A Scan of Community Based Research in Waterloo Region

Across Canada and around the world, more and more community based research is being carried out in order to solve pressing social problems. This project used an online survey to scan community based research being conducted in Waterloo Region. The purpose of this survey was to better understand what kind local research was being done, and to see if there was interest in developing local and global networking opportunities.

This survey was put together by a multi-organization planning group (see sidebar) led by the Centre for Community Based Research. Results of this survey were shared at the April 18, 2008 Waterloo launch of a global networking platform called University Community Partnerships for Social Action Research Network (UCP-SARnet). The event showcased Waterloo as a region that pursues community based research that stimulates local social innovation (see launch details).

For this survey, community based research was defined as:

Research that takes place in community settings and begins with a research topic of practical relevance to the community (as opposed to individual scholars).

The research is collaborative—professional researchers sharing control of the research agenda with community members who are actively involved in the research design, implementation and dissemination.

The research is also action-oriented in that the process and results are useful to making positive social change and ideally to promote social equity.

Survey results can be viewed in two formats: brief Powerpoint presentation or summary of full findings. Results of the survey will also be posted on the UCP-SARnet web platform.