Drawing specific lessons and case examples from the recently completed Feeding Kids, Nourishing Minds school food initiative, the presenters will share key experiences of the “work before the work”: foundational relationship building, co-creating research processes, and establishing trust within community spaces.
Through transparent and reflective discussions and practical examples, trainees will explore strategies for building and sustaining good-faith relationships with diverse partners (e.g., students, parents, educators, Indigenous and Black-led organizations, school boards, and government stakeholders), approaches to co-analysis and co-created knowledge translation, and lessons learned in navigating power, equity, and policy impact. The session will offer valuable insights and concrete tools to support ethical, rights-based, equitable, and responsive community-engaged research and inform trainees’ own work.
