The “Partners in Research” initiative is a collaborative program established by the Co-Engage Research Lab that fosters a dynamic partnership between Community Health Workers (CHWs) and academic researchers at the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA). In this initiative, CHWs, who have deep connections and insights into the needs of their communities, provide valuable feedback on university research proposals. Their input ensures that research is not only academically rigorous but also culturally relevant, accessible, and aligned with the real-world needs of the populations they serve.
Key aspects of the initiative include:
Co-Creation of Research
CHWs are involved in the early stages of research design,
helping to shape questions, methodologies, and interventions based on their lived experiences and professional expertise.
Enhancing Cultural Competency
CHWs offer critical perspectives that help researchers
avoid cultural insensitivity and design studies that are more likely to engage diverse
populations.
Compensation for CHWs
Recognizing the value of CHWs’ time and expertise, all CHW
participants are fairly compensated for their contributions to the research process.
Building Trust & Accountability
By partnering with CHWs, the initiative builds trust
between universities and communities, making research more accountable to the populations it aims to benefit.
Feedback Loop
Throughout the research process, CHWs provide ongoing feedback to ensure that studies remain relevant and responsive to community needs.
Mutual Capacity Building
While CHWs contribute their knowledge and experience, they
also gain exposure to academic research processes, fostering a two-way learning environment.
Summary for Researchers
The “Partners in Research” initiative fosters collaboration between community health workers (CHWs) and academic researchers, with CHWs providing feedback on research proposals to ensure they are culturally relevant and responsive to community needs. CHWs are fairly compensated for their time, creating an equitable partnership that bridges academic research and real-world health challenges.
Summary for CHWs
The “Partners in Research” initiative is a collaboration between community health workers (CHWs) and university researchers in which CHWs provide feedback on research plans to ensure they are culturally relevant and meet the needs of the community. CHWs who participate will be compensated for their time to make the partnership fair and helpful for everyone.
By compensating CHWs for their involvement and leveraging their unique expertise, the “Partners in Research” initiative ensures more equitable, impactful, and culturally grounded research outcomes.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Denise Hernandez at denise.hernandez@uta.edu