The Nuevo South Community Research Initiative

Ricardo B. ContrerasDavid GriffithEast Carolina UniversityMerida, March 2010

ProgramTheoryMethodProjectsConclusions, lessons learned, and

challenges

The central goal of the NSCRI is to develop a sustainable engaged research partnership with grassroots organizations and providers working with/serving the Latino community of eastern North Carolina and the southeast. This implies the following: To conduct research on subject-matters of

relevance to community partners. To work with community partners in applying

research findings to program implementation. To develop strategies and methodologies

articulating action and research. To become a space for practice, program, and

policy reflection and analysis.

Applied anthropology Make research useful to communities Research problem shaped by community needs

Community engagement Sustainable relationship university-community Balanced reciprocity in relationship

Participatory action-research Action and research are intertwined Community participation in research activities University partners participate in action

projects

Within the university Build synergy around the need to conduct collaborative research

on issues related to the Latino community. Partner with faculty from different colleges and departments on

specific engaged research projects. Incorporate students in service-learning activities through formal

internships, course-work, theses, or volunteering. Constitute a space for analysis and reflection on applied research,

Latino issues, and community engagement. Build website to socialize the NSCI beyond the local community.

With the community Identify grassroots community groups or formal organizations that

would benefit from partnering with the university on action-research activities.

Develop strong links with community organizations supporting them in grant writing, project implementation, and applying research findings to action processes.

Work with community organizations to identify areas for action-research .

Conduct research activities in constant dialogue with community partners.

Engagement model: Study was conceived and implemented by university

partners Study findings are translated into applications in

partnership with local grassroots organizations. The project:

To examine Latino entrepreneurship practices and culture in new destination communities

To implement intervention processes to strengthen Latino entrepreneurship in the studied communities.

Funded by the US Department of Agriculture. Coverage area: North Carolina and Iowa

Applications: Community workshops Training activities with youth Educational material development & work with public

schools Website

Engagement model: Study was conceived and implemented in collaboration with

local community organization. University partners wrote the funding proposal. Fiscal agent was the community organization. University partners in charge of program evaluation and report

writing. The project:

To develop youth groups in four communities of eastern North Carolina.

Funded by the Civic Education Consortium of North Carolina. Coverage area: two counties in eastern North Carolina.

Applications: The project itself was an application: establishment of youth Formative research in the form of process evaluation. Encourage youth to develop their own initiatives (dance

groups, garbage collection) Awareness of the potential for empowerment among both

youth and parents

Engagement model: Study was conceived and implemented in collaboration with local community

organization. University partners wrote the funded proposal. Fiscal agent is the community organization. University partners in charge of program evaluation and report writing. In practice, although not planned, university partners in charge of program

implementation. The project:

To develop a community health advisor program to promote physical activity and healthy nutrition in the Latino community of Pitt County.

Funding from the Pitt Memorial Hospital Foundation. Coverage area: Pitt County

Applications: Train a group of five Latino women as community health advisors. Promote physical activity and healthy nutrition through the women’s natural social

networks. Formative research in the form of process evaluation. Deepening of partnerships within the university (e.g. for future research and

community outreach).

Engagement model: Study was conceived and is being implemented by university

partners. University partners wrote the funded proposal. Proposal presented to community organization for feedback. Fiscal agent is the university.

The project: To study leadership in the Latino community of eastern North

Carolina through the examination of the histories of 15 Latino civic leaders.

Oral history as a method. Funding from the North Carolina Humanities Council. Coverage: eastern North Carolina.

Applications: (in collaboration with grassroots organizations) Activities to celebrate the Latino contributions to their local

communities Role models to Latino youth Collection at the university library A “Latino Social History House”

Engagement model: Study was conceived by university partner. Fiscal agent is university partner. The community engagement process is the object of

study. The project:

Goal: To study the theory, practice, and community impact of the NSCRI engaged research program.

Funding from the university office of community engagement.

Coverage: the projects implemented by the NSCRI. Applications:

A model of engaged research with the Latino community.

Recommendations on engaged research through policy briefs.

Research-Practice RelationshipRoles participantsMethodology

Research and practice can be articulated in different ways, and still be engaged research:▪ Research to identify need or areas for intervention

(needs assessment/asset mapping).▪ Research to illuminate interventions (formative

research/evaluation).▪ Research not immediately connected to practice but

whose findings will either be translated into interventions or serve to identify the need for interventions (“traditional” research).

University partners: Project-related roles: ▪ Write proposals for community organization for

intervention projects▪ Assist in the implementation of projects (with varied

levels of involvement)▪ Research and report writing

Collaboration-related roles:▪ Cultivate relationships with community partners

(engagement)▪ Identify new partners▪ Socialize the need for engaged research in the

university community▪ Involve faculty and students

Community partners: Project-related roles:▪ Linkage with community participants▪ Organization of community events: e.g.,

forums, focus groups, health fairs▪ Project administration (with varied levels of

involvement) Collaboration-related roles:▪ Connection with funding sources▪ The politics of collaboration

There is a tension between the informality of the grassroots community organization and the formality of the university partners.

This tension is a matter of cross-cultural (mis) understanding.

The university partner needs to approach collaboration from the perspective of the “ethnographer”: student of a culture (challenging in an action-research context).

Engagement is a form of participant observation: Effort to blur the boundaries that separate the academic from the

community world. Break down with verticality in the academic-community

relationship. Trust. Dynamic process of attachment and detachment.

Engagement is challenging: Us learning the culture of the community; them learning the

culture of the university. Culture: the values, beliefs, and practices that structure

community work and project management/administration. Engagement implies risks:

Unwanted involvement in community conflicts. Making informal certain aspects of the relationship that must

remain formal.