C o m m u N I t y - B a S E D R E S E a r c h : W H E R E t H E m a G I c h a P P E N S
By Shuana Niessen
( L-R ) Researchers Brian Lewis , Dr . Lee Schaefer , and Dr . Sean Lessard with Quinton , a Growing Young Mover
Community-based research is unique because it is not just research — It ’ s about developing relationships and transforming lives . Commitments are longterm and indefinite , and the research must be a secondary concern . Such is the case for three researchers , Brian Lewis , Dr . Sean Lessard , and Dr . Lee Schaefer , who are involved in the development of and research with Growing Young Movers ( GYM ), an after school program dedicated to the social , emotional , and physical development of children and youth from North Central Regina .
Brian Lewis , a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Education , and a past Physical Education / Health Consultant for Regina Catholic School Division , had a vision for after school programming for youth around movement , wellness , and physical education . “ I was trying to run programs that looked different than the typical sport programs , than the ones I had seen as an educator ,” he says . When Lewis first met Schaefer and Lessard , professors in the Faculty of Education , he was looking to do further research . The three began informally discussing the need they saw for after school programming that would reach students who may have less access to competitive sports , and who may not have the opportunity to participate in such a program . “ We began talking about the possibility of creating a space where we could connect with a community and research alongside that community ,” says Lessard
“ There was good symmetry between us ,” says Lessard . “ I was new to Regina , and had acquired funding that could be directed towards a new program . Brian is unbelievably skilled in terms of working within programming ... as soon as Brian started asking , ‘ What about all the other kids that don ’ t get a chance to participate ?’, I was 100 % in ,” says Lessard .
Lessard ’ s strength is in working with communities and Aboriginal youth as well as advocating for funding , and Schaefer offers his expertise in the research process . “ Lee is our methodologist ; he keeps us on track ; he works on data collection and administrating the project ,” says Lessard . Schaefer ’ s interest in movement and physical literacy complements Lewis ’ s interest . Schaefer also brings to the program his connection to the Faculty of Education ’ s Health Outdoor Physical Education ( HOPE ) student association for which he is faculty liaison . Through this connection , GYM has access to university students who are interested in volunteering their time to work with the program . HOPE students have also assisted the GYM program through a variety of fundraisers , which have provided equipment and resources to the program , including the purchase of running shoes for each of the students in GYM .
“ We could also agree on the methodology for the research ,” says Lessard . The research methods are a mix of indigenous methodology and narrative inquiry , qualitative methods that allow the research to grow slowly out of relationship with the participants . “ We do not study kids ; we listen to them tell their stories , sharing experiences about life in this space we ’ ve created with them ,” says Lessard . However , when applying for a grant or ethics approval , researchers are required to plan their research in a prescriptive manner . It is necessary to be specific : to say for instance “ I ’ m interviewing three students .” In fact , says Lewis , “ the students pick the researcher — it ’ s the reverse .”
Out of these discussions , the Growing Young Movers ( GYM ) after school program began . GYM
Page 14