Advancing Ethical, Community-Led Research

Research has the power to transform lives—but too often, it is conducted on communities rather than with them. The Great Lakes Community Review Board (GLCRB) ensures that research is ethical, community-driven, and aligned with the values, priorities, and expertise of the people it affects.

We champion humanizing, desire-based research that uplifts community knowledge and perspectives. Our rigorous review process holds researchers and institutions accountable to the communities they engage, ensuring that research serves as a tool for justice, not exploitation.

What We Do:

✔ Protect & Advocate – We safeguard the interests of historically over-researched and underrepresented communities, ensuring their voices lead the conversation and that research contributes to their communities.

✔ Review & Approve – We assess research proposals for ethical integrity, cultural appropriateness, and genuine community involvement.

✔ Educate & Train – We equip residents with the tools to understand and influence research, fostering greater participation and co-ownership of data.

✔ Challenge Harmful Narratives – We reject deficit-based research models that focus solely on problems and needs, instead prioritizing research that amplifies community strengths and aspirations.

Support the Move to Community-First Research

If you’re a researcher, institution, or community member committed to ethical, community-first research, we invite you to learn more, submit research for review, and support this transformative work.

Rooted in the Great Lakes Region, committed to global change