Youth Participatory Action Research

Photovoice Project

Under the Sky's Sunset

Under the Sky's Sunset

Under the sky's sunset​
Waits an obstacle to be crossed​
For sentience to reach its peaks

Finding My Niche

Finding my Niche

Flatiron View

Flatiron View

Everyday on campus I get reminded of the privilege it is to be here. The view of the flatirons doesn’t let me forget it.

The View

The View

The photo was taken when my friend and I flew over Boulder Campus. During this flight, I was given perspective on how small everything looks from high above and I related this view to how my problems should look. I shouldn’t allow my big problems to overwhelm me. Instead I should soar and make the problem a smaller one that is easy to deal with.

Rose in the Frozen Concrete

Rose in the Frozen Concrete

My life has never been easy, but somehow I grew through the cold concrete. Every day I fight to stay warm in the cold. Every day I protect my petals from dying and wilting away. Somehow I created a space for my flower to live through the lonely cold days. Every time I go through the motions of life, I'm securing the chance for my flower to grow another day.​

Rec Center Photovoice pic

A Place I Visit Often

My favorite place on campus has to be the rec, it the only place I actually throughly enjoy interacting with other people.

Student alone in auditorium seats in classroom

Detachment From College

Whenever I take a seating in any place. There are times people actively avoid sitting around/net me. Until forced to sit. Where there’s also gazes of "why are you here?"

Stairs on campus

Moving Up

Green landscape

Away

This is the entrance to a trail behind the rec center that goes down to the creek. I first was shown this area during a program named Aquetza by a mentor. Since then, I’ve gone down this trail many times when existing on campus gets too heavy. It's a spot where I can watch the ducks play in the water and make space for myself.

Safety

Safety

To me, this picture symbolizes safety and comfort. As a Muslim, I pray 5 times a day. Being a full-time student makes it a little harder for me to practice this throughout my day. However, after discovering a space in Norlin called the “mindfulness room”, it started to become the place where I pray in between classes. It is very rare for me to see Muslims around campus, however during prayer time, this room is filled with people who not only come from similar backgrounds as me but also share the same values.

Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)

Ongoing Research: Photovoice is a qualitative research method employed in community-based participatory research for the purpose of reflecting the lived reality and concerns of a community, sparking critical dialogue for actionable change, and reaching policymakers and stakeholders who hold institutional power. In 2023, Over the course of two weeks, a group of 15 undergraduate students of color documented their experiences navigating a PWI, identified institutional barriers, and through group dialogue, proposed strategies for a more just campus. An exhibit and presentation of the culminating project titled: #NoFilter: Exploring the experiences of BIPOC Students at a PWI was shared with the CU Boulder campus community in April 2024.

Previous Projects: During the 2014-15 academic year, a team of five undergraduates, one doctoral student, and one faculty member explored issues of access, equity, and diversity on the CU-Boulder campus. This research is now informing CU Engage's strategic planning and inclusive practices. Drawing on the principles and practices of participatory action research (PAR), our team a) documented community engagement perspectives and activities among students from under-represented groups; b) identified factors that serve either as barriers or invitations to greater involvement; and c) proposed strategies for CU Engage to implement in its first three years. You can read an article about our participatory research project, or download and read our report: "Students of Color Are Motivated Agents of Change: So Why Aren't We Joining Your Programs?" CU Engage is committed to undertaking other PAR projects with undergraduate students in the future. If you’d like to get involved with PAR and/or propose a project, please email cuengage@colorado.edu.