CUEXPO 2020
C2UExpo Movement
C2UExpo (Community-Campus-Exposition) is CBRCanada's international conference providing leadership and space for both academics and communities to showcase community-campus partnerships that address local and global societal problems. The C2UExpo conference is run bi-annually by a new local host, with backbone support from CBRCanada.
C2UExpo is more than a conference. It's a national movement bridging community and campus together.
​
Thank you for attending C2UExpo2025!
Thank you to MacEwan University for hosting an incredible C2UExpo2025: Partners in Place, and for bringing together over 600 participants in Edmonton, Alberta, on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux peoples. This year’s conference highlighted the power of place-based partnerships in community campus engagement, centering relationship building, reciprocity, and justice. Through dynamic sessions, creative exchanges, and meaningful dialogue, C2UExpo2025 fostered deep connections and collective learning across local, national, and international networks.​
Here are some highlights from CBRCanada's involvement in C2UExpo2025:
​
CBRCanada Presentations
As part of our contributions to C2UExpo2025, Community-Based Research Canada led and facilitated several sessions showcasing Canadian leadership in community-based research. These included a presentation, an interactive workshop, and a roundtable discussion:
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​
​
​
​
​
Presentation: "Canadian Contributions to the History, Theories, and Approaches to Community-Based Research"
CBRCanada presented findings from an in-depth literature review and qualitative inquiry into the evolution of CBR in Canada. This session explored how Canadian scholars and communities have helped shape global understandings of community-based research by advancing collaborative, justice-oriented approaches to knowledge creation that center community voices and local impact.
​
Workshop: "Strengthening Place-Based Engagement in Community-Based Research"
Facilitated by CBRCanada, this interactive workshop invited participants to explore how the concept of “place” influences every aspect of CBR, from relationship-building to research outcomes. Through case studies and shared reflections, participants co-developed strategies to honour local histories, cultures, and geographies in their research, ultimately strengthening inclusive and community-driven engagement.
​
Roundtable: "Advancing Research & Innovation at Canadian Colleges – Challenges & Opportunities"
CBRCanada convened this roundtable to create space for dialogue among college-based researchers, educators, and community partners. Participants discussed the distinct challenges and opportunities facing colleges engaged in CBR, and explored how college settings can serve as vital hubs for applied research, social innovation, and community connection.
French-Language Panel
At C2UExpo2025, a French-language panel was held for the first time: 'The vitality of Francophone research with and for communities: progress, challenges, and prospects.' This session brought together Francophone community organizations from Alberta and Quebec, offering a space to connect, exchange perspectives, and learn from one another. The panel was co-organized by Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta, the Service aux collectivités at UQAM, and Scikoop.
​
CBRCanada Booth
Thank you to everyone who visited the CBRCanada booth at C2UExpo2025! We loved connecting with so many of you throughout the week, whether you stopped by to share stories, ask questions, or learn more about community-based research. Your enthusiasm and curiosity made the booth a vibrant space for conversation and connection.
​
​CBRCanada Awards
The Awards Ceremony and Festival celebrating CBRCanada’s national award recipients was held at Fort Edmonton Park during C2UExpo2025, bringing together community leaders, researchers, and changemakers for an evening of storytelling, recognition, and connection. It was a true honour to acknowledge the inspiring recipients whose work is advancing equity, strengthening community partnerships, and driving systems change across the country.
Congratulations to the Community-Campus Research Partnership recipients: National Overdose Response Service (NORS) (Grenfell Ministries & the University of Alberta), the Emerging Community-Based Researcher Award recipient: Dr. Jennifer O’Neil (Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa), our honourable mentions, and all nominees. We look forward to sharing more about their contributions through upcoming e-learnings, Communities of Practice, and on our website. Learn more here.
​
C2UExpo2027
We’re excited to share that the University of Calgary will host C2UExpo2027! We look forward to coming together again in Spring 2027 to continue building connections, sharing knowledge, and celebrating the transformative power of community-based research. See you in Calgary!
Host C2UExpo 2029: Request for Proposals
CBRCanada is inviting organizations and alliances to host the 12th C2UExpo in 2029!
Are you an educational institution, community organization, or a collaboration with a strong track record in community-campus engagement? If so, this could be your opportunity to lead Canada’s premier international conference on community-campus partnerships!
​
C2UExpo is a prestigious event dedicated to celebrating impactful collaborations that tackle both local and global societal challenges. Hosting this event means showcasing your community’s commitment to social innovation, creating valuable connections, and amplifying the positive change you’re already driving.
​
If your organization (or partnership) is ready to take on this exciting role and help shape the future of community-campus engagement, we want to hear from you!
​
To apply, please review the proposal guidelines.
​
C2UExpo: A 20-year journey
R
​
Reference: Ochocka, J. and Shaffiq Dar, S. (2023, June 5-8). C2UExpo: a 20-year journey. [Poster presentation]. C2UExpo 2023, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
​
Past C2UExpos
Theme: Partners in Place
Hosted by: MacEwan University
Conference Organizers: Meagan Auer and Craig Kuziemsky
​
Theme: Connected Communities. Collective Change
Hosted by: Lakehead University
Conference Organizers: Anne Klymenko and Dr. Andrew Dean
​
Theme: Culture, Place, and Resilience
Hosted by: NORDIK Institute, Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, located in Baawating, otherwise known as Sault Ste. Marie, in Northern Ontario.
CANCELLED due to the COVID19 pandemic
Theme: For the Common Good
Hosted by: Simon Fraser University
Conference Organizers: Stephen Dooley, Executive Director and Dr. Michelle Nielson
Theme: Citizen Solutions, Better World
Hosted by: Carleton University and several community partners
​
Conference Organizer: Dr. Ted Jackson
​
Theme: Engaging Shared Worlds
Hosted by: City of Corner Brook, Grenfell Campus Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the provincial office of Public Engagement
​
Conference Organizers: Dr. Ken Carter and Dr. Bruce Gilbert
Theme: Bringing Global Perspectives to Local Action
Hosted by: Communities of Waterloo Region and the Centre for Community Based Research
​
Conference Organizers: Dr. Joanna Ochocka and Dr. Rich Janzen
Theme: Connecting for Change
Hosted by: Office for Community Based Research at the University of Victoria and the United Way of Greater Victoria
​
Conference Organizers: Dr. Budd Hall with the Office of Community-Based Research
Theme: Leaders in Urban Change
Hosted by: University of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Inter City Research Alliance
​
Conference Organizer: Dr. Tom Carter
Theme: Partnerships, Policy and Progress
Hosted by: The University of Saskatchewan
​
Conference Organizer: Dr. Jim Randall