Call For Proposals

Stream 1: Kinoo-amaadawad Megwaa Doodamawad+

This stream, organized by the Anishinaabe Kendaasiwin Institute invites proposals that embody the meaning of Kinoo-amaadawad Megwaa Doodamawad (KMD). Kinoo-amaadawad Megwaa Doodamawad is an Anishinaabe word that speaks to learning together while doing. This requires engaging in relations that embody Indigenous principles and worldviews and disrupts the binary of knower and known in research that causes harm to Indigenous communities. Proposals for this stream will follow a storytelling format and are invited to share a story related to their own experiences of research in a KMD framework. Stories of joy, learning and unlearning, inspiration, frustration, white-supremacy and racism are all welcomed. For example, you could share a story about working within university and external funders’ policies and procedures, enacting Indigenous data sovereignty or exercising responsibilities to land through research.

Stream 2:  Building Strong and Adaptable Communities+

Societal transformation calls for systemic, deep-rooted, and sustained changes in systems and communities. And, change happens through a variety of processes, movements, advocacy, and policies that involve many community voices including those of youth and marginalized populations. Presentations are invited to address interrelated social issues, environmental and health equity issues that are present locally and beyond, and those that highlight tangible actions addressing UN Sustainable Development goals. Presentations are invited on tensions and lessons learned to be better prepared for future challenges in both dismantling the sources of marginalization and building stronger and adaptable communities. This can include presentations on unsettling and reimagining our relations to land, the role of adaptive digital technologies, platforms, and tools in building and maintaining meaningful social relationships to advance connectivity and social support.

Stream 3: Developing Future Leaders Through Community-Engaged Learning+

Community-based research, community-engaged-learning (CEL), work integrated learning, and practicums offer learners the opportunity to develop unique skills to help address the skills shortage currently experienced by many employers and exacerbated by the pandemic. Community-based research and CEL opportunities allow learners to build confidence in their ability to offer solutions and actions on social and civic issues in their community and beyond. Additionally, this collaborative learning approach provides valuable life skills, knowledge, and immediate applications of academic and research-based learnings for positive community change. Presentations can include topics related to all aspects of CEL, including but not limited to, land-based learning, effective strategies for embedding CEL in post-secondary courses and projects, challenges for community partners, and considerations that promote meaningful interactions for learners and community organizations

Stream 4: Exploring Community-Campus Partnership Models and the Role of Institutions+

Many existing and emerging institutional models have proven to be effective for supporting meaningful community-based research design and project implementation. Examples include Living Labs, CityStudio, Researcher-In-Residence, Research Networks/Institutes, Research Shops, etc. They have resulted in mutually beneficial outcomes, contribution of expertise, and experiential learning opportunities for all involved. Presentations can explore topics that examine the role of institutions in supporting/hindering community-engagement, as well as highlight new and innovative models that have been adopted by post-secondary institutions, municipalities, and communities to expand support for authentic community-campus engagement. Proposals on strategies for measuring success of such models are also encouraged. 

Stream 5:  Other Topics Related to Connected Communities. Collective Change.+

New and emerging topics related to community-campus engagement may not have been covered in the above themes. We encourage proposals that also explore innovative community-based research methodology/approaches, including ethical considerations and impact. Feel free to imagine spaces for presentations about creative ways to bring together all those involved in doing or supporting research with communities and consider questions such as: What can we learn from one another’s perspectives and approaches? What has been learned by experiencing failure? How can we better collaborate with diverse organizations? What types of collaborative frameworks enable and support new synergies? How can tangible positive change be influenced locally, nationally, and globally? What is the role of networks?
 

Conference Presentation Formats

Community member participation for all sessions with academics is strongly encouraged.

1. Oral presentations+

A presentation related to the conference theme, followed by a question/answer session. This may include presentations of ideas in development, evaluations, innovations or other relevant context, and might include an opportunity for collective problem solving of identified challenges. Individual presentations will be approximately 10-15 minutes each, with a total of 60 minutes allocated for each session including time for questions.

2. Panel Presentations+

Presentations and discussions on a common idea related to the conference theme. This format allows both individual and group submission. For group submission, 3 presentations can be submitted jointly by the panel lead. The lead discussant opens the session with a summary of the presentations followed by individual presentations. This session will provide an opportunity for discussion on important areas and issues relevant to community-university partnerships and collaborations. Each presentation will be approximately 10-15 minutes, with a total of 60 minutes allocated for each session including time for questions.

3. Poster presentation and Pecha Kucha/20×20 presentation+

A display containing a title, summary, project outcomes, and illustrative information (e.g., tables, charts, graphs, pie charts, photographs). It is a summary of your research or creative project in a visually engaging way. Presenters must be available at their posters to answer questions at a designated time during the conference. Some posters may be selected for a Pecha Kucha presentation. If you are interested in the Pecha Kucha presentation, please check the Pecha Kucha box on the submission form. Each Pecha Kucha presentation consists of 20 slides shown for 20 seconds each. The slideshow is set to auto-advance, so there is no going back, pausing, or skipping around. The entire presentation always lasts for exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds. N.B. Poster presenters are responsible for creating and printing their posters.

4. Workshop+

A training session in which presenters teach and discuss particular skills and techniques involved in doing community-based research and/or community-university partnerships for change. The session should accomplish specific learning objectives and increase the participants’ competence in an important area of the conference themes and objectives. It should include opportunities for practice and feedback. Please indicate workshop objectives, agenda, and participation processes. The session will be 60 minutes in length.

5. Storytelling (Stream 1)+

A session which uses a relational pedagogy whereby the presenter(s) first shares a story about their experience in community based research to set the theme of the storytelling circle. Attendees then share their own stories in relation to what the presenter and other attendees have shared allowing collective learning while doing. The circle will close with presenters offering their own connections and learnings from others stories.

6. Storytelling (Other Streams)+

Story sessions could involve a story of a successful or less than successful attempt to involve faculty by community organizations in community research projects, or how an attempt to change community or institutional policies or practices through a research project went in a completely different direction. The story could also provide insights drawn from a failed community-based research project.

7. Creative works+

We encourage presenters to submit activities that are arts integrated such as skits, dramatizations, performances, poetry, artwork, photo-voice or other expressive and artistic forms. In your proposal summary, please provide details about the presentation format, including the length of the presentation and any special needs. Arts integrated sessions will be held throughout the conference.

8. Films and Videos+

A creative and innovative space for showcasing films and videos consistent with the conference theme, goals, and objectives will be provided. Documentaries, short videos, animation, public service announcements (PSAs) and other forms are welcome. We encourage film projects that highlight the stories of community enrichment, resilience, and inclusion. Please provide details of your film in your proposal summary. Also, include whether you wish to introduce your film/ video at the beginning and lead a question and answer or discussion session afterwards. Shorter length films and videos are preferred due to time limitations.