Emotions as inspiration for reflexivity in action research

This chapter provides an analysis of some key-contents that have to be managed in an AR process, illustrated through boxes that will serve for opening up the role of emotions alongside the process, both on the participants part and on the researchers’ one. The key contents can be split around two main subsets, considered as conceptual organizers: 1] A powerful anchorage to the past, impacting on the participants’ difficulties in inhabiting the present; 2] The feeling of fear and a response of anger directed towards a perceived “enemy”. the chapter illustrate these two conceptual organizers by presenting some experienced situations and case examples.