A community engagement reading list

(Photo: jarmoluk)

 The following are some readings from a couple of subjects I teach (at both an undergraduate and postgraduate) on community engagement. The reading lists for the two courses are quite different but I have combined them here to provide a broad range of literature.

I realise that some of them may seem a strange choice, but they are there to make a specific point. For example the paper by Tim Moore (2011) on wicked problems is particularly relevant for students from some of the more scientific disciplines where they are used to the idea that when you do A then B will be the outcome. They need to realise that working with communities is more complex and we don’t always know what will work.

While many of the papers are available online; some of them are chapters from a book or are journal articles that are only available online if you (or a library you belong to) has a subscription.

They are listed alphabetically under some introductory and general material and then three broad areas of community engagement:

1. Introduction to community engagement and general literature
2. Community engagement in community development and community building
3. Community engagement in service delivery
4. Community engagement in planning and decision making

Of course in practice these are not three discrete areas and there can be a great deal of overlap.

Please add any readings you’ve found helpful in the comments section – I’d love to hear what other people find useful.

Introduction to community engagement and general literature

Bryson, L., & Mowbray, M. (2005). More spray on solution: Community, social capital and evidence based policy. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 40(1), 91-106.

Butteriss, C. (2016, 10 July). What is community engagement, exactly? Retrieved from http://bangthetable.com/what-is-community-engagement/

Everingham, C. (2003). Social justice and the politics of community. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. Chapter 1, The politics of community.

Field, J. (2008). Social Capital (2nd ed.). Hoboken: Taylor & Francis. Introduction “What is social capital and why does it matter?”

Gibson, A., Courtney, N., Sample Ward, A., Wilcox, D., & Holthamby, C. (2009). Social by Social: A practical guide to using new technologies to deliver social impact. London: NESTA and OpenMute. Available from https://socialbysocial.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/social_by_social_pdf_download_creative_commons.pdf.

Moore, T. (2011). Wicked problems, rotten outcomes and clumsy solutions: Children and families in a changing world. Paper presented at the NIFTey/CCCH Conference, Sydney. Available from http://www.rch.org.au/emplibrary/ccch/NIFTeY_CCCH_Conference_11_-_paper.pdf

Moore, T., McDonald, M., McHugh-Dillon, H., & West, S. (2016). Community engagement: A key strategy for improving outcomes for Australian families (Child Family Community Australia Paper No. 39). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Pages 1-10. Available from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/sites/default/files/cfca39-community-engagement.pdf

Stuart, G. (2013, March 26). Ethics and community engagement [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/ethics-and-community-engagement/

Stuart, G. (2016, February 25). An introduction to community engagement [Blog Post]. Retrieve from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/02/25/introduction-community-engagement/

Community engagement in community development and community building

Cameron, J., & Gibson, K. (2005). Alternative Pathways to Community and Economic Development: The Latrobe Valley Community Partnering Project. Geographical Research, 43(3), 274-285.

Cameron, J., & Grant-Smith, D. (2005). Building citizens: participatory planning practice and a transformative politics of difference. Urban Policy and Research, 23(1), 21-36.

Cunningham, G. (2011). Community economic literacy and the “leaky bucket”. Antigonish, Canada: Coady International Institute. Available from https://coady.stfx.ca/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/OP9.pdf.

Ife, J. W. (2013). Community development in an uncertain world: Vision, analysis and practice. Cambridge Cambridge University Press. Chapter 6 “Change from Below”

Ife, J., & Tesoriero, F. (2006). Community development: Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Pearson Education. Chapter 6, Participation.

Kretzmann, J. P. (2010). Asset-based strategies for building resilient communities. In J. W. Reich, A. Zautra & J. S. Hall (Eds.), Handbook of adult resilience. New York: Guilford Press.

Kretzmann, J. P., & McKnight, J. L. (1993). Building communities from the inside out: a path toward finding and mobilizing a community’s assets. Evanston, Ill.: Center for Urban Affairs and Policy Research, Northwestern University. Available from https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/publications/Pages/basic-manual.aspx. [I no longer include this in the reading lists as the Kretzman (2010) has some updated information, but I’ve included it here because it is easier to access.]

