Professor Robyn Munford

1. Building Inclusive Communities for Families and Children: Lessons for Practice and Research Professor Robyn Munford Pathways to Resilience Project Practice Research and Practice Development Hub School of Health and Social Services

2. Key Themes for Community-BasedResearch • Establishing and sustaining effective research partnerships. • Identifying relevant research questions. • Combining research methodologies. • Building sensitive research partnerships based on a foundation of shared learning. • Promoting critical reflection as an integral component of practice and research. • Creating a dynamic relationship between theory, research and practice – praxis. Professor Robyn Munford Massey University

3. Key Activities • Making connections – establishing the practice and research relationships, developing curiosity, engaging in ‘possibility thinking’. • Setting up critical reflection processes – • Building the team – facilitation processes. • Creating cycles of action and reflection. • Identifying techniques for measuring progress. Professor Robyn Munford Massey University

4. Key Activities • Identifying the issuesand thinking about research questions – what is it we want to know and why? Some examples of research questions: • Who are the people we serve and what are their issues? • Mapping family and community change processes. • Mapping the values, principles, knowledge and skills of practitioners. • Identifying the differences we wish to make and the outcomes we wish to achieve. • Mapping how policy translates into practice and programme design and implementation. Professor Robyn Munford Massey University

5. Key Activities • Connecting with the issue and the research questions: • Who is involved? • History – how do those involved define their history? • Context – within organisations, families, communities. • Cultural frameworks and meaning systems. Professor Robyn Munford Massey University

6. Key Activities • Research Methods and Techniques • Overarching perspective - co-operative and collaborative inquiry and empowerment evaluation • Defining evidence. • A combination of techniques – observation, reviewing documentation, interviews, guided research conversations and story-telling, focus groups, critical events analysis, community profiles, mapping community events and activities. Professor Robyn Munford

7. Key Activities • Challenges • Respecting sensitive information and processes. • Addressing ethical questions. • Maintaining participation. • Maintaining critical reflection – use of critical friends and appreciative inquirers. • Maintaining the dynamic relationships between research into practice and practice into research – praxis. Professor Robyn Munford Massey University

8. References • Handley, K., Horn, S., Kaipuke, R., Maden, B., Maden, E., Stuckey B., Munford, R. & Sanders J. (2009). The Spinafex Effect - A Theory of Change. New Zealand: The Families Commission. • Munford, R. & Walsh-Tapiata, W. (2005). Community development principles into • practice. In Nash, M., Munford, R. & O’Donoghue, K. Social Work Theories in • Action. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 97-112. • Munford, R. & Sanders, J. (with Andrew, A., Butler, P., Ruwhiu, L.) (2003). Action • Research with families/whanau and communities. In Munford, R. & Sanders, J. • Making a Difference in Families: Research that Creates Change. Allen and Unwin: • Sydney, 93-112. • Sanders, J. & Munford R. (2010). Working with Families: Strengths-based Approaches. New Zealand: Dunmore Publishing. Professor Robyn Munford

9. 2010 ACWA ConferenceBuilding a Child Friendly Australia:Responding to Vulnerable Families Professor Robyn Munford School of Health and Social Services Massey University Aotearoa/New Zealand Contact:r.munford@massey.ac.nz http://www.massey.ac.nz/