Lighting the Way: Youth-Led Participatory Action Research as a Catalyst for Youth Resistance

• In Event: Youth Participatory Action Research: Community of Practice, Catalyst for Resistance, Podcasting, Speculative Fiction, and Ownership

Abstract

This article explores the potential of Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) to foster youth resistance and support, particularly in the context of increasing anti-LGBTQ legislation. It features a narrative from Milo, a trans youth researcher, who utilized YPAR to address the needs of his community by organizing a silent vigil for Trans Day of Remembrance and other supportive initiatives at his school. The piece highlights the effectiveness of YPAR in empowering students to become agents of change, illustrating how youth-led projects can create inclusive spaces and address systemic issues despite legislative challenges. The study underscores the value of treating youth as experts in their own experiences and advocates for integrating YPAR into educational practices to support marginalized communities.

Authors

• Lora Elaine Hawkins, Appalachian State University

• Milo Palmer, Franklin School of Innovation

• Clarice M. Moran, Appalachian State University