“It allows you to take a more applied approach to your degree, to work with an agency, conduct research and expand your knowledge base outside the classroom.”

These are some of the benefits of participating in a community-based research project, according to Jason Mann, a fourth-year Forensic Science and Psychology major at Trent. Mr. Mann knows these benefits first-hand, after recently completing a project with Peterborough Fire Service on best practices and future recommendations around home smoke alarms.

Mr. Mann’s project was one of close to 60 community-based research projects on display at the 2014 Knowledge and Talent in Action (KTIA) Showcase, hosted by the Community Innovation Forum and held at the Peterborough Golf & Country Club on April 3. The annual KTIA event showcases innovative work being done by Trent University and Fleming College students in partnership with businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations in Peterborough.

Speaking about community-based research, Mr. Mann says: “When you think of university, you think of studying, going to lectures, and sitting at desk writing essays. The community-based research opportunity, while keeping academic side – conducting your own research and coming up with a final report – allows you to take a more applied approach. It gets you outside the classroom or lab and into the community.”

Watch Jason's video >>

At Trent, the option to complete a community-based research project is offered in fourth-year courses across a variety of programs, from Forensic Science and Environmental & Resource Studies, to Geography and International Development Studies. The projects are coordinated between the academic program, the students, community agencies, and the Trent Centre for Community-Based Education (TCCBE).

"Community-based research is a win-win for community groups and students,” said Todd Barr, executive director of the TCCBE. “Local organizations experience benefits like improvements to program and services, increased community awareness and ‎bolstering funding proposals while students connect theory to practice, learn transferable skills, network with employers and gain a greater understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen."

Christy Cook, a fourth-year student studying International Development Studies and Environmental & Resource Studies at Trent, agrees: “In the first semester of our course, we learned how to conduct research. Then we had the opportunity to put that knowledge into play in the real world, networking with organizations doing great things in Peterborough,” she said. “I wish we could have a community-based research project every year. It’s a lot of fun, I learned a lot from it, and it’s something you don’t get in the classroom.”

Ms. Cook partnered with fellow Trent student Sasha Patterson on their project “The Future of Food and Farming.” Working with local agencies, Transition Town Peterborough, Farms at Work, and Peterborough Social Planning Council, they explored the local food procurement policies of grocery stores in Peterborough including the perceptions of local food, and the perceived barriers to carrying local food in stores.

“When you think of the local food movement, you think of farmers and farmer’s markets, you don’t think of grocery store owners and managers,” Ms. Cook said. “It was interesting hearing their perceptions of local food.”

Watch Christy's Interview >>

In addition to the projects by Ms. Cook and Mr. Mann, other Trent projects on display at the KTIA Showcase included:

• Oral Histories of Immigration to Peterborough by Ayesha Barmania, hosted by the New Canadians Centre
• Navigating the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Process by Haley Brough, hosted by Victim Services Unit, Peterborough Lakefield Community Police
• Designing an Urban Food Forest by Taylor MacKey, hosted by Peterborough Green-Up
• History of Film in Peterborough by Eric Lehman, hosted by ReFrame Film Festival
• And many more

For a full list of projects, and more information on the forum, visit: www.communityinnovation.ca

2014 KTIA Showcase Student Awards

At the Community Innovation Forum, all student projects were evaluated by a panel of 24 expert judges from the business, non-profit, government and academic sectors. Teams of judges visited the project displays throughout the day evaluating student work. Trent’s 2014 award winners were:

Community Based Research Award

Winner

• Devon Linkert – Sexual Assault Services for Culturally Diverse Clients – Hosted by Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre & New Canadians Centre (Sonya Vellenga & Safo Musta) for Forensic Science 4890Y (Prof. Sharon Beaucage-Johnson)

Runner-Up

• Jason Mann – Home Smoke Alarm Program Review – Hosted by Peterborough Fire Service (Marsie McKay) for Forensic Science 4890Y (Prof. Sharon Beaucage-Johnson)

Innovative Presentation Award

Winners

• Hayley Yorke, Sara Taylor, Genyrs Goodchild – Evaluation of Domestic Abuse Service Hubs – Hosted by YWCA Peterborough Haliburton (Karine Rogers) for International Development Studies 4220Y (Prof. Chris Beyers)

Runner-Up

• Chelsea Desrochers – Women in Politics – Hosted by YWCA Peterborough Haliburton (Joëlle Favreau) for Politics 4870Y (Prof. Nadine Changfoot)