Tensions and dilemmas experienced by a change agent in a community–university physical activity initiative

Abstract

This article presents a case study of a community–university physical activity initiative in which the author operated as a change agent responsible for facilitating community intersectoral collaboration, capacity, and autonomy. Change agents in community–institution initiatives typically work with communities or organizations to initiate and maintain a change effort. Using a first-person, insider action research approach, the change agent examined a set of dilemmas and dynamics she faced throughout the course of the initiative, and framed these in terms of tensions occurring along three continuums: (1) process–product, defined by the challenge of finding a balance between building capacity and delivering concrete and timely results; (2) insider–outsider, linked to the duality of roles of the change agent and community partners, and ensuing conflicts of identity, territory, loyalty, and accountability; and (3) bottom-up/top-down, associated with the difficulty of respecting local circumstances and needs while simultaneously operating within set parameters. The author critically reflects on the role of institutions involved as partners in community–institution initiatives, and draws attention to the complexity of the change agent's role in such initiatives. Recommendations for practice are offered, including the need for community–institution initiatives to provide sufficient time and resources for community capacity-building processes to develop, properly support change agents in their multiple roles and core functions, and develop their own capacities to engage in community capacity-building and change.

Keywords:

• tension
• dilemma
• change agent
• community–university partnerships
• insider action research
• community capacity
• ownership
• intersectoral collaboration

Acknowledgements

Financial support for the Kids in Shape (KIS) project was provided by Sears Canada's Young Futures program. I am personally indebted to the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) for a doctoral fellowship that allowed me to pursue this thesis. I was also supported by a bursary offered by my supervisor Jean Harvey and co-supervisor Milena M. Parent. I would like to acknowledge Drs Harvey and Parent for their advice, guidance, and invaluable input while writing this paper, and their on-going support throughout the KIS project. This paper has also been influenced by many discussions with colleagues from Québec en Forme over the course of the KIS project. I am grateful for their continuous support and solidarity, and for their openness and generosity in sharing their knowledge, tools, and resources.