Community Based Research: Stepping Down From the Ivory Tower

An interesting development is taking place within community organizing: well intentioned and knowledgeable academics constructively participating in community organizations. This concept is known as Community Based Research (CBR).

In this model, academics help community members in the planning and evaluating process to help them better perform their duties and serve their communities. From experience I can tell you that most community members involved in these organizations are too close to the action to be able to step back and objectively assess their performance and the larger dynamics of the situation. Moreover, many community organizations lack channels to fresh knowledge and thinking that could positively impact the group.

Organizations such as the Centre for Community Based Research (http://www.communitybasedresearch.ca/), the Loka Institute (http://www.loka.org/), and a throng of universities and colleges dedicate their much needed resources to advancing community empowerment. I think this is a good way for people who may not enjoy the day to day street battles of organizing to effectively engage in their communities.