The excitement in the air was palpable as students from Trent University presented their community-based research projects at the Great Hall in Champlain College on Friday, March 31. A total of 41 projects were on display as a part of the 2017 Celebration of Community Research, hosted by the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) and Trent University.

Mason Godden, a fourth-year History student involved in the event, said that the showcase is a great opportunity to display the hard work of the students and recognize their accomplishments.  

“There are students here who have been working for an entire year and this is their chance to demonstrate that they have done something of value for the community,” said Mr. Godden.

From research projects looking at the challenges facing long-term housing security in Peterborough to studies on topics like food security, sustainability, and the history of the Peterborough area; each assignment showcased the valuable contributions that the community-research projects have on the organizations that benefit from them.

Brianna Salmon, executive director of the Peterborough based not-for-profit GreenUP, highlighted the impact these projects have had on her organization and those like hers in her keynote address.

“Community-based research brings real value to organizations like GreenUP,” said Ms. Salmon, “Student research projects help us evaluate the long-term outcomes of our work.”

For Dr. John Marris, executive director of the TCRC, the Celebration of Community Research event is a reminder of how important the work completed by the students involved actually is. He says that, through the various projects, students have a hands-on learning experience that allows them the special opportunity to grow and learn as researchers. For him, to have the chance to recognize each student’s hard work is always a memorable day.

“At the celebration, we get to see how the students have taken ownership of their research and the results that they are sharing with the community partners,” says Dr. Marris. “As all the projects come together in one place for the first time, both students and the community get to witness the depth and breadth of the work that comes out of this program.”

As a part of the Celebration of Community Research, a number of Trent students were honoured with awards:

• Innovative Presentation Award (Sponsor: The Workforce Development Board)
  • Winner: Skylar Onistchenko-Abrantes “Durham At-Risk Housing Network Evaluation”
  • Runner-up: Brieanna Elliot “Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Peterborough”
• Academic Achievement in Community Setting Award (Sponsor: Professor Emeritus Dr. John Wadland)
  • Winner: Emily Amon “Prioritizing Permeability in Subwatersheds Under Development Pressure”
  • Runner-up: Mason Godden “History of a Student-Led Organization (1990-2017)”
• Community Impact Award (Sponsor: Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3908)
  • Co-winner: Callum Stanford “Analysis of Regional Acutely Elevated Rusk (AER) ‘Situation Tables’”
  • Co-winner: Ryne Evans and Brittany Reid “Making it Work with ‘Working Girls’: Evaluation of Sex Worker Community Development Initiatives in Small and Medium-sized Cities in Ontario
  • Runner-up: Brieanna Elliot “Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Peterborough”