Building on the first and second ThinkLab, we aim to move beyond the theoretical and conceptual investigations and explore novel approaches to research methodologies with a postcolonial/decolonial sensibility. The integration of knowledge and action (theory and practice) has been a core feature of the concept of ‘praxis’, however, it is not limited to that. Freire (1972) described praxis as “reflection and action upon the world in order to transform it”. He argued that it was not enough for people to study the world, they also had a responsibility to act to create a more just world. In our think lab, we aim to explore how research practices in peace and conflict can make use of the different epistemologies, ontologies and methodologies (specifically) and examine the unseen and invisibilised hierarchies. The core idea is to explore decolonial and postcolonial praxis (though not limited to that) to identify the extent to which intersections of hierarchies are taken into account and reflect on potential pathways of undoing them through critical methodologies.
