Research as Curriculum: Engaging Undergraduates and Community Residents in Immigrant Health Research Partnerships

Background:

Engaging undergraduate students in applied community research partnerships can promote greater health equity by providing students with the skills and capacity to work collaboratively with diverse populations.

Objectives: The aim of this project was to develop a sustainable model to engage community members and students in public health research.

Methods: Using an integrated research-as-curriculum model, students, community members, and faculty collaborated on the study design and implementation.

Conclusions: Community residents in the classroom provided insights that strengthened the research process and helped to develop our understanding of contextual factors that influence health and well-being. This model provides a mechanism by which to fully incorporate undergraduate students in interdisciplinary partnership research for health.