TY - JOUR

T1 - Confronting the Complexities of “Co-Production” in Participatory Health Research

T2 - A Critical, Reflexive Approach to Power Dynamics in a Collaborative Project on Parkinson’s Dance

AU - Phillips, Louise Jane

AU - Frølunde, Lisbeth

AU - Christensen-Strynø, Maria Bee

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - The literature on participatory health research describes various ways of overcoming obstacles to the co-production of knowledge by redressing power imbalances. In this article, we propose an approach to understanding and analyzing co-production which conceptualizes power, not as an obstacle but as an intrinsic, productive force in bringing “co-production” into being. In the approach, “co-production” is understood and analyzed as a tensional, complex, unstable entity that emerges in power-imbued negotiations of meanings throughout the research process. Focusing on a participatory project on Parkinson’s dance, our purpose is to illustrate how the approach can generate knowledge about the complexities of “co-production.” We also demonstrate how the approach can provide a foundation for a relational ethics that confronts the complexities head-on. In conclusion, we discuss the insights gained into the possibilities and challenges of co-production and the value of the approach as a foundation for relational ethics.

AB - The literature on participatory health research describes various ways of overcoming obstacles to the co-production of knowledge by redressing power imbalances. In this article, we propose an approach to understanding and analyzing co-production which conceptualizes power, not as an obstacle but as an intrinsic, productive force in bringing “co-production” into being. In the approach, “co-production” is understood and analyzed as a tensional, complex, unstable entity that emerges in power-imbued negotiations of meanings throughout the research process. Focusing on a participatory project on Parkinson’s dance, our purpose is to illustrate how the approach can generate knowledge about the complexities of “co-production.” We also demonstrate how the approach can provide a foundation for a relational ethics that confronts the complexities head-on. In conclusion, we discuss the insights gained into the possibilities and challenges of co-production and the value of the approach as a foundation for relational ethics.

UR - https://forskning.ruc.dk/en/publications/fe2ef755-9416-4d2b-84d4-fdce79b366db

U2 - 10.1177/10497323211003863

DO - 10.1177/10497323211003863

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33899575

VL - 31

SP - 1290

EP - 1305

JO - Qualitative Health Research

JF - Qualitative Health Research

IS - 7

ER -