Workshop 9:
Working with Young People in Participatory Research Designs – A Workshop on Methods and Approaches

Anke Schad-Spindler, Rida Arif, Helena Deiß, Veronika Ehm

Over the past few years, researchers at the EDUCULT Institute for Cultural Policy and Cultural Management have gained extensive experience in implementing participatory research with young people, particularly in the fields of cultural education and participation. One notable example is the project “Sparkling Science: Colonialism Today?! What Does This Have to Do With Me?” (2022–2024), in which EDUCULT researchers collaborated with 7th-grade students from a Viennese high school to explore the colonial heritage of a natural history museum. A particular focus of the project was to explore the interests the young students had in relation to decolonial heritage of museums.

Another example involves research with kindergarten-aged children as part of the process-based evaluation of the model program “Kulturkita Hessen” (2024–2026). In this project, the mosaic approach is applied, emphasizing collaboration between (young) children and adults in constructing meaning. Using qualitative approaches within the framework of the documentary method, adapted for young children, the project employs innovative methods such as photo/video-based tours and improvement walks. These techniques allow children to act as experts, sharing their experiences, activities, and perspectives on their social environment. Additionally, researchers engage in painting conversations to facilitate deeper dialogues with children, generating reflective and evaluative insights while focusing on their unique experiences and adventures.

In this workshop, we aim to provide an introduction to participatory research methods that we find particularly effective in engaging young people and children. Furthermore, we wish to initiate a critically reflective discussion on the potential, challenges, and limitations of these approaches. Building on our own experiences, we invite participants to share their perspectives and insights on participatory research methods. Our goal is to create an inspiring peer-to-peer learning environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and practices.