Conducting collaborative research across global North-South contexts: benefits, challenges and implications of working with visual and digital participatory research approaches

There are a variety of important methodological considerations for collaborations between global North researchers and local community-based researchers undertaking empirical investigation in the field of sport for development and peace (SDP) in the global South. To explore these, we outline the participatory action research methodology adopted in this study and the use of visual and digital methods to explore the use of bicycles to achieve international development goals – as part of what we call the ‘bicycles for development’ (BFD) movement – in Uganda. We describe (1) the preparation involved in such an approach; (2) the collaborative processes of visual and digital methods utilised for the research; and (3) key elements of our participatory approach, including mutual learning, understanding expectations of the international partnership, and interpreting the nuances involved in conducting cross-cultural research. We conclude the paper by discussing the methodological implications these three elements have for future SDP and BFD research and the importance of critically considering team-based, participatory action research.