This conference paper was written to introduce educational researchers attending the NETREED conference to some of the issues of using PRA as an approach to research. It assumes that readers are familiar with PRA. The paper was intended to complement the keynote speech made by Robert Chambers at the conference. It is structured as four main sections:
- PRA: an approach to education or an approach to researching education?
- Exploring PRA in the UK teaching and educational research context;
- Educational research and PRA in the South;
- Issues arising around the use of PRA in educational research.
The author concludes that on reflection, using the visual to communicate more openly and adopting a more participatory and moral approach to research and teaching can be a liberating and enjoyable experience for all involved.