Strategies for Community-Engaged Research

The Office of Health Equity Research (OHER) recommends health equity researchers utilize community-engaged principles to ensure honesty, accountability and transparency are present in research. In 2008, the University of Rochester Medicine Community Advisory Council created the Guiding Principles for Community-Engaged Research and outlined key areas of research practice. These strategies provide opportunities for an action-oriented approach to utilizing the principles at all stages of the research process including design, implementation, funding and analysis.

• Responsiveness to Community Priorities and Perspectives Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Community-Engaged research strategies address the health needs, interests, and priorities established by communities. Health is addressed from both individual and broader perspectives (i.e. considering social, economic, cultural, and policy contexts). Starting with “what is important to you and your organization (or community)” helps ensure that the right perspectives are present at the forefront and promotes long term impact.

• Long-Term Engagement Research investigators invest time and resources to establish, build upon, and maintain community partnerships. The depth of the research partnerships and collaborations which develop over time enhance community health impact. The development and enhancement of relationships surpass grant timelines.

• Mutual Respect Researchers and community members work together with humility, candor, and mutual respect for expertise, priorities, and cultural differences. Questions you can ask of yourself and the research team include “in what ways have we committed to this work and the people who are doing it?” and “how can we consistently demonstrate this commitment through our actions, resource allocation, and communications?”
• Mutual Benefit Increased knowledge improves the health of the community and benefits both the community and the researchers/URMC. The direction and pace of the community organization/members should hold primary importance.
• Enhanced Community Capacity An “enhanced capacity” framework acknowledges that all members of the research team come to the team with skills, knowledge and experience. Each can be leveraged for combined greater capacity. When possible and appropriate, members of the “planned community” for the research project are hired and trained to help build and enhance community assets. Resources are aligned to support skill building, (i.e. community members becoming credentialed through the CIRTIfication training). At minimum, input is obtained i.e. in focus groups, community advisory councils, or interviews. Compensation is an important tenet for all activities including community members and organizations and should be assessed with the partner to ensure equity. “Nothing about us without us” is the approach.
• Shared Responsibility All research partners (URochester Medicine and Community Members) have obligations towards both the project and the community which is mutually negotiated in advance and at regular agreed-upon intervals (such as quarterly). Defining clear roles and decision-making structure enhance shared responsibility as well.
• Evidence-Based The best available evidence guides research-based interventions and relationships between URochester Medicine and the community. Best efforts are made to share evidence and evaluate each project accordingly.
• Shared Findings and Ownership Research findings are shared with community partners and interest holders. Presentations and publications are shared with community collaborators for input. Co-authorship is a goal, with at minimum community partners acknowledged in all publications. Including designated funding in grant proposals for conference attendance for both academic and community research team members allows for additional dissemination opportunities.
• Collaborative from Start to Finish There is collaborative and equitable engagement of all partners in all key phases of the research, including:
  • Identification of Population of Focus
  • Research Objectives
  • Project Organization
  • Interpretation of Data

* Consultations for community-engaged and CBPR research are available through the Clinical & Translational Science Institute and OHER.