Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece
This paper examines the role of commons-based activist ethnography in reshaping the dynamics between researchers and underprivileged mobile youth (UMY), focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges of this approach. Conducted in youth centers in Thessaloniki, Greece, the study explores how t...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/1/19 |
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| author | Stelios Pantazidis Yannis Pechtelidis |
| author_facet | Stelios Pantazidis Yannis Pechtelidis |
| author_sort | Stelios Pantazidis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines the role of commons-based activist ethnography in reshaping the dynamics between researchers and underprivileged mobile youth (UMY), focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges of this approach. Conducted in youth centers in Thessaloniki, Greece, the study explores how trust, affect, and collaborative knowledge creation supported agency among UMY while confronting systemic barriers and power asymmetries. Using qualitative ethnographic methods, the research investigates the role of convivial spaces and the ambiance of the commons in creating meaningful connections and emotional resilience, enabling the participants to articulate aspirations and reclaim agency. The dual role of the researcher as an advocate and observer raised questions about representation and power dynamics. This paper contributes to discussions on activist ethnography by offering insights into its possibilities and limitations in advancing transformative research with marginalized populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9084f191d27342bba9c29e73292257a9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-9084f191d27342bba9c29e73292257a92025-01-24T13:49:41ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602025-01-011411910.3390/socsci14010019Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in GreeceStelios Pantazidis0Yannis Pechtelidis1Lab of Sociology of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, GreeceLab of Sociology of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, GreeceThis paper examines the role of commons-based activist ethnography in reshaping the dynamics between researchers and underprivileged mobile youth (UMY), focusing on the opportunities and ethical challenges of this approach. Conducted in youth centers in Thessaloniki, Greece, the study explores how trust, affect, and collaborative knowledge creation supported agency among UMY while confronting systemic barriers and power asymmetries. Using qualitative ethnographic methods, the research investigates the role of convivial spaces and the ambiance of the commons in creating meaningful connections and emotional resilience, enabling the participants to articulate aspirations and reclaim agency. The dual role of the researcher as an advocate and observer raised questions about representation and power dynamics. This paper contributes to discussions on activist ethnography by offering insights into its possibilities and limitations in advancing transformative research with marginalized populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/1/19affectcommonscommons-based activist ethnographymigrants and refugeesunderprivileged mobile youth |
| spellingShingle | Stelios Pantazidis Yannis Pechtelidis Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece Social Sciences affect commons commons-based activist ethnography migrants and refugees underprivileged mobile youth |
| title | Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece |
| title_full | Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece |
| title_fullStr | Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece |
| title_short | Researching as a Commoner: Affect and the Lives of Underprivileged Mobile Youth in Greece |
| title_sort | researching as a commoner affect and the lives of underprivileged mobile youth in greece |
| topic | affect commons commons-based activist ethnography migrants and refugees underprivileged mobile youth |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14/1/19 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT steliospantazidis researchingasacommoneraffectandthelivesofunderprivilegedmobileyouthingreece AT yannispechtelidis researchingasacommoneraffectandthelivesofunderprivilegedmobileyouthingreece |