Doing relational research through roleplaying

This chapter throws light on the development of a participatory inquiry for learning and knowledge building based on roleplaying. The practice described here is aimed at develop competences in dialogue, relational awareness, critical self-reflexivity and collaboration among the employees and leaders working in an institution. It is carried out and described from within the movement, often referred to as the dialogical turn (Flecha et al. 2003) or the relational turn (Donati 2011). The practice is rooted in a constructionist stance and inspired by action research and arts-based research.
I present an example of my work with a specific project, which took place in a 24-hour care center for neglected adolescents between the ages of 12-18. It went on for a period of one and a half years. The adolescents were forced to live at the institution because they had been removed from their parents due to social and psychological problems. During their childhood they had often experienced serious breaches of trust in their relationships with other people.