Concept
A research circle is a methodology to enable in-depth, participative, and longer-term examination of an issue. It was piloted in Botkyrka to examine issues of racism and discrimination, in 2013.
A research circle brings together a set group of residents, from various groups and areas, assisted by a researcher. A series of discussions are facilitated on the issue in question, to formulate recommendations for the municipality. Recommendations are then presented to key decision-makers. Officials examine how they can respond to the recommendations, and provide feedback on this to the research circle.
Foundation
This initiative was piloted as part of a transnational project to strengthen local strategies and actions combating racism and xenophobia: ‘ECAR - European Cities Against Racism – Responsibilities of Cities in Counteracting Racism Sustainably’. The project took place over two years, to pilot new initiatives to support implementation of the Ten Point Plan of Action to support the fight against racism and discrimination, of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism.
Progress
The focus for the research circles in Botkyrka was the interface between the participants’ everyday life and the municipality. The participants on the research circle placed particular emphasis on systemic discrimination in their discussions.
The process began with a Search Conference to which residents in the municipality were invited by open invitation. This event identified three areas for investigation: the role of schools, of the municipality, and of civil society in the reproduction of and fight against racism and discrimination. Three research circles of about ten people, of various ethnicities, were formed by people at the event. Two further research circles were formed by directly contacting local associations: one organising residents of African origin, and the other organising residents of Muslim faith. In total, twenty research circle meetings were held over seven months.
The participating researchers established recurrent problem areas across the research circles, and proposals and recommendations were drafted in the research circles as to how the municipality could improve its work against discrimination and racism. The recommendations were presented to decision-makers in the municipality. They were considered and processed by officials. Feedback was provided to those who had participated in the research circles on the steps already being taken and to be developed in response to the recommendations by the municipality.
