2025

2024

A year of significant growth, with expanded membership, strong and well-attended programs, and new national and global collaborations.

• Launched the first CBRCanada Summer Institute (24 participants). • Actively participated in the 9th Living Knowledge Conference in Girona, Spain, offering pre-conference workshop and three presentations (Joanna Ochocka and Amanda Demmer). • Developed two grant applications: 1. Submitted in collaboration with York University for the Lab2Market Funding project entitled “Maximizing societal impacts of research through knowledge mobilization training”. 2. Submitted to Heritage Canada for the three-year project to support CBRCanada becoming a fully bilingual organization with all programs, communications and services adapted for both official languages.

2023

CBRCanada’s first year operating as an independent non-profit organization with own Secretariat staff and being housed at Wilfrid Laurier University. CBRCanada expanded programs and national membership and gained national visibility. Co-hosted C2UExpo2023 with 350 participants.

• A successful C2UExpo2023 in Thunder Bay, Ontario hosted by Lakehead University. • Strengthening our independent governance, many new partnerships and online engagements, including CBRCanada Orientation Sessions. • Recognizing excellence through national awards, our CBR national certificate course and e-News published as a monthly digest. • Training and Coaching Program offered to Inspire and University of Toronto.

2022

CBRCanada launched Canada’s first Community-Based Research Certificate Course, offered e-Learning series and Communities of Practice, started an entrepreneurship Training and Mentoring Program, and engaged nationally and internationally through C2UExpo online event and the Living Knowledge Conference.

• Launched the Community-Based Research Certificate Course “Community-Based Research Fundamentals and Excellence” instructed by Dr. Joanna Ochocka and Amanda Demmer (PhD Candidate). • Hosted C2UExpo2022 Mini-Gathering, and Award Gala online (80 participants) that included a panel discussion on Community-based research at the cross-roads: Equity, social justice, and change”. • Actively participated at the 8th Living Knowledge Conference in Groningen, Neverlands, giving three presentations (Joanna Ochocka and Amanda Demmer). • Training and Coaching Program offered to the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus, Urban Just Transitions Research Cluster.

2021

CBRCanada expanded governance with new Board appointments, launched two Communities of Practice, adapted the CBRET training online, and focused on growing membership and pan-Canadian collaboration.

• Hosted C2UExpo2021 online Mini-Gathering and Award Gala (150 participants), that included a panel discussion about the future of community-based research in Canada and 2021 National Award Celebration (two awards sponsored by SSHRC). • Recognized Dr. Budd Hall by receiving the Community-Based Research Leadership Award. • Appointed Dr. Joanna Ochocka as CBRCanada Acting Executive Director.

2020

Adapted to the pandemic by launching a new website, publishing e-Newsletters, and hosting a well-attended webinar series, after canceling C2UExpo2020.

• Changed organizational name from CBRC to CBRCanada. • Developed and launched the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. • Launched a new website with expanded features. • Canceled C2UExpo2020, hosted by Algoma University, due to COVID-19.

2019

CBRCanada expanded governance with a new Board structure and sub-committees, held three CBRET workshops (Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto), and offered a Spring/Summer Webinar Series on community-based research in practice. Membership grew to include universities, colleges, research institutes, and community organizations across Canada.

• CBRC Annual General Meeting was held in person in Ottawa on April 26th. • Stephen Dooley becomes Board Co-Chair alongside Joanna Ochocka. • CBRC membership grew to 17 universities, 3 colleges, 3 research institutes, and 3 community organizations.

2018

CBRCanada launched the National Mapping initiative, introduced the first CBRET workshops (Waterloo and Hamilton), and updated its governance to two Board Co-Chairs. The organization also expanded its network, with members participating in international engagement events Engage 2018 hosted by the National Coordination Centre for Public Engagement in Edinburgh, Scotland.

• Beginning of monthly e-learning webinar series. • Joanna Ochocka becomes Board Co-Chair alongside Martin Taylor.

2017

CBRCanada co-hosted C2UExpo2017 with 650 participants, presented the inaugural Community-Based Research Leadership Award, released the Program Development Report, offered capacity-building events and expanded its governance and national and international engagement increased.

• Successful C2UExpo2017 in Vancouver, British Columbia organized by Simon Fraser University (Steve Dooley, Nicole Nilson with SFU President Andrew Petter) with opening remarks, on behalf of CBRCanada, offered by Joanna Ochocka. • Presented first Community-Based Research Leadership Award to Dr. Katherine Graham. • Relocated the CBRC Secretariat to the Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR) at the University of Waterloo. • Martin Taylor and Joanna Ochocka presented Community-Based Research and Social Development Goals at the UNESCO Consortium in Ottawa, March 27th. • The CBRC report, based on the 2016 survey with CBRC members, identified three strategic priorities: development of CBR capacity-building program; being a convener in the creation of national community-campus engagement network; development of a strong communication strategy, including social media.

