Chapter 10: Developing Novice Researchers as Social Justice Advocates: Lessons Learned From the Trenches in Performing Community-Based Research Pedagogy

The introduction to educational research for the novice researcher, at times, can seem daunting. In this chapter, the authors advance their understanding of community-based research (CBR) as a pedagogical approach, interrogating how they defined themselves as pedagogues before and after the completion of their community-based oral history project focused on the Historic Virginia Key Beach—“the Colored Beach.” Furthermore, they address their own and their student-researchers’ transformation into capacity builders and advocates for social justice through the project. In doing so, the authors seek to shed light on CBR pedagogy as a means to (1) develop capacity in communities, (2) develop social justice advocates, and (3) inform pedagogical theory and practice through our work with the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Trust in Miami, Florida.