Partnership, collaboration and power: Part 1: Introduction and overview of the issues

Developing and maintaining partnerships and working collaboratively in participatory research requires attention to power relations. In the ‘rush’ of conducting participatory research we sometimes forget to take enough effort and time to reflect on, and act thoughtfully in relation to, partnerships, collaboration and power. Part 1 of this chapter presents an overview of literature about ethical questions relating to responsibilities in participatory research, including: 1) establishing, sharing and exerting control and power; 2) tackling the mismatch of timelines and expectations between partners; 3) anticipating the risks associated with participation in participatory research; and 4) ensuring sustainability of partnerships. Part 2 comprises four cases from different places around the world (Denmark, Australia, Rwanda and the UK) in which researchers give accounts of ethical dilemmas and issues in research with various groups, including older people, people with Asperger’s syndrome and young people. Each case is followed by short reflective commentaries written by two academic researchers and two co‐researchers with lived experiences. Part 3 offers concluding comments, suggesting that this chapter demonstrates that ethical issues in interpersonal relations can be understood in relation to researchers’ perceptions of responsibility and power dynamics vis‐à‐vis institutional and structural arrangements.