Episode 9- Action Research & The Academy -- Critical reflections with Dr. C. Darius Stonebanks (Pt. 1)

The Action Research Podcast

In this episode, Adam and Joe get into a deep conversation with Dr. C. Darius Stonebanks, co-founder and co-director of Transformative Praxis Malawi; Professor of Education at Bishop’s University; and an Adjunct Professor at McGill University.

In part 1, Christopher discusses his journey into action research and his work in Malawi. He shares how, when he first entered academia, an interview about Critical Pedagogy led to his decision to engage in action research- the “idea of being interviewed about critical pedagogy and then realizing I always envisioned myself being a professor in order to do good, but then realized, is that not what this is going to be about? That was a crisis for me, which led to transformative praxis Malawi.” Joe asks Christopher about Transformative Praxis Malawi (7:11) and Adam clarifies a couple of questions (20:18) he had after reading Christopher’s articles (Cited below).

To learn more about Christopher’s work as an action researcher and the challenges facing those who decide to work in the academy and do action research, join us in part-2 of this series where Adam continues to ask about running an ethical non-profit and working in academia, while Joe asks some hard-hitting questions to dig deeper into the project in Malawi and being a professor. To learn more, tune-in to the episode!

Here are the references:

Bennett-Stonebanks, M., Stonebanks, C. D., & Mphande, T. (2019). Ethics and Action Research in Emancipation-Based Endeavours: Projects of Heart or Projects of Publication? The Canadian Journal of Action Research, 20(1), 71-85 https://journals.nipissingu.ca/index.php/cjar/article/download/447/210

Stonebanks, C.D., Sheerin, F., Bennett-Stonebanks, M. and Nyirenda-Paradise, J. (2016), "Just Give the Money to the Women: Overly Simplified Advice that Works in International Education, Health, and Development Initiatives", Racially and Ethnically Diverse Women Leading Education: A Worldview (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 25), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-366020160000025015

To learn more about Transformative Praxis Malawi, you can find them at: http://www.transformativepraxis.com/

*Note: contains some explicit language