(MIG1) Community-Engaged Migration Research

Sign-up to receive login details for this session

Community-engaged research creates space for community organizations and members to work collaboratively with academic researchers to better understand complex social problems (Kantamneni et al., 2019). It is a democratic approach to research because it brings those most affected by an issue to the table and gives them an active role in shaping the research design (Haapanen & Christens, 2021; Gust & Jordan, 2006). Although the degree of community involvement may vary, this approach seeks to challenge hierarchical power structures and reverse the top-down relationship that often exists between “researchers” and “participants” in traditional research models (Gelmon et al., 2013; SFU CERI, 2021).

The session will feature studies that demonstrate varying levels of community engagement in research design, including but not limited to Participatory Action Research (PAR). The dialogue in this session aims to examine how community-engaged approaches can enrich migration studies, which have traditionally been guided primarily by academic researchers’ perspectives.

Session Organizers and Chairs: Esra Ari, Mount Royal University; Leah Hamilton, Mount Royal University