The Center for Community-Engaged Research (CCER) connects community organizations and Northwestern researchers to build lasting research partnerships grounded in community priorities. Housed within Northwestern’s Office for Research, the University-wide center works across disciplines and alongside existing centers, institutes and offices to support collaboration across Evanston, Chicago and the broader region.
CCER is developing support to help community organizations and Northwestern researchers establish partnerships, design research together and navigate the practical requirements of collaboration. Services and opportunities will be introduced in phases.
We value you as a research partner, not just a participant. Community partners are co-investigators contributing expertise that shapes research questions, methods and the interpretation and use of findings.
Community-engaged research is rigorous scholarship, and it works best when the University reduces the administrative burdens and provides the infrastructure to perform this work well.
Community-engaged research is rigorous scholarship conducted with—not simply in or about—communities. Engagement can range from community-informed research to fully co-led or community-led research, depending on the partnership's goals and context. Community knowledge and experience help guide the work throughout the research process.
The most complex societal challenges cannot be addressed by any one organization or discipline; progress depends on durable networks built around shared goals, complementary expertise and trust.”
Michelle Shumate
Inaugural Director
Delaney Family University Research Professor, School of Communication