Community-engaged research
Our philosophy: Research WITH communities for the betterment of society, not merely research ON communities for the betterment of science.
At VCU, community-engaged research is a collaborative process between the researcher and community partner that creates and disseminates knowledge and creative expression with the goal of contributing to the discipline and strengthening the well-being of the community.
As a high-impact practice, CEnR expands opportunities for engagement among students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, including first-generation and Pell-eligible students, as well as early-career faculty and community members.
Advocates assert that community-engaged research promotes better research and translation of findings. Other benefits of community-engaged research include development of research that is responsive to community need, increased capacity built through partnerships, expanded funding opportunities, and greater opportunities to translate findings into practice (Adapted from Carnegie and CDC, 2015).
Community-engaged research can be quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods:
- Community-based, participatory research
- Applied research
- Contractual research (funded by government, non-governmental organizations or business)
- Demonstration projects
- Needs and assets assessments
- Program evaluations
- Community stakeholders on project steering committees and other deliberative and decision-making bodies
- Community advisory boards
- Compensation for the community’s time and other contributions
- Dissemination of results back out to the community
- Takes time, collaboration and flexibility
- Focus groups or interviews
- A research methodology
- An add-on
- A one-size fits all approach
- Appropriate for all research
- Recruitment of minority research participants
- A relinquishing of all insight or control by researchers
The Wright Center
The Wright Center supports early-career faculty in developing community-engaged research skills. Through specialized training and resources, the center empowers researchers to integrate community-based approaches into their clinical and translational work.
Society and Health
An academic research center that studies the health implications of social factors
Resources for Community Engaged Research
Our Resources page offers a comprehensive collection of materials and tools to support community-engaged research and initiatives. This centralized hub is designed to assist faculty, staff, students, and community partners in fostering effective collaborations and enhancing their impact within the community.