'Putting the last first'- how participatory action research can turn things around for Roma communities

In the academic field of Romani Studies and also from national and European governments and NGOs, there are calls for researchers and policy makers to engage more directly and meaningfully with Romani communities. There is the implicit hope that participation of Roma people in both research and policy setting on issues that affect their lives can overcome some of the major development challenges faced by Roma in Eastern Europe, specifically in terms of housing, education, employment and healthcare. This paper agrees with the principle but argues that 'the devil is in the detail'. Far from being a quick fix, it argues, taking a participatory approach to working with communities where Roma people live needs to be based on a sound theoretical and methodological framework, and requires long term investment in allowing both Roma and non-Roma people to engage with and own research that they can then use to make changes in their communities. The theoretical framework proposed here brings together philosophical hermeneutics, critical race theory and feminist thinking and applies it to contemporary thinking about Roma and non-Roma communities living in close proximity. Methodologically, the paper proposes, participatory action research is a logical choice that flows from this theoretical background, but also an ethically sounder approach than non-participatory methods, allowing communities to have power over research and its outcomes. In practical terms, participatory action research has been shown to provide unique perspectives on the resilience and strategies for social change employed by communities that are not easily accessible to policy makers. Even more importantly, participatory action research has emerged as a key tool for emancipation and liberation of people living on the margins. This paper will provide examples of how participatory action research can contribute to Roma communities moving beyond mere survival and resilience to become agents of change.