Researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health (SPH) made significant contributions to the new special issue of the Journal of Participatory Research Methods, which includes 15 peer-reviewed articles exploring how communities and research institutions can conduct meaningful research and develop partnerships to tackle deep-rooted inequities in health and society.

A collaboration between the journal and the Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) program housed at the University of Minnesota and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the special issue was edited by a distinguished team of experts that includes SPH Associate Professor Ann Brearley and Assistant Professor Drissa M. Toure.

The articles describe a variety of participatory research methods used to address structural issues — such as housing equity or barriers to health care — in several communities, including immigrant or minoritized communities and disinvested urban and rural communities. The authors include current IRL fellows, IRL alumni, and other community-based researchers focused on conducting community-engaged, action-oriented research to dismantle structural racism and make progress toward health equity.

“The IRL program has invested in researchers and community leaders developing and honing community-engaged research methodologies and processes,” the editors write in an editorial introducing the special issue. “We are dedicated to showcasing and bringing attention to these valuable community-engaged research efforts that have positively impacted local communities, to contribute to advancing the interdisciplinary community-engaged research field. The work of the IRL fellows to navigate the challenging space of community-engaged research has inspired a collaboration with the Journal of Participatory Research Methods to create this special issue,” they wrote.

The Journal of Participatory Research Methods is a transdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal that is focused on the methods, techniques, tools, and strategies of participatory research — which involves participants and communities in the research process.

The Interdisciplinary Research Leadership program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a leadership opportunity for teams of researchers and community partners, including community organizers and advocates. These teams use the power of applied research—informing and supporting critical work being done in communities—to accelerate that work and advance health and equity.