Our Work
Our Work
Empowering Community Voices
The Community Research Review Board
The Community Research Review Board (CRRB) brings together Promise Zone residents, local stakeholders, and researchers to uphold ethical and respectful research practices in West Philadelphia. The CRRB ensures that all research conducted in the Promise Zone aligns with community values and delivers tangible benefits to its residents.
By reviewing research proposals and protocols, the CRRB provides valuable feedback from a community-centered perspective, fostering trust and collaboration between researchers and the community.
Building a Model for Ethical and Inclusive Research Oversight
Study Report: Community Engagement Practices and Policies of Philadelphia Institutional Review Boards
In 2019, the Promise Zone Research Connection (PZRC) showcased its dedication to community-driven research by submitting a poster at the Community Driven Research Day event. This effort secured funding to investigate how Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in Philadelphia operate in the context of place-based, geographically-focused research.
Currently, Philadelphia lacks an institution that provides cross-institutional oversight tailored to specific neighborhoods like the Promise Zone. Our Study Report aims to bridge this gap by exploring whether and how IRBs monitor the neighborhoods where research is conducted. The study will also assess the feasibility of collaborating with a community research review board (CRRB) to ensure more inclusive and ethical research practices. Results, expected in early 2022, will be shared with IRBs, Promise Zone residents, and local organizations to inform and improve research governance.
The challenges faced by Promise Zone residents mirror those of communities across Philadelphia and the nation. By addressing these challenges, we aspire to create a model of equitable research oversight that can benefit research-burdened communities everywhere.
Partnership
Collaborating for Governance and Launch Support
The Promise Zone Research Connection (PZRC) collaborated with the Stern Community Lawyering Clinic (CLC) at Drexel University’s Kline School of Law to strengthen its foundation and operations. Together, we developed a comprehensive governance structure and incorporation guidelines for the PZRC. Additionally, the partnership produced an operations manual to support the successful launch of the Community Research Review Board (CRRB), ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability for our mission.