Disrupting professional practices with research-driven intervention. Researcher–gatekeeper negotiations in the context of targeted youth services

Abstract

This methodological article reflects upon the relationships between researchers and professionals who work with marginalized young adults. The latter act as gatekeepers who have the power to foster or restrict cooperative research. As such, this paper focuses on the significance of researcher and gatekeeper relationships in the context of research that aims to broaden established professional practices, as well as the role of the gatekeeper. The paper evaluates a case example to determine how gatekeeping impacts the research process and how gatekeepers’ engagement with research is maintained. The analysis is based on field notes and interviews that were completed during the research process for an empirical study that aimed to both scrutinize and promote the quality of life of 16- to 29-year-old young adults who were not in education or employment. In spite of the expectation of rapid and impactful results by entities that fund research, the ability to co-create new professional practices requires time and continuous negotiation. Therefore, operating as a researcher in targeted youth or social work calls for a developed understanding of varying forms of knowledge and gatekeeping that are relevant to youth counselling.