We are looking for individuals living in Independence and Monmouth who are passionate, dedicated,
and willing to make a difference in their local community. No specific skills needed. All are welcome to join!
Join our Community-Led Research Project Team and be part of a meaningful journey towards positive change!
and willing to make a difference in their local community. No specific skills needed. All are welcome to join!
Join our Community-Led Research Project Team and be part of a meaningful journey towards positive change!
Project Background
We are initiating a Community-Led Research Project (scroll down for a definition) with the support of River Network in order to engage with community members in Monmouth and Independence, and learn about their concerns and priorities around urban water issues and potential climate change impacts in the community.
The goal of this project is to create a space where community members can gather, provide and share information, and to create opportunities to take local action that is grounded in the concerns and interests of the community members themselves. The program will also help participants identify climate impacts and threats in their community, and support efforts to address them.
The goal of this project is to create a space where community members can gather, provide and share information, and to create opportunities to take local action that is grounded in the concerns and interests of the community members themselves. The program will also help participants identify climate impacts and threats in their community, and support efforts to address them.
What is involved in being a Project Team member?
Estimated Monthly Time Commitment
General Planning Team Member Tasks
- 4 hours, including project team meetings. It is expected that most monthly meetings will take place in-person, unless otherwise noted.
General Planning Team Member Tasks
- Attending monthly project meetings
- Reviewing materials ahead of meetings if applicable
- Completing specific project tasks during or outside of meetings, such as:
- Community outreach/networking/providing contacts for project advancement
- Providing input on data collection tools, community messaging, or other written project components
- Participating in media related to the project, such as co-writing a post, doing an interview, or producing a short video with LWC
- Participating in the production of data collection tools, collecting data, and/or analyzing data
- Determining how data is best used and how to include community members in activating their data
What is Community-Led Research?
Community-led research is a collaborative approach to research that involves community members actively participating in all stages of the research process, from identifying research questions to designing, conducting, analyzing, and disseminating findings. This approach empowers communities to address their own needs and priorities, generate knowledge that is relevant and meaningful to their lived experiences, and build capacity for self-determination and social change.
Key characteristics of community-led research:
Community-led research is a powerful tool for empowering communities to address their own challenges and create positive change. By actively involving community members in the research process, we can ensure that research is relevant, meaningful, and has a lasting impact on the lives of those it serves.
Key characteristics of community-led research:
- Community-driven agenda: The research questions and objectives are set by the community, ensuring that the research focuses on issues that are important to them.
- Empowerment and capacity building: Community members are trained and supported to develop their research skills and take on leadership roles in the project.
- Shared decision-making: All aspects of the research process are guided by shared decision-making between community members and researchers.
- Culturally sensitive and context-specific: The research design and methods are tailored to the unique cultural context and needs of the community.
- Increased relevance and meaning: The research is more likely to produce findings that are relevant and meaningful to the community, as it is driven by their own priorities and insights.
- Enhanced credibility and trust: Community members are more likely to trust the research findings when they have been involved in the process, leading to greater acceptance and adoption of recommendations.
- Empowerment and self-determination: Community members develop their research skills and gain confidence in their ability to address their own problems, promoting self-determination and social change.
- Sustainability and long-term impact: Community-led research projects can lead to sustainable change within communities, as they build capacity for ongoing research and action.
Community-led research is a powerful tool for empowering communities to address their own challenges and create positive change. By actively involving community members in the research process, we can ensure that research is relevant, meaningful, and has a lasting impact on the lives of those it serves.
Ready to sign up or to get more information? Use the form below to contact us and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible!
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