Constructing transnational action research networks : observations and reflections from the case of the Citizenship DRC

Many contemporary issues of development and governance are complex beyond
the capacities of single institutions or countries. As a result, in recent years we
have seen growing attention paid to the importance of networks – ranging from
advocacy networks to multi-stakeholder partnerships – for the solution of
development problems. This paper is particularly interested in the construction of
transnational action research networks that effectively bridge the differences that
separate the local from the global, practice from research, North from South, and
many relevant disciplines from one another. Such networks must span inequalities
in power and resources as well as differences in cultural and intellectual
perspectives.
Using a unique ‘insider-outsider’ perspective, the paper examines the emergence
(during the period 2000–2005) of the Development Research Centre on
Citizenship, Participation and Accountability, a network of seven partners – from
the UK, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil – concerned
with research, capacity building and policy influence on these issues. This case is
interesting for several reasons. First the research available on long-term
collaboration between Northern and Southern research institutions is very limited.
Second, the longitudinal study offers opportunities for understanding development
processes that are not visible to the more common comparisons of cases at one
time in their history. Finally this research also offers opportunities to look at the
challenges of building transnational networks as they emerge across several
levels. These represent the areas that are not well developed in existing research
on inter-organisational networks.
Keywords: action research, research partnerships, networks, citizenship.