Guidelines for non-extractive research on the Social and Solidarity Economy

Guidelines for non-extractive research on SSE

In the RIPESS Europe Knowledge Commons Circle, we are aware of an increase in both research on SSE (Social Solidarity Economy) and the number of people who want to work in this field in the future. This research reveals a growing interest in SSE. Mainstream research institutions have historically undervalued this field and are often excluded from dominant economic discourses, and the ever-increasing interest is, as such, a significant and promising development. However, the field of SSE is a large and yet to be extensively researched topic, and it is therefore important to ensure that future research on it is not manipulative, both to ensure that the findings are useful and to protect SSE actors.

When we set out to create guidelines for non-extractive research, our aim was not only to give guidance to researchers but also to ask ourselves how non-extractive research should be. While incorporating what we considered relevant from traditional research ethics and principles, we also wanted to correct what we knew to be wrong and to review our moral responsibilities in research. Our priorities included defining the relationship between researchers and participants, addressing the research process, managing expectations, and giving researchers the tools they may need to review their reasoning processes. The target audience of the guidelines is members of the RIPESS network, SSE actors outside the network, and researchers in general.

The process we followed in drafting the guidelines was to first decide on the topics we wanted to include, and then regularly seek feedback from the other members of the team to come up with a set of guidelines that we could all agree on, that represented our principles, that were understandable, practical, and adaptable to different scenarios. To this end, we reviewed similar guidelines in the field of SSE and co-operatives, as well as comparable publications in other disciplines, and identified first the elements that are necessary for research to be non-extractive, and then the elements that we think are important for the values and principles of the field of SSE. In this process, the concepts of ethical research, participatory research, and decolonial research are also concepts that we took into account and that we think have important parallels with non-extractive research.

To make the guidelines as accessible as possible, we have taken care to use understandable and simple language when talking about the research process and principles. Where necessary, we have used glossary sections to explain words and concepts in the text. The guidelines are made accessible for those with or without academic research background alike. In the future, we would like to see these guidelines translated into more languages to reach a wider audience. We would like to emphasise that these guidelines are not final and definitive. Just as SSE is in a constant process of renewal and reinvention in order to adapt to changing societies, we believe that the standards and methods of SSE research should also be flexible and open to change according to these changing needs.

This text is divided into key considerations and guiding principles. While sharing the guidelines, we think it is important to share the thought process behind them with the readers so that they can actively decide what non-extractive research is and how they can develop themselves in this direction, rather than just seeing these principles as a rulebook. We believe that it is in line with the values, principles, and requirements of SSE that these guidelines should be a living and evolving set of recommendations.

Welcome to send in any comments on the guidelines to socioeco.org@ripess.eu, which will be periodically updated by the RIPESS Knowledge commons circle.