Community-based research is difficult and time-consuming. Often, this research is extractive, and researchers treat communities as subjects rather than partners. Although this work has recently shifted to be more inclusive of communities, researchers often don’t have clear guidelines and can unintentionally cause harm. In 2024, I  worked as a research assistant the Climate Pedagogy Incubator, first as a STAR Scholar, and then as an ASURS Scholar.  In my research, we met leaders of climate-engaged organizations across Philadelphia to initiate relationships toward the goal of collectively developing the project to fit everyone’s needs. Early in the process I created a survey to aid this work, which I modified to be more inclusive of the researchers after we spent time with partners interrogating this tool.

Informed by background research and what I learned in these meetings, I developed an outline for a Toolkit for building equitable, relationship-driven university-community partnerships. I then built-out the first part of the Toolkit, focused on initiating these relationships. It includes principles, reflections, and activities, including my own survey. The CPI will use this tool and distribute it to other researchers, educators, and community organizations. Below you will see my STAR Scholars final poster. The Toolkit is available for download here.