This article is based on a dialog with Professor Marja-Liisa Swantz, a distinguished participatory action research expert whose work has contributed immensely in the fields of development studies, women's studies, health, and technology internationally. Drawing from her experiences, the conversation provides an insight into how one can grow from a novice researcher to a very distinguished intellectual by staying focused and with a clear grasp of one's aspirations. We also learn from this dialog how participatory action research emerged as the most significant research style that argues in favor of involving participants as research partners in the knowledge production process.
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