Development is about change, and lives immersed in researching international development should be prepared for exploration, for discovering the unexpected, and for questioning the direction that ‘development’ is taking. Robert Chambers reflects on experiences, which led him to examine personal biases and predispositions, and he challenges readers to examine the pervasive significance of power in forming and framing knowledge. Into the Unknown reflects on the journey of learning, and encourages readers to learn from observation, curiosity, critical feedback, play and fun. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) have benefited from sharing practice, innovations and experience through participatory workshops. This book includes tips on how to lead and convene workshops that can co-generate knowledge and have an influence. Into the Unknown will be of interest to development professionals, including academics, students, NGO workers and the staff of international agencies.

Robert Chambers
Professor Robert Chambers is a research associate of the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, UK, which has been his base since 1969 with periods in other countries. His educational background is in natural sciences, history and public administration. His main administrative and research experience in development has been in East Africa and South Asia. He is widely recognized as one of the main driving forces behind the great surge of interest in the use of Participatory Rural Appraisal around the world. He has been a Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies since 1972 and is an author, co editor and contributor of many books.

TED Talks on International Development: Trans-Hegemonic Promise and Ritualistic Constraints

Denskus, Tobias

Esser, Daniel E.

Communication Theory, Vol. 25 (2015), Iss. 2 P.166

https://doi.org/10.1111/comt.12066 [Citations: 5]

Human and Children’s Rights in the Context of Education and School Mediation

Spann, Martina

Torrego Seijo, Juan Carlos

Monge López, Carlos

HUMAN REVIEW. International Humanities Review / Revista Internacional de Humanidades, Vol. 10 (2021), Iss. 1 P.143

https://doi.org/10.37467/gkarevhuman.v10.3129 [Citations: 0]

Unsettling bureaucratic designs: inter-bureaucratic competition and patrimonialism in the pursuit of Thailand’s hydraulic mission

Blake, David J. H.

(2021) P.1

https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1949966 [Citations: 1]

TED Talks on International Development: Science Communication, Digital Solutionismm and Social Change

Denskus, Tobias

Esser, Daniel E.

(2014)

https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2467192 [Citations: 1]

An island in transition: governing conservation and development in Seram, Indonesia

Langston, James Douglas

Riggs, Rebecca Anne

Boedhihartono, Agni Klintuni

Kastanya, Agustinus

Sayer, Jeffrey

(2020)

https://doi.org/10.1111/sjtg.12336 [Citations: 4]

The Cambridge Handbook of the Capability Approach

Chiappero-Martinetti, Enrica

Osmani, Siddiqur

Qizilbash, Mozaffar

2020

https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316335741 [Citations: 4]

Science Embedded in Local Forest Landscape Management Improves Benefit Flows to Society

Langston, James Douglas

Riggs, Rebecca Anne

Kastanya, Agustinus

Sayer, Jeffrey

Margules, Chris

Boedhihartono, Agni Klintuni

Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, Vol. 2 (2019), Iss.

https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2019.00003 [Citations: 13]

‘Impact’, educational influence and the practice of shared expertise

McNiff, Jean

Edvardsen, Odd

Steinholt, Margit

Educational Action Research, Vol. 26 (2018), Iss. 5 P.803

https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2018.1426469 [Citations: 2]

Who counts what? Some observations on participatory statistics based on a review of ‘Who counts? The power of participatory statistics’, edited by J. Holland

Masset, Edoardo

Journal of Development Effectiveness, Vol. 6 (2014), Iss. 3 P.324

https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2014.941906 [Citations: 2]

Can We Know Better?

CHAPTER 1: Error and myth

Chambers, Robert

2017

https://doi.org/10.3362/9781780449449.001 [Citations: 0]

The Politics of Evidence and Results in International Development

The politics of juggling multiple accountability disorder

Roche, Chris

2015

https://doi.org/10.3362/9781780448855.005 [Citations: 3]

Can We Know Better?

CHAPTER 6: Knowing for a better future

Chambers, Robert

2017

https://doi.org/10.3362/9781780449449.006 [Citations: 0]