Community-Based Participatory Research in Springfield, Missouri: Lessons Learned

Discussions around community-based partnership and advocacy have focused on how individuals within universities (whether professors or administrators) can work alongside the community and sectors of government and industry to promote community-based solutions to social problems. Community-based participatory strategies center on the collaboration of multiple community members, entities, and organizations working toward solutions to social problems which consider the specific location, language, and culture of a region and the needs and challenges that individuals in these areas may face, with the purpose of making the solutions actionable and attainable.[1] Missouri State University—with its public affairs mission (discussed in further detail below) and the orientation of many of its colleges and departments around that mission—has consistently valued and promoted community-based participatory research (CBPR) as a means of contributing to these efforts. CBPR utilizes methods that allow researchers to build trust with community members, encourage community participation at all stages of the research, foster cross-sector collaboration, and empower communities to create and implement measures for addressing shared challenges. CBPR also allows universities to share resources, including the research and professional expertise of staff and faculty, to support community projects that improve the quality of life of area residents.[2]