Participatory research to influence participatory governance: managing relationships with planners

Abstract

This paper explores the tensions and opportunities involved in becoming a ‘critical friend’ to government agency planners trying to practise more inclusive forms of governance. It thus tackles two interrelated issues: how to build and manage rapport while retaining a critical research agenda, and how to locate niches for further democratising participation within congested multi‐level governance structures. A five‐year research programme allowed researchers to explore practices by planners charged with developing and implementing natural resource management plans in Scotland. The focus reflects a research interest in opening up governance structures beyond the ‘usual suspects’ to enhance the democratic promise of participatory approaches. The paper reflects on how the balance between rapport and critique influenced the goal of opening up these processes to more public participation. The paper concludes by arguing that analysis of participatory geography must attend to the ways in which transformative opportunities are embraced, resisted or co‐opted.