What is Community-Engaged Research?

In broad terms, community-engaged research is research that invests the pursuit of knowledge in the public good. While there are a number of definitions and forms of community-engaged research, some core defining characteristics include:

1) Researchers use a collaborative approach in which non-academic communities are equitable thought partners and in some cases co-researchers. Research is conducted with, rather than on, the community. Most centrally, communities most impacted by an issue identify the needs or questions addressed by the research project.

2) Researchers aim to integrate knowledge and action. This means both directing learning and inquiry to actionable knowledge -- that which can lead to desired social change -- and disseminating research findings in ways that aim to mobilize or inform collective action.

What are the overarching principles of Community-Engaged Research (CER, also known as Community-Based Research, CBR)?

• CER acknowledges the importance of community
• CER builds on the strengths and resources of the community and community members
• CER is a collaborative, equitable, power-sharing process that attends to social inequalities
• CER fosters co-learning and capacity building among all partners
• CER balances the quest for knowledge with the quest for community wellness
• CER insists upon the local relevance of research problems
• CER is iterative, reflective, and self-updating
• CER involves all partners in the dissemination and utilization of research findings
• CER is committed to building sustainable, mutually beneficial community partnerships

(see Israel et al., 2003)