Journey of Connection: Reflections on Research, Empathy, and Community Collaboration

By: Sabrina Nourin
BRAC University

It is not uncommon for a researcher to go on a transformational path that entails negotiating the complex web of personal connection, community participation, and academia. This is a personal reflection on my time spent researching in Bangladesh, with an emphasis on the ways in which community involvement and compassionate relationships have made a significant difference in my research.

I have been fortunate enough to see the BRAC University (Bangladesh)’s significant influence on grassroots communities and the national geopolitical backdrop as a scholar within the institution’s ever-changing environment. The complex geopolitical fabric of Bangladesh is intricately woven with the university’s dedication to sustainable development, which has been present since 1972 (BRAC, 2022). With its strategic location at the intersection of three nuclear powers, the dynamic country highlights the university’s potential to inspire good transformation (Mustajib, 2022).

As we face the problems of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), BRAC University is actively working to eliminate barriers across disciplines by placing an emphasis on a more comprehensive approach to teaching and learning. In my role as a researcher, I have seen directly how the university is taking measures to ensure that its students are prepared to succeed in an increasingly complex world (Daily Star, 2023 & Munshi, 2020).

Collaborating with local communities, especially low-income women farmers in Bogra, Kushtia, and Chuadanga, has been pivotal for my study. In this one-of-a-kind collaboration, the Climate Resilience Training Program serves as a foundation that goes beyond the confines of conventional academic inquiry. The start of a groundbreaking partnership is marked by engaging with community members, developing research questions, and taking part in workshops.

A community gathering in these rural regions marks a turning moment. Despite my gender, I find that I form strong bonds with the women who take part in the study. This moment transcends the boundaries of academia, cultivating a deep sense of unity and comprehension. By shifting to a more collaborative and community-focused approach, the partnership not only improves the quality of the study but also gives the women farmers a feeling of agency.

Building relationships and solidarity with the communities I work with is crucial, as this life-altering event has shown me. Within the realm of scientific partnerships, this bond serves as a spur for revolutionary transformation, highlighting the power of empathy and common experiences.

Academic pursuits, community service, and compassionate relationships have all been interwoven during my time as a scholar at BRAC University. Transformative experiences in Bogra, Kushtia, and Chuadanga have highlighted the significance of human connection and unity, beyond geopolitical influence and academic laurels. The lessons I’ve learned along the way have inspired me to dedicate my career to doing research with real-world effects, making a difference in people’s lives, and giving back to the communities I work with.

Reference:

BRAC. (2022, July). Annual Report 2022. https://www.brac.net/downloads/ar2021/BRAC.pdf on Jan 10, 2024

Daily Star. (2023a, April 10). Youths account for 28pc of population. The Daily Star. Dhaka.

Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/private-universities-shaping-bangladeshs-future/news/walk-the-talk-3332241 on Jan 11, 2024

Daily Star. (2023b, May 28). Walk the talk. https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/private-universities-shaping-bangladeshs-future/news/walk-the-talk-3332241 on Jan 11, 2024

Munshi, F. (2020, April 30). The 4th IR and the changing patterns of employment: What should Bangladesh do?. The Business Standard. https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/4th-ir-and-changing-patterns-employment-what-should-bangladesh-do-75508 on Jan 11, 2024

Mustajib, S. (2022b, January 15). Why Bangladesh is important in geopolitical context ?. Voice of International Affairs. https://internationalaffairsbd.com/bangladesh-important-geopolitical-context/ on Jan 10, 2024