Framework

At BRICS, we emphasize the scholarship of engagement by fostering partnerships where university scholars and community members collaborate throughout the research process. This approach ensures that our academic work directly applies to the community’s context, opportunities, and vision. To that end, BRICS is deeply rooted in the principles of Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR), which emphasizes:

Collaborative Partnership: Engaging community members as equal partners in all phases of the research process, from conceptualization to dissemination.
Co-learning and Capacity Building: Fostering an environment where both researchers and community members learn from each other, enhancing the skills and capacities of all involved.
Action-Oriented Outcomes: Ensuring that research findings are not just academic exercises but lead to concrete actions that address community-identified needs and priorities.
Cultural Relevance: Designing and implementing research that is culturally sensitive and tailored to the specific contexts of the community.
Sustainability: Creating sustainable research initiatives that continue to benefit the community long after the formal research project has concluded.