About Elaine Christian
I'm a social anthropologist, and a specialist in the design, implementation, and evaluation of social research and learning programmes using participatory methodologies. My background is in academic research, and I have significant expertise in researching development and humanitarianism, civil society and community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, education, and literacy. I also specialise in East African issues, and I speak, read, and write Kiswahili fluently.
When I'm not doing research and facilitation, you can find me out rock climbing, swimming in the river, behind my sewing machine, in the garden, or curled up on the couch with my knitting.
My approach
HOPEFUL ACTS OF FRIENDSHIP
I use the image of a bench, and the idea of "hopeful acts of friendship", as a guiding principle in both research and partnership facilitation.
A researcher sitting on a bench is not directing things; they are watching, observing, and learning. Careful observation and reflection is the cornerstone of my research work, and a key aspect of what I can add to your organisation.
Two people sitting on a bench together are equals. One is not pushing the other; they are not confronting each other head-on. They sit side by side, experiencing and addressing the world together. The "shared outlook" approach is key in how I work with organisations to build stronger and more equitable relationships.
LEARNING IS A PART OF ALL SOCIAL ACTIVITY
Learning isn't a technical process of transferring knowledge from one brain to another. It's an inherently social activity that is embedded in everything we do.
I bring this approach to all my work with clients, helping them to take advantage of all the learning opportunities they have, and truly integrate learning into practice.
THE STUDENT IS THE BEST TEACHER
Context is important - and in facilitating learning activities, it's the community that knows their context best! I approach my work in facilitation not as someone to teach the rest of the participants, but as someone to guide, buttress, and mirror a process of reflection.
THE RESEARCHER IS THE PARTICIPANT
My work is deeply participatory, not just in the sense that the "participants" are prioritised - but in that as a researcher, I am participating in what the community is doing. I am honoured and privileged to be able to learn from a community in my research, and enjoy working with clients who take the same approach.
My work in this area is informed by Action Research, which dissolves the distinction between researcher and participant: All researchers are participants, and all participants are co-researchers.
GOOD RESEARCH EMPOWERS SOCIAL CHANGE
Research is about both information and transformation, and seeks social change and empowerment. My work, informed by Action Research, involves an intentional commitment to a process of inquiry, reflection, and change. This is a non-linear process which follows a cycle, where actions are accompanied by observation, reflection, sense-making, and planning.