ID: HR25-1382
Presenting author: Philomena Kebec
Presenting author biography:
Philomena Kebec, a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, focuses on harm reduction, overdose prevention, healthcare optimization, small business growth, and access to traditional foods. As an attorney and judge licensed in tribal and state courts, she brings over a decade of legal and policy experience.
Transforming the Research Enterprise: A World Cafe on How People with Lived(-ing) Experience as Researchers (PLER) Can Redefine Harm Reduction Research
Philomena Kebec, Amanda Latimore
Workshop content
Research that reflects the realities of people who use drugs (PWUD) has long faced systemic challenges. Too often, research is conducted on communities rather than with them, leading to tokenization, exploitation, and a lack of actionable outcomes for those most impacted. This disconnect is especially evident in behavioral health, particularly harm reduction research, where those most affected rarely drive the work.
This workshop introduces the People with Lived(-ing) Experience as Researchers (PLER) Board—a model where PWUD define research priorities and lead projects. The Board includes members from harm reduction organizations, drug user unions, diverse cultural communities and age groups across the U.S. Currently leading multiple multiyear research projects funded by various sources, the PLER Board demonstrates how community-driven models address racial and geographic inequities while empowering harm reduction organizations.
Through interactive world café discussions, attendees will share lessons learned and strategies for disrupting traditional research, building sustainable funding models, resetting power dynamics, and overcoming institutional barriers. Facilitators will also explore the potential for a global community of practice to promote PWUD-led research and develop an international research agenda.
Learning objectives
Attendees will:
-Understand your organization's role in promoting community-led research and shifting traditional research dynamics.
-Explore strategies for sustainable funding, inclusive collaboration, and overcoming institutional barriers in PWUD-led research.
-Identify practical steps to replicate the PLER model across diverse communities and settings.
Expected outcomes
Attendees will:
-Gain insight into the successes and challenges of implementing PWUD-led research.
-Leave with actionable strategies for equitable collaborations and sustainable funding models.
-Be equipped to replicate the PLER model to advance harm reduction and social justice in research.
-Foster dialogue on building an international community of practice to disrupt conventional research structures and prioritize community-led solutions.