Community-Based Research In Action

Dr Kenneth Burns, Community-Academic Research Links (UCC)Dr Padraig O’Mahony, Community Knowledge Exchange, DCU

Dr Catherine O’Mahony, Community-Academic Research Links (UCC)

Community-based research and higher education

What are HEI’ssupposed to be doing?

3 core roles [missions] of higher education

Teaching and learning

ResearchEngagement

with the wider society

3

What is community-based research?

• “A collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings.

It begins with a research topic of importance to the community and has the aim of combining knowledge with action to achieve social change…” (emphasis added)

(Israel et al., 1998, p. 177)

Key principles of community-based research

1. Community as a unit of identity.

2. Builds on strengths and resources within the community.

3. Collaborative partnerships in all phases of the research.

4. Knowledge and action integration for the mutual benefit of all partners.

5. Co-learning and empowering process to deal with social inequalities and different perspectives.

6. Iterative process: returning to renegotiate planning and strategy throughout the process.

7. Dissemination of findings and knowledge gained to all partners.

Source: adapted from Israel et al. (2003)

• ()

Community-based-research process

1: CSO poses research question

2: Deliberation on whether it is feasible Science

Shop project

3: Identification of student

& supervisor

4: Research agreement

signed between CSO

& student

5: Research undertaken,

recommendations made

on how to implement

Selection: Advisory board - non profit, useable, broad relevance, results made public

Process management

Publishing & follow Up

Research Question:- scope, timescale, discipline(s)?

http://carl.ucc.ie

Examples of CBR projects and impact

“Feasibility study, setup and evaluation of an online support blog at Cork ARC Cancer Support” - ARC Cancer Support Cork

This project examined the use and efficacy of cancer support blogs as an intervention with cancer survivors and families/friends. The student undertook a literature review first, then a scoping study, followed by setup and running of pilot blog and post pilot evaluation.

ImpactBlog has had 1,000 visitors a monthAttracted new service users via blogCARL is now working with ARC and BIS students to develop a digital project focussed on evidence-based dietary plans for cancer patients and survivors

“An Assessment of Bandon's Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Using the World Health Organisation Guidelines on Age-Friendly Cities” - Bandon Network of Social Groups

Student & CSO partner agree Q and methodology

CSO partner carries out research and analyses in focus groups – student acts as facilitator

Student and CSO partner work together to use research findings to lobby local council for improvements

http://carl.ucc.ie

Video

Campus Engage Community-Based Research/Community-Based Learning Group:TASKS

MENTORING(between Higher

Education Institutions and community

partners)

INCENTIVES(within Higher

Education Institutions)

Launch of Campus Engage CBL & CBR Mentoring Programme for Academic Staff

Aims • to build capacity and increase the number of Community-based Learning

(CBL) and Community-based Research (CBR) practitioners and champions on campuses

• to facilitate the development of skills to implement and embed CBL and CBR in HEIs

• to communicate the benefits of CBL and CBR to educators and learners Implementation• Regional one day Kick Start Sessions in September 2014 to support you in

developing a CBL / CBR project proposal • Subsequent mentor support and a summer forum to share learningTo join the mailing list for updates, sign up at the registration desk or at the afternoon workshops

BenefitsSkills and knowledge• ‘Authentic’ research experience; experiential learning• Awareness of broader societal issues; research ethics• Identification of additional career streams• Integration of theory and practice in relation to ‘real-world’ issue• Communication, project management, task analysis and problem-

solving

Support• Community partner facilitates access to additional information,

organisation of interviews, dissemination of survey materials etc.• Additional support of CBR coordinator

BenefitsInnovation• Can bring new research themes and questions

into the University• Can help community groups to progress their

goals• Co-creation of knowledge and building

capacity• Social action / knowledge in action• Vibrant campus and community environments

Feedback Session

• Identify your role in relation to research (academic, administration, community group, policy etc)

1. What else do you need to know about CBR to help you progress this work in your group/institution?

2. What opportunities can you identified to start CBR work?

3. What tools and support do you need?

Resources• Community-Academic Research Links – http://carl.ucc.ie • Living Knowledge / PERARES toolbox of resources for Science Shops:

http://www.livingknowledge.org/livingknowledge/science-shops/toolbox • Completed student research reports (CARL): http://www.ucc.ie/en/scishop/rr/• Campus Engage Resources:

http://www.campusengage.ie/content/campus-engage-resources and http://www.campusengage.ie/resources-search

• Sustaining Science Shops, A Guide to Developing Strategy and Policy (2014) - http://www.campusengage.ie/groups/sustaining-science-shops-guide-developing-strategy-and-policy

• Towards a Performance Evaluation Framework (HEA, 2013) - http://www.hea.ie/node/1025

• PERARES FP7 study outcomes and reports: http://www.livingknowledge.org/livingknowledge/widgets-collection/deliverables-of-perares/perares-deliverables-at-a-glance

• Sustainability for Science Shops: A Practical Guide to Developing Policy and Strategy: http://www.livingknowledge.org/livingknowledge/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/D7.1Practical-guide-to-developing-policy-and-strategy_FINAL_Nov-2013.pdf

DiscussionDr Kenneth Burns, k.burns@ucc.ie

Dr Padraig Murphy, padraig.murphy@dcu.ie