Participatory Qualitative Data Analysis with Queer Young People: Insights from the QueerPar Project

The QueerPar project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from 2022 to 2024, has published significant findings on participatory qualitative data analysis involving queer young people. The research, which aimed to develop prevention measures and counseling services for sexualized violence within this demographic, highlights the unique challenges and opportunities of engaging non-academic participants in the data analysis phase of research. The study’s findings, detailed in a recent publication with DOI 10.17169/fqs-27.3.4550, offer valuable insights for future participatory research endeavors.

Background and Project Objectives

The QueerPar project emerged from a critical need to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by queer young people concerning sexualized violence. Research consistently indicates that LGBTQIA+ youth experience higher rates of victimization. For instance, a 2025 report from the Williams Institute at UCLA noted elevated rates of anti-LGBT victimization in the United States. Similarly, data from Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in their "LeSuBiA" study (2026) likely reveals concerning trends regarding the life situations, safety, and burdens faced by young people, with specific attention to vulnerable groups. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has actively funded research into sexualized violence against children and adolescents since at least 2016, underscoring a national commitment to understanding and combating this issue.

The core objective of QueerPar was to move beyond theoretical understanding and develop tangible prevention strategies and counseling services tailored to the experiences of queer youth. This necessitated a research approach that not only collected data but also actively involved the target group in interpreting and making sense of their own narratives. The project’s focus on participatory qualitative data analysis underscores a growing trend in social science research, where the voices and perspectives of research participants are integrated into the analytical process, moving beyond a purely academic interpretation of findings.

The Challenge of Participatory Data Analysis

While participatory research often involves community members in various stages, including data collection, their engagement in the analysis phase is less common, particularly with marginalized or vulnerable populations. This is especially true when dealing with sensitive topics like sexualized violence, where ethical considerations and the potential for re-traumatization are paramount. The QueerPar project explicitly sought to overcome this hurdle, recognizing that queer young people possess invaluable lived experience and expertise that can significantly enrich the interpretation of research data.

The article reflects on the practical implementation of participatory data analysis workshops. This involved meticulous preparation, careful participant selection, and the establishment of a safe and supportive environment for discussion and reflection. The researchers drew upon established methodologies for qualitative data analysis, such as those outlined by Dresing and Pehl (2018) for transcription and by Helfferich (2011) and Kruse (2015) for interview analysis, but adapted them to a participatory framework. The DEPICT model, for instance, has been identified as a useful framework for participatory qualitative health promotion research analysis (Flicker & Nixon, 2015), suggesting a precedent for such collaborative approaches.

Methodology and Implementation

The research team from Hochschule Hannover, comprising Adrian Etzel, Jasmin Stehr, Cordula von Denkowski, and Martin Wazlawik, designed workshops specifically to facilitate the participatory analysis of group discussions. These discussions likely covered a range of themes related to sexualized violence, including experiences of discrimination, harassment, and abuse, as well as coping mechanisms and needs for support. The keywords associated with the publication—participatory research, peer research, DEPICT model, group discussion, sexual violence, queer youth, and participatory data analysis—further illuminate the methodological underpinnings of the project.

The ethical considerations for conducting research with queer young people on sensitive topics are substantial. Researchers must navigate issues of informed consent, confidentiality, potential distress, and the risk of re-traumatization. Gulowski (2022) and Whitt-Woosley & Sprang (2018) have highlighted the challenges of secondary traumatic stress for researchers working with trauma-exposed populations, underscoring the need for robust support structures within the research team. Furthermore, studies by Brodersen & Jäntsch (2021) and Servais et al. (2024) emphasize the importance of specific ethical and methodological considerations when researching with queer and transgender youth, advocating for approaches that prioritize their safety and agency.

The participatory workshops likely involved presenting anonymized transcripts or summaries of the group discussions to the young participants. Facilitated by the researchers, the sessions aimed to encourage participants to identify key themes, patterns, and meanings within the data. This collaborative approach allowed for a deeper understanding of the nuances of their experiences, moving beyond researcher-imposed interpretations. The concept of "peer research," where individuals from the target group are involved not just as informants but as active researchers, is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for empowering communities and generating more relevant and impactful research outcomes (Gilodi et al., 2025; Schaefer et al., 2019).

