Turn your coursework into meaningful community impact while earning academic credit.
Community-based research connects students with local organizations to tackle real-world challenges through research. Whether you’re looking to build your resume, explore a future career, or make a difference in your community, the Trent Community Research Centre can help you gain valuable hands-on experience.
Through community-based research, you can:
- Earn academic credit
- Build professional research skills
- Work alongside community organizations
- Develop connections with faculty and professionals
- Create research that makes a real impact in Peterborough and beyond
What Does Community-Based Research Look Like?
While every project is different, as a student participating in a community-based research project, you may have an opportunity to:
- Conduct interviews or focus groups
- Analyze survey or community data
- Create reports and recommendations
- Evaluate existing programs
- Develop educational resources
- Present findings to community partners
Real World Impact
Community-based research projects address real issues faced by communities, allowing students to make tangible contributions and witness the direct impact of their work.
Community Connection
Build connections with local communities, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and the role of research in addressing societal challenges.
Professional Development
Develop a diverse skill set, including research methodologies, project management, and effective communication, enhancing professional readiness.
Networking Opportunities
Engage with community organizations, faculty members, and fellow students, expanding your professional network and fostering collaborative relationships.
Showcasing Results
Present research findings publicly during the annual Celebration of Community-Based Research, gaining valuable experience in communicating research outcomes to a broader audience.
“I think the difference between community-based research and traditional classroom environments is the difference between theory and practice. In a classroom, you can sit in a lecture, you can take notes, you can write a paper, and you can hand it in to a professor, but all that's going to do is get you marks. What you can do with community-based research is take the theories that you learn in class, that you wrote the papers about for the last three years, actually do it, and instead of getting it to a professor for marks, you're actually putting it back into your community.”
- Abigail Moffatt, Sociology, ‘Peterborough Youth Services (PYS) Community Support Team (CST) Program Evaluation’
How to Get Involved
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students have the opportunity to engage in community-based research either as independent students or through capstone courses.
Option 1: Independent Model
Complete a community-based research project for academic credit under the supervision of a faculty member.
How it Works
Explore Your Options
Browse available community-based research projects or talk with a TCRC Project Coordinator about your research interests and ideas. View our Available Projects.
Submit an Application
Complete a student application.
Confirm a Faculty Supervisor
Identify and confirm a faculty supervisor who will support and guide your research project.
Meet Your Community Partner
Once your application is reviewed and faculty supervision is confirmed, a Project Coordinator will arrange a meeting with your project host. This meeting is an opportunity to discuss the project and make sure it is a good fit. If you, your faculty supervisor, and the community organization agree to move forward, you will be officially matched with the organization.
Register and Begin Your Research
After you are matched with a community partner, a Project Coordinator will help initiate registration for your independent study course.
Note: You can contact and meet with a Project Coordinator at any time during this process. Click here to book a meeting.
Eligibility:
- 10.0 credits
- Minimum 75% average
If you do not meet these requirements, please contact us to discuss your eligibility.
Option 2: Capstone Course Model
There are several courses where students complete a community-based research project as part of their course. Capstone courses are typically fourth-year, full-year courses (1.0 credit, September-April), where projects may be completed independently or as part of a group.
Capstone courses include:
- FRSC 4890Y – Forensic Community-Based Resource Project
- GDST 4220Y – Assessment of Development Projects
- School of Environment Capstone:
- GEOG 4830Y – Community-Based Research in Geography
- ERSC/ERST 4830Y – Community-Based Research Project
- SAFS 4850Y – Community-Based Research Project
- ERSC-3160Y – Community-Based Resource Management
In addition to Capstone courses, students can participate in community-based research through the following upper-year, half-credit (0.5 credit, September-December or January-April). These include:
- CAST-HIST 3011H (W) – Everyday History
- GESO 3021H – Discovering Social Justice Research
- POST-4873H (W) – Community-Based Research with Immigrants
- PLCW 3004H (W) – Applications of Multidisciplinary Research
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the pre-requisites for each course.
