Notes From the Field: Service Learning and the Development of Multidisciplinary Community-Based Research Initiatives

Abstract

Recent literature suggests that community-based research (CbR) is a model of service learning that can advance student learning, as well as support the research interests of community organizations. For the pedagogy to be successful, however, faculty must overcome a number of challenges. This article discusses these challenges and illustrates how multidisciplinary, multiyear CbR initiatives are important vehicles for furthering university–community partnerships. We conclude that, as with other service-learning models, successful multidisciplinary, community-based efforts require institutional investments to facilitate successfully linking faculty, students, and community organization in research initiatives that promote positive social change.

Keywords:

• Service learning
• community-based research
• multidisciplinary collaboration
• university-community partnerships
• community development

We express gratitude to Jose Luis Rodriguez, Jose Lopez, Dr. Julie Hwang, Kiljoong Kim, Nancy Bothne, Liezl Alcantara, Tori Duoos, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for their support of this research. Portions of this study were presented at the Annual conference of the Society for Applied Anthropology, Santa Fe, NM in March 2009.