Challenges and Opportunities

The article candidly addresses the challenges encountered during the participatory data analysis. These may have included:

• Power Dynamics: Ensuring that the power imbalance between researchers and participants was mitigated, allowing young people to feel comfortable expressing their views freely. This is a recurring theme in participatory research, as highlighted by Althaus (2024) in her critical reflection on research processes with young people.
• Emotional Labor: Managing the emotional toll that discussing experiences of sexualized violence can have on both participants and researchers. The need for trauma-informed approaches is crucial in this context (Gulowski, 2022).
• Methodological Rigor: Balancing the flexibility and emergent nature of participatory analysis with the need for systematic and rigorous data interpretation. Concepts like grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1996) provide frameworks for systematic analysis, which can be adapted to participatory settings.
• Time and Resources: Participatory data analysis can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring careful planning and adequate funding.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities presented by participatory data analysis are significant:

• Enhanced Validity and Depth: Incorporating the perspectives of queer young people leads to a richer, more nuanced, and arguably more valid understanding of their experiences with sexualized violence. Their insights can uncover aspects that academic researchers might overlook.
• Empowerment and Agency: The process of co-analyzing data can be empowering for participants, validating their experiences and giving them a voice in shaping research that directly affects their communities. This aligns with the broader discourse on empowerment in participatory research (Märker et al., 2026; Rosenlechner-Urbanek & Berner, 2026).
• Development of Relevant Interventions: By actively involving the target group in interpreting the data, the project is better positioned to develop prevention measures and counseling services that are truly responsive to the needs and preferences of queer young people.
• Capacity Building: The participatory process can build research capacity among young people, equipping them with new skills and a deeper understanding of research methodologies.

Recommendations for Future Research

Based on their experiences, the QueerPar researchers offer crucial recommendations for future participatory research on sexualized violence with queer young people. These likely include:

• Early and Continuous Engagement: Involving young people from the initial stages of research design through to dissemination, not just in data analysis.
• Building Trust and Relationships: Prioritizing the establishment of strong, trusting relationships between researchers and participants, recognizing that this is foundational for open communication and effective collaboration (Huber & Muller, 2019).
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Implementing rigorous trauma-informed protocols throughout the research process, including clear guidelines for managing distress and providing access to support services.
• Clear Roles and Expectations: Defining the roles and expectations of all participants in the analysis process to ensure clarity and mutual understanding.
• Appropriate Compensation and Recognition: Considering fair compensation for participants’ time and expertise, especially given the emotional labor involved, in line with emerging ethical standards for co-research (Tisdall et al., 2025).
• Flexible Methodologies: Adapting analytical tools and techniques to be accessible and engaging for young people, moving beyond traditional academic jargon.

Broader Implications and Future Directions

The findings from the QueerPar project have significant implications for policy, practice, and future research. By demonstrating a successful model for participatory data analysis with queer youth, the project contributes to the growing body of evidence advocating for more inclusive and community-centered research approaches. This is particularly relevant in fields addressing sensitive issues like sexual violence, where the lived experiences of those affected are paramount.

The project’s commitment to developing practical prevention measures and counseling services suggests a direct translation of research findings into action. This could involve the creation of new resources, training programs for professionals working with queer youth, or advocacy efforts to improve support systems. The publication of the DOI 10.17169/fqs-27.3.4550 in Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung (FQS) signifies the dissemination of these important insights within the academic community and beyond, fostering dialogue and encouraging the adoption of similar participatory methodologies.

The QueerPar project’s work underscores the critical importance of centering the voices of marginalized communities in research, particularly when addressing issues of violence and harm. As research continues to evolve, the insights gleaned from this project offer a roadmap for conducting more ethical, effective, and empowering studies that truly serve the communities they aim to understand and support. The continued funding of such initiatives by bodies like the BMBF signals a long-term commitment to addressing complex social issues through collaborative and inclusive research paradigms.