Community-Engaged Scholarship

Community Engaged Scholarship

“the application of institutional resources to address and solve challenges facing communities through collaboration with these communities” (Stanton, 2007 p.5)

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L. R. Sandmann 2008 ©

Differences

Traditional Scientist

generated/initiated Research “on” Scientist in control Researcher is only

“expert” Project ends when

data are analyzed

Community Engaged Collaboratively

generated/designed Research “with” Shared ownership Honours community

knowledge Makes sure what is

learned is used

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Key Principles

Community focused and relevant Builds on strengths & resources within the

partnership Facilitates collaboration, learning and

capacity building in all phases of research Integrates knowledge gathering & action

for mutual benefit of all partners Disseminates findings to all partners

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Community Partner Benefits

Surface important questions Develop research and evaluation skills Knowledge and intervention benefit

community Results can be used for advocacy and

change New partners and networks

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University Partner Benefits

Community knowledge leads to more relevant research

Diversity in experience and expertise Methods responsive to context Accurate and meaningful analysis Results shared with larger audience New partners and new networks

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Challenges Differences in language and culture

Institutional rules and regulations Differing expectations, assumptions and

priorities Time consuming

Commitment imbalances or unequal work loads Relationship building

Power imbalances Compromise

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Community University Research Alliance

What are our hopes for this partnership?

What are our fears for this partnership?

What are our expectations of our partners?

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What is Research

Ask a question

Seek an answer systematically use predefined set of

procedures to find an answer

Analyze the information gathered and draw conclusions

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Research Question

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To understand the impact of social businesses in addressing the needs, both social and economic, of marginalized persons in the GTA

Research Focus

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•What impacts (social and financial outcomes) are most important?

•Who are the stakeholders involved?

•What are the indicators or evidence of impact?

•How do we gather the evidence (data collection)?