The aim of this special issue is to critically reflect on those rarely-discussed elements of processes that are disempowering to those with least power. Problems include those that are political – such as when the outputs threaten to undermine a pre-conceived institutional objective, or methodological – often organisers are not even aware that already oppressed groups have been further marginalised by the way the process was facilitated. The issue looks at these dilemmas under three key themes: the ways in which participatory processes can oppress and empower; the use and abuse of knowledge and expertise; and the interplay between the power of globalised political-economic systems and attempts to create spaces for people.