Community-University Collaborations for Environmental Justice: Toward a Transformative Co-Learning Model

Area of Science:

• Environmental Justice
• Higher Education Studies
• Community-Based Participatory Research

Background:

• Traditional community-university collaborations often remain research-centric.
• There is a need for deeper, reciprocal partnerships that integrate knowledge and action.
• Environmental justice initiatives highlight the limitations of existing university engagement models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a transformative co-learning model for community-university partnerships.
• To foster long-term, place-based, reciprocal relationships for co-producing knowledge and action.
• To advance a more just, sustainable, and democratic society through collaborative efforts.

Main Methods:

• The co-learning model integrates teaching, research, and service activities.
• Partnerships involve joint inquiry and planning over a 3-5 year cycle.
• Sustained partnerships aim for decades of co-evolution in place.

Main Results:

• Co-learning partnerships can drive transformational learning and support community-based research.
• These collaborations can effectively address critical community issues and diversify university engagement.
• A pilot 3-year co-learning model was developed with the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.

Conclusions:

• Co-learning models offer a framework for deeper community-university engagement beyond traditional research.
• Challenges persist in resourcing, valuing local knowledge, and aligning university reward systems.
• Prioritizing community benefits is crucial for the success and sustainability of these partnerships.