Support impactful, community-engaged scholarship.
The Trent Community Research Centre is a bridge for faculty to enable community-engaged scholarship. We connect Trent students and faculty to community groups with research questions and offer support while students complete research projects for academic credit under the supervision of a faculty member.
Working with the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) offers faculty members a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to community-based research (CBR).
Here are just some of the reasons why other faculty have chosen to get involved:
Addressing Local Challenges
TCRC projects focus on real issues faced by communities. Faculty involvement allows for the application of academic expertise to address and solve tangible problems within the local context.
Experiential Learning
Supervising CBR projects provides faculty with a platform to enhance students’ learning experiences through hands-on, experiential research opportunities.
Building Strong Community Ties
Faculty engagement with TCRC fosters strong connections between academic institutions and local communities, promoting mutual understanding and collaboration.
Building Collaborative Relationships
Faculty engaged with TCRC gain opportunities to network with other academics, community organizations, and stakeholders, fostering collaborative relationships
Access Support from TCRC
TCRC offers project management and coordination services, consultation with students, connection to other university services, and more. Funds may also be available to cover research-related expenses.
“I think what's less recognized is the transformative impact of this work on faculty. Before coming to Trent I was not a community engaged researcher. I was involved in the communities of which I am a part but that was separate from my academic life. And working with the students through the TCRC projects completely changed that for me. It opened my eyes to the power of genuine partnership with community organizations to affect tangible and lasting change… While I may have supported students, they have also supported me, inviting me to reimagine what research can be and who it can serve and that ethical commitment now sits at the heart of my own research.”
- Stephanie Rutherford, Professor, Director of Trent School of the Environment
How to Get Involved
Offering For-Credit Community-Based Research
Faculty have multiple ways to integrate community-based research into their courses, enriching student learning while addressing community needs. These methods include the Capstone Model, the Independent Student Model, and incorporating assignments within courses.
Capstone Model
In a Capstone model course, a Faculty member oversees a class in which community-based research is the major learning goal and outcome. Classes often include regular seminars teaching relevant research and project management skills, and provide a sense of community for students undertaking community-based research.
Capstone courses are currently offered in Forensics, International Development Studies, Business, and School of Environment, and can be developed in other departments.
What to expect: A Project Coordinator will work with you to develop projects that align with your course goals and learning objectives. Project Coordinators are also available to present the project options to your students. The TCRC will support you and your students from the matching process through the life of the project, every step of the way.
Independent Student Model
Akin to a Reading Course or Thesis, students enrolled in Independent Community-Based Research Projects work directly with a Faculty Supervisor who oversees their work. This approach to community-based research is available in any department not currently offering a Capstone course.
What to expect: A student may approach you asking if you are willing to be their community-based research Faculty Supervisor. If you agree, you will meet with the student regularly, throughout the course of the project. You will be responsible for ensuring that the research is academically rigorous and relevant. You will provide guidance of an academic nature, advising on and monitoring research methodologies employed. You will also be responsible for evaluating and grading the student’s work.
Assignments within Courses
Faculty may choose to offer community-based research as a mandatory or optional assignment within existing courses. Projects undertaken as assignments within existing courses align with the subject of the course, at the Faculty’s discretion. Faculty remain responsible for advising students in the research process.
What to expect: Similar to a Capstone course, we will work with you to develop projects based in the community, that are relevant to the course goals and assignments. Please reach out with as much advance notice as possible to ensure there is adequate time to develop and secure relevant projects.
Looking for Something Different?
The TCRC can consult with Faculty wishing to offer community-based research, advising on best practices and recommendations drawn from our prior experience supporting community-based research, and welcomes conversations on future partnerships.
Role of Faculty Supervisor
Project Agreement:
Work with the student researcher to ensure a comprehensive project agreement is developed, outlining expectations and deadlines as approved by the community organization.
Ethics Approval:
Assist the student researcher in navigating the research ethics approval process, if necessary, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines.
Research Oversight:
Oversee the methodological approach, timelines, and deliverables outlined by the student researcher, ensuring alignment with academic standards
Communication Channels:
Encourage transparent communication between all parties involved, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment.
Knowledge Mobilization:
Provide valuable insights during the review process of draft and final research poster and reports, ensuring academic rigor and relevance.
Timeline
Project Timeline and Evolution
Proposal Development & Promotion
- TCRC connects with community organizations, seeking opportunities for research partnership, and supporting research proposal development
- Proposal is posted on TCRC website as available project and is actively shared with students, classes and faculty
Student Matching
- Students express interest in available projects, and apply to TCRC
- Students seek and confirm a Faculty Supervisor to oversee their work
- Once a Faculty Supervisor is confirmed, a TCRC Project Coordinator will arrange a Matching Meeting, wherein Students and Hosts meet for an introduction, and to discuss the goals of the project.
- After the Matching Meeting, a TCRC Project Coordinator will ensure that required paperwork is completed. This may include course registration, health and safety training, or others.
Supervising the Research
- Students develop and project agreement, outlining the research approach, timelines, and expectations. The project agreement is reviewed and approved by Faculty, Host, and TCRC, serving as a contract for the project.
- Students undertake research in consultation with Faculty and Hosts.
- Open Communication is strongly encouraged between all parties, and Students are expected to meet with Hosts at least once per month while research is underway.
- Faculty grade and provide feedback on student work.
Final Presentation & Report
- Students create a research poster and report summarizing the results of their work. Posters are reports should be shared with Hosts for review prior to publication.
- Each year, TCRC hosts a Celebration of Community-Based Research, showcasing research results among students, faculty, and community members.
- Final research reports are shared publicly through the TCRC website, and permanently through the Trent University’s Digital Archive Collection.
- Hosts are encouraged to share research posters, reports, and general findings widely, with credit to the research team.
If you are interested in becoming involved with community-based research, we encourage you to reach out.
