Who We Are

Community Based Research Canada (CBRC) is a network of people and organizations engaged in Community-Based Research to meet the needs of people and communities. CBRC came into being through the Community University Expo Conference held in Victoria, BC in May of 2008.

Since that time many more universities and organizations have joined . The Universities of Carleton (Dean Katherine Graham), Quebec at Montreal (Dr. Jean-Marc Fontan) and Victoria (Dr. Budd Hall), have stepped up to take on the roles of Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary, with Tim Simboli of the Ottawa Community Based Research Network and Ottawa Family Services as a community representative on the Executive Committee. There is also a Steering Committee of community organization and university representatives. A website and newsletter is about to be launched, and resources are being developed from a variety of sources. An Action Plan has been developed that focuses on: Building community-based research (CBR) capacity; mobilizing knowledge on CBR practices and outcomes; influencing policy and institutional environments to strengthen support to CBR, and; providing networking and learning opportunities. Rupert Downing, the former Executive Director of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network and Co-Director of the Canadian Social Economy Research Hub, assisted with the formative work to establish CBRC.

The intent is to build an inclusive and open network, engaging already existing networks, to build support for community-university partnerships in community-based research and community-engagement. We believe that the time has come for making higher education a resource and partner with communities in addressing Canada's social, economic and environmental priorities.

At the international level this effort is mirrored by the declaration of the Global Alliance on Community-Engaged Research which is influencing international discussions on the future role of higher education in meeting global needs for sustainable development. A brief has been presentated at UNESCO's World Conference on Higher Education, July 2009, and an in person meeting is being held in conjunction with the Living Knowledge Conference in Belfast, August 26 2009.

Please join us in these efforts and visit our Members Page.

Initiatives

A report has now been published in conjunction with the Office of Community-Based Research at the University of Victoria (funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council) that maps an agenda for action that CBRC will pursue, The Funding and Development of Community University Research Partnerships in Canada, May 2009 available on our "Resources" page

Presentations from the CBRC Symposium, May 2009, "From Recession to Renewal: The Vital Contribution of Community-Based Research" are now available on our "Resources" page, and at http://www.slideshare.net/downing

A brief has been presented at the UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education "Higher Education, Community Engagement and The World We Want" by the Global Alliance available on our "Resources" page, together with a report by Dr. Katherine Graham Chair of CBRC on the Conference and its relevance to community university partnerships.

The three University leads for CBRC (Victoria, Carleton and Quebec at Montreal) are collaborating with Global Alliance partners in an international research project funded by SSHRC to produce case studies illustrative of the contribution of university community partnerships to sustainable development, together with reports on: Improving institutional environments and arrangements at universities for community partnerships; improving government linkages to community university research partnerships for evidence-based policy development; conclusions and recommendations on strengthening community university partnerships.

Declaration

This coalition of Canadian universities, research networks, and community organizations at CUexpo2008 in Victoria, British Columbia, is intended to enable and empower citizens across Canada to access, produce, and put into action knowledge that will make their communities more sustainable, fairer, safer, healthier, and prosperous.

Why now?

to increase the profile of community based research in Canada
to bring together work done by organizations, universities, individuals, and community, and to share its benefit
to recognize those who contribute to community based research to assemble and convene interested parties

Our focus is:

to build capacity for community-centered solutions
to collaborate on the creation, dissemination and use of knowledge
to uncover the root causes of complex issues facing communities
to improve the lives of individuals and their communities
to challenge our institutions to recognize and reward the value of community based research

Our goal is:

to increase community based research
to provide a voice for those working in community based research
to improve and expand the production and co-production of knowledge that will enhance democracy
to improve social conditions through the application of knowledge

We will:

share among individuals, organizations, and communities
ensure a diversity of perspectives from all sectors including civil society, higher education institutions, businesses and governments
promote public accessibility to knowledge
work in solidarity with others engaged in community based research in all parts of the world

May 7th, 2008, Victoria, BC, Canada

What is CBR

Community Based Research is creating and mobilizing knowledge for action by communities, civil society, policy makers, and stakeholders in all of the key areas affecting the future social, economic, and environmental sustainability of Canada. It engages communities and their citizens in the creation, design, implementation and use of research to meet their needs. Universities, colleges and other research institutions are focusing on community-based research to harness the knowledge and capacity of communities to use the resources and expertise of students, faculty and researchers for community-benefit. Community university partnerships in research and engagement are effective ways of harnessing the capacity of the post secondary sector to contribute to opportunities and needs of Canadian communities. These partnerships are also effective ways of harnessing the inherent knowledge and wisdom of communities and their citizens in shaping the way universities and colleges address their educational and knowledge-creation mandates. For a full list of documents and resources on community-based research see our resources page.