Southwest Studies Regional Research Initiative
Smokestack in front of Churchrock N.M. Navajo Chapter. Photo by Maria Varela.
The Southwest is undergoing massive economic, environmental and cultural change offering both opportunity and challenges. While some changes may offer opportunity to marginalized groups, other changes may endanger the bio-cultural diversity of the region. The survival of its nearly forty different Native American tribes, indigenous immigrant and Latino groups, and other long term residents depends on the ability of these communities to voice their own responses to these changes.
Among the changes in the region has been the emergence of Community Based Participatory Research (CPBR) as a way to create authentic research partnerships between regional academic institutions and communities seeking empowerment. These partnerships focus on supporting legal and policy initiatives of communities working to accomplish beneficial socio- economic change and protect ancestral lands, water and culture.
For Southwest Studies at The Colorado College, supporting communities engaged in research provides the opportunity to make a contribution within our competence that will strengthen community voices and enhance student and faculty learning.
RRI has been in existence since 2005, and has accomplished:
- Faculty Seminar on Community based Participatory Research - Theory and Methods. In 2005, academics, community practitioners and leaders were brought to Colorado College for a two day seminar on theory, methods, case studies and evaluation of Community Based Participatory Research.
- Southwest Studies Summer Research Fellowship. Between 2006-08 ten students were awarded Research Fellowships to work with non profits desiring research on water rights, sustainable agriculture, community land trusts and the impacts of uranium mining on the health of uranium workers.
- Southwest Studies Post Gradation Internships are awarded to graduating senior desiring to work with a non profit or agency advancing environmental justice, economic justice and cultural rights.