The Emancipatory Potential of Poetry in Decolonising Development Studies

• Published in: European journal of development research Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 434 - 441
• Main Author: Mishra, Nita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Palgrave Macmillan UK 01.04.2025; Palgrave Macmillan
• Subjects: Critical theory; Decolonization; Development and Social Change; Development Economics; Development Policy; Development Studies; Epistemology; Ethics; Feminism; Inclusion; Knowledge; Labor process; Marginality; Narratives; Oppression; Pedagogy; Poetry; Positioning; Qualitative research; Research methodology; Social justice; Social Sciences; Special Issue Article; Teaching; Transformation; Arts based methods; Critical poetic inquiry; Development studies; Critical pedagogy; Marginal communities
• ISSN: 0957-8811; 1743-9728
• DOI: 10.1057/s41287-024-00680-7

This paper examines the emancipatory potential of poetry as a methodological tool within Development Studies, arguing that poetry serves as a medium for amplifying marginalised voices and challenging dominant narratives of development. By employing critical poetic inquiry, researchers can embrace arts-based methods that recognise diverse epistemologies and foster inclusivity. This approach allows for a more nuanced understanding of the lived experiences of marginalised communities, empowering them to co-create knowledge and advocate for social justice. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from critical pedagogy, particularly the work of Paulo Freire, the paper underscores the importance of voice and dialogue with reflection as a catalyst for action and transformation. Furthermore, it explores how poetic inquiry disrupts traditional power dynamics in research, positioning marginalised individuals not merely as subjects but as active agents in the knowledge production process, while acknowledging the challenges faced in legitimising such methods within the development narrative in academia.