Expanding the practice of community based participatory research (CBPR) to student research: Opportunities and challenges

Significance: CBPR is a valuable approach to research that must be supported and taught to establish its legitimacy. Expanding opportunities for student-led CBPR can benefit students, faculty, and community partners. Background/Problem: CBPR has been identified as one of the eight competency areas to be included in public health education. While numerous schools of public health are exploring courses and programs in community based practice and research, institutions have not developed capacities to support student-led CBPR. Methods: Two case studies of student-led CBPR will be presented as a means of exploring the unique challenges and benefits of student participation in CBPR. Results: The practice of student-led CBPR may differ from “traditional” CBPR in many respects. Academic policies and structures have a significant role in shaping the experience of student-led CBPR and the nature of relationships between student-researchers and academic and community partners. Key challenges were identified in the practice of student-led CBPR, including: compressed timelines, lack of funding, limited availability of “CBPR Mentors”, academic policies, and unique power dynamics between student, academic and community partners. Major benefits of student participation in CBPR include: opportunities to forge new community-academic partnerships, enhanced relevance of student research, and opportunities for students to benefit from exposure to both academic and community experts. Implications: Training of new researchers should address principles of CBPR and emphasize the value of community engagement. Supportive academic policies and structures are critical to encouraging student-led CBPR and will expand the capacity for, and utilization of CBPR among future generations of researchers.