Research with Refugee and Asylum Seeker Organisations: Challenges of Insider Action Research

Abstract

The focus of this study arose from the perceived inequalities that existed at Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN), including uneven participation in the organisation’s management and decision-making processes and the under-representation of particular groups within the refugee and asylum seeker communities. The main research focus explored the role of MRSN and how it could best support the interests of these under-represented groups and individuals. One of the main objectives of the project was to strengthen MRSN’s capacities to empower refugees, asylum seekers and under-represented groups within these communities by giving them a voice in MRSN both individually and collectively so that MRSN could provide them with improved services. It was therefore critical to ensure that the research methodology encouraged participants to be actively involved and engaged in the research process. This is particularly important for groups of people whofeel that their voices have been suppressed and have been unable tofind any appropriate channels through which to raise their fears and concerns. In order to gain the trust and confidence of the participants, it was felt that an ‘insider research’ approach would be most appropriate, then.