“It’s Important to Use Dialogue that Promotes a Safe Space of Inclusivity”: Reflections From a Community Engagement Studio to Inform Creative Alcohol Research

Abstract

There is a pressing need for research that prioritizes the inclusion of diverse communities in the alcohol research field. A community-engaged approach can lead to more sustainable approaches, enhance buy-in, and lead to actions that are more equitable. The Community Engagement Studio (CES) model, which facilitates discussions between researchers, community engagement coordinators, and community experts, is one structured method to support conducting community-engaged research. In our creative alcohol study, we utilized Collaborative Filmmaking (CF) – a participatory, visual research method – to explore structural and neighborhood effects on alcohol use. We applied the CES model to enhance our study with community input prior to launch, which is particularly important when applying novel methodologies. The CES discussion illuminated several topics for the research team to consider regarding research study logistics (e.g., filmmaking prompts, recruitment, filmmaking support) and how to approach the research topic of alcohol use (e.g., trauma, sensitivity). This allowed the research team to make critical adjustments to their approach to ensure the tools, data collection techniques, and recruitment methods were appropriate. Input from community experts also uncovered important considerations related to trauma, ethics, and trust, which are vital for creative, participatory health research. Overall, the CES served as a valuable model for fostering community dialogue and can be used to enhance the impact of creative research.