Community-Led Research
Our Methods
Community-engaged research happens across a broad spectrum of possibilities. While we tailor our approach to the unique needs and objectives of each project, check out the components of the community-led research that originates within Transcend the Binary.
You can also read more about the pillars of our Research Collective!
Community - Engaged Research
In academic circles, “community-engaged research” or community-based participatory research (CBPR) has become something of a buzzword—a phrase that appears frequently in grant applications and research proposals, yet often lacks the specificity needed to understand what meaningful community involvement actually looks like. While many researchers claim to engage communities, the reality is that these efforts frequently fall short of genuine partnership, remaining extractive rather than collaborative. Transcend the Binary has developed a fundamentally different approach that goes far beyond engagement to establish true community leadership in research and program development.
The Spectrum of Community Engagement
From Subjects to Leadership
Subjects
Traditional research approach where community members serve as data sources with minimal involvement in research design or implementation.
Extractive ◊ Academic-Led ◊ Limited Community Input
Consultants
Researchers seek community input on predetermined research questions and methods, but maintain control over the research agenda.
Advisory input ◊ Researcher-controlled ◊ Limited decision-making
Contributors
Researchers seek community input on predetermined research questions and methods, but maintain control over the research agenda.
Shared activities ◊ Collaborative elements ◊ Capacity building
Collaborators
Community and academic researchers share power and decision-making throughout the research process.
Shared power ◊ Co-design ◊ Joint interpretation ◊ Mutual benefit
Empowered Leaders
The research that originates within the Transcend Research Collective operates at the highest level of community engagement, which is TGD-led research. This approach ensures that transgender and gender diverse communities maintain complete control over research that affects their lives, moving beyond traditional academic models to center community empowerment and liberation.
Communities priorities ◊ Academic support ◊ Skill development ◊ Action-oriented
Community-Defined Research
All research priorities, questions, and methods emerge directly from community needs and are determined by community members with lived experience.
Action-Oriented Outcomes
Research produces applied interventions and meaningful community programming rather than solely academic publications.
Community Leadership
Community organizers and non-academic researchers lead all phases of research design, implementation, analysis, and dissemination.
Consent Decision-Making
All decisions follow community consent that honor collective wisdom and community accountability.
Academic Support
Academic collaborators provide technical expertise and institutional resources while following community leadership and values.
TGD- Determined Dissemination
Findings are shared through community-designed formats and platforms that serve community empowerment.
From Our Blog
Redefining Research
When researchers claim their work is “community-engaged,” what does that actually mean? Too often, it’s academic speak for “we consulted with some people” or “we had community members on our advisory board.” But the Transcend Research Collective has developed something radically different—a methodology that shifts power from universities to communities themselves.
Most academic research follows a predictable pattern: university researchers identify a “problem” in a community, design a study, collect data, and publish results in journals that community members can’t access. Communities provide the labor and lived experience while academics harvest the prestige. The TRC recognized this extractive dynamic and chose a different path, demonstrating what happens when transgender and gender diverse communities don’t just participate in research—they lead it.
Partner with us
We recognize that community engaged research happens across a spectrum and are willing to discuss the constraints and possibilities of your project. Together, we can create impactful solutions that resonate with the community.
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- Consult with the Transcend Research Collective
- Sponsor a study or TGD-led research products
- Help get the word out
- Join our team