Promoting justice through community-based research: International case studies.

Area of Science:

• Community Psychology
• Social Justice Research
• Participatory Action Research

Background:

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) prioritizes marginalized community voices in addressing social justice.
• The pursuit of justice is intrinsically linked to personal and collective well-being.
• CBPR involves collaborative partnerships to identify concerns and solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate three exemplars of community psychologists' efforts to promote social justice.
• To examine the context, partnerships, and methodologies within CBPR initiatives.
• To present a synthesis model of social justice based on case studies.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of three distinct CBPR projects.
• Examination of partnership development, collaborative processes, and problem-solving strategies.
• Qualitative data collection, including the use of life stories.

Main Results:

• An entrepreneurship initiative promoting economic justice with young Black youth with disabilities in the US.
• A reproductive justice project involving Roma women and girls in Spain.
• A life stories method empowering displaced indigenous women in Peru.

Conclusions:

• CBPR is an effective approach for promoting social justice and well-being.
• Engaging community participants meaningfully and developing sustainable partnerships are crucial.
• Decolonizing research practices is essential for equitable outcomes.