Implementing Research-Practice Partnerships in France: The Role of Power Dynamics

• In Event: International Explorations of Collaborations: How Do Research-Practice Partnerships in Europe Compare With Those in the United States?

Abstract

Objectives
Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) have been implemented for the first time in France in 2022. France is a centralized country in which most decisions are taken by the national government; this study aims to explore how RPPs are deployed in such a context.

Framework
Shifting power relations is one of the key dimensions of RPP work (Author et al., 2021). Power-sharing in decisions about the proposed research is essential to enable practitioners to share expertise about their daily lives and transform the conditions in which they live, learn, and work. Research has suggested that power dynamics are rarely part of researchers’ training, are rarely discussed within RPPs, and are a common challenge to the work (Denner et al, 2019). In countries with a strong centralized tradition, long-standing power dynamics are especially hard to shift. Accordingly, we need a better understanding of how these dynamics shape RPP work and success (Weddle et al, 2021). These theories inform how we reflect on our RPP in the French context.

Methods
We interviewed RPP members (researchers and practitioners) several times over the course of the first year of the RPP (N=4). These semi-structured interviews included: education and employment background, first RPP experience and, reflections on this experience.

Data
Data were analyzed using axial and open coding (Corbin & Strauss, 2015). MaxQda software (Verbi Software Company, Berlin) captured codes as categories and properties were assigned along dimensions to investigate members’ experiences. As findings were compared across members’ answers, themes were identified to make sense of their experiences. Peer debriefing was used throughout the coding process and to propose and critique emerging themes.

Results
Asymmetry of power appeared as a key feature of this RPP. Researchers considered that it was their role to define the research question, lead the data collection, and write about the results. Practitioners were only asked to facilitate the data collection, and shared that their voice was not heard. A practitioner noticed that “When they (researchers) talk about research-practice partnerships, they always mention research first. It’s like boys and girls. We often mention it in the same order. Why don’t they say from time-to-time practitioner-researcher partnerships? That will definitely help to deal with this feeling of imbalance of power”. Trust also emerged as a second key theme. While researchers believed that trust was attached to their role, practitioners said that trust had to be built. Both agree that power and trust were never discussed within the RPPs.

Significance
In this study, we explored power dynamics within the context of RPPs deployment in a centralized country. A better understanding of what is at stake when implementing RPPs in a country with a centralized tradition is key to addressing the issues raised during this implementation. This study provides initial evidence of the critical importance of applying a socio-cultural and political framework specific to that context when implementing an RPP.

Author

• Denis Pasco, University of Franche-Comté