Ana L . Costa | FPCEUP (original) (raw)
Papers by Ana L . Costa
Community Development, 2021
Adult Education Quarterly, 2021
Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particula... more Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particularly within educational, social, and community intervention with people in situations of vulnerability. This qualitative study aims to unveil the richness of activists’ learning processes and outcomes by reflecting on the pedagogy of professional activism, with professionals working in Portugal. Their sharing reveals a thematic influence and interdependence between the dimensions “How?” and “What?” of professional activism learning and the themes composing them—respectively, “political socialization” and “work experience”; and “critical, social and political consciousness,” “sense of (in)justice and empathy,” and “know-how to speak out.” As professionals learn how to become activists, they also construct this praxis, and themselves as professionals, giving meaning and (re)defining their activist craft, through a learning-creative process.
International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2019
Europe witnessed a mass influx of refugees in the last few years, challenging its capability to d... more Europe witnessed a mass influx of refugees in the last few years, challenging its capability to deal with this humanitarian crisis and calling upon the efforts of all professionals who work with/for refugees, to intervene under a demanding situation. This paper presents the results of four focus groups implemented in Portugal with professionals who work with/for refugees and refugees themselves, developed within two European projects: Advenus and ReGap. The focus groups aimed at understanding the participants' perceptions about key knowledge, competences and practices to work towards refugees' social inclusion. Thematic analysis was applied and the results of the Advenus and ReGap focus groups combined, allowed to identify three main themes: i. Fit the context and meet the needs with a multidisciplinary, pragmatic, and flexible approach; ii. Will to make the change through activism and advocacy; and iii. Embrace diversity by developing empathy, cultural and gender sensitivity and sense of belonging. These main themes promote a reflection about the key knowledge, competences and practices of professionals who work with/for refugees.
Adult Education Quarterly, 2021
Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particula... more Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particularly within educational, social, and community intervention with people in situations of vulnerability. This qualitative study aims to unveil the richness of activists’ learning processes and outcomes by reflecting on the pedagogy of professional activism, with professionals working in Portugal. Their sharing reveals a thematic influence and interdependence between the dimensions “How?” and “What?” of professional activism learning and the themes composing them—respectively, “political socialization” and “work experience”; and “critical, social and political consciousness,” “sense of (in)justice and empathy,” and “know-how to speak out.” As professionals learn how to become activists, they also construct this praxis, and themselves as professionals, giving meaning and (re)defining their activist craft, through a learning-creative process.
Journal of the Community Development Society (CDS), 2021
There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social an... more There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social and community work, particularly when working with people in situations of vulnerability. However, there is also a scarcity of research that describes and explains professionals’ political involvement and mobilization and allows them to share their activist experiences, to inspire others and legitimate this crucial dimension of their work. This qualitative study explores the meanings of “professional activism” for professionals working in Portugal, who are recognized for developing relevant political work related to their profession. A net of themes – Taking Sides, Utopian Ideal, Sense of (In)Justice and Praxis – portrays professional activism as a praxis that promotes and is guided by a sense of (in)justice, which demands a positioning in defense of the people with whom professionals work, leading to interventions oriented by/for a utopian ideal of transformation.
Community Development, 2021
Adult Education Quarterly, 2021
Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particula... more Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particularly within educational, social, and community intervention with people in situations of vulnerability. This qualitative study aims to unveil the richness of activists’ learning processes and outcomes by reflecting on the pedagogy of professional activism, with professionals working in Portugal. Their sharing reveals a thematic influence and interdependence between the dimensions “How?” and “What?” of professional activism learning and the themes composing them—respectively, “political socialization” and “work experience”; and “critical, social and political consciousness,” “sense of (in)justice and empathy,” and “know-how to speak out.” As professionals learn how to become activists, they also construct this praxis, and themselves as professionals, giving meaning and (re)defining their activist craft, through a learning-creative process.
International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2019
Europe witnessed a mass influx of refugees in the last few years, challenging its capability to d... more Europe witnessed a mass influx of refugees in the last few years, challenging its capability to deal with this humanitarian crisis and calling upon the efforts of all professionals who work with/for refugees, to intervene under a demanding situation. This paper presents the results of four focus groups implemented in Portugal with professionals who work with/for refugees and refugees themselves, developed within two European projects: Advenus and ReGap. The focus groups aimed at understanding the participants' perceptions about key knowledge, competences and practices to work towards refugees' social inclusion. Thematic analysis was applied and the results of the Advenus and ReGap focus groups combined, allowed to identify three main themes: i. Fit the context and meet the needs with a multidisciplinary, pragmatic, and flexible approach; ii. Will to make the change through activism and advocacy; and iii. Embrace diversity by developing empathy, cultural and gender sensitivity and sense of belonging. These main themes promote a reflection about the key knowledge, competences and practices of professionals who work with/for refugees.
Adult Education Quarterly, 2021
Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particula... more Work as a place of activism is a vast field to be explored in adult education research, particularly within educational, social, and community intervention with people in situations of vulnerability. This qualitative study aims to unveil the richness of activists’ learning processes and outcomes by reflecting on the pedagogy of professional activism, with professionals working in Portugal. Their sharing reveals a thematic influence and interdependence between the dimensions “How?” and “What?” of professional activism learning and the themes composing them—respectively, “political socialization” and “work experience”; and “critical, social and political consciousness,” “sense of (in)justice and empathy,” and “know-how to speak out.” As professionals learn how to become activists, they also construct this praxis, and themselves as professionals, giving meaning and (re)defining their activist craft, through a learning-creative process.
Journal of the Community Development Society (CDS), 2021
There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social an... more There is growing recognition of the relevance of political mobilization in educational, social and community work, particularly when working with people in situations of vulnerability. However, there is also a scarcity of research that describes and explains professionals’ political involvement and mobilization and allows them to share their activist experiences, to inspire others and legitimate this crucial dimension of their work. This qualitative study explores the meanings of “professional activism” for professionals working in Portugal, who are recognized for developing relevant political work related to their profession. A net of themes – Taking Sides, Utopian Ideal, Sense of (In)Justice and Praxis – portrays professional activism as a praxis that promotes and is guided by a sense of (in)justice, which demands a positioning in defense of the people with whom professionals work, leading to interventions oriented by/for a utopian ideal of transformation.