Overview of the Colloquium Series

There is heightened interest within the social, educational, and health research communities for investigations that include a community participatory component. Growing interest in participatory research is demonstrated by recent funding cycles from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that are focused on research that utilizes community-based participatory methods.

Community-based participatory research is a method of scientific inquiry conducted in and with communities through community-researcher partnerships. The underpinnings of community-based participatory research are quite different than those of traditional positivist research approaches. Therefore, if investigators want to expand their research portfolios to include participatory methods, additional training on the key components and principles of participatory research is needed.

This colloquium series, which is sponsored by many colleges, departments, and programs at Vanderbilt, was developed to provide needed information and motivational inspiration for us to pursue community-based participatory research endeavors. Three individuals with extensive experience teaching and conducting community-based participatory research - Sarena Siefer, Shakeh Kaftarian, and Patricia Maguire - were invited to take part in this colloquium series. The content of each session will vary (See Schedule); however, each speaker will attempt to address the following questions during her presentations:

• What is community-based participatory research and why is it important?
• How do you conduct community-based participatory research?
• How do you fund community-based participatory research?
• How do you train students to conduct community-based participatory research?

In addition to the scheduled presentations, faculty, staff, and community members are also invited to schedule consultation appointments with the speakers. These appointments will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

We look forward to your participation in this series. If you have questions about it, please contact Darcy Freedman at darcy.a.freedman@vanderbilt.edu.

Sincerely,

Darcy Freedman, MPH
Graduate Student in the Community Research and Action Program

Craig Anne Heflinger, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Human and Organizational Development

Sarah VanHooser
Graduate Student in the Community Research and Action Program

Vanderbilt Links

• Directions to Colloquia