Community-Engaged Research Faculty Discussion Club

Series Description

This series is for faculty with an interest in deepening their understanding and practice of community-engaged research (CER). Participants will have the opportunity to connect with, and learn together from, colleagues and their community partners. Sessions will highlight both theoretical and practical considerations from a variety of perspectives with an aim to strengthen our collaborative approaches to research.

For this series, we broadly define CER as an umbrella term to describe collaborative approaches to research that share a “core philosophy of inclusivity and of recognizing the value of engaging in the research… those who are intended to be the beneficiaries, users, and stakeholders of the research” (Cargo and Mercer, 2008, p. 326).

The theme for the launch of this series is “Initiating and Building the Relationship.” Initiating and building trusting and reciprocal research relationships in CER lays the foundation for the entire research process. Relationship building is not just a phase at the start of the project, but a core factor that influences all stages of the research. With relationship building in CER as the main focus of this series, faculty participants will have the opportunity to begin unraveling the complexity and messiness of relationship building in CER, and in doing so to strengthen their practice and impact.

This series is hosted by the Centre for Research & Innovation Support in collaboration with the Centre for Community Partnerships

Audience

Researchers at University of Toronto, curious about, and/or experienced with, community engaged research who are interested in deepening their learning on this collaborative approach to research.

Series Objectives:

The purpose of this series is to strengthen the practice of CER at U of T for both scholarly and societal impact by:

• Promoting knowledge and resource sharing among both novice and experienced faculty engaged in CER from diverse disciplinary backgrounds; and
• Fostering connections and community between faculty members engaged in CER at U of T, and between academic and community research partners.

Series Format

• Panel presentation on a focused theme by faculty members and/or community partners from diverse disciplinary backgrounds
• Lunch and moderated group discussion with guest speakers and faculty attendees to follow presentation

Upcoming Fall and Winter Schedule

Session 1: Foundations in Community Engaged Research

• Date & Time: October 20th, 2023 | 10:00 am – 12:45 pm (lunch provided)
• In-Person Location: Centre for Research & Innovation Support, 9 Kings College Circle
• Session Information & Registration 

Session 2: Initiating & Nurturing— How Does a Community Engaged Research (CER) Initiative Begin?

• Date & Time: Friday November 17th, 2023 | 10:00 am – 12:45 pm (lunch provided)
• In-Person Location: Centre for Research & Innovation Support, 9 Kings College Circle
• Session Information & Registration 

Session 3: Formalizing the Relationship in Community-Engaged Research: Key Relationship Building Activities & Challenges

• Date & Time: Wednesday February 14th, 2024 | 10:00 am – 12:45 pm (lunch provided)
• In-Person Location: Centre for Research & Innovation Support, 9 Kings College Circle
• Session Information & Registration

Session 4: Sustaining & Growing the Relationship in Community-Engaged Research: Opportunities & Pitfalls

• Date & Time: Wednesday April 24th, 2024 | 10:00 am – 12:45 pm (lunch provided)
• In-Person Location: Centre for Research & Innovation Support, 9 Kings College Circle
• Session Information & Registration