Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology

Monica Aejmelaeus; Ville Louekari; Hanna Gröndahl; Heloisa Seratiuk Flores; Mari Suoheimo; Petri Nokelainen

doi:10.4324/9781003667872-3

Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology

Monica Aejmelaeus, Ville Louekari, Hanna Gröndahl, Heloisa Seratiuk Flores, Mari Suoheimo, Petri Nokelainen

Faculty of Art and Design

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter investigates the connection of participatory action research (PAR), co-design, engagement, and technologies in the current academic literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of academic databases was conducted in March 2025, yielding 265 results. After screening, 32 peer-reviewed studies across fields such as healthcare, human-computer interaction, communication, and sustainability were included. The data was analyzed by thematic analysis in a Google Spreadsheet where researcher triangulation was applied when coding the themes. The findings of this study reveal that PAR functions as a guiding framework for co-design, emphasizing iterative cycles, reflection, and the development of practical, needs-based solutions. Digital tools, including collaborative platforms and multimedia, support engagement and understanding. We conclude that technology-aided practices such as reflexive tool use and user feedback highlight that active user involvement enhances technology acceptance and relevance in everyday contexts.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design
Subtitle of host publication	New Approaches for Participation
Editors	Mari Suoheimo, Jonna Häkkilä, Ravi Mahamuni
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Routledge
Chapter	2
Pages	11-28
Number of pages	18
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-003-66787-2
ISBN (Print)	978-1-041-13054-3, 978-1-041-13055-0
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003667872-3
Publication status	Published - 2026
MoEC publication type	A3 Part of a book or another research book

Publication series

Series	Design for Social Responsibility
Number	18

Keywords

participatory researchg
action research
participatory planning

Field of science

Visual arts and design
Computer and information sciences
Methodology

Access to research output

10.4324/9781003667872-3Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research
© 2027 selection and editorial matter, Mari Suoheimo, Jonna Häkkilä, and Ravi Mahamuni; individual chapters, the contributors
Final published version, 1.49 MBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

REBOUND TTK: Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s) (REBOUND)
Colley, A. (Collaborative Investigator), Häkkilä, J. (Principal Investigator), Paananen, S. (Collaborative Investigator) & Riskilä, T. (Other)
SUOMENAKATEMIA
01.10.2023 → 30.09.2026
Project: Co-funded project

Citation for this output

Aejmelaeus, M., Louekari, V., Gröndahl, H., Flores, H. S., Suoheimo, M., & Nokelainen, P. (2026). Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology. In M. Suoheimo, J. Häkkilä, & R. Mahamuni (Eds.), Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design: New Approaches for Participation (pp. 11-28). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003667872-3

Aejmelaeus, Monica ; Louekari, Ville ; Gröndahl, Hanna et al. / Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research : A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology. Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design: New Approaches for Participation. editor / Mari Suoheimo ; Jonna Häkkilä ; Ravi Mahamuni. London : Routledge, 2026. pp. 11-28 (Design for Social Responsibility; No. 18).

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abstract = "This chapter investigates the connection of participatory action research (PAR), co-design, engagement, and technologies in the current academic literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of academic databases was conducted in March 2025, yielding 265 results. After screening, 32 peer-reviewed studies across fields such as healthcare, human-computer interaction, communication, and sustainability were included. The data was analyzed by thematic analysis in a Google Spreadsheet where researcher triangulation was applied when coding the themes. The findings of this study reveal that PAR functions as a guiding framework for co-design, emphasizing iterative cycles, reflection, and the development of practical, needs-based solutions. Digital tools, including collaborative platforms and multimedia, support engagement and understanding. We conclude that technology-aided practices such as reflexive tool use and user feedback highlight that active user involvement enhances technology acceptance and relevance in everyday contexts.",

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Aejmelaeus, M, Louekari, V, Gröndahl, H, Flores, HS, Suoheimo, M & Nokelainen, P 2026, Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology. in M Suoheimo, J Häkkilä & R Mahamuni (eds), Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design: New Approaches for Participation. Routledge, London, Design for Social Responsibility, no. 18, pp. 11-28. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003667872-3

Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology. / Aejmelaeus, Monica; Louekari, Ville; Gröndahl, Hanna et al.
Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design: New Approaches for Participation. ed. / Mari Suoheimo; Jonna Häkkilä; Ravi Mahamuni. London: Routledge, 2026. p. 11-28 (Design for Social Responsibility; No. 18).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research

T2 - A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology

AU - Aejmelaeus, Monica

AU - Louekari, Ville

AU - Gröndahl, Hanna

AU - Flores, Heloisa Seratiuk

AU - Suoheimo, Mari

AU - Nokelainen, Petri

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - This chapter investigates the connection of participatory action research (PAR), co-design, engagement, and technologies in the current academic literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of academic databases was conducted in March 2025, yielding 265 results. After screening, 32 peer-reviewed studies across fields such as healthcare, human-computer interaction, communication, and sustainability were included. The data was analyzed by thematic analysis in a Google Spreadsheet where researcher triangulation was applied when coding the themes. The findings of this study reveal that PAR functions as a guiding framework for co-design, emphasizing iterative cycles, reflection, and the development of practical, needs-based solutions. Digital tools, including collaborative platforms and multimedia, support engagement and understanding. We conclude that technology-aided practices such as reflexive tool use and user feedback highlight that active user involvement enhances technology acceptance and relevance in everyday contexts.

AB - This chapter investigates the connection of participatory action research (PAR), co-design, engagement, and technologies in the current academic literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of academic databases was conducted in March 2025, yielding 265 results. After screening, 32 peer-reviewed studies across fields such as healthcare, human-computer interaction, communication, and sustainability were included. The data was analyzed by thematic analysis in a Google Spreadsheet where researcher triangulation was applied when coding the themes. The findings of this study reveal that PAR functions as a guiding framework for co-design, emphasizing iterative cycles, reflection, and the development of practical, needs-based solutions. Digital tools, including collaborative platforms and multimedia, support engagement and understanding. We conclude that technology-aided practices such as reflexive tool use and user feedback highlight that active user involvement enhances technology acceptance and relevance in everyday contexts.

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KW - participatory planning

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T3 - Design for Social Responsibility

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ER -

Aejmelaeus M, Louekari V, Gröndahl H, Flores HS, Suoheimo M, Nokelainen P. Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology. In Suoheimo M, Häkkilä J, Mahamuni R, editors, Increasing Participatory Engagement through Technology and Design: New Approaches for Participation. London: Routledge. 2026. p. 11-28. (Design for Social Responsibility; No. 18). doi: 10.4324/9781003667872-3

Sharing Power by Participant Co-Research: A Scoping Review Investigating the Interconnection of Participatory Action Research, Co-Design, Engagement, and Technology

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

Field of science

Access to research output

Fingerprint

Projects

REBOUND TTK: Reconceptualizing Boundaries Together Towards Resilient and Just Arctic Future(s) (REBOUND)

Citation for this output