YPAR Network
The YPAR Network is a broad network of diverse YPAR scholars and practitioners that will expand and refine YPAR practice, and increase the reach, evidence base, and impact of YPAR. YPAR is an innovative, equity-focused approach to positive youth and community development in which young people conduct systematic research to improve their lives, communities, and the institutions intended to serve them. As a participatory research approach, YPAR values youth voice and promotes healthier development for young people across the lifespan. YPAR researchers and youth engaged in YPAR utilize a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods in cycles of inquiry and action.
The YPAR Network is led by Dr. Emily Ozer, PhD (UC Berkeley) and Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, PhD (University of Connecticut).
Vision
A world in which youth participatory action research transforms and advances the vision and priorities of diverse youth and communities.
Mission
Establish and nurture a network of broad and diverse YPAR scholars and practitioners that will expand and refine YPAR practice, and increase the reach, evidence base, and impact of YPAR.
Below is a list of the types of activities the network may engage in.
1. Building the capacity of members to conduct high quality YPAR projects and research
2. Sharing best practices and troubleshooting challenges
3. Providing training to scholars and practitioners around the science and practice of YPAR
4. Increasing the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy of YPAR scholars and K-12 education partners to authentically engage youth in PAR
5. Expanding the evidence base and literature
6. Leading capacity-building module development and dissemination
7. Creating and piloting a readiness assessment for YPAR practitioners to support capacity-building efforts
8. Facilitating community and collaboration between YPAR scholars
9. Refining research and evaluation metrics for YPAR
10. Creating broad engagement and training opportunities nationally and internationally
11. Evaluating our processes and outcomes as a network
Principles of Community
Our principles of community reflect our values of respect, critical inquiry, collaboration, mutual learning, and building and sharing knowledge. In service of our commitment to strengthen YPAR and share best practices with our youth and community partners, every member of the YPAR network community has a role in creating and sustaining an inclusive, collaborative, safe, fun, caring, and humane environment in which these principles can thrive.
1. We are committed to collaboratively building the field of YPAR across age, positionality, and diverse contexts. By fostering mutual learning and collaboration, we advance YPAR together, breaking down silos and creating a more inclusive, interdisciplinary field.
2. We embrace diverse positions, perspectives, and identities, and engage in respectful dialogue that honors the full spectrum of views held by our varied members.
3. We continue to learn from one another, our community partners, and the young people we work with. We value the perspectives, expertise, and experiences of all stakeholders equally.
4. We prioritize diversity, participation, and equity; hold one another accountable; and work with honesty and integrity. We are open, non-defensive, and responsive to feedback about ways in which we can increase justice in our community and our work. We challenge one another’s ideas while treating one another with respect.
