In this episode of Action Research Yes/And, co-host Skip Bivens interviews Dr. Miren Estensoro, Dr. Patricia Canto, and pre-doctoral researcher Naia Begiristain—a trio of action researchers from the Orkestra Institute of Competitiveness and Regional Development in the Basque region of Spain. Orkestra is a unique collaborative organization at the University of Deusto that tackles regional development challenges through transformative action research approaches facilitated in conjunction with local government actors and agencies.

Each Orkestra researcher leads hands-on projects that focus on practical solutions that drive regional development, boost competitiveness, and improve citizens’ wellbeing.

Orkestra’s latest publication– The Evolution of Action Research for Territorial Development: Nurturing an Intergenerational and Multicultural Environment (see show notes for a link the full PDF)–is the focus of this episode. As editors and authors, Patricia, Miren, and Naia share their passion for blending diverse research traditions, building a multigenerational community, and democratizing policymaking from the inside out.

They explore the history of Orkestra, the collaborative journey behind the new book, the Institute’s innovative process of teaching action research, and the ways Orkestra researchers support elected officials be more collaborative and dialogical with their constituents by building their capacity for facilitation and the use of participatory tools.

Show notes:
The Evolution of Action Research for Territorial Development: Nurturing an Intergenerational and Multicultural Environment: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/publications-search/publications/books/special-collections/2954-250012-evolution-action-research-fterritorial-development-nurturing-an-intergenerational-and-multicultural-environment-eng

Other Orkestra publications:
Roots and Wings of Action Research for Territorial Development: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/publications-search/publications/books/special-collections/2078-200038-roots-wings-action-research-territorial-development-connecting-local-transformation-international-collaborative-learning

Territorial Development and Action Research: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/publications-search/publications/books/books-book-chapters/727-territorial-development-action-research

The Art of Facilitating Action Research: A first-person account in policy making: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/publications-search/publications/books/special-collections/2888-240083-art-of-faciltating-action-research

Yes/And Podcast episode with Miren Lirrea
Dr. Miren Larrea on the Practice of Reflexivity in ART: https://actionresearchplus.com/dr-miren-larrea-on-the-practice-of-reflexivity-in-art-podcast-6/

Miren’s bio: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/about-orkestra/team/415-miren-estensoro-en

Patricia’s bio: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/about-orkestra/team/410-patricia-canto-enhttps://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/about-orkestra/team/410-patricia-canto-en

Naia’s bio: https://www.orkestra.deusto.es/en/about-orkestra/team/2193-naia-begiristain-eng