Children’s agency and well-being in spaces shaped by colonial violence: A participatory methodology

In recent decades, the discourse surrounding children’s participation in research has undergone a profound transformation, shedding light on their evolving role from passive subjects to active agents. This shift has strongly emphasized incorporating participatory methodologies while researching with children, enabling us to capture their perspectives and place them at the core of the research process. In this study, to explore the experiences of Palestinian children growing up in a refugee camp, we present an innovative and participatory methodology known as “walk-along.” This approach allows children to guide the research through the fabric of their daily lives, actively engaging and sharing their unique perspectives. Our findings highlight the many ways in which Palestinian children utilize their physical, social, and political environment as a source of well-being and survival, providing invaluable insights into their everyday agentic practices. Furthermore, our findings underscore the significance of giving voice to marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as children living in conflict-affected regions, and highlight the invaluable insights that can be gleaned when they are actively engaged in the research process.