Having a Say in Research Directions: The Role of Community Researchers in Participatory Research with Communities of Refugee and Migrant Background

Abstract

Research teams in high-income countries often fail to acknowledge the capacity and contributions of Community Researchers. This qualitative exploratory study used decolonising methodology and the Foundation House ‘Refugee Recovery Framework’ to understand Community Researchers’ perceptions and experiences of their role, and how research teams can integrate the knowledge they bring into research. Purposive sampling was used to facilitate the recruitment of eight Community Researchers from five different community groups working in Melbourne, Victoria. Semi-structured interviews lasting forty to sixty minutes occurred between December 2020 and January 2021. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings reported in this paper include eight themes: ‘nothing about us without us’; ‘open the door’; a safe space to share; every step of the way; this does not translate; finding the right way to ask; a trauma-informed approach; and support within the workplace. The knowledge obtained demonstrates that Community Researchers facilitate meaningful participation in research for women, families, and communities of refugee or migrant background. Community Researchers’ presence, knowledge, and skills are vital in establishing culturally safe research practices and developing accessible language to facilitate conversations about sensitive research topics across multiple languages. Community Researchers can make important contributions at all stages of research, including data collection and interpretation.

“I am not really into the government telling me what I need to eat”: exploring dietary beliefs, knowledge, and practices among ethnically diverse communities in England

“…This analytical framework was adopted to support a researcher’s interpretative, subjectivity, and deeper engagement with the study data in generating research knowledge [ 20 – 22 ]. In addition, previous studies involving data from ethnically diverse participants have used a thematic analytical framework partly to highlight differences and similarities in participants’ experiences [ 23 , 24 ]. The analytical strategy used in this study combined inductive and deductive approaches.…”

Funding for Refugee Health Research From the National Institutes of Health Between 2000 and 2020

“…Low levels of NIH investment in refugee health research may also be impacted by the lack of refugee representation among investigators or NIH reviewers or the lack of consideration of refugee investigators as minorities underrepresented in health sciences. Scientist-researcher pipeline programs may be useful in supporting investigators with lived refugee experience, who may have better access to target research populations to conduct this work in more professional capacities . Prior research has also identified a lack of diversity and expertise in health disparities research among reviewers in NIH peer review panels, which could contribute to the dearth of funding in this area .…”

“…Scientist-researcher pipeline programs may be useful in supporting investigators with lived refugee experience, who may have better access to target research populations to conduct this work in more professional capacities. 54 , 55 Prior research has also identified a lack of diversity and expertise in health disparities research among reviewers in NIH peer review panels, which could contribute to the dearth of funding in this area. 56 , 57 More work is also needed to understand how biases about refugees, influenced by negative media portrayal and political discourse around refugee populations, 13 may translate into fewer allocated funds and stricter restrictions for refugee health research.…”

Understanding lived experiences and perceptions of resilience in black and South Asian Muslim children living in East London: a qualitative study protocol

“…Our research team includes researchers from the Muslim community, who have been involved with study design and will assist with facilitating the workshop. This is to ensure that the study is designed and conducted with an understanding of the dynamics of culture and language, as well as community trust and rapport 67. Participants will also be involved in decision-making regarding dissemination, particularly around whether to display body maps at a public exhibition.…”

“…This is to ensure that the study is designed and conducted with an understanding of the dynamics of culture and language, as well as community trust and rapport. 67 Participants will also be involved in decision-making regarding dissemination, particularly around whether to display body maps at a public exhibition.…”