building partnerships between community organizations & academic researchers: a critical role...
TRANSCRIPT
Building Partnerships Between Community Organizations &
Academic Researchers: A Critical Role for Community-Based Research Facilitators in Canada
Terry Howard HIV/AIDS Community-Based Research Facilitator for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
BC Persons With AIDS Society [email protected]
Background
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) initiative
•Community-Based Research Facilitator tool (CBRF)- Resistance to academic research- Preserving community process/rights- Ensuring scientific rigour- “Brokering” relationships- Building capacity for Community Orgs- Educating Academics on CBR principles
CIHR Objectives for CBRF Project
Objective 1To develop and enhance community-based research capacity among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community representatives and researchers from both the academic and non-academic settings Objective 2: To facilitate the development of partnerships between community organizations and researchers and the engagement of affected communities in HIV/AIDS community-based research
Objective 3: To improve the skills of community organizations in designing community-based research projects
Highlights
Engaging Academics program
• Opening the channels of communication- CAN/US conferences- CBRF national conference calls- Community accessible website- Online database of CBOs and researchers
Highlights Con’t
Academic Researcher Outreach
• Curricula inclusion of CBR principles- On-campus through selected faculty (SW & HS)- Continuing Education adult learners- Graduate student practica in CBOs- Database inclusion for established Academics
Key Challenges
• Academic’s challenges• Ignorance of CBR principles• “rape and pillage” reputation
• Community challenges• Respecting community process• Sharing results with community
• Common ground• Expectations not communicated
Lessons Learned
• Scientific rigour while respecting community process
• CBRF as relationship broker/ communication hub
• Educate both Community and Academics
• Facilitate on-going relationships
• Increase pool of CBR trained academics
Lessons Learned Con’t
• Re-vamp the funding process for CBR
• Support for CBRF tool
Move theory into action!
Future Direction
• Increase buy-in/ support from University admin.
• Sharing of best-practice examples
Increase awareness of CBRF tool !
Q&A Session
• Experience you’ve had with engaging academics?• Suggestions for curricula inclusion?• Comments or concerns?• Poster presentation: Thursday July 22nd 1230-1430
Thank-you!