This research report outlines and shares some of the learning about putting Christie into action from collaborative action research and reflection with Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership. It argues that understanding the developing frontier of collaborative and participatory governance will help to identify potential opportunities to make further progress with ‘wicked’ issues like inequality.
Collaborative Action Research and public services – insights into methods, findings and implications for public service reform
A working paper examining the findings of four What Works Scotland researchers during a three-year programme to explore collaborative action research with four community planning partnerships.
Action Research in Policy Analysis: ‘Sanction and sanctuary’ in Scottish collaborative governance
Book chapter about action research theory and practice that draws on illustrations from two community planning partnerships. It discusses the relational strategies required to carry out action research in these complex public service partnership settings, including cultivating ‘sanction and sanctuary’.
Stories from the coalface: Exploring what it means to work together in Aberdeenshire
Reflections by participants in the Aberdeenshire collaborative action research on what they learned from the different projects and what they are continuing to learn from the experience.
Blog: “Challenge current practice and assumptions! Make waves!!” – Findings from a Collaborative Action Research learning event
What Works Scotland and community planning partnerships put themselves under the spotlight at an event in July 2016 where participants shared their collaborative action research (CAR) experiences from across Scotland, and examined this way of working.
Blog: Reflections on the welfare inquiry experience – Building and enhancing partnership working
Gary Smith, a member of the Fife welfare reform inquiry team reflects, in December 2017, on the experience and impact of the collaborative action research activities for What Works Scotland.
Blog: Digging deep and getting dirty hands! Doing collaborative action research with public services
Dr Hayley Bennett and Dr Richard Brunner share insights on the role of professional researchers in collaborative, participatory and action research approaches, and put forward recommendations for those thinking about initiating CAR processes.
Blog: What Works in Fife?
Tim Kendrick, strategic lead for the Fife What Works Scotland case site area, explains in November 2014 what the collaborative work will focus on in his area.
Peer learning opportunity between What Works Scotland and Jam and Justice Action Research Co-operative (Greater Manchester)
Peer learning opportunity, organised by What Works Scotland and the Jam and Justice Action Research Collective (ARC) based in Greater Manchester, which offered a range of facilitated peer exchange and learning activities focused on our shared interests and approaches.
Conducting CAR with public services: insights from the research process
How What Works Scotland is sharing our insights and learning from working with a range of public service partners to co-produce research inquiries and processes using a collaborative action research (CAR) approach.