Mathie, A., Cameron, J., & Gibson, K. (Forthcoming). Asset-based and citizen-led development: Using a diffracted power lens to analyze the possibilities and challenges. Progress in Development Studies.

McCashen, W. (2004). Communities of hope: A strengths-based resource for building community. Bendigo, Vic.: St Luke’s Innovative Resources. Part 2, “Building communities through a strengths approach”.

Taylor, J. (2015). Working with communities (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Chapter 1 “The practice of community work in contemporary Australia”

Westoby, P., & Botes, L. (2012). ‘I Work with the Community, Not the Parties!’ The Political and Practical Dilemmas of South Africa’s State-Employed Community Development Workers. British Journal of Social Work. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcs058.

Willetts, J., Asker, S., Carrard, N., & Winterford, K. (2014). The practice of a strengths-based approach to community development in Solomon Islands. Development Studies Research, 1(1), 354-367. doi: 10.1080/21665095.2014.983275

Yeneabat, M., & Butterfield, A. K. (2012). “We Can’t Eat a Road:” Asset-Based Community Development and The Gedam Sefer Community Partnership in Ethiopia. Journal of Community Practice, 20(1-2), 134-153. doi: 10.1080/10705422.2012.650121.

Young, S. (2006). What is the best modern evidence to guide building a community? West Perth: Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. Available from http://www.aracy.org.au/publications-resources/area?command=record&id=132&cid=6

Community engagement in service delivery

Bowen, F., Newenham-Kahindi, A., & Herremans, I. (2010). When Suits Meet Roots: The Antecedents and Consequences of Community Engagement Strategy. Journal of Business Ethics, 95(2), 297-318. doi: 10.1007/s10551-009-0360-1

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2011). Strengthening family and community engagement in student learning resource. Available from http://www.partners4learning.edu.au/_uploads/_ckpg/files/Attachment%205_Strengthening%20family%20and%20community%20engagement%20in%20student%20learning%20resource.pdf

Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. (2006). Community engagement and development. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Chapter 2 “Key concepts” (pp. 4-12). Available from http://www.minerals.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/17643/CED.pdf

Dib, J. (2014, May 28). School transformation – our students are worth it: Jihad Dib at TEDxSydney 2014 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/jihad-dib/

Epstein, J. L. (2002). School, family, and community partnerships: Caring for the children we share. In J. L. Epstein (Ed.), School, family, and community partnerships: your handbook for action (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Ca.: Corwin Press.

Health Consumers Queensland. (2012). Consumer and Community Engagement Framework. Brisbane: Queensland Government. Available from http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au/uploads/1/5/1/4/15149676/consumer-engagement.pdf

Henderson, A. T., & Mapp, K. L. (2002). A new wave of evidence: The impact of school, family, and community connections on student achievement. Austin, Texas: National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools. Available from http://www.sedl.org/connections/resources/evidence.pdf.

Jennings, K., & Bosch, C. (2011). Parent engagement in children’s education. Western Creek, ACT: Family-School & Community Partnerships Bureau. Available from http://www.familyschool.org.au/index.php/download_file/133/271/

Lonergan, J. (2006). How to engage parents – and how to evaluate that engagement. Paper presented at the Health Promotion & Evaluation in School Settings Seminar. Available from http://www.familyschool.org.au/files/1213/7955/4767/howtoengageparents.pdf.

McDonald, M. (2010). Are disadvantaged families “hard to reach”? Engaging disadvantaged families in child and family services CFCA Practice Sheet. Retrieved from Australian Institute of Family Studies website: https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/are-disadvantaged-families-hard-reach-engaging-disadva

Nair, L. (2012). Safe and supportive families and communities for children: A synopsis and critique of Australian research. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Available from http://www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/pubs/papers/a140415/cfca01.pdf.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. (2010). Working and walking together: Supporting Family Relationship Services to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and organisations. North Fitzroy, Vic.: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. Chapter 5, “Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in culturally competent ways” (pp. 82-103). Available from http://www.snaicc.asn.au/_uploads/rsfil/02497.pdf

Stuart, G. (2013, December 14). Social Determinants of Health – Housing [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/housing-for-health/

Thompson, L. (2008). Community schools in Saskatchewan: A research project. Regina: Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. Available from http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/community-schools-research . Chapter 4, Components of the school community approach.

