reasons. First the research available on long-term \ncollaboration between Northern and Southern research institutions is very limited. \nSecond, the longitudinal study offers opportunities for understanding development \nprocesses that are not visible to the more common comparisons of cases at one \ntime in their history. Finally this research also offers opportunities to look at the \nchallenges of building transnational networks as they emerge across several \nlevels. These represent the areas that are not well developed in existing research \non inter-organisational networks. \nKeywords: action research, research partnerships, networks, citizenship.

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