Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) lies at the heart of a robust framework that addresses equity across ARROW’s programming. The CBPR within ARROW builds upon the foundation laid by The Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst and the ELEVATE program at UMass Amherst, as well as similar efforts at the partner universities and labs. CBPR ensures communities are embedded within and engaged with ARROW’s research initiatives. ARROW’s CBPR approach leverages a participatory approach that involves equity and justice stakeholders at every stage of research. This includes not only evaluating the broader impacts of ARROW’s work, but actively shaping research questions and methodologies. By embracing this collaborative paradigm, ARROW ensures that its research is grounded in the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Through surveys, direct engagement, and coordinated input with other ARROW research efforts ARROW CBPR will focus on topics of relevance to marginalized communities, including siting, workforce development, pricing, supply chain, and pollution.