Building the Capacity for Academicians to Partner in CBPR

A fundamental principle of community-based participatory research is fostering co-learning and capacity building among all partners. Researchers committed to CBPR must understand the need to dedicate resources and time to building the capacity of community partners. This paper presents a multifaceted approach employed by the Philadelphia Area Research Community Coalition (PARCC) to recruit and teach the principles and methods of CBPR to junior and senior faculty and postdoctoral trainees of the University of Pennsylvania. Participants of training were identified through solicitations of leaders of Penn research centers, faculty development programs, and post graduate classes. PARCC identified members of its community based organizations who could participate in small group sessions, panels and lectures, and in planning and co-leadership of research projects with faculty partners. Over a period of three years, PARCC conducted several small group sessions designed to help academicians understand and appreciate the community's assets and perspective on research. A structure and orientation materials were developed for specific groups and classes. Ongoing meetings with community co-leaders assisted faculty in learning to expect and accept critical feedback from community partners. Academicians were asked to lead CBPR research methods sessions and were given instruction in communicating with member or community based organizations. Examples such as the relationship of PARCC with the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, and PARCC involvement in planning and leading several Center grants that conduct CBPR will be used to demonstrate lessons learned. The process has increased the interest, knowledge and skills in CBPR participation of targeted trainees.