Join the UTS Participatory Action Research Collaborative

At its core, the PAR Collaborative champions an approach “which emphasises collaborative participation of trained researchers as well as local communities in producing knowledge directly relevant to the stakeholder community.” [1]

Inspired by calls for more support and engagement in this area from Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates, the Collaborative launched a training program in 2023, using action research and similar methodologies. 

The program blends online learning with in-person sessions featuring national and international experts, such as Professor Mary Brydon-Miller (University of Louisville and visiting fellow at UTS) and Adjunct Professor Bob Dick. 

In addition, the PAR Collaborative has also hosted major events, including the ALARA World Congress, and continues to publish research advocating for different ways of supporting action research in universities.

The PAR Collaborative is co-founded and led by Dr Susie Pratt (Transdisciplinary School), Dr Keith Heggart (Education), Professor of Project Management, Shankar Sankaran and Associate Professor of Property, Pernille Christensen (Faculty of Design & Society) and supported by the Graduate Research School.

Building a community of practice

Susie said the Collaborative arose out of a broader working group inspired by UTS Fulbright Fellow Prof Mary Brydon-Miller.

“Out of that discussion and others with various academics and HDR candidates from across the university that engaged in action research, one of the needs articulated was for a group where we could learn more and be inspired by peers and colleagues around participatory action research approaches,” Susie said.

“Hence we developed the Participatory Action Research Collaborative.”

One of the needs articulated was for a group where we could learn more and be inspired by peers and colleagues around participatory action research approaches.

The Collaborative has been running for two years, bringing different cohorts together across UTS and building a Canvas site around its work and discussions.

Susie said there are different activities and discussions on the Canvas site.

“There are podcasts for people to listen to and learning clusters where you can talk through things with others and get feedback on activities such as creating a positionality statement.”

Keith added that the Collaborative comes together to discuss and share different information.

“I don’t know any other programs where you get to talk to so many high-status international guests. We have had people like Bob Dick and Mary Brydon-Miller zooming in from all over the world or coming on campus to talk about the process of participatory action research.”

The Collaborative has also led two highly successful conferences. 

“Last year we led the Action Learning, Action Research Association (ALARA) World Congress and it was so successful they have asked us to reorganise a second one this year in September,” Keith said.

There are podcasts for people to listen to and learning clusters where you can talk through things with others and get feedback on activities such as creating a positionality statement.

Keith encourages researchers to attend this year’s conference, starting in New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology, moving to UTS in Sydney and finishing in the Philippines at Medici di Makati College.

“It’s kind of a traveling road show. You don't have to go to all three of them, just pick the local one. We’d love to see anyone who's interested in or doing participatory or action research to come along and either attend the conference or present,” Keith said.

Present at the World Congress 2025

The Action Learning, Action Research Association (ALARA) is collaborating with Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand, UTS in Australia and Medici di Makati College in Philippines to present this World Congress.

With an emphasis on interactive conversations and workshops, the World Congress brings presenters/facilitators and participants together, often producing new ideas. These conversations help the learning of both presenters and participants.

The Organising Committee invite presentation proposals from those working in Action Learning and Action Research: locally, nationally and internationally. 

We’d love to see anyone who's interested in or doing participatory or action research to come along and either attend the conference or present.

This year the World Congress will have a focus on collaborative action. Participants will be encouraged to use insights co-generated to develop initiatives that will help address one or more agreed challenges (global, national, local). 

These initiatives will help reinforce the learning from the World Congress, and generate collaborative learning, training, research and action to create global change.

ALARA welcomes registrations and presenter proposals. 

• Call for Proposals – Now open, extended to 21 July 2025
• Early-bird Registrations – Now open, closing 1 August 2025
  Registration amounts (concessional in round brackets; amounts in Australian dollars):
  All locations = $780 ($615); Two locations $625 ($485)
  Face-to-face two days Auckland; Sydney; Manila = $350; $385; $235 ($265; $290; $120)
  Online per day Auckland; Sydney; Manila = $77; $88; $55 (no concessions)
  Per day face-to-face and half-day online also available

Register now

For more information contact the Organising Committee at admin@alarassociation.org.

Interested in joining the Collaborative?

If you are interested in being involved in the Collaborative contact Research Networks Coordinator, Christine Lai by email to be added to the mailing list or connect directly with Dr Susanne Pratt, Dr Keith Heggart, Professor of Project Management Shankar Sankaran or Associate Professor of Property Pernille Christensen if you have any questions.

If you are interested in the Canvas modules, they can be accessed here

Images by Amy Cotton.

 

 

Register now

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