The Beacon North East approach to community-university participatory research partnerships draws on co-inquiry and participatory action research (PAR) methods, emphasising collaboration, equality, and social justice. Developed by Durham and Newcastle Universities, along with community partners, this approach fosters cooperation between participants, recognising everyone’s expertise, including lived experience. Co-inquiry eliminates the traditional researcher-subject divide, encouraging all involved to contribute equally to the research focus, design, methods, and outcomes. The approach values mutual respect and aims to create social change, particularly in marginalised communities. Operating under the Beacon for Public Engagement (2008-2011), this model has been used by staff, students, and community partners to co-produce research, ensuring it has real, positive impacts. The method seeks to reduce inequalities and improve lives by engaging participants in meaningful, two-way conversations and producing knowledge together.
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Tags
toolkit, coproduction, community-research, participatory, collaboration