Using a Communities of Practice model to contribute to community cohesion and self reliance

本研究探讨了实践社区方法（CoP）在社区大学合作伙伴关系（CUPs）中的应用。一个具体的焦点是，组建缔约方会议是否可以帮助陷入困境的社区应对日益紧张的资源环境。他们是否会把人们聚集在一起解决共同的问题，克服由特定的组织隶属关系和个人背景带来的观点差异？数据包括：文献综述，半结构化访谈和与CUP成员的焦点小组，以及芝加哥实地调查。我们的研究培养了一位当地从业者的研究能力，他在他的少数民族社区内外分享了项目的学习成果。数据分析表明，缔约方会议方法适用于跨界合作（例如自愿、法定和大学部门）的个人。引人注目的是，我们的文献综述显示，除了我们自己有限的工作之外，CoP方法在CUPs中的应用很少。在文献中，cop因未明确处理不平等问题而受到批评；虽然它们可能为解决分歧提供了空间，但对缔约方会议如何通过群体间冲突发挥作用的分析有限。然而，我们的经验数据揭示了更多的潜力。鉴于这一前景，未来的研究重点包括：(1)旨在为发展凝聚力和学习提供有效机制的cop实证研究；(2)加强社区合作伙伴在合作生产和社区知识交流中的作用。

This study explores the application of the communities of practice approach (CoP) to community-university partnerships (CUPs). A specific focus is whether forming CoPs might help struggling communities cope within an increasingly resource-stretched environment. Might they bring people together to solve common problems, overcoming differences in perspective brought about by specific organisational affiliations and personal backgrounds? Data includes: a literature review, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with CUP members, and Chicago fieldwork. Our study developed the research capacity of a local practitioner who shared the project's learning within his ethnic minority community and beyond.Data analysis indicated the versatility of the CoP approach for individuals working in partnership across boundaries (for example voluntary, statutory and university sectors). Strikingly, our literature review shows little application of the CoP approach to CUPs, beyond our own limited work. In the literature, CoPs are critiqued for not dealing explicitly with inequalities; while they may offer space to address differences, there is limited analysis of how CoPs work through inter-group conflicts. However our empirical data revealed more potential. Given this promise, future research priorities include (1) empirical studies of CoPs designed to provide effective mechanisms for developing cohesion and learning, and (2) enhancing the role of community partners in co-production and community knowledge exchange.