Humanizing community-engaged participatory research through relational practice

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the cultural bridge between two researchers and how they built an important relationship to co-create the research project. The guiding principles of authentic engagement in humanizing research are transferable across cultural divides and cultural settings through relational practice. Relational practice is described in the chapter as building encouraging, meaningful, respectful, and ethical relationships between co-researchers through authentic engagement. The chapter is the story of two young researchers coming together to influence community development in a First Nation community with youth. The importance of relationship formation within research is not a new concept. It is an important concept that is often overlooked; however, it has recently become a resurfaced focus of the literature. As highlighted throughout the chapter, CBPR is not merely an outreach strategy but about building authentic relationships to transform the research process. Relationship building should not be solely for ‘participant’ and ‘researcher’, as traditionally described in research.