Focusing on community-based participatory research (CBPR), one of the most promoted approaches to involving affected communities at all stages of research, we performed a scoping review of 38 full-text articles on CBPR studies on the topic of ethnic minorities and migrants. The aim was to systematise the current operationalisation of the CBPR concept by researchers, especially in terms of its expected causal roles (1).

In regards to knowledge transfer, we also conducted an applied ethnography (detailed case study) within the largest state-backed health equity project of its kind focused on segregated Roma communities called Healthy Communities (2). To move from theory to practice, we also drew lessons from different degrees of community partnership present in the project, including the participation of Caritas Barcelona in the SOPHIE consortium and in housing research studies. We prepared a report on the experiences derived from the involvement of different stakeholders in the research process (3).

In the scoping review, we found that CBPR has been used minimally by researchers for research on migrants and ethnic minorities in Europe and that outside Europe its expected causal roles are being operationalised by researchers in a rather unsystematic manner. Based on overlapping researcher impressions, however, several causal mechanisms can be postulated through which particular CBPR features, e.g. sensitive pre-assessment of cultural and social norms, seem to facilitate the involvement of communities in research on migrant and ethnic minority health (1).

The results of a case study of Healthy Communities showed that the community participation concept was not translated into the organisational level as intended within the expert discourses. Despite this conceptual weakness, the project appeared to be successful in fostering intended changes in the target population's health-related circumstances, thanks precisely to its participative features (see 'In focus') (2). Participatory data collection methods gather important perspectives that enrich the evaluation of the impact of social policies. Several barriers can be found in the recruitment of vulnerable groups affected by the policy, from time constraints to negativism, mistrust or overburden, but their experiences have made the effort worthwhile. Frontline professionals working with them may be a complementary source of information and can help to reach them (3).

Involvement in partnered research of social organisations like Caritas requires a mutual understanding and constant dialogue with academic groups, and a balance between research needs (its priority mission of social care) and the avoidance of false expectations among participating users. Nevertheless, the voice of these organisations is highly valued by society and can maximise the impact of research (2) (see 'In focus').

Mediating health for segregated Roma in Slovakia: An ethnographic case study (2).

Health-mediation programs represent pivotal state-backed health-equity policies addressing the needs of segregated Roma communities in Central and Eastern Europe. The Slovak Healthy Communities (HC) program -which has been operational for over 10 years mostly employing segregated Roma and is now serving around 200 communities nationwide under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Health- is among the most advanced of these initiatives.

In our applied ethnographic study of the HC program we relied on analyses of documentation, long-term participant observations, and semi-structured interviewing across all organisational levels of the program. We found the program to be rather out-dated and conceptually flat: while it set out to emphasise the targeted population's health-related behaviour and responsibility and to intervene, this was to be done through edification and temporary assistance with healthcare access. Nevertheless, thanks to an implicit standard of pragmatic flexibility and personal commitment to empathy, the actual fieldwork exhibited unprecedented positive impacts. Many field coordinators were also encouraged and capable of negotiating improvements in local basic infrastructure and effectively increased local bridging social capital. Moreover, with their stories of personal success congruent with local cultural standards and immediate capacities, many field assistants seemed to inspire other community members as particularly realistic and appealing role models.

 

Partnered research on housing and health.

Partnership of Caritas Barcelona led to the design of a study of users in vulnerable housing situations. The baseline survey was featured in a Caritas report. The reputation of Caritas was key to bringing the study to the front page of most local newspapers (5).

(1). Belak A. , Bosáková L, Veselska Z, et al. Operationalization of community-based participatory research (CBPR) engaging migrant and ethnic minority communities: A scoping review. Forthcoming.

(2). Belak A. , Madarasova Geckova A, van Dijk JP, et al. Inadvertent empowerment? Qualitative study of 'community participation' implementation within a health-mediation program for segregated Roma communities in Slovakia. Forthcoming.

(3). Bosáková L, ed. Methods of stakeholders' involvement in evaluating the impact of structural policies. SOPHIE, Deliverable D7.1, 2014.

(4). Report (in Catalan) available at SOPHIE website. For a selection of impacts following this release, see SOPHIE in the news.

(5). Report (in Catalan) available at ODESC website. For a selection of impacts following this release, see SOPHIE in the news.

We engaged in a variety of channels to disseminate the project's results in formats apart from the standard scientific articles and conferences. These included websites, social media sites, videos, press releases, public seminars and direct contact with stakeholders.

Active knowledge transfer requires time and resources but gives important returns in terms of impact on different professional sectors, public opinion and policy. Moving from least to most complex, Slideshare is a very simple platform for making the work that researchers present in seminars and conferences publically available. High quality videos can be quite effective but their preparation can be especially time-consuming. Other intermediate options include an updated and well-organised website, an active Twitter account covering not only project achievements and new resources available but also related content, press releases, policy briefs or infographics of selected studies. The use of local languages in addition to English for locally relevant content is also important in terms of disseminating research findings to a broader public. Finally, personal contacts facilitate access to politicians, who can nevertheless become familiar with policy-relevant findings through traditional mass media or Twitter.

From the video to politics

(6). Video 'Urban renewal and health'.