Action Research in Practice: Towards a Co-Construction between Academics and Artists

Action research is a scientific methodology that answers the need to create a cognitive society that operates through choice, intentionality, elaboration and negotiation in order to generate social change. Action research emphasises processes over specific contents and recognises change as a continuous, cyclical, lifelong learning dynamic, rather than a series of programs. It is based on team collaboration and needs to foster critical, double loop learning in order to effect real change and emancipation, not only for the participants themselves, but also for collectivity as a whole. This change can be linked both to the dynamics internal to the group and to external factors. Drawing upon these premises, this paper is intended to represent a methodological and empirical contribution to reflect on the role of action research in social research on arts and migration. Specifically, through the investigation of an empirical research conducted within the Atlas of Transitions project, this contribution will therefore serve as a field of analysis to reflect on the more general theme of action research as a method for the social sciences. In the first part of the paper we will introduce the approach of action-research, while, in the second part we will present some experiences of action research developed within the project. These experiences will shed light on some crucial aspects of action research such as the process of empowerment and power distribution, as well as knowledge co-construction and eventual dynamics of change.