The advisory board perspective from a campus community-based participatory research project on sexual violence

Background: This article presents the experience of one community-based participatory research (CBPR) board and moves board feedback beyond its dialogue with affiliated researchers, expanding the conversations to the broad research community. Methods: The board member authors of this article were part of the Sexual Health Initiative to Foster Transformation (SHIFT), which had some of the highest subject participation rates within the literature on college sexual assault—84% in a daily diary study (N = 427) and 67% in a survey of 2,500 randomly selected students—and enjoyed an overall positive sentiment. Results and Conclusions: Based on the experience of board members this article outlines four recommendations for the construction of CBPR studies: meeting frequently, co-education of board members and researchers, addressing power and privilege, and prioritizing highly valued participation, with mutual respect for and recognition of distinct roles and expertise.