Researcher collaboration complexities in participatory action research: Zambian experiences

Abstract

In participatory action research, researchers join hands with communities to address development challenges. Because of the intersected nature of development challenges, it becomes imperative to adopt a holistic approach to problem solving. Participatory action research (PAR) is a key element of the adaptive collaborative management approach that enables researchers and other stakeholders to collaborate and work together in project implementation. In this chapter, we explore the question of how to manage research challenges associated with interdisciplinary teams. We illustrate these inter-organizational dynamics by critically reflecting on our own experience of working together in the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research, Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems in the Barotse Floodplain of Zambia. We employ reflexivity, i.e., a researcher introspectively turning the investigative lens away from others towards her or himself, to critique our own experiences in implementing PAR as an interdisciplinary team. We discuss factors that positively and negatively affect collaboration. Our experience shows that researchers’ effective collaboration depends on: effective leadership and supportive performance evaluation systems; conflict resolution mechanisms and effective communication systems; building researchers’ collaboration skills; capacity development to ensure a shared understanding of the research methodologies; and upfront agreement on data sharing mechanisms by institutions involved. The chapter concludes that genuine collaboration in interdisciplinary research should not be taken for granted, rather, it must be nurtured.