Student Reflection: Reimagining Community-Based Research
I decided to take SISU-349: Power, Justice, and Global Health: Migration in the 21st Century because of Dr. Maria De Jesus. As a graduating senior, I didn’t have many requirements left, and through research, I expanded my interest in health to cover the impacts migration has on health outcomes. While getting to know Dr. De Jesus through an Alternative Break program, I became fascinated by her plans for this course. I’ve never hesitated to participate in innovative forms of learning, and I am used to doing things outside of the normal classroom setting. I find that courses such as SISU-349 not only educate me on a new subject but also a new aspect of myself.Ìý
Our first weeks of the semester were focused on exploring the foundations of participatory research, examining how knowledge can be co-created, and wrestling with the ethical considerations that arise when working with communities. I also worked on my skills in mixed methods research, particularly in digital storytelling. The course provided many opportunities for collaboration with other èßäÉçÇøapp University schools and departments, such as the College of Arts and Sciences audio production program for song creation and the School of Communications filmmaking department for support with creating digital stories.
Our community partner for this research course was . is a local organization supporting youth in transition. It provides crucial assistance to young people, including the region's growing migrant youth population. Operating as a comprehensive resource center, the organization maintains an inclusive drop-in facility that offers emergency shelter and meals to individuals under 18, allowing the organization to address immediate needs while building pathways to stability. The center operates through a holistic approach, delivering career development services alongside cultural adjustment support for newcomers to the DC area.
Rather than diving straight into formal research, I spent time connecting with the migrant youth at DC Doors through shared activities like playing games, creating art, and making music together. These interactions helped me understand both the unique challenges of migration and the universal experiences that connect young people across different backgrounds. My group members spent time with the youth doing things beyond our project: showing them our favorite restaurants and museums and playing basketball.
As the semester draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ll carry forward from this course. Beyond making connections with people I might never have met otherwise, my perspective on research has been completely transformed. This course challenged me to rethink my role as a researcher and the relationship I have with my subjects. Too often, students are taught to view research as a one-sided process of extracting knowledge, rather than a collaborative and critical engagement. Dr. De Jesus’s course has shown me the value of co-creation and personal connection with participants, leading to research that is not only more meaningful but also deeply human-centered.