Citation

Bhatt G, Tweed R. Can. Psychol. 2018; 59(2): 151-162.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher University of Manitoba)

DOI

10.1037/cap0000149

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Youth involvement in violence and criminal gang activities impacts the whole society. It is a multidimensional issue that demands a multilayered systemic response. The goal of this paper is to reflect on the highlights, achievements, and challenges of a research project that brought together a collective of seven academics from four postsecondary institutions, and 11 community groups to address youth involvement in violent and criminal gang activities in their suburban region. This academic and community collaboration included research, training workshops, ongoing dissemination of research knowledge through the academic as well as popular media, and a series of meetings with policymakers to facilitate action strategies targeting prevention. Aligning rigors of academic research with every facet of the community engagement demanded that we all learn to shift gears in our heads and remain willing to step outside of our comfort zones and territories of expertise. While acknowledging the rewards and challenges involved in bridging the academic ways of examining social issues with the community wisdom and actions, we also reflect on the larger ideological as well as practical grounds for pursuing goals that demand a certain commitment to continue past data collection and data analyses to community-wide research impact. The opportunity to become part of the solution to a social problem has led us to conclude that as social scientists we must ensure that our research and its impacts are weighed equally with the involvement of the community at large. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

Language: en