Towards Equitable Employment: Academic Researchers’ Perspectives on Establishing a Participatory Research Social Enterprise in Canada

Despite the social justice underpinnings of participatory research (PR), the community researchers driving this work are often employed precariously. This amplifies existing inequities, undermining ethical commitments and partnership sustainability. To address these inequities within Canadian institutional contexts, this study examines academic researchers’ perspectives on the potential of a participatory research social enterprise (PRSE) to act as an employer, training institution and bridge between community and academia. A mixed team of academics, students and community researchers co-conducted 19 virtual, semi-­ structured interviews with a diverse sample of academic researchers who compensated community researchers in federally funded PR projects. Analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis, participants envisioned the PRSE as a values-­ driven hub that serves as an intermediary between universities and individual academics by delivering ethical guidance, administrative and employment equity, professional development and community organising support. However, enthusiasm for the PRSE was tempered by feasibility concerns surrounding infrastructure limitations, financial viability and community relevance. The PRSE emerges as a promising innovation to address systemic inequities in PR; however, its success is contingent upon a co-­ designed blueprint that embeds features of relevance and resolves the structural, financial and relational challenges inherent to PR employment.