Centering participatory action research

Participatory action research prioritizes the knowledge and expertise of individuals who are impacted by the research.

This research approach has been the scholarly focus of Judy Pryor-Ramirez, the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement’s new senior fellow and clinical associate professor of public service at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Pryor-Ramirez teaches courses on community-based participatory action research, as well as management for public service leaders and leadership for social transformation.

In her role as senior fellow, Pryor-Ramirez will develop and lead workshops for faculty, staff, and community members to learn more about participatory action research methods, facilitation techniques, and emergent strategy. 

"Judy has worked with social justice organizations and networks across the country to build their capacity for local and social change," said Sylvia Gale, CCE executive director. "We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from her this year."

Pryor-Ramirez will also support the CCE’s participatory community planning process that will culminate in a plan for the CCE’s next decade and pursue her own research in the field of public service. The CCE is utilizing the Story Circle Interview Method, a participatory research method created by Pryor-Ramirez, to learn more from the lived experiences of people engaged directly in community engagement and campus-community partnership work supported by the CCE.

"What excites me about this fellowship is that I'm afforded the time and space to think more deeply about the big ideas occupying my mind these days, such as lived experience leadership, equitable participation, and power," Pryor-Ramirez said. "I'm also excited about being ‘home’ and supporting the CCE’s community-engaged practice in the region."

Pryor-Ramirez grew up in the region and was a CCE staff member from 2008 to 2010.

"I'm excited to be a part of the UR community again in a capacity that will undoubtedly inform my teaching and research at New York University."