Conference on Community-Based Participatory Research

Posted by on February 4, 2005

Subject: June Conference on Community-Based Participatory Research in Portland, OR

Improving the Health of Our Communities Through Collaborative Research is a two-part conference that will explore issues related to community-based research partnerships, methodology, funding and dissemination. The conference will take place June 28-30, 2004 at the DoubleTree Hotel Portland, Lloyd Center in Portland, OR

Session I of the conference, on June 28, will build foundational knowledge of CBCR, providing an overview of (1) the processes, designs, challenges and successes of building research partnerships with diverse communities, (2) effective CBCR methods and models, (3) funding opportunities and strategies, and (4) dissemination of research results and action implementation. Session II (June 29-30) will deepen participant understanding of CBCR, including how to strengthen collaborations, how to further develop potential projects, and how to secure funding. Participants may register for either session or both. A modest registration fee will be charged, and scholarships will be available for community-based organizations.

Community-Based Collaborative Research (CBCR) takes place in community settings and equitably involves community and academic partners in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation phases of research, and recognizes the unique strengths that each partner brings to the process. CBCR has the aim of combining knowledge with action and achieving social change to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities. Successful CBCR will, develop sustainable relationships with partners at various levels within the community; value culturally appropriate research methods; place equal emphasis and importance on community knowledge and academic perspectives; and allow for flexibility in research methods.

The Portland conference will bring together research practitioners, community leaders and funders to look critically at the field of community-based collaborative research. The conference will provide an inclusive and dynamic forum for networking, information sharing and skill building among collaborators. Through a series of plenary sessions, interactive and experiential workshops, panel discussions and networking, the conference aims to:

*Convene participants to raise awareness about and the relevance of CBCR, bring together diverse groups to discuss CBCR, and provide an opportunity for participants to form new collaborations.

*Develop the capacity of diverse participants to create collaborative research programs that address the health needs of underserved and underrepresented priority populations including racial and ethnic minorities; rural and low-income populations; and individuals with special health care needs, including children, women and older adults.

*Identify opportunities and strategies to address institutional and other barriers to creating, implementing and sustaining community-academic collaborative research.

*Explore local, state and national funding opportunities.

Participants of Session I will come away with an appreciation of CBCR theories, principles and methods; understanding of key steps in the process; and is able to identify resources available locally and nationally. Through presentations, small group mentoring sessions and interactive exercises, participants of Session II will leave the conference with a solid plan for moving forward with community-based collaborative research.

More information will soon be available at http://www.nwhf.org or contact Judith Woodruff, Northwest Health Foundation at 503-220-1955 or judith at nwhf.org Also, if you are interested in being a presenter for the conference, please contact Judith.