Zebra Collective values research: we believe that hypotheses that underpin our work should be tested, and that our work should be informed and guided by evidence. So we seek opportunities to be involved in research into the topics that matter to us e.g.  

 

• what constitutes ‘good’ community work 

• understandings of emotional distress/ mental health – in services, and amongst the public – particularly in marginalised communities (geographic, cultural and of identity) 

• what promotes wellbeing, particularly in marginalised communities 

• patient interface with GPs and other health services, and e.g. overprescription of pain medication and psychiatric medication (e.g. antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication) 

 

We hold a unique position, as an organisation fully embedded in a low income urban community, running youth and community work and stewarding a neighbourhood building whilst also running a training and reflective learning strand into key contested topics highly relevant to our community work – trauma-informed practice & wellbeing, inclusion and cultural capability, strengths-based thinking and practice (including asset-based community development <ABCD>). We believe that our position can complement the position of academics and clinicians seeking to carry out research in our fields and in communities.  

Furthermore, at Zebra, we see all our work as action research. Why? Because we know that good intentions are not enough. To care about matters such as social injustice, poverty, discrimination and emotional distress is a good start, and to decide to do something about it is even better. But it’s a grave and, we believe, all too common error not to test the impact of that which we’ve chosen to do.  

Thus we’re committed to a continual critical approach, reflecting in practice and frequently stepping back from the work – individually and collectively – to ask ourselves testing questions about its effectiveness, impact, and opportunity cost (i.e. when we spend our time, money, efforts and intelligence doing x  rather than y, even if x proves impactful, we should consider whether doing y would have had more impact). 

 

Zebra’s core principle of operating reflectively, reflexively and with humility is relevant here. 

Also, the Effective altruism movement 

Beyond our commitment to this critical approach to all our work, Zebra seeks opportunities to undertake formal research in collaboration with academic institutions and other partners.