CAPACITY-BUILDING AND CROSS-LEARNING WORKSHOP

Strengthening Synergies Between Academic and Community Researchers

Introduction
Community researchers are individuals, often community members, who are trained to conduct research in their own community. They are often involved in research teams, particularly those guided by community-based participatory research approaches. They play a crucial role in facilitating access into a community and ensuring that research reflects the realities and priorities of local communities. Drawing on the lived experience and contextual knowledge of community researchers often enhances the accuracy, relevance, and impact of research outcomes.
However, gaps in knowledge, roles, and expectations between academic and community researchers can often hinder effective collaboration.

This workshop seeks to enhance synergies between academic and community researchers through mutual capacity-building and cross-learning. It aims to bridge knowledge gaps between the two groups to promote more effective, inclusive, ethical and impactful research.

Objectives

1. To build the capacity of community researchers in key research areas, including research
   conceptualisation, research ethics and data collection and analysis.
2. To foster cross-learning between academic and community researchers, fostering strong partnerships
   and mutual understanding.
3. To address ethical issues and power imbalances to create equitable research collaborations.

Proposed Focus Areas
The training will focus on the following areas:

1.  Research Conceptualisation: Understanding the research process, defining researchable problem and
   clear research objectives.
2. Framing Research Questions: Developing contextually relevant research questions in collaboration with
   communities.
3.  Research Ethics: Ethical considerations, including informed consent, recognition, and addressing power
   imbalances.
4. Data Collection: Practical data collection tools and techniques (preparation of data collection tools).
5. Data Analysis and Interpretation: Equipping participants with skills to analyse and interpret qualitative
   data