In June 2022, CESI and the Waterloo Wellington Knowledge Mobilization Community invited local knowledge mobilization practitioners and community engaged researchers to join them at the University of Guelph Arboretum to reflect on knowledge exchange practices and approaches to engaging with Indigenous communities.
At CESI, we believe that community engaged scholarship (CES) has the potential to offer high impact to both community partners and researchers and to spark positive, evidence-informed change within the community. CES is a “collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity" (Jordan, 2007).
Meal Exchange (MX) is a national organization working with university students to ensure “Good Food For All” on Canadian campuses. CESI’s multi-year collaboration on food insecurity began with MX and one research project, and has since evolved to include new partners, new research, co-convening events, and advocacy efforts.
A key principle of community-engaged scholarship is that it addresses community-identified research priorities. This means that community members - rather than researchers - determine the goals of a research project to ensure its findings will be relevant to their needs. A recent partnership between the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI) and a group of developmental support service agencies demonstrates the strengths of this community-driven research approach.
Knowledge mobilization – the process of sharing knowledge and information to create intellectual, social, and economic benefits – is key to community-engaged research. It ensures that the insights that arise from community-engaged scholarship jump off of the pages of research reports and become practically beneficial to communities. Through a growing partnership between CESI, the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (WomanACT) and psychology professor Dr.
When we think of children playing, our minds often go to memories of running to the nearest park, playground or swimming hole, exploring and interacting with the natural world. However, with growing urban development and screen-time becoming increasingly common, many children now have fewer opportunities to connect with nature.
What happens to all the ugly fruits and vegetables? The sad reality of the Canadian food industry is that we waste $31 billion in food annually, often times because products don’t live up to the cosmetic standards of grocery stores. This food waste has negative economic, ethical, and environmental outcomes and is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. So, what can you do with malformed but still fresh food? There are many things you can make with ugly produce – tomato sauce, canned fruit, soup and dip mixes – the possibilities are endless!
Impact is at the core of the partnership between the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) and the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI). What started out as a targeted collaboration for an on-campus project spread like wildfire, initiating a web of activities and relationships that are sparking social change.
The Research Shop completed a program evaluation in August 2016 for The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Food and Friends, who initiate, facilitate and support quality nutrition programs in local schools. Student Nutrition Programs (SNPs), like those supported by Food and Friends, ensure that all children in Ontario hav