Meredith Minkler, who holds a doctoral degree in public health, will give a communitywide presentation to introduce Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Lowe Auditorium, Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th Street N. and Oliver in Wichita.

Admission is free.

CBPR brings traditional academic researchers together with people who are working to address community health challenges.

This type of research relies on strong collaborations to produce research that makes a difference in the community as well as in the field of health services and research.

“Dr. Minkler is an international authority on Community-Based Participatory Research,” said Lou Medvene, professor of psychology at WSU. “Her innovative work around the world has shown researchers how, working with community members, they can make a difference in people’s lives and also make a contribution to knowledge.”

Minkler is a national authority on CBPR and has successfully carried out many projects in which researchers and community members have worked together to develop and implement programs to improve community health.

She is the founding director of the UC Berkeley Center on Aging. Minkler currently serves as chair of the campus’ Community-Engaged Research Faculty Network, and as a member of the Governing Board of the UC systemwide Center for Collaborative Research for an Equitable California.

For more than 36 years, she has undertaken research on health disparities, frequently using CBPR methods. Minkler has published 130 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters as well as eight books.

The communitywide presentation is sponsored by Wichita State University’s Psychology Department, WSU’s College of Health Professions and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Medical Society of Sedgwick County and the KU School of Medicine-Wichita.