Lead Organization

The Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR) is focused on strengthening communities through social research.

Founded in 1982, CCBR believes in the power of knowledge to impact positive social change. We are passionate about bringing people together to use knowledge to provide real and innovative solutions to community needs. Our approach to research is participatory and action-oriented in a way that mobilizes people to participate as full and equal members of society.

Community members, marginalized groups, community organizations, government ministries, soical and health services, and educational institutions all collaborate with us and benefit from our work.

CCBR is an independent, non-profit organization located in Kitchener, Ontario. We receive no core funding, relying on an entrepreneurial spirit in collaboration with our many partners to start new projects.

Joanna Ochocka, Executive Director

Joanna Ochocka has been Director of the Centre for Community Based Research since 1996.  She is a faculty member in the Department of Sociology and the Department of Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo, and in the MA and PhD program in Community Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier Univesity in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.  Joanna is one of the leaders in the use of the participatory action research approach and she uses research as a tool for social change.  She was a recipient of the Award for Teaching Excellence for 2005 at Wilfrid Laurier University.  She was the CURA Director for the duration of the project.