Theory and Praxis Redefined: Field Guide to Social Transformation

In this session we explore the method we have developed to approach conflict-ridden contexts as practitioners, educators, and researchers, interested in finding sustainable solutions to conflicts, and ways to put in motion innovative processes of social transformation. This approach is grounded in our 5+ years of working in the field with community leaders in places where conflict is deeply rooted, and is informed by the realization that: 1) In the field, social change practitioners draw upon what they know and what they need at the time. Their approach is eclectic and very often they do not know the theory from which it stems, nor do they have sound monitoring and evaluation methods to document the reasons why their interventions succeed or fail; 2) researchers and theory developers are much less eclectic and more narrowly defined in scope because that is what is called for in the laboratory where research is often conducted, but often times lack local knowledge and overlook the specificities at the base of conflicts; and 3) grassroots leaders who understand the nuances of their lived experiences in their communities and use what they know are hungry for more knowledge and more tools of their trade, but do not have access to developments taking place in the academy. Our approach draws from these three premises and suggests a pluri-party approach to develop best practices in the field, and engage in meaningful fieldwork and applied research