Adapting Community Researcher Training

In June 2023, Stephane and Martyn shared a new challenge: how do we keep our Community Researcher training relevant, ethical, and useful as the work evolves?

“We feel our existing training sits somewhere between what we’re now calling Basic and Enhanced,” they wrote, in a paper circulated to the team. It was clear we needed to refresh our approach.

We looked at everything—from consent forms to trauma-informed practice, from recording conversations to navigating boundaries. The goal wasn’t just technical skills—it was confidence, clarity, and care.

We also discussed ways to support researchers as they work. Not just upfront training, but ongoing mentorship and reflection spaces.

Because community research isn’t neutral. It’s emotional, complex, and full of power dynamics. And if we want to do it well, we have to keep learning.

This is how we build trust—not only between researchers and participants, but between each other as a team. We’re not just collecting stories. We’re building relationships that last.