We have decided to organise Sustainable Lives as a Co-operative Inquiry.
We have decided that the question for the first phase of our Inquiry will be:
- How can we collaborate to find models of social care for Swansea which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable?
But what is a Co-operative Inquiry?
A Co-operative Inquiry is a form of action research, it is best described by the academics John Heron and Peter Reason as research ‘with’ rather than ‘on’ people.
It is a form of research which has certain features:
- The traditional separation of observer and subject is removed, all subjects are fully involved in the process of exploration. The approach is very collaborative and all co-researchers are involved in deciding both content and methods of the the research.
- The approach uses cycles of action and reflection, so taking action and making sense of events are closely connected.
- The approaches of exploration are open and flexible, and very wide range of ‘ways of knowing and sharing’ are encouraged, and these approaches blur the distinction between the personal and professional.
- The way of working recognises that the process is emotional and personal as well as rational and intellectual thus the group must take this into account in the way it supports group members through these experiences.
- The process encourages a holistic view of the inquiry and tries to avoid solutions that de-construct issues into unconnected elements.
- Co-operative Inquiry is intensely practical and empowered, thus through thinking, sharing and experiencing we are enabled to take action that is possible for us. In this form of action research, although interpreting the world is interesting – the point is to change it!
The Centre for Action Research in Professional Practice (CARPP) is an international centre of expertise in Co-operative Inquiry, on their website is a Introduction to Co-operative Inquiry which is very useful.
