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Community Engagement in
Research
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Who is the “Community?”

 No “one” definition
 Often defined by…
 Geography
 Social identities
 Shared experiences/interests
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Community-Engaged Research (CEnR)

 An approach to research that supports:

“authentic partnership of people affiliated with

or self-identified by geographic proximity,
special interest, and/or similar situations to
address issues affecting the well-being
of the community of focus.”

 Ahmed, S., Palermo, A. (2010) Community Engagement in Research: Frameworks for Education and Peer Review.
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Community-Engaged Research (CEnR)

 Characterized by principles that guide
the research, including:

 Shared power
 Continuous communication
 Mutual benefit
 Sustained relationship

 Ahmed, S., Palermo, A. (2010) Community Engagement in Research: Frameworks for Education and Peer Review.
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Community Engagement Spectrum

Academic- Community-
driven research driven research

Investigator-Initiated Collaborative Community-Based

Research Research Participatory Research

• Designed, • May be carried out • Shared power,

conducted, and led in community control, ownership
by academic settings. over the project.
researcher.
• Involve partners in • All partners
some aspects. equitably involved.

Adapted from: Israel BA, Eng E, Schulz AJ, Parker EA, Satcher D, editors. Methods in community-based
participatory research for health. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 2005.
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CEnR is not for everyone…

 Before starting a project, ask yourself:

 Do I have the time?

 Do I want to build relationships?
 Do I possess the skills needed?
 Am I willing to share control?
 Am I committed to self-evaluate?
 How supportive is my organization/institution?

 Self-reflection (our own and institutional) is key!

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Partnerships…
“There needs to be an ‘intervention before the
intervention,’ where all partners first question
themselves, their motivations and their
commitment to the partnership, and address
any potentially troublesome issues before
deciding to engage in the partnership.”
- Mrs. E Hill De Loney, Flint Odyssey House, Health Awareness Center, Flint, MI
In Achieving the Promise of Authenitc Community-Higher Education Partnerships: Community Partners Speak Out! (2006)
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Discussion

Benefits

Challenges

Tips & Strategies

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Tools & Resources

 Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center
 http://www.detroiturc.org/resources.html

 MI Public Health Training Center – CBPR Training

 https://www.mitrainingcenter.org/courses/cbprs0218

 Community-Campus Partnerships for Health

 https://www.ccphealth.org/8

 CBPR Skill-Building Curriculum

 https://www.ccphealth.org/cbpr-curriculum/
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Partnerships…
“Flint reminds us to open our
eyes to injustice and our ears to
the voices of the public…

…we must be prepared to

advance the science needed to
address urgent issues facing
society today.”

Edwards, Marc A., and Amy Pruden. (2016) The Flint water crisis: overturning the research paradigm to advance science and defend public welfare.