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Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement 
No 1 (2008): 202-203 
© UTSePress and the author 

 

RESEARCHING WITH COMMUNITIES: GROUNDED PERSPECTIVES ON 
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN RESEARCH, ANDY WILLIAMSON & RUTH 
DESOUZA (EDS). MUDDY CREEK PRESS, AUCKLAND & LONDON 2007; 
TABLES, CONTRIBUTORS’ NOTES, BIBLIOGRAPHIES; PAPERBOUND; PP 413. 
 

esearching with Communities: Grounded Perspectives on Engaging 
Communities in Research represents a paradigmatic shift from the 

more conventional approaches of researching communities as 
objectified research subjects. As a research practice it significantly 
augments the realisation that social research is a situated, cultural 
practice, attuned to individual, cultural and ethical characteristics of  
a group of people researching shared interests together. Such a shift 
raises new questions, generates new methods and sees social research 
resource new forms of social change and progression. 
 Williamson and DeSouza have brought together twenty-six  
case studies that describe research approaches of bringing ‘the 
community’ into research enterprises as active participants. In some 
cases the researchers are brought into a community’s self determined 
initiative. It is refreshing, informative, current and engaging reading. 
The text is to be highly recommended to fellow social researchers, 
teachers of social research, community participants, students and 
consultants. It also has significant value to experienced as well as 
potential commissioners of participatory research strategies.  
 Following the editors’ scene setting introductions, the book is 
divided into three sections: ‘Engaging with Communities’ describes 
strategies for establishing and maintaining co-researching 
relationships; ‘Research as a Living Partnership’ explores how 
participatory research as a form of inter-relationship stretches the 
expectations and capabilities of all participants; and ‘Methodology 
and Process’ reconsiders essential concepts and elements of research 
within co-researcher relationships and frameworks.  
 The case studies cross many different fields of application 
including health, community development, conflict and disaster, 
information technology, spirituality and population displacements. 
The locations cross the globe from Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and 
the Americas. Australian practitioners will be encouraged to see so 

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Gateways, vol 1, 2008 

203 

much innovative work being carried out in Australia particularly in 
relation to Indigenous communities. 
 The binding thread throughout is as the inside page states: 
‘undertaking research in ways that promote and privilege the voice  
of community, is respectful of local or indigenous practices and is 
culturally safe’.  Each author expresses commitment to establishing 
environments that enable lay parity in inquiry design, delivery and 
utility and also to explore how barriers to such environments persist 
in reflexivity about research practice as well as research outcomes. It 
is clear that researching with communities is not a solution to 
oppression so much as a way of self critically joining with those 
enduring oppression so that the wisdom of the oppressed may go 
towards transforming their own condition.  
 Researching with Communities is powerful in its mapping of a 
maturation of the action research field. It describes initiatives that go 
beyond linear models of research methodology to principle-based, 
whole system and emergent approaches and outcomes. The authors 
describe this maturation in grounded, accessible language. The 
observations, reflections and self-directed questions energetically 
communicate an inspiring and indeed, encouraging map of the action 
research field. This book is a solid stepping-stone into a confident and 
capable action research future for both communities and those who 
work with them alike. 
 
SUSAN GOFF 
ACTION LEARNING ACTION RESEARCH ASSOCIATION