Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is based upon the work carried out in a European FP7 project entitled 'Developing alternative understandings of security and justice through restorative justice approaches in intercultural settings within democratic societies' (ALTERNATIVE). It offers original contributions on the action research methodology and results, while theoretical findings are spelled out in Pali and Aertsen. The book shows action research methods varied in the different sites. It sketches the wider scene of action research in criminology and criminal justice settings to frame the action research carried out in ALTERNATIVE. The book focuses more on group dynamics and identities through studying and supporting community-based restorative justice. It finally shows how an innovative comparative methodology was developed in order to grasp the differences and similarities in the four settings.