A framework for practice research on ‘transformative justice’

‘Transformative justice’ is suggested as a new practice agenda for dealing with issues of justice in societies transitioning away from conflict or repression. Despite growing interest among practitioners and academics, there remains little by way of practice or programming. This article sketches out a framework for applied research in transformative justice. It presents the ‘transformative justice diamond’ as an overall approach for promoting and supporting research around transformative justice which consists of several components: 1) Critical consciousness; 2) Theoretical knowledge, or ‘critical theorising’; 3) Action; and 4) Critical reflection. Overall, the article sets out a preliminary framework through which we can begin to conceptualise, implement and reflect on a transformative justice approach. Seeking to reconnect activism and academia, we underscore the need for critically conscious and reflective ‘practice researchers’ and ‘practitioner researchers’ that collaborate with communities to develop and apply new knowledge and theories about problems and responses.