Partnership for the Engagement of People in Pain Research
Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Building Capacity for Critical Social Science Approaches to Pain Scholarship
Partnership for the Engagement of People in Pain Research (PEPR) advances social science research in the field of chronic pain to highlight the workings of institutional and social power.
PEPR explores participant engagement (ParE) using critical sociology by applying principles of EDI. It is guided by institutional ethnography, a sociological approach that begins in the standpoint of people with lived experience of chronic pain and marginalization (PWLECPM). PEPR provides a novel opportunity to enhance social science approaches to address inequity in ParE in health research.
Co-creating Inclusive and Equitable Engagement
PEPR is a five-year multi-disciplinary partnership. Our primary objective is to support Canadian academic and non-academic partners to conduct innovative and inclusive research related to chronic pain and marginalization that optimizes co-creation of knowledge and participation of, and outcomes for, PWLECPM. We will explore how we can reshape engagement to better reflect the needs and knowledges of those living with chronic pain and marginalization. Our team will explore how and in what ways engagement can be made more inclusive, safe, and equitable through four interrelated projects. We will facilitate a national network that optimizes meaningful engagement with community partners and PWLECPM by involving them in all aspects of conducting and communicating research related to chronic pain, marginalization, and health equity.
A Multi-Disciplinary, Multi-Sector,
Multi-Province Approach
PEPR's groundbreaking research uses social sciences approaches to understand the science of engagement in research, explicating its histories and trends, and positioning itself within a new way forward that is focused on equity and inclusion. A range of stakeholders are actively involved in our research and decision-making. We commit to work that is relevant, beneficial, and respectful of the standpoint and experiences of the participants. We are creating sustainable connections and generating new insights for meaningful engagement in pain research.
Diverse Perspectives
Our project embraces diverse perspectives to better reflect the needs and knowledge of people with lived experience of chronic pain and marginalization
Co-Created Knowledge
We collaborate and co-create knowledge to develop tools and guidelines for engagement. This is an iterative process, striving for continuous improvement and innovation.
Equity and Inclusion
We prioritize equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization in our work, striving to improve social and health equity in the field of chronic pain research.
Critical Perspectives
Our research considers social and power inequities that have historically precluded meaningful participation of diverse voices in pain scholarship.
This partnership is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Connect with the PEPR team
Learn more about our research, or get in touch with someone on our team
