Meet IBH’s Peer Research Assistants.
At the Institute for Better Health (IBH), we believe that impactful research isn’t just about data but the people and partnerships behind it. Our Peer Research Assistants (PRAs) are the embodiment of our commitment to centring community priorities, strengths and needs in research. Through a community-based participatory research approach, PRAs are team members with lived experience that bring their unique and invaluable social, cultural and contextual insights to shape the work we do.
Engaging people with lived experience improves the quality and relevance of the associated research, but it can be challenging to meaningfully and authentically embed them into the work. Most often, those with lived experience are consulted or studied, but rarely fully integrated into the research team. “A big part of community-based participatory research is ensuring lived experience is central, and for us, that includes bringing on Peer Research Assistants,” says Dianne Fierheller, Scientist, Co-Lead of the Family and Child Health Initiative (FCHI) and Community Engagement Lead, IBH. This approach ensures that lived experience guides every step of the research process and plays a central role in our community-based work.
“What sets the PRA role apart is our non-traditional approach to recruitment, where lived experience takes precedence over research experience,” says Crystal Williams, Manager, Research Programs. “We welcome individuals without prior research training, ensuring they are supported and equipped through comprehensive training provided by our dedicated Scientists and their teams.” This approach not only enriches our research but also fulfills our goal to “Empower our community—patients, families, providers, partners, and residents—throughout the research and innovation process.”
The impact of our PRAs has been profound. “I can’t imagine doing research any other way now that we’ve embedded this role into our program and see its importance,” says Fierheller. “People with lived experience bring in unique perspectives we simply can’t get elsewhere, particularly when it comes to understanding the nuances of the communities we work with.” As we’ve refined and expanded the role through our initial cohort, we’ve seen the potential for this model to support and enhance a wide range of research projects.
IBH’s past and present Peer Research Assistants with the Family and Child Health Initiative team
The PRA program at IBH is a testament to how centring our community experience and knowledge at every step of the research process can lead to meaningful, lasting impact. Read on to meet some of our past and present Peer Research Associates, who have worked on various projects with IBH’s Family and Child Health Initiative.
What do you see as the impact of the Peer Researcher role?
“When there are people with lived experience on the ‘frontlines,’ the results and work are more genuine and resonate deeply within the community.” – Serena Hong, Peer Research Assistant, IBH
“Trust building. My lived experience allows me to make connections and build trust with participants, especially those who are newcomers.” – Rashmi Narkhede, Researcher, Centre for Community Based Research, Waterloo, Ont.; former Peer Research Assistant, IBH
“Throughout a type 1 diabetes (T1D) and Peer Support research project, my dual identity as a person with type 1 diabetes and a researcher made me attentive and compassionate when interacting with study participants, and highly empathetic when hearing about T1D-related challenges, as I have a first-hand understanding of how difficult these experiences could be. I learned that when people feel heard and understood, it can encourage more authentic dialogue, especially when discussing highly sensitive and/or stigmatized topics like living with a chronic disease.” – Ethan Parikh, Peer Research Assistant, IBH
“The Peer Researcher role is invaluable in creating a new kind of health care that is more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to community needs. Peer Researchers bring lived experiences and a deep understanding of the communities they represent, allowing for more authentic engagement and collaboration. This role can help bridge the gap between researchers and community members, ensuring that research is not only about the community but also with and for the community. This participatory approach can shape healthier communities by fostering trust, promoting culturally sensitive practices, and ensuring that research outcomes are more relevant and actionable.” – Michelle Vinod, Peer Research Assistant, IBH
Can you describe any highlights in this role?
“As a PRA, I was able to support with photo-voice workshops, where I got to build relationships and rapport with the participants. Listening and creating a space where community members felt safe enough to open up and speak about their experiences was rewarding and gave me an opportunity to learn about their nuanced, culturally specific experiences, especially in the context of the family violence project I was working on. The work didn’t end with the workshops, it continued into the knowledge exchange event where we brought individuals and community organizations together to continue the conversation.” – Serena Hong
“Working on the Health Equity Forum, the FCHI team entrusted me in a leading role as coordinator for the event. I was the person exchanging emails and coordinating with attendees, including mayors, policymakers and CEOS, as well as being on stage and speaking. The change in my personality has been huge! I am so much more confident – this role brought out the best in me.” – Rashmi Narkhede
“Three impactful experiences come to mind. The first is watching the inspirational digital storytelling videos come to life. Each video covered themes relating to challenges around the time of diagnosis, diabetes management, experiences of support and optimism about the future and were highly impactful to the patients, caregivers, clinicians and community partners who attended our knowledge translation event last year. The second was getting the opportunity to moderate a panel during the knowledge translation event. This panel was special because it served as a safe and non-judgmental environment to explore difficult topics, ensuring a diversity of perspectives and connective attendees with resources and supports. Finally, facilitating monthly Community Advisory Board meetings alongside the research team was an amazing experience.” – Ethan Parikh
“In supporting photo-voice workshops, it was incredibly rewarding to see how participants used photos and narratives to express their experiences and perspectives on family violence and health care access during the pandemic. The process was empowering for them, giving them a voice in the research process and helping them feel heard and valued. Witnessing the transformation in participants’ confidence and willingness to share their stories was a highlight for me and underscored the power of participatory methods.” – Michelle Vinod
What does community engagement mean to you?
“Community engagement makes research more meaningful and inclusive. It allows voices of groups and communities to be heard that are oftentimes missing from research.” – Serena Hong
“Community engagement is by the people, for the people.” – Rashmi Narkhede
“Community engagement is the process of forming meaningful connections with other people who share similar geographical location and/or a common identity. When done with meaningful intent, community engagement can spark widespread positive change.” – Ethan Parikh
“Community engagement means building genuine, respectful relationships with community members, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring that their voices are central throughout the research process. It involves listening to, learning from and co-creating solutions with the community rather than imposing external ideas. True community engagement is about recognizing and valuing the knowledge, strengths and needs of the community and working together to address better health.” – Michelle Vinod
Thank you, Serena, Rashmi, Ethan and Michelle!