by Spencer Swain

As those reading this blog post might know, the School of Education, Languages and Psychology at York St John has been running a seminar series on inclusive and innovative methodologies. We were kindly joined in December by Dr Brett Lashua, a lecturer in Sociology from University College London, who provided a guest talk on inclusive research methodologies and the transformative power of engaging communities in the research process. His focus on two distinct yet interconnected projects—one exploring the innovative method of footwork among teenagers in a working-class community in South Wales and the other employing arts-based research through music-making in Alberta, Canada—offered valuable insights into how researchers can navigate complex social landscapes with sensitivity and creativity. One of the key takeaways from Lashua’s talk was the importance of adopting an inclusive research approach, particularly when studying marginalised or underrepresented communities. By actively involving the participants as co-creators and collaborators rather than mere subjects of study, Lashua communicated how researchers could ensure that the research process is ethical, more meaningful, and relevant to the lived experiences of the individuals involved. In the case of the footwork project in South Wales, Lashua’s emphasis on using the methodological approach of walking tours with his participants served as a means of navigating the social and spatial boundaries that young people in the community he was studying were experiencing. Lashua communicated how he uncovered rich insights into his participants’ everyday lives, aspirations, and challenges by immersing himself in the community and engaging with the teenagers through their ritual walk around their neighbourhood. This approach not only yielded valuable research findings that sought to document how young people growing up in the South Wales valleys understood their community but also fostered trust and mutual respect between the researcher and the participants.

Similarly, Lashua’s exploration of arts-based research through music-making in Alberta highlighted the potential of creative methods in eliciting diverse perspectives and facilitating dialogue across cultural divides, particularly with First Nations Aboriginal youth in inner city Edmonton. By inviting participants to express themselves through music, the research project created a space for meaningful expression and connection, transcending language barriers and cultural differences. While at the same time exposing intricate issues of racism and discrimination within different sections of the metropolis that the young people navigated daily. What was striking about this research project was how issues of homelessness, drug addiction and overt institutional racism were communicated by the participants in a rap style that allowed them to powerfully communicate their sense of marginality and estrangement from mainstream Canadian society. Overall, Lashua’s talk underscored the importance of adopting a flexible and participatory approach to research, especially when working with communities whose voices are often marginalised or silenced. By centring the experiences and perspectives of the participants, it was demonstrated how researchers can co-create knowledge that is not only academically rigorous but also socially relevant and empowering. As inclusive researchers who continually seek to navigate the complexities of the research landscape, Lashua’s talk served as a timely reminder of the transformative potential of inclusive and innovative methodologies in advancing both scholarship and social justice.