ABSTRACT:
Community engaged research (CER) is a methodology that aims to include community members in the research process [1,2,3] CER encompasses actionable change and tangible research outputs that are community and context specific, thus improving intervention feasibility and buy-in by community members . This approach actively considers power dynamics within research and seeks to acknowledge and draw on the skill sets of both academics and community members [3]. Key components of CER are to facilitate community partnerships, build community capacity and support social action [2,3]. The session objectives are: • To introduce public health practitioners and researchers to the concept of CER • To present challenges and benefits of a CER approach • To facilitate an understanding of community partner roles in research • To provide an understanding of skills needed for successful CER projects The initial part of the session will be comprised of two short video clips and PowerPoint presentations discussing what CER is and how it differs from traditional research approaches. This section will also cover the benefits and challenges associated with this methodological approach. These presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session. This beginning section of the session will be 20mins in length. Following the introductory presentations, the participants will be divided into groups. Each group will be provided with a research topic and scenario and have 20 mins to consider the scenario and apply what they have learned about CER to the research project they have been given. Consideration for benefits and challenges need to be discussed and included in the feedback to the larger group. Each group will then have 5 mins to present back to the larger group and there will be time following each group’s presentation for questions and responses from the facilitators and the larger group.