Dos and Donts of Community-Based Research: University Researcher - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Dos and Don’ts of Community-Based Research: University Researcher Perspective Rachel Engler-Stringer, Associate Professor Community Health and Epidemiology University of Saskatchewan

Key Principles § Participation without intent § Long-term relationship building § Answering questions community partners are asking/figuring out the “academic angle” if needed § Not being a draw on resources/contributing to the organization § Creativity in support for organizations

Participation without intent § Attend community events § Volunteer § Chop the onions!

Long-term relationship building § Try to build relationships that go beyond one project, even if it means your students carry on the relationships for you. § Be available!

Answering questions community partners are asking/Figuring out the “academic angle” § Listen, state willingness to hear their challenges and their questions § Keep them in mind as encounter students, get invited to join research teams or create your own research teams § If problems are very practice based you might need to think through an academic angle, but it’s not usually difficult

Not being a draw on resources/Contributing to the organization § Community organizations do not have dollars/free labour to put towards your research and don’t expect them to work with you for free (unless you are actually doing work for them) § Figure out how you can give at least as much to the organization as you are receiving from them § Paying for staff time, providing (student) volunteer hours (but be careful this isn’t more work than it’s worth)…

Creativity in support for organizations § Have frank conversations about the resources CBO staff put towards working with you and encourage creative planning for how to compensate for this time. § Second CBO staff to work with you on project that is mutually beneficial – budget for this! § If students (or you) are working with community, ensure that they respond regularly and generously with in-service presentations, analyzing small amounts of data, etc

Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, 2017

Questions?

Group Discussion Questions § What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in doing CBR either as a researcher or as a community member (including CBO) – and how have you overcome these? § Biggest mistakes made by researchers trying to engage in community-based research? § Biggest mistakes made by communities trying to engage in community-based research (with academics)?