Case Study: A Reflexive Participatory Action Approach to Improving Ethnic Minority Inclusion and Participation in UK Urban Greenspaces

This paper presents the methodological approach taken in a study examining success in improving ethnic minority inclusion and participation by UK Friends of Parks Groups - local community groups of volunteers under the umbrella organisation the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces (NFPGS). The study committed to a reflexive Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach and aimed to mirror the principles of inclusion and participation within the research process itself. The collaborative process involved a graduate student researcher from University College London (UCL) partnering with White British and Ethnic Minority community partners to co-create research questions, interpret findings, and co-produce a usable community product at the end. Challenges included navigating diverse perspectives and giving them their due value. The approach of this study not only produced actionable research output that can be practically implemented but also demonstrated how research methodology can embed and reflect the social change it aims to promote.