Suchergebnisse

Since 2013, the Sociology Department and the Library at Xavier University have partnered to carry out a community-based research study focused on food insecurity in Cincinnati. Kandi Stinson, faculty member in Sociology and Michelle Early, librarian, have co-taught the two-semester research methods sequence required for Sociology majors. Students were involved in all phases of the research up to the implementation of the results. Having a faculty member and a librarian co-instruct the course enabled a seamless integration of library research and the hands-on research study. In 2016 the research project has taken a new turn after the co-instructors were approached by the Care Management Coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students about the possibility of conducting a research study on food insecurity on the Xavier University campus. At the same time that the Coordinator was made aware of students who were struggling with food insecurity, student representatives from the Student Government Association identified campus food insecurity as an issue they wanted to address in 2016-2017. Taking on this project provided the research students an opportunity to extend their involvement from conducting a research study to participating in the implementation of the results in specific programs and services. The collaboration between an academic course, the Library, the Office of the Dean of Students, and Student Government Association, clearly has significant benefits, including more people-power, greater resources, and an increased chance of effecting real change. At the same time, there are challenges, such as communicating across traditional campus "silos," balancing the different interests and goals of the partners, and coordinating their efforts. The presenters will focus on the logistics, benefits, and challenges of building partnerships across the college campus to address food insecurity among college students.