[The progress of participation research. A sociological analysis of its institutionalization]

Participation research has emerged as an interdisciplinary field of research that focuses on the social participation of people with disabilities. More than a decade after its founding and initial phase, the question arises as to the current state of its development. This article examines the progress of participation research from a sociological perspective and reconstructs it as a process of progressive institutionalization. The analysis of structural, social, epistemic, and sociopolitical aspects paints an ambivalent picture. In particular, the network formation and the emergence of a transdisciplinary epistemic culture point to significant progress in institutionalization. Furthermore, the field of research has high political relevance. However, the structural anchoring of participation research within the academic system has so far been only modest.