In a PV project, researchers worked with young women working in a cotton mill in Tamil Nadu to collect workers’ stories in a film[1]. They then analyzed them and produced a comprehensive systemic analysis of their situation of being dependent on money lenders and bonded labor. This led to the creation of action research groups, mapping of the village’s household expenses and exploring why they were so dependent. This in turn gave insight that made the villagers renegotiate practices with expensive weddings and temple donations, close down liquor stores and keep moneylenders out of their homes, to ensure a bigger proportion of their marginal income to be available for basic needs such as food and clothing. The project sparked 8 other research groups and a number of NGO’s to work in the area, which shows the power of participatory research and the spread it has potential for.
Source:
[1] Burns, D., Howard, J., & Ospina, S. (2021) Sage Handbook for Participatory Research. Example explained here: https://www.participatorymethods.org/resource/video-example-participatory-research-action
Other film examples:
InsightShare’s Youtube channel
Crystal Tremblay’s Youtube channel
Trailer of the film Happening To Us 3min