Community Engagement Series

The Community Engagement Series brings together researchers, trainees, and community members to discuss innovative community-engaged research projects and methods.

These virtual 1-hour sessions discuss best practices for community engagement, and foster opportunities for sharing community-engaged experiences and ideas. These sessions are held virtually until further notice. Registration is required to access the virtual event links.

Hosted by: Priscilla Medeiros, PhD

Knowledge Mobilization and Community Engagement Specialist, Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Children, University of Toronto

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Past events

2024

Thursday, February 15, 2024 | “Resonance of Resistance: Fostering Culturally Responsive Approaches to Homicide Research for Black Communities”

This webinar presentation explores the intersection of culture, trauma, and research methodologies, on understanding and addressing the aftermath of homicide within Black communities. It highlights strategies employed by The Centre for Research & Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims to engage communities in the research process, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that research initiatives.

Dr. Tanya Sharpe is a community-engaged researcher who is passionately committed to the development of culturally responsive approaches and sustainable opportunities allowing Black communities to thrive in the face of homicide violence. Dr. Sharpe is an Associate Professor; Endowed Chair in Social Work in the Global Community, and the founder and director of The Centre for Research & Innovation for Black Survivors of Homicide Victims (The CRIB) at The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto.

DeShawn Hibbert is a father of three children, and has ambitions of working in the community as a social worker. He joined The CRIB in 2022 and is currently the Coordinator for the Neighbourhood Ambassador Program, a program which employs community members who live and/or work in neighbourhoods disproportionately impacted by homicide for the purpose of co-developing culturally responsive approaches to research, policy, and practice.

Watch here

2023

Tuesday, November 22, 2023 | “Addressing the Social Determinants and Inequities in Health for Black Communities”

This webinar presentation focuses on strategies for advancing health equity in Black communities. It highlights how Anti-Black racism and conditions of power shape social determinants and health inequities.

Dr. Notisha Massaquoi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Society at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus with cross appointments in the Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of MedicineShe is also the founder and director of the Black Health Equity Lab, which conducts community-based health research and works with Black communities to develop advocacy tools, strategies and programs to improve health outcomes in Canadian systems. 

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Friday, October 27, 2023 | “Waaneziyenhwiininoodjimoowayin: The Path That Is Taken to Heal Together”

This webinar presentation discusses the results of the Waaneziyenhwiininoodjimoowayin project that heard stories from Indigenous parents and caregivers who interacted with the child welfare system. The speakers highlight the key findings, including the Indigenization of social work education, which is in opposition to the policies and procedures set forth by provinces.

Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle is an Algonquin (Tima-skeeming First Nation) Assistant Professor and Associate Director at the Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. She is the Director of the Master of Public Health-Indigenous Health program, Indigenous Health Lead for Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Founding Editor of the Turtle Island Journal on Indigenous Health.

Dr. Amy Shawanda is a proud Odawa Kwe from Manitoulin Island's Wikwemikong Unceded Territory. She is an educator, storyteller, and healthcare advocate. She is an Assistant Professor in Indigenous health at McGill University's Department of Family Medicine. Her primary research interest is on sleep, physical health, mental health, and the Indigenous Commercial Determinants of Health.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | “The Family and Child Health Initiative: Building Trusting Relationships and Working in Partnership with Diverse Communities in Peel Region”

This webinar presentation focuses on practical ways that researchers and clinicians can engage with diverse community organizations, influencers and members in a meaningful way to address health priorities.

Dr. Ian Zenlea is a paediatric endocrinologist and Division Head & Medical Director of Children’s Health at Trillium Health Partners and a Clinician Scientist and Lead of the Family and Child Health Initiative at the Institute for Better Health.  

Dianne Fierheller is the co-Lead of the Family and Child Health Initiative and has worked for many years with children, youth and families as an anti-oppressive paediatric healthcare Social Worker at SickKids Hospital and Trillium Health Partners.

Sara Abdullah is a Research Associate within the Family and Child Health Initiative at the Institute for Better Health and is involved in a number of community-based participatory research projects. She has a master’s in Global Health.

Serena Hong is a Peer Research Assistant with the Family and Child Health Initiative, supporting the Family Violence project. Serena has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto.

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Friday, May 19, 2023 | “Lessons Learned: Cultivating Community Partnerships for Equity and Access in Children’s Health”

Dr. Ripudaman Minhas, Developmental Paediatrician with the Women’s and Children’s Health Program at St. Michael’s Hospital and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Toronto, discusses the importance of embedding equity and inclusion in research design.

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Friday, April 21, 2023 | "Equitably Engaging Patient and Community Partners in Our Research: Where Do I Begin?”

Dr. Patricia O’Campo, Executive Director of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at Unity Health Toronto and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Population Health Intervention Research, discusses various strategies for engaging patients and communities in health research.

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Tuesday, March 28, 2023 | "Advancing Engagement Using Arts-Based Approaches"

Dr. Roberta Woodgate, Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Child and Family Engagement in Health Research and Healthcare, discusses the importance and use of arts-based approaches to involving children and youth in the research process. 

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2022

Thursday, October 20, 2022 | “Meaningful Community Engagement: An Introduction to Best Practices”

Dr. Naomi Thulien, a nurse practitioner and scientist with the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, discusses best practices for responsible community engagement. 

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Friday, September 30, 2022 | “Let’s Talk: Putting Community in Community-Engaged Research”

Dr. Catherine Birken, Leong Chair in Child Health Intervention and co-lead of TARGet Kids!, speaks to defining ‘community’ in community-engaged research. 

Watch here