Revisiting a Historic Tool of Participatory Action Research: Consciousness Raising as a Methodology for Transformative Change

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Expansive Ways of Knowing and Researching (Table 5)

Abstract

A Freirean approach to the consciousness-raising methodology may be an historical, emancipatory tool useful in transforming modern socio-political polarizations in the current War on Women as it can simultaneously raise critical consciousness, provide a means of therapy, and ignite social action. Unfortunately, there are no critical reviews on the procedures of using consciousness-raising as a research method. Therefore, the purpose of this critical review of literature is to examine how consciousness-raising has been used as a research methodology and evaluate its associated tools and procedures. A critical review of consciousness-raising methodology studies (n=12) revealed ten decision-making processes: assumptions and aims, group composition, governance, environment, rules, session structure, activities, collective data collection and analysis, evaluation, and transition planning.

Author

• Nicole Sankofa, University of North Texas