Building the Next Generation of Community-based Researchers ("The NextGen Project")

Over the past 20-25 years, community-based research (CBR) has gained recognition for addressing complex social, health, environmental, and poverty issues. This is due to the engagement of research beneficiaries, which ensures the adoption of outcomes and recommendations. CBR encompasses participatory research, action research, engaged scholarship, and more, with participatory video, photo voice, and community theatre methodologies. However, there is limited focus on training people in CBR, especially in the global South and excluded North.

The NextGen project aims to create interdisciplinary knowledge by examining CBR training practices in local asset development, participatory citizenship, Indigenous research methodologies, and water governance. It also builds a global partnership to enhance training opportunities, focusing on the Global South. Key partners include the Coady International Institute at SFXU, PRIA, IRES at UBC, and ISICUE at UVic, along with regional and global partners in community-university engagement.

Objectives

Identify regional sources for training new community-based researchers. Highlight best practices in local asset development, Indigenous research methodologies, participatory citizenship, and water governance. Extract lessons from pilot studies on CBR training. Explore collaboration potential among partners as a training network.

The four thematic lead partners (Coady, PRIA, ISICUE and IRES) have extensive research and training experience and global reputations in their areas of expertise. The partnership represents the organisational heart of the global community-university engagement movement.

Theoretical Framework

Grounded in knowledge democracy theories, the project values linking community-based and academic knowledge. It emphasizes recognizing civil society as a knowledge source and co-creating knowledge through CBR. The focus is on developing pedagogies and strategies for building capacities, especially in the Global South.

Methods

To collect relevant data we will do an extensive literature review of training, teaching and learning CBR in the Global South, a compilation of different types and methods of CBR training (e.g., video training materials), and a global survey to supplement what we know from the literature in regards to training CBR. We will also identify and analyze selected cases for in-depth pilot studies and ‘best practices’ models for CBR training. Finally, we will organize two symposia to seek critical outside inputs on work to date.

Expected Outcomes

The project aims to produce a practical guide to facilitating CBR, a book on pedagogical approaches, and a suite of video training materials. An open-access repository will host studies, curricular materials, course modules, conference findings, policy recommendations, and a web 2.0 interactive site for global networking in CBR training.

Support and Partners

Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the partnership is led by Budd Hall and Rajesh Tandon, with contributions from experts like Leila Harris, Alison Mathie, Martha Farrell, and Leslie Brown. Global and regional networks, including the Talloires Network, PRIA, and the Global University Network for Innovation, support the initiative.

Contact Information

For more details, contact Walter Lepore, Project Coordinator, NextGen Project, UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education at walepore@uvic.ca.