Graduate Students
Graduate students can incorporate community-based research into:
- Coursework
- CSID 5305H - Community-based participatory research
- Students to partner with community agencies to address community-identified priorities.
- CSID 5305H - Community-based participatory research
- Major Research Papers (MRPs)
- Theses
Additional opportunities may include:
If you're interested in incorporating community-based research into your graduate studies, we'd love to hear from you.
Timeline
After you have been matched to a project, by completing the Project Agreement, you will develop a work plan for the project. Depending on the goals and scope of a project, research may include academic and grey literature review, development of a research proposal, an ethics application, data collection and analysis, and reporting.
While working on the project, students are expected to meet monthly with their Faculty Supervisor, Project Coordinator, and Project Host.
In March, TCRC holds a Celebration of Community-Based Research, where students showcase the results of their work and their research posters. Community members and Faculty are encouraged to attend in support of students, and to learn about the diversity of results each year.
Final research posters and reports are shared publicly through the TCRC website and through Trent University’s Digital Archive Collection.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you're looking to gain research experience, explore a career path, or make a meaningful impact in your community, the TCRC team is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous research experience?
While we don’t require previous research experience, we strongly recommend students take a Research Methods course prior to completing a community-based research project. Your faculty supervisor and the TCRC will provide guidance throughout the project.
How does a community-based research project compare to a thesis?
Community-based research projects are grounded in community needs and involve regular consultation with a community partner. Thesis projects are typically grounded in academic curiosity and gaps in academic literature. In other words, CBR projects are driven by the community whereas a thesis is typically driven by the researcher. Both a thesis and CBR project require you to conduct a review of the literature, create and follow a rigorous research plan, and deliver thorough and meaningful results. If you are deciding between a thesis and a CBR project, you should consider your field of study, professional goals, and requirements for graduation.
Do I receive academic credit?
Yes. Community-based research is completed as part of an academic course or an approved independent study for academic credit. The number of credits earned depends on the project and what option you chose (independent or course).
Are projects paid?
Most community-based research projects are completed for academic credit and are unpaid. From time to time, paid internships or other funded opportunities may become available.
How much time does a project take?
The time commitment varies depending on the project and whether you are completing it through the independent model or a course. Most projects are 8-months and completed through the academic year. Projects can also be 4-months and completed over one academic term.
Can I choose my own research topic?
We encourage students to pick a project from our list of Available Projects. If there is an area that you would like to research but don’t see it as an Available Project, please reach out to a Project Coordinator who may be able to arrange something.
I am interested in a project that is currently available. Will it still be available when I officialy start my project?
Community-based research projects are matched on an ongoing basis and at the earliest possibility. New Available Projects are also generated on an ongoing basis.
What kinds of organizations can I work with?
Students work with a wide range of community organizations, including nonprofits, charities, municipalities, schools, environmental organizations, health and social service agencies, arts and culture organizations, and other community groups. Available opportunities vary from year to year.
Can international students participate?
Yes. International students are welcome to participate, provided they meet the academic requirements for the course or independent study.
Can you help me find a Faculty Supervisor?
Students are expected to find a Faculty Supervisor to support their work. All students undertaking a community-based research project must be supervised by a Faculty Supervisor. This Supervisor is typically associated with the faculty from which the student intends to earn academic credit. The Trent Community Research Centre can coach you in preparing for these conversations and may provide suggestions for faculty to contact.
Will I receive support during my project?
Students are supported throughout their community-based research experience by their faculty supervisor, their community partner, and the TCRC. Together, they help guide the research process and ensure students have the resources they need to complete a successful project. All students will have access to a series of micro-credential modules through the Community-based Research Blackboard which can help support success and will be granted the associated micro-credentials following submission of core deliverables as outlined below. For more information, visit Resources.
