EDITORIAL: Introduction to Hot-Topic: Migratory Labor and Social Adversity

ABSTRACT

Each of us in this hot-topic special section has conducted participatory research of one kind or another. Participatory research is one way to assure that a community of interest benefits from hosting and contributing to a research project. Sometimes payback is directly to the local community where the research took place; sometimes the research is intended to benefit the population that is represented by the community; and more often it’s a combination of both. For contributors to this minihot-topic, payback to the community has come through collaborating on recommendations for program applications based on research findings (Garcia and Gonzalez), prevention advocacy through presentations at regional conferences aimed at front-line service workers (Bletzer), and increased understanding of labor forces to influence public policies that will affect the population of interest (Karjanen). All of us have participated in more immediate paybacks through small favors and institutional assistance or advice, directly to the community and to specific individuals.