Building the next generation: Engaging youth in community-based participatory research from an academic perspective

Engaging youth in participatory research enhances youth skills and assets and adds to the authenticity of the research. This case study will highlight a community-academic partnership between youth community members and researchers, formed with the goal of implementing and evaluating an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention in African American faith-based settings, and expanded in response to youth-driven imperatives to address social and environmental risk factors that impact HIV vulnerability among African American youth. The session will discuss the challenges and rewards of engaging youth in CBPR using methods such as photovoice. We will share our challenges and lessons learned in building a dynamic, flexible, responsive process and discuss key elements and strategies that can facilitate productive, mutually beneficial youth-adult research partnerships.