The Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) is supporting 37 community-based research projects at Trent this year, with the potential for more projects to start in the winter term, making the 2016-17 year one of the most active years in the Centre’s history.  After a busy season matching projects with students in September, the Centre’s executive director, John Marris, expressed excitement about the research that will get underway this fall.

“We matched a lot of strong, enthusiastic students to important projects for local organizations this year,” Mr. Marris said. “Carrying out these projects will be a rewarding educational experience for the students, and the results will have real, tangible benefits in the Peterborough community.”

The TCRC facilitates research projects for local non-profits, government agencies, local municipalities, environmental agencies, and other groups. Organizations propose research topics and the TCRC then supports Trent students as they carry out the research for academic credit.

Maddy MacNab, a Masters student in the Canadian Studies program at Trent, is one of four graduate students whose research is being supported by the TCRC this year. Ms. MacNab’s highly topical thesis is on the early history of the New Canadians Centre and its establishment in response to the needs of refugees from Vietnam.

The TCRC is also supporting three undergraduate students pursuing community-based research for their double-credit thesis courses. Vanessa Potvin is one of those students; she’ll be digitally mapping Peterborough’s natural areas on behalf of the Peterborough Field Naturalists.

“I’m especially glad to see that many students are returning to do a second community-based research project with us,” Mr. Marris added. “These students have recognized what a powerful learning experience community-based research is, and how rewarding it is to see your research make an impact in the community.”