E-Learning Event: Youth Research Academy: A Model for Engaging Young People in Research – Jan. 18, 2024

Community-Based Research Canada presents “Young People in Community-Based Research”: our winter 2024 e-learning series. This series will highlight community-based research projects, models, and processes that exemplify participatory engagement of young people in research. An important hallmark of community-based research is that the research is participatory, meaning it involves authentic and meaningful participation of stakeholders in all phases of the research. When research has impacts on the lives of young people, participatory research would involve authentically engaging young people in the planning, design, implementation, and dissemination of research. Within this series we will hear about youth-engaged models and processes for research, as well as research projects that have been driven by young people.

Webinar – Youth Research Academy: A Model for Engaging Young People in Research
This presentation will highlight a model for engaging youth in research called the Youth Research Academy (YRA). McCreary established the YRA in 2016 to support youth aged 16–24 with government care experience who may be disconnected from education and/or employment. Through the YRA, young people can build their skills, ignite or solidify their interest in research and community issues, and be supported to engage or re-engage in school and/or the workforce. The YRA also aims to address the lack of engagement of youth in and from care in the policies, programs, and services that affect them.

Since 2016, seven cohorts of youth with care experience have been employed to conduct research projects of interest to youth in and from care and the agencies that serve them. This presentation will also highlight a longitudinal study of youth aging out of care that each cohort of the YRA has been involved and share some of the challenges and successes of that project. All presenters are members of the current and eighth cohort of the YRA.