This resource summarizes key principles of community-engaged research (CER) drawn from several influential frameworks (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) and organizes them by five stages of engagement:

• Preparing for engagement
• Building relationships
• Working together
• Achieving results
• Celebrating wins and planning next steps

It is intended to help both new and experienced community-engaged researchers and their community partners reflect on the core principles and practices of CER and consider how these might be enacted in their own projects.
In defining CER, we draw on community-based participatory research (CBPR), a particularly influential model: “CBPR embraces collaborative efforts among community, academic, and other stakeholders who gather and use research and data to build on the strengths and priorities of the community for multilevel strategies to improve health and social equity” (Wallerstein, Duran, Oetzel, & Minkler, 2017).
Whereas principles represent the core values and beliefs that guide thinking and behavior, practices are the context-specific ways those principles are enacted. This distinction matters because research on CER shows that consistently applying these principles leads to better outcomes for both communities and university partners. Reflecting on the principles and their relevance to your own context can help clarify the engagement strategies most appropriate for your project.
As noted, the principles and practices presented here are organized by the five stages of engagement. However, CER is not a linear process; it is cyclical and iterative, involving ongoing cycles of planning, action, and reflection.

Stage 1: Prepare for Engagement
Stage 2: Build Relationships
Stage 3: Work Together
Stage 4: Achieve Results Together
Stage 5: Celebrate Wins and Plan Next Steps
Conclusion
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