Engaged Research

This course introduces researchers, practitioners, and community members to the principles, practices, and ethics of conducting collaborative research with and for communities. Grounded in a commitment to equity, respect, and shared decision-making, the course moves beyond traditional research models to explore how knowledge can be co-created in ways that genuinely serve and strengthen the communities involved.

Through seven interconnected modules, participants will examine the foundational concepts and historical context of community-engaged research, including participatory action research and community-based participatory research. They will develop the practical skills needed to build and sustain equitable research partnerships, co-design culturally appropriate research questions and methodologies, and collect and disseminate findings in ways that are accessible and meaningful to community members.

A central thread throughout the course is ethics. Participants will engage deeply with the ethical dimensions of community-engaged research, from informed and collaborative consent processes, to navigating power dynamics, positionality, and confidentiality, to ensuring that research outcomes translate into tangible community benefit. Core competencies addressed include cultural humility, reciprocity, accountability, and ethical reflexivity.

The course culminates in participants developing a sustainability and advocacy strategy for a community-engaged research initiative, demonstrating their readiness to design research that extends beyond the project timeline and contributes to systemic change.

This course is for anyone who believes that research is most powerful when communities are not merely subjects of study, but genuine partners in shaping the questions asked, the methods used, and the change pursued.

Course objectives

Understand the core principles and values of community-engaged research (CEnR).
Learn ethical guidelines for working with diverse communities.
Develop skills to build and sustain equitable partnerships.
Explore practical strategies for co-designing research projects with community members.
Gain insights into addressing power dynamics and ensuring community benefit.