ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the potential of Ubuntu philosophy for decolonising Participatory Research (PR) in the Global South, addressing power imbalances and research process challenges. Despite PR's focus on community involvement, it can perpetuate practices contradicting its principles, hence the rise of 'decolonising research' for fair, respectful researcher-community relationships and meaningful community knowledge. The central question is, 'How can Ubuntu serve as a tool for decolonising PR in the Global South?' Drawing from decolonisation, PR, and Ubuntu literature, we offer a novel perspective on applying Ubuntu in PR. The study demonstrates how Ubuntu promotes social change and justice, challenges Western knowledge universality, and empowers marginalised Global South communities via democratic, participatory platforms. We provide theoretical insights and practical suggestions for PR stakeholders, asserting that Ubuntu adoption can foster equitable, inclusive practices benefiting communities. The paper also invites further examination of indigenous philosophies in decolonising research, enriching knowledge production in the Global South and globally marginalised communities.

摘要

本文探讨了 Ubuntu 哲学在南半球参与式研究 (PR) 去殖民化、解决权力不平衡和研究过程挑战方面的潜力。尽管公关注重社区参与，但它可能会延续与其原则相矛盾的做法，因此“去殖民化研究”的兴起，以建立公平、尊重的研究人员与社区关系和有意义的社区知识。核心问题是，“Ubuntu 如何成为南半球公关去殖民化的工具？” 借鉴非殖民化、公关和 Ubuntu 文献，我们提供了在公关中应用 Ubuntu 的新颖视角。该研究展示了 Ubuntu 如何促进社会变革和正义，挑战西方知识的普遍性，并通过民主、参与性平台为边缘化的全球南方社区赋权。我们为公关利益相关者提供理论见解和实践建议，声称采用 Ubuntu 可以促进公平、包容的做法，造福社区。该文件还邀请人们进一步审视非殖民化研究中的本土哲学，丰富南半球和全球边缘化社区的知识生产。