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Skillful Vulnerability Practice by Caitlin Elsaesser et al

Caitlin writes: “The seeds of this paper started when we came together – four academically trained youth participatory action research (YPAR) scholar practitioners across the United States – seeking mutual support in our efforts to share power with young people.

Listen to the podcast as the team talks about their work with Tomas Boatwright here.

As our conversations unfolded, we discovered that despite differences in our identities and practice settings, we had a common struggle: our conditioning within the academy to work in ways that emphasized individualism, control, and top-down decision-making.

We were serious about sharing power with young people, and realized we had to challenge that controlling mindset within ourselves. We asked ourselves: What gets in the way of letting go of control?

One key practice we’ve found that supported us was skillful vulnerability.

While “vulnerability” is often used to describe youth, especially those at risk, this framing can reinforce harmful stereotypes and justify adult control. In contrast, Black feminist thinkers (Collins, 2019; hooks, 2009) reframe vulnerability as a powerful, relational practice—one that challenges hierarchy and builds solidarity through connection.

We used collaborative autoethnography to analyze our journal entries and discussion notes. We reflected on our identities, conditioning, and YPAR experiences, which we in turn shared with each other, and then engaged in monthly group discussions.

Our self-reflective “mirror work,” drawing on Ginwright (2022) highlighted four takeaways: vulnerability is essential for YPAR facilitators, it comes with risks, it requires support, and it leads to deeper interdependence. When we as facilitators leaned into vulnerability, it helped shift our focus from control to connection—centering our shared humanity instead of authority.

In our paper, we introduce the practice of skillful vulnerability, a novel concept that can support YPAR facilitators. Practices like mindfulness and collaborative reflection support skillful vulnerability and help us slow down, stay present, and make space for real connection in our work.

Vulnerability is always a risk, one we embraced. But, vulnerability also provides the basis for challenging systems that erase these vulnerabilities in favor of established hierarchies.

If we want to build youth-led research that’s truly transformative, we have to start by transforming ourselves, together. We welcome YPAR practitioners engaged in such commitment to reach out to continue the conversation.”

Forever link

Elsaesser, C., Kennedy, H., Chávez, N. R., & Courts, C. L. D. (2025). “We can honor more authentic expression in ourselves and others”: A collaborative autoethnography exploring vulnerability in youth participatory action research. Action Research, 23(4), 429-448. https://doi.org/10.1177/14767503251338039 (Original work published 2025)

Action Research Yes/And Podcast link to Caitlin and team in conversation with Dr. Tomas Boatwright