Community based research: towards a relational and engaged research practice with Dr. David Monk from Gulu University, Uganda

Community based research: towards a relational and engaged research practice with Dr. David Monk from Gulu University, Uganda. Thursday the 30th of January 13:00- 14:30 in Room B.0128 (Bouman Building, Grote Rozenstraat)

Dr Monk is willing to give insight in his experience and engage in a discussion about community engaged research: What does it mean, really? From our perspective, what is the participative aspect of the engagement? What is the community we are talking about? Why are we doing community based participatory research (or community engaged research), what are different practices? The summer schools in Participatory Action Research organised under the UNESCO Chair on Lifelong Learning, Youth and Work form a nice example of integrating community into programmes and how we are hoping to build on this at Gulu University to enhance our Lifelong Learning programme. Dr Monk would love to delve into longer term relationships with community that can inform research needs, and think how the university as an institution claiming to focus on Community engagement, or as a scholar wanting to do community engaged research can do this amidst the challenges of short term grants. Reflecting on his experience, he states that the “why” question is essential, and “for who”? as well, in order to think about who is really benefiting and how research/ engagement practices are different (not data robbing). Finally, Dr Monk can share a few articles/ book chapters for further exploration of the topic.