A Model of Action Research for Advancing Community-University Partnerships

Tara Bengle,Janni Sorensen,Elizabeth Morrell,Jose Gamez

doi:10.33596/coll.62

Abstract

This article describes a four-phased action research project that emerged over a six-year period, eventually leading to a $600,000 investment by local government in a new neighborhood park. We demonstrate, through our community-university partnership, how we built on each phase of action research initially by establishing and developing relationships, increasing participation levels in the neighborhood organization and neighborhood sponsored events, and building long-term participation, which enabled the establishment of a collective vision. This ultimately led to increased social capital and strengthened local power through political voice. We argue that by connecting four phases of action research, we were able to achieve significant community change in partnership with local neighborhood residents and that this form of a long-term and multi-based approach can address some of the common challenges inherent to community-university partnerships.

Highlights

This article describes a four-phased action research project as it developed over a six-year time span
The project results from a close partnership between university faculty, graduate students, and residents of the Reid Park neighborhood, which is a low-income neighborhood located in West Charlotte
Action research can create the space for collaboration between community residents and university actors (Silverman et al, 2008), which we experienced within our community-university partnership, and it can lead to increased participation that connects local power in order to influence community development outcomes

Summary

Introduction

This article describes a four-phased action research project as it developed over a six-year time span. Our model of action research for advancing local community control is the focus of the remainder of this paper and our key contribution to the literature on community- university partnerships This model has the potential to guide future community- university partnerships towards larger scale tangible outcomes for community partners where initial participation is low and capacity is limited. We are aware of the need to interrogate existing theories in our disciplines and of the need to dismantle systemic impediments to equitable engagement with our partners In this sense, a reconstruction of action research must involve empowerment strategies and an acknowledgement of the often-problematic role that universities have played in their local landscapes

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Conclusion