2016

CBRCanada was incorporated as a national non-profit with its Secretariat at the University of Victoria, transitioned to a membership-based model, and hosted a Winter Webinar Series on community-campus engagement.

• The inaugural CBRCanada Board of Directors was established. CBRCanada’s inaugural Board Members were Martin Taylor (Chair) at the University of Victoria, Joanna Ochocka (Vice-Chair) at the Centre for Community Based Research, Marcel Simoneau (Vice-Chair) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Geri Briggs at Carleton University, Leslie Brown at the University of Victoria, Jody Butler Walker at the Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research (AICBR), Warren Dodd at the University of Guelph, Katherine Graham at Carleton University, Budd Hall the UNESCO Chair in CBR, Linda Hawkins at the University of Guelph. • Developed the CBRC’s by law. • Transitioned to a membership-based organization and started to generate funds from membership fees.

2015

CBRC released its Fall Survey Report, facilitated preconference workshops, and co-organized CUExpo 2015 with over 300 participants. The organization also co-developed a SSHRCC Partnership Grant proposal (not funded).

• Successful C2UExpo2015 in Ottawa, Ontario organized by Carleton University (Ted Jackson). Joanna Ochocka, on behalf of CBRCanada, presented the next C2UExpo host, SFU. • Development of the SSHRC Partnership Grant application “Pursuing Excellence in Community-Based Research: National Partnership for Research and Action” to established 6-8 regional Hubs of Research Excellence across Canada, each pursuing cross-sectorial CBR projects solving societal problems. Led by Joanna Ochocka with 7 co-applicants and 105 partners from local universities, communities and governments across Canada.

2014

CBRCanada grew to 13 institutional members, launched its 2014–2017 Strategic Plan, and supported national and international events, including a National Summit and the UK Engage Conference.

• Sponsored CUVic Conference Day at the University of Victoria in May 2014. • Organized and facilitated, together with CCBR, the National Summit on “Pursuing Excellence in Collaborative Community-Campus Research” (November 3-4) sponsored by SSHRC, led by Joanna Ochocka. The event gathered over 60 researchers and administrators across Canada, including guests from UK, who debated CBR indicators of excellence.

2013

CBRCanada supported UNESCO’s Co-Chair for Higher Education and Social Responsibility in CBR, facilitated UK-Canada collaborations, and helped organize CUExpo 2013 in Newfoundland. The Institute for Community University Engagement at UVic became the new Secretariat, and CBRC developed its 2014–2017 Strategic and Membership Outreach Plans.

• Successful C2UExpo2013 in Cornbrook, Newfoundland (Ken Carter and Bruce Gilbert) supported by CCBR and CBRC (Joanna Ochocka and Rich Janzen). • Signed a partnership agreement with the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI).

2012

CBRCanada engaged in strategic planning and organizational renewal, grew its membership to 300 individuals, and represented Canada at the Living Knowledge Network conference in Germany. The organization also developed and submitted a SSHRCC Partnership Grant to strengthen community engagement in university research.

• Development of the SSHRC Partnership Grant “Engaging Communities in Research: A Partnership to Strengthen the “C” in Community-University Research" led by Joanna Ochocka with 17 partners (all CBRC members and/or directors).

2011

CBRCanada was active at C2UExpo 2011 in Waterloo, Ontario, with nearly 600 participants from 14 countries and 30+ local partners on the planning committee. The organization also joined the Campus Community Collaboration Initiative supported by the Governor General of Canada. Other organizations contributing to the initiative include CCPH, CACSL, Research Impact, United Way of Canada, Imagine Canada, Community Foundations of Canada and SSHRCC.

• Successful C2UExpo2011 in Waterloo, Ontario (first in the eastern Canada) organized by the Centre for Community Based Research (Joanna Ochocka and Rich Janzen).

2010

CBRC partnered with Community Campus Partnership for Health and the Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning to host the Knowledge Commons Summit in Montreal. CBRC’'s membership reaches 200 individual members.

• Developed the SSHRC application “National Centers of CBR Excellence” led by Budd Hall with 33 community and university partners (not funded).

2009

CBRC hosted the symposium “From Recession to Renewal” at the University of Victoria, highlighting Indigenous knowledge in community-based research. The organization produced a brief on CBR and community-engaged scholarship, presented at UNESCO, and contributed to SSHRC- and IDRC-funded reports on Canadian and global best practices.

2008

The Pan-Canadian Coalition for Community-Based Research, precursor to CBRCanada, was founded at C2UExpo. The University of Victoria hosted the Secretariat, with Carleton University and UQAM as partners. Founding members included national community and university organizations: the Centre for Community Based Research, Community Campus Partnerships for Health, the United Way, the Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning, and the Canadian Community Economic Development Network. The coalition welcomed its first 100 individual members.