Homelessness-Experienced Action Research Training (HEART) Fellowship
Watch our HEART Fellowship Webinar above to find out what we learned in our first year of the research justice and democracy fellowship, including what this model should ideally look like, benefits of the model, and obstacles to its implementation!
Research justice and democracy are primary guiding principles of the Homelessness Hub at UC San Diego. We believe that people with lived experience of homelessness have unique insights on the societal challenge of homelessness born of personal experience and as such, should be included in research (as well as policy, services, and decision-making) aimed at understanding causes and solutions to this communal crisis. We believe they should also be fairly compensated for their contributions.
In December 2023, we welcomed seven outstanding Homelessness-Experienced Action Research Training (HEART) Fellows to the team to contribute to the Homelessness Services Ecosystem Evaluation (H-SEE) that was just launching. "Action research" is a collaborative, qualitative method that focuses on solving problems by generating knowledge, collectively reflecting on it, and taking action.
HEART Fellows have been involved in all aspects of the investigation, from research design to data collection and analysis. We believe that the inclusion of people with direct experience of homelessness in this system has multiple benefits, including enriching the quality of the research, offering Fellows new skills, knowledge, and opportunities, and potentially shifting public attitudes about this issue and the people who are struggling without housing.
HEART co-researchers are compensated for their time, efforts and contributions, both during training and subsequently as members of the research team, attending meetings, collecting data out in the field, working on analysis, and communicating findings. They are trained in qualitative research methods, including the creation of effective research questions, research design, and surveying and interviewing. We also collectively discuss root causes of homelessness, and the funding and structure of our services ecosystem in San Diego. At the same time as Fellows are gaining knowledge in some areas, they are imparting critical knowledge to the rest of the team, drawing from their own expertise and insights on the workings of the homelessness services system. HEART Fellows additionally participate as ex-officio members of the Community Advisory Board (CAB), attending meetings and sharing their perspectives throughout the year.
See recent news coverage about the HEART Fellowship here.
