Moving Beyond Performative Research Methods

Advancing Health Equity Through Transformative Community-Based Participatory Research Praxis

Bibliographic Data

ID19578564
AuthorsJuan Carlos Ruiz Malagon (0009-0005-5212-9732, University of California, Irvine, corresponding author), Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga (0000-0001-8654-6124, University of California, San Francisco), Alonso R Reyna Rivarola (0000-0002-2275-9355, Salt Lake Community College)
Year2026
Volume10
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Equity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2473-1242 • E-ISSN: 2473-1242
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/24731242261417880
OpenAlexW7132856999
LanguageEN
References cited19

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) promises equity but often falls short, reproducing power imbalances and tokenistic engagement. This perspective calls for a transformative CBPR praxis grounded in intersectionality, positionality, and critical consciousness. We critique superficial applications of CBPR and propose actionable commitments: community sovereignty, intersectional accountability, structural reflexivity, critical action priorities, epistemic justice, and institutional reform. By interrogating researcher privilege and systemic inequities, CBPR can move beyond symbolic inclusion toward authentic collaboration that centers community voice and authority. Transformative CBPR is essential for advancing health equity and resisting exploitative research practices

Action research · Citizen journalism · Community-based participatory research · Equity (law) · Participatory action research · Performative utterance · Praxis · Privilege (computing) · Transformative learning · Community Health and Development · Health Policy Implementation Science · Participatory Visual Research Methods