The 2009 conference is hosted by The Science Shop, Queen's University Belfast

 Tensions Among Higher Education Institutions and Local Organizations Implementing Applied Research and Evaluation

As Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) partner with local government or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to conduct applied and evaluative research, several problems are inherent in the collection and analysis of data and reporting of findings. Despite efforts to create a collaborative partnership, in which all can learn from both positive and negative findings, a number of tensions occur which can interfere with a healthy exchange of knowledge and a focus on areas in which the community can improve its ability to support its citizens, particularly those who are traditionally marginalized and disenfranchised. 

Using the example of a children’s mental health program, for which a University team serves as evaluators, several specific tensions will be articulated, including:

• Desire for agencies to look good versus the desire to identify areas needing change
• Use of reliable data collection methods versus impressionistic, familiar methods
• Questions about the usefulness of the data being collected versus the willingness of the community to use data to effect change
• Processes that empower users of services versus the providers of services
• Reliance on personal experience re: “what works” versus empirical evidence

Articulation of these tensions, with specific examples, will be followed by participant discussion of:

• What other specific types of tensions commonly occur?
• Under what circumstances are these tensions likely to occur?
• What strategies have been utilized that help resolve these tensions in ways that advance a civil society?

From this will be developed a set of suggestions for improving the ability of HEIs to partner with local government and NGOs in the exchange of knowledge.

Theme: Knowledge exchange, transfer or exploitation?

Presenter:  James R. Cook, Ph.D.

 Address: University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Psychology Department

Biography:

James R. Cook, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and member of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27) of the American Psychological Association (APA). He has led multiple funded, applied research projects involving collaborations among universities and local communities, and has published multiple papers on processes and outcomes utilized in systems designed to help people with disabilities and support families.  His experience includes the development of community-university partnerships, participatory applied research and program evaluation, and the utilization of data to effect positive changes in communities.