CBRET Workshop Reports
CBR Canada has facilitated Community-Based Research Excellence Tool (CBRET) workshops across Canada, and below are reports from each workshop. To learn more about requesting a CBRET workshop near you, click here.
June 6, 2019 – Toronto, ON
Researchers, students, and practitioners gathered for a Community-Based Research Excellence Tool (CBRET) workshop at the University of Toronto. The day brought together people from a variety of academic disciplines to engage in discussion about excellence in community-based research.
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Based on the evaluation results, all workshop participants that filled out a survey felt that the workshop gave them the opportunity to gain from others (83% very satisfied and 17% satisfied). The participants reported that the valuable aspects of the workshop were the conversation, the tool, community connections/networking, and the framework. The workshop participants were highly engaged in the workshop. A participant wrote on the evaluation form, “The presenters were excellent. They knew the material in theoretical and practical ways and were excellent communicators.” A few recommendations mentioned were a larger printout of slides, increase the room temperature, and more time could be spent on the tool, group discussions, or case studies.
May 6, 2019 – Vancouver, BC
A Community-Based Research Excellence Tool (CBRET) workshop in British Columbia was sponsored by Vancouver Foundation. It was held in Vancouver at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue (room donated by Simon Fraser University). The workshop gathered 23 participants, mostly Vancouver Foundation grantees. See their website for details about the Participatory Action Research grant competition. This workshop was co-facilitated by Joanna Ochocka and Tanis Dagert (CBRC board member/lecturer from Victoria Island University).
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According to the workshop evaluation, almost all participants stated that this workshop helped them a great deal to become better equipped to reach the next level of quality in community-based research. For example, one participant said, “the assessment tool is very applicable to my work.” Several people commented that the discussion among all involved was very beneficial to them, as stated by one person: “the discussion and comments from the other participants were just fantastic; so much knowledge and experience in the room.” The workshop participants wished that the workshop could be longer, because they could spend more time discussing case examples and learning together about the tool.
April 25, 2019 – Ottawa, ON
Carleton University hosted a CBRET workshop in Ottawa and the day was a success! 16 people came to the workshop and shared their experiences and feedback on the tool. On the evaluation form, all participants reported that the workshop gave them the opportunity to gain from others (86% very satisfied and 14% satisfied). One person made the comment, “The openness of the facilitators allowed us to share our views, knowledge, and questions with them as well as among ourselves.” Another person commented that the tool was “very useful as a take home package.” In response to the question about how the workshop could have been better, some people wrote that they would have liked more examples, others wanted more time on the tool, and another person wished for more small group discussions.
November 27, 2018 – Hamilton, ON
On November 27th in Hamilton, Ontario, researchers, practitioners, and others involved in community-based research gathered for the Community-Based Research Excellence Tool (CBRET) workshop. The event was hosted by McMaster University Center for Continuing Education and the Hamilton Community Foundation. Thanks to the hosts and the 30 people who participated in the workshop!
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On the evaluation survey taken after the workshop, 78% of workshop participants reported that they were very satisfied with the quality of the presentation. 79% of survey respondents were very satisfied with how they had opportunity to gain from others and felt heard by others. A participant reported, “This had my brain going and I really appreciate the opportunity to think, discuss and be challenged. The facilitators were fantastic- great listeners and take criticism really well – they made it a safe, comfortable space for open discussion and learning. Thanks very much for inspiring me to be more thoughtful and to pursue/strive for more meaningful projects and research methods.” Another workshop participant reflected that they valued learning “about community-based research, the CBRET tool, the thought-provoking discussions, [and] meeting others in the community.”
May 28, 2018 – Waterloo, ON
On May 28, a group of people gathered for the Launch of CBRET (Community-Based Research Excellence Tool). The workshop was filled with excellent conversation and enthusiastic CBRET feedback and included a presentation from Jamie Shipley of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation about the research programs in the National Housing Strategy.
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The workshop exceeded my expectations. I was anticipating some theoretical expose about CBR but boy! I had the pleasure to meet both academics and practitioners from government and non government circles, all engaged and interested in CBR in their respective capacities. Further, the tool presented is thoroughly designed and hands-on. I feel like I can immediately hit the ground running with it and I actually will. I intend to use it to craft my research proposal and my first steps in my partner community this summer. Awesome! – Carelle Mang-Benza, workshop participant
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This tool helps to balance power among people and describes how to work well with all. This is not a math formula, it is really a new mindset for designing and conducting community-based research” – Helen Song, workshop participant
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I will use the CBRET in every community engaged learning course and every community engaged research project from now on! Specifically, I will use it as a way to encourage discussions with all partners at the entering phase of projects; as a training tool with undergraduate and graduate students to help operationalize and critically reflect on some of the indicators that fit with the principles and practices of community engaged scholarship; throughout and at the end of a community engaged project to reflect on the extent to which I and our partners are living up to our partnership goals; and finally, I will use it as a resource to help inform tenure and promotion committees about what it looks like to do community engaged scholarship. In other words, I see great benefit in this for every aspect of the work I do as a community engaged scholar! Thank you CCBR!
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– Mavis Morton, Associate Professor, University of Guelph