Partnerships with post secondary institutions are tremendously important in the development of evidence based research and best practice guidelines...

Partnerships with post secondary institutions are tremendously important in the development of evidence based research and best practice guidelines. However some partnerships go beyond that and develop a synergy and a network of ideas that become incredibly fruitful projects. Creativity is the ability to take an idea and make it tangible. The collaboration between McMaster University and YWCA Hamilton has turned several ideas into fully formed and comprehensive research grant proposals and applications. This process has helped bridge connections between passionate experts and researchers in the field with the on the ground project managers and nonprofit organizations doing the work. This has been tremendously beneficial to both stakeholders, and eventually we hope that we can then use the products and outcomes of the research projects to inform our practice so that we can benefit the most important stakeholders; the participants of our programs

Research that is done with community has benefits that can be seen, felt, and lived. It is powerful and impactful not because of a paper, report, or presentation that comes out of it...

Research that is done with community has benefits that can be seen, felt, and lived. It is powerful and impactful not because of a paper, report, or presentation that comes out of it. Nor does it become “community-engaged” because someone put that title on it. It is transformational through the honest, trusting, and accountable, relationships that are forged, solidarities that are built, and allyship that is not about any one of us, but of us together.

Community-engaged research provides the unique opportunity for researchers to help support positive change in our communities. In my own research...

Community-engaged research provides the unique opportunity for researchers to help support positive change in our communities. In my own research, my collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association provides the tools and resources that enable us to share the knowledge gained from our research in a more impactful way.