Community-Based Research

Community-based research is a form of investigation that partners UWEC faculty, staff, and/or students with agencies or organizations in the community whose central mission is not research activity nor research funding. Generally at UWEC, community-based research seeks to benefit both the academic partner(s) and the community partner. Typically, the community partner hopes to inform its programming with the data and analysis of the CBR project. The academic partners also intends for the project to contribute new knowledge and to seek publication for the work.

Community-based research is a win for all involved. 

• The community's needs are addressed,
• Faculty careers are enhanced by presentations and publications.
• Students learn to do research! [And] Students learn to address community needs.

Safe Spaces Coalition of the Chippewa Valley is made up of community members, working in partnership with organizations, businesses, and other service-providers throughout Chippewa, Eau Claire, and Dunn counties. Their mission is to improve the safety, visibility, health, and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people of all ages in the Chippewa Valley. This project came about through student-faculty research projects in the UWEC departments of English, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and Social Work. Dr. Theresa Kemp was the primary faculty involved in the project.

• Behavioral Applications Regarding Canines (BARC)

BARC is a research internship program at UWEC in the Psychology department designed to re-train dogs to make them more adoptable through the Eau Claire Humane Association. Students teach the dogs with drills, positive reinforcement, and other behavioral applications. Dr. Carla Lagorio's students work with the Humane Association to better ensure that dogs stay with their adopted parents longer, hopefully forever.