Community-Based Participatory Research

Community-Based Participatory Research Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is an emerging orientation to research which involves scientific inquiry that equitably involves both community stakeholders and investigators at all levels of the research process from design to dissemination. CBPR involves a partnership between the community and the investigator(s) where each group shares equal ownership of the process and products of research collaboration.

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) includes community members in all aspects of research including the conception, design, analysis and dissemination of the research. This type of research engages community partners in collaboration with researchers to solve problems relevant to human health in communities.

Core principles of CBPR include:

  • Facilitates collaborative, equitable partnerships in all phases of research
  • Integrates & achieves balance between research and action for benefit of all partners
  • Recognizes community as unit of identity
  • Builds on community strengths/resources
  • Promotes co-learning and capacity building among all partners
  • Involves a long-term process and commitment
  • Emphasizes local relevance of Public Health problems and multiple determinants of health
  • Disseminates findings and knowledge gained to all partners and involves all partners in that process
  • Involves systems development through a cyclical & iterative process

Israel B, Schulz A, Parker E, Becker A, Allen A, and Guzman J R (2003). Critical issues in developing and following community-based participatory principles. M. Minkler and N. Wallerstein (Eds.), Community-based participatory research for health (pp. 53-76). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Wiley

This section provides information for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and researchers interested in learning more about CBPR. A Harvard-wide consortium of researchers interested in being more involved in CBPR activities at Harvard currently exists, and we welcome new members (see CBPR at Harvard). Ongoing educational activities are occurring throughout the year, and will be posted on the CBPR Education page.

CBPR Consultation Program

The Harvard Catalyst CBPR Consultation Program provides Harvard investigators free advice and training on incorporating a community-based participatory research approach into their work.

Click here to learn more about the CBPR Consultation Program.

Program Director:

Karen Hacker MD, MPH
Executive Director, Institute for Community Health
Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Phone: 617-499-6671
E-mail
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