Enrollment is restricted to doctoral students and other degree candidates with the instructor's consent. This seminar offers an advanced examination of the theories, ethics, and practices that underpin community-engaged research for social justice. Students will critically explore how equitable partnerships between researchers and communities can address the structural and social determinants that shape health inequities. Grounded in traditions of critical pedagogy and social theory—including the work of Paulo Freire, Michel Foucault, and other leading scholars—the course interrogates how power, knowledge production, racism, and colonial legacies influence public health research and practice. Through lectures, dialogue, guest speakers, and case analyses, students will examine participatory approaches, including community-based participatory research (CBPR) and community–academic partnerships. Emphasis is placed on centering community expertise across the research continuum—from problem formulation and study design to data interpretation and dissemination. Students will develop the skills to design and implement research that not only generates knowledge but also helps dismantle racial inequities, redress the impacts of colonial and imperial systems, and advance transformative social change in public health. This seminar provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical frameworks and practices for developing, implementing, and disseminating community-engaged research for social justice. Students will thoroughly understand the role of equitable partnerships between researchers and communities to address social factors that influence health. Students will learn how to conduct community-engaged research that seeks to dismantle racial inequities in health and redress the impacts of colonial/imperial projects that sustain health inequalities. The course integrates the work of leading scholars, including Paulo Freire, Michel Foucault, among others. Through lectures, discussions, guest speakers, and case studies, we will analyze methods to conduct community-engaged research for social justice, including community-based participatory research and community-academic partnerships. Students will learn how to center community voices in the research process, from problem definition and data collection to analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings. Discussions will investigate the implications of these dynamics on social change for public health.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.