Participatory research design and implementation in a disaster context: Reflections from cyclone Idai

Abstract

This paper draws on Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, the area ravaged by Cyclone Idai in 2019 where more than 600 people died and over 270 000 people were affected. Participatory research techniques were used with cyclone Idai affected people to investigate the diverse lived experiences of how survivors dealt with the devasting effects of the cyclone. In this presentation, the challenges, and opportunities of conducting participatory research in a disaster context will be explored. In addition, the role of politics and hierarchy (for both the researcher and participants) as well as integrating traditional knowledge into participatory research design is further explored. Since participatory research is a continuous process beyond the data collection phase, the value of such techniques is critiqued to explore points for strong partnerships and support. Finally, the significance of participatory research as a research methodology is discussed as well as its contributions to social justice within beyond Chimanimani, Zimbabwe.