"No-one's contribution is more valid than another's": Committing to inclusive democratic methodologies.

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Sociology of Research
• Participatory Action Research

Background:

• Traditional research often excludes marginalized voices, creating inequitable environments.
• Critical Disability Studies seeks to dismantle ableism and disablism within research.
• Co-produced, participatory, and arts-informed projects offer alternative frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of democratic research methodologies in Critical Disability Studies.
• To identify processes that mitigate disablism and ableism in research.
• To analyze the application of disability-driven democratic research principles.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of two funded co-produced, participatory, and arts-informed research projects.
• Focus on projects co-designed and co-led with disabled young people and individuals with chronic illness.
• Critical examination of research processes and their inherent power dynamics.

Main Results:

• Identification of "Crip time" as a crucial element, recognizing the need for flexible research timelines.
• Virtual methods and intimacies emerged as pathways to equitable research leadership.
• Flexible and slower research approaches were found to enhance inclusivity.

Conclusions:

• Democratic research, incorporating principles like Crip time and flexible approaches, can disrupt traditional power dynamics.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of inclusive and hybrid research methodologies.
• Continued commitment to flexibility, accessibility, and inclusivity is essential for equitable research with marginalized communities.