Synergies and Tensions between Rural Social Movements and Professional Researchers

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. This essay outlines approaches to analysing and managing relations between rural activists and academic researchers. It suggests (a) that contemporary social movements engage in knowledge production practices much like those of academic and NGO-affiliated researchers and (b) that the boundaries between activists and researchers are not always as sharp as is sometimes claimed. These blurred boundaries and shared practices can create synergies in activist– academic relations. The essay then examines tensions in the relationship, including activists' expectation that academic research will be immediately applicable to their struggles and researchers' expectation that movement participants will accommodate their needs. The final section discusses the pros and cons, from the perspective of each side, of several models of activist– researcher relations, ranging from 'militant' or 'engaged' research to the contractual agreement between a movement and those involved in research on it. It argues that one of the most useful contributions of academic researchers to social movements may be reporting patterns in the testimony of people in the movement's targeted constituency who are sympathetic to movement objectives but who feel alienated or marginalised by one or another aspect of movement discourse or practice. There has been a certain timidity on the part of the professional, perhaps apathy. And on our part, a certain bitterness or resentment because of everything that has happened to us. There are people who have abused us. .. At times we feel that we're cows. The [researchers] give us a big milking and somebody else gets to drink the milk. 1 1 'Ha habido cierta timidez de parte del profesional, tal vez cierta apatıá. Y cierto resquemor de parte nuestra por todo que nos ha pasado. Hay gente que nos ha abusado. .. Nos sentimos …