2021 CESI Summer Intensive in Critical Community Engaged Scholarship

Overview

The CESI Summer Intensive in Critical Community Engaged Scholarship is a week-long training and knowledge exchange opportunity for researchers aiming to expand their knowledge and skills in critical community engaged scholarship (CCES) and integrated knowledge mobilization (KMb). Participants may include faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, instructors, graduate students, and community-based researchers. Through presentations, interactive workshops, panels, and critical dialogue, participants learn to plan and conduct ethical and sustainable community-university research and mobilize knowledge to achieve meaningful social change.

Goals

• Develop your knowledge of the core principles and practices of critical community engaged and anti-oppressive research practices
• Develop shared terminology, values and methodologies for your partnered projects. 
• Apply CCES principles to your own research projects and partnerships. 
• Increase your understanding and capacity to plan and conduct ethical, rigorous and impactful community engaged scholarship while reflecting on and integrating anti-oppressive and decolonizing approaches.

Content and delivery

The CESI Summer Intensive in CCES will be delivered online during the week of August 16, 2021. This year, registration is free of charge. Session formats include presentations with Q&A, participatory workshops, and panel discussions.

Core modules

These modules form the core curriculum of the intensive and build from the key principles of CESI’s approach to Critical Community Engaged Scholarship. Attendees must enroll in and attend all five core sessions to receive recognition of participation in this intensive.

Workshops & Open Space Sessions

Additional (optional) modules will be offered covering a range of topics relevant to the practice of collaborative research. 

To register

To express interest in participating in the Summer Intensive, please complete this registration form by July 20, 2021. Your participation will be confirmed by the organizing committtee by the end of July.

Schedule

*This schedule will be updated as more information about sessions and presenters is confirmed.

Core Modules

Doing Impactful Research: Introduction to Critical Community Engaged Scholarship (CCES)

The first module will introduce and explore the concept of critical community engaged scholarship. In this session, participants will define CCES, learn about how CCES principles can inform the collaborative research process, and gain insights through practical examples and stories of CCES partnerships. 

Doing Impactful Research: Integrated Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) and Community Engagement

This module will discuss the concept of integrated knowledge mobilization and explore links between KMb, community engagement processes, and CCES. Participants will learn about integrated KMb as a framework for engaging collaborators throughout the research process, ultimately leading to more relevant and impactful research and action.  

Two-Eyed Seeing: Indigenous Research Methods

Two-eyed seeing is a concept created by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall to describe the process of learning to see using two knowledge systems, drawing on both to guide discovery and problem solving. Join Professors Deborah McGregor, Jeji Varghese, Robin Roth, and Dr. Ally Menzies to learn about Indigenous research methods and how to enact two-eyed seeing in research with Indigenous peoples. This module is hosted by the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership, a seven-year SSHRC partnership grant which strives to embody the principles of ethical space and two-eyed seeing in its approach to research and intercultural relationships.

Moving Bravely Forward: Anti-Oppressive Practice and Critical Community Engaged Scholarship

This module will take a deep dive into anti-oppression approaches for researchers interested in shifting the quality of the conversations toward greater authenticity and inclusive practice. Through self-reflection, group discussion, and skills-based practice, participants will learn to:

• Create a brave space to engage in critical conversations
• Uncover and speak about social location, power, and privilege
• Identify the varied forms of oppression in the community and learning environments
• Interrupt oppressive behaviour

Community Expert Panel

The final module of the Intensive is a facilitated panel and critical dialogue in which community experts will discuss their perspectives and experiences as partners in critical community engaged scholarship and mobilizing knowledge for social change. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from a variety of community leaders and apply these critical perspectives to their own research collaborations. 

*More information on community panelists coming soon

Workshops & Open Space Sessions

Arts-Based Methods and Storytelling: Powerful Research and Advocacy Tools

This session introduces arts-based research methods, sharing examples of projects in order to identify key processes, outputs, and impacts. Storytelling is introduced as a powerful method of research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing. Finally, the session discusses the linkages between arts-based methods and the core principles and practices of Critical Community Engaged Scholarship.

Open Space Sessions: Practical Considerations for Engaged Research

This open space is an opportunity for participants to engage in flexible discussions, ask questions, and exchange ideas with CESI staff members and fellow attendees. Participants will be invited to join two rounds of facilitated table conversations on various topics relevant to the practice of engaged research. Table topics have been selected based on attendees’ interests and include (among others) navigating institutional structures, global engagement, strategies to increase impact, as well as scoping projects and managing research teams.

Planning for Research Impact: Creating Knowledge Mobilization Strategies

This workshop will guide participants through the creation of knowledge mobilization strategies as tools to increase the societal impact of research. With attention to the principles of CCES to ensure more equitable co-creation of knowledge and shared benefits of research, participants will review key components of effective knowledge mobilization plans and reflect on best practices and considerations when identifying audiences, choosing appropriate activities, and defining intended impact. They will apply theory to practice by working on case-studies and research scenarios.

Community Engaged Teaching and Learning: Critical Community Engaged Scholarship as Pedagogy

This session will provide an overview of how the principles and practices of CCES can be applied to develop mutually beneficial community partnerships in the context of undergraduate and graduate courses. This session is intended for instructors and/or students who would like to learn about a range of approaches and considerations for scoping meaningful, sustainable partnerships in community engaged teaching and learning (CETL). It is also relevant to students who may have opportunities to integrate community research partnerships within a course related to their own research, or where they may be supporting others in CETL (e.g. as TAs, etc.). Specific tools, resources, and example CETL partnerships will also be discussed. 

Connect & Reflect: CESI Intensive Wrap-Up Session

Join us for a short closing event of the 2021 CESI Summer Intensive. Connect with peers to share key takeaways from the week, reflect on how your experience will inform your practice moving forward, and identify ongoing questions, tensions and gaps to explore.