Governance in Social Research: Advancing Inclusive Approaches for Marginalised Communities

ABSTRACT This paper considers the role of governance within social research projects which seek to involve or deliver benefits to marginalised community groups. We argue that the increasing ‘projectification’ of research and research institutions has not translated to outcomes which meet the needs of marginalised community members. Governance of research projects, for which we propose a formal definition, should be a means of remedying this, but it is an often‐overlooked feature of research design. We assert that research projects which incorporate an inclusive governance approach are positioned to deliver enhanced outcomes for research beneficiaries from a diversity of backgrounds. To explore this topic, we first provide an overview of the concept of governance and how it is understood within the academic field of project management. Changes in the Australian research landscape and the shift towards projectification are then discussed. Following this, the role of governance in effective project management, and where governance sits in relation to research ethics and co‐design approaches, is explored. Two examples of inclusive research governance in Australia are then reviewed. To conclude, we propose a values framework that could be utilised in the establishment of an effective governance approach.