In whose interest? : possibilities and potential juxtaposed in reflecting on research with Australian circus communities

Studying the ways that circus personnel work with their audiences and behind the scenes, as well as the ways that they communicate with outside groups, offers educators novel and interesting ways of re-examining their own practice. If there is a misconception that education can occur only in institutions established for that purpose, it may be assumed that circus people have little to teach educators. A study that examined circuses as co-operative communities found many parallels between circuses and schools. Research that brings together stakeholders from these two sites helps to resolve this misconception and leads to benefits for all parties.