The role of Transformative Action Research in territorial peace building: Insights for New Area Studies

Rodriguez, Iokine, Sala Valdes, Cristina, Barros Navarro, Nohora Isabel, Uribe Sarmiento, John Jairo, Salamanca, Maria del Pilar, Padilla Quintero, Santiago Andrés and Armijos, Teresa (2025) The role of Transformative Action Research in territorial peace building: Insights for New Area Studies. New Area Studies, 5 (1). ISSN 2633-3716

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Abstract

War and peace have been extensively researched in Colombia over the past decades. However, little is said about the role that research can play as a driver of change in the transition from war to peace when research is carried out with those who have been part of the dynamics of the conflict or have found themselves in the middle of the crossfire. In this article, we discuss the experience of the "School, Territory and Post-Conflict: Grounding a Local Peace Culture in South Tolima, Colombia" project working with eight community organisations between 2018 and 2022 studying their experiences building peace during the armed conflict between the Revolution Armed Force of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian government, and after the 2016 peace agreement. We discuss the transdisciplinary journey of the project and of transformations we have witnessed as a result with the hope that the lessons learned can inform ongoing discussions about how to widen further the research and methodological frontiers of New Areas Studies and beyond.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	transformative action research,bottom-up peace building,resignifying peace,colombia,armed conflict,territorial peacebuilding,sdg 16 - peace, justice and strong institutions ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/peace_justice_and_strong_institutions
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development) University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	University of East Anglia Schools > Faculty of Science > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Groups > Area Studies Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Global Environmental Justice
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2025 17:30
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2025 01:19
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101360
DOI:	10.37975/NAS.89

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