What sets the conditions for success in community-partnered evaluation work? Multiple perspectives on a small-scale research-practice partnership evaluation.

The goals of this study are: (a) to share reflections from multiple stakeholders involved in a foundation-funded community-partnered evaluation project, (b) to share information that might be useful to researchers, practitioners, and funders considering the merits of researcher/practitioner evaluation projects, and (c) to make specific suggestions for funders and researcher/practitioner teams starting an evaluation project. Three stakeholders in a small-scale research-practice partnership (RPP) reflected on the evaluation project by responding to three prompts. A researcher, community organization leader, and funder at a small foundation share specific tips for those considering a small-scale RPP. Engaging in a small-scale RPPs can be a very meaningful experience for individual researchers and smaller organizations and funders. The benefits and challenges align and differ in many ways with those encountered in larger projects.

Violence as a health disparity: Adolescents' perceptions of violence depicted through photovoice.

Violence is a public health issue that disproportionately affects adolescents from historically marginalized communities. In response to growing concerns of local violence, our community-academic partnership explored adolescents' perspectives about violence, including perceptions of its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. Ten adolescents participated in a 12-week photovoice project. They received training in basic research methodologies, documented representations of violence through digital photography and creative writing, engaged in empowerment-based photo-discussions, and presented their work to influential advocates in a community forum. Adolescents and staff conducted a thematic analysis of photographs and narratives from which 10 themes emerged across 3 domains: a culture of violence and oppression, structural violence, and mental and physical health. Adolescents presented their work to community stakeholders in a public forum to foster additional discussions regarding violence in the community. This photovoice project yielded rich qualitative insight into adolescents' experiences with and perceptions of violence.