Vally, S., & Spreem, C. A. (2010). The school-community nexus in South Africa. The school as community hub: Beyond education’s iron cage (Our schools/ourselves special issue), 19(4), 125-144

West-Burnham, J., Farrar, M., & Otero, G. G. (2007). Schools and communities: Working together to transform children’s lives. Stafford: Network Continuum Education. Chapter 5 “Engaging families and the community” (pp. 73-87).

Community engagement in planning and decision making

Bang the Table. (2016). 100 ideas to help engage your community online (2nd ed.). Fitzroy, Vic.: Bang the Table. Available from http://assets.cdnma.com/13684/assets/100IdeasBooklet-v2016.pdf

Bryson, J. M., Quick, K. S., Slotterback, C. S., & Crosby, B. C. (2013). Designing Public Participation Processes. Public Administration Review, 73(1), 23-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2012.02678.x

Butteriss, C., Crozier, M., Scanlan, R., & Gobey, T. (2012). Online consultation guide book  Retrieved from http://www.bangthetable.com/online-consultation-guide-book/ [Need to register to download]

Conn, E. (2011). Community engagement in the social eco-system dance. Birmingham: Third Sector Research Centre. Available from http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/documents/tsrc/discussion-papers/discussion-paper-b-community-engagement.pdf

Connelly, S. (2010). Participation in a Hostile State: How do Planners Act to Shape Public Engagement in Politically Difficult Environments? Planning Practice & Research, 25(3), 333-351. doi: 10.1080/02697459.2010.503427

CTSA Community Engagement Key Function Committee Task Force on the Principles of Community Engagement. (2011). Principles of Community Engagement. Washington: Department of Health and Human Services. Chapter 2” Principles of community engagement” (pp. 44-53). Available from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/communityengagement/pdf/PCE_Report_508_FINAL.pdf

Department of Communities (2005). Engaging Queenslanders: An introduction to community engagement. Brisbane: Queensland Government Department of Communities. Available from http://carleton.ca/cure/wp-content/uploads/Intro_CE.pdf.

Environment Defenders Office NSW, & Total Environment Centre (2010). Reconnecting the Community with the Planning System. Sydney: Department of Planning. Available from http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Portals/0/PolicyAndLegislation/TEC_EDO_Planning_Consultation_Final_Report_230810.pdf Part 3, Best practice community consultation. (You may want to look at more than this extract.)

Hardy, M. (2015, January 19). Reflections on the IAP2 Spectrum [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://maxhardy.com.au/reflections-on-the-iap2-spectrum/

Latrobe City. (2015). Community Engagement Plan 2015-2019. Latrobe: Latrobe City. Available from http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/files/014dd216-3a74-4d27-8409-a51c00c884dd/Community_Engagement_Strategy_2015-2019_ADOPTED_Sept_2015.pdf

Porter, L. (2006). Planning in (Post)Colonial Settings: Challenges for Theory and Practice. Planning Theory & Practice, 7(4), 383-396. doi: 10.1080/14649350600984709.

Susskind, L., & Carson, L. (2008). The IAP2 Spectrum: Larry Susskind, in Conversation with IAP2 Members. International Journal of Public Participation, 2(2), 67-84. Available from http://www.activedemocracy.net/articles/Journal_08December_Carson.pdf.

If you liked this post please follow my blog (top right-hand corner of the blog), and you might like to look at:

1. Updating a course on community engagement
2. Teaching community engagement to students from 29 disciplines
3. 3 types of community engagement (with related concepts and literature)
4. What is asset-based community-driven development (ABCD)?
5. Why I blog
6. What is…? (Key concepts related to working with families and communities)