This article argues that detached, impersonal and ‘objective’ social science research is inadequate to investigate complex social phenomena such as poverty and development. ‘Engaged’ research into the subjective realities of people’s experience leads to a more nuanced and complete understanding of not only those elements which can be objectively measured, such as income and consumption, but the full complexity of poverty. Listening to the stories and ‘words from the heart’ of people who, as partners in the research, reconstruct their own lived experiences, and their analysis, knowledge and aspirations, democratizes knowledge, and leads to a more complete and nuanced understanding of elements such as hunger, discrimination, social exclusion, stigma, and disempowerment. Such research, done with empathy and respect, ethical concern and personal accountability, and without compromising the search for the truth, is both legitimate and has academic and practical value. The knowledge and insights derived from it can be invaluable in efforts to secure the human rights of disadvantaged and oppressed people, and in the design and evaluation of public policy.
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