When the Methodology Arises From Praxis: Challenges of Being an Activist-Scholar in Brazil

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Five
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Methodological Opportunities of Cultural-Historical Research (Table 15)

Abstract

The text reflects on methodology and transformative praxis in the relationships between public universities, communities, and grassroots movements in Brazil. The reflections emerged from about ten years of activism within the university to break the walls that separate it from grassroots movements. The research aims to challenge pre-designed methodological tools to transform harsh and violent realities of human rights violations. These realities impose concrete limitations on transformative praxis and any pre-designed method. Several activities are forced to be discontinued due to multiple constraints. After experiencing the "failure" of countless projects, I realized that a methodology specific to praxis was emerging. Identifying the limitations made it possible to unveil methodological paths collectively traveled in a dialogical way.

Author

• Inny Accioly, Universidade Federal Fluminense
  Presenting Author