Community Voices on the Experiences of Community-Based Participatory Research in the Environmental Justice Movement

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is increasingly being used by academics to address urban health and inequity. While its foundational literature emphasizes CBPR’s role in eschewing the traditional balance of power between communities institutions, some scholars grassroots activists note that it has not consistently delivered community-led, action-oriented strategies. Here we examine gaps theory current practice CBPR. First, assess fundamental practices through social movement theory. Second, narratives from leaders who have utilized CBPR their environmental justice efforts. Three key facilitating factors are often cited for authentic applications CBPR: (1) grounding within community-specific opportunities change, (2) collaborating with a strong community partner, (3) flexibility processes. Building on previous scholarship, investigate complexity implementation may dampen potency as change strategy highlight need nuanced critical application best suit local contexts. This accomplished pairing theoretical framework experiences four members Moving Forward Network (MFN). Narratives partnering academic institutions speak how complexities occur practice.