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Spotlight on Tahani Dari: Championing Community-Based Participatory Research

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UDM is proud to have a distinguished expert in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) among our faculty. Dr. Tahani Dari, a UDM Assistant Professor of Counseling & Director of School Counseling, has recently published a groundbreaking study on CBPR competencies, offering invaluable insights and guidelines for researchers and practitioners alike. Her work is a beacon for those interested in bridging the gap between research and practice, and it underscores the importance of community partnerships in the counseling profession.

Dr. Dari’s recent study addresses a critical issue in the counseling profession: the disconnect between research and practical application. By developing a comprehensive set of CBPR competencies, she provides a framework for effective training and collaboration. The study identifies 153 competencies across four domains—knowledge, skills, attitudes, and activities—each essential for successful community-based research.

Key Findings

  1. Knowledge: Understanding CBPR principles, recognizing community strengths, and knowing strategies for engaging partners.
  2. Skills: Effective communication, reflective listening, group facilitation, and cultural humility.
  3. Attitudes: Emphasizing cultural humility, flexibility, persistence, and valuing power-sharing.
  4. Activities: Deep listening, participant observation, frequent meetings, and collaborative data analysis.

Dr. Dari’s work is particularly relevant for individuals at the UDM who are involved in or interested in community-based research. Her study provides a standardized approach for training in CBPR, promoting experiential learning opportunities for students and professionals. By adopting these competencies, our community can enhance researcher-practitioner collaboration, improve treatment outcomes, and foster overall community well-being.

We encourage all members of the Detroit Mercy community to explore Dr. Dari’s publication and consider how her insights can be applied to their own work. Whether you are a student, faculty member, or practitioner, Dr. Dari’s expertise is a valuable resource for advancing your understanding and practice of CBPR. Her dedication to bridging the gap between research and practice is an inspiration, and we are fortunate to have her as part of our extended academic family.

Dr. Tahani Dari’s contributions to the field of Community-Based Participatory Research are a testament to her commitment to improving the counseling profession, community well-being and fulfilling the UDM mission. Her recent publication offers a wealth of knowledge and practical guidelines. Having such an esteemed expert in-house and work together to implement these competencies in our research and practice.

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About Dr. Tahani Dari Dr. Tahani Dari is a respected figure in the field of counseling and community-based research. With a robust academic background and extensive experience, she has dedicated her career to enhancing the collaboration between researchers and community practitioners. Her commitment to improving treatment outcomes and fostering community well-being is evident in her latest publication, “Development of Community-Based Participatory Research Competencies: A Delphi Study Identifying Best Practices in the Collaborative Process.”

Read the full article here


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