Five TRU researchers will embark on community-driven research projects as part of an initiative to spur social innovation.

The Community Driven Research Fund, which was announced last fall, supports opportunities that foster collaborations between TRU researchers and the community. The research projects are driven by the needs of the community partner, and the results of the research will contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

The projects supported by the 2016 Community-Driven Research Fund are:

Natalie Clark in partnership with the Kamloops Family Resources Society (Family Tree Family Centre), “How do we know we are doing a good job? Towards the Evaluation of the Family Tree Program, a Grassroots, Peer-Driven Program.”

• This research will contribute to improved services for clients of the Family Tree Family Centre, and will inform other, similar peer-led grassroots programs both provincially and nationally. The broad goal is to document the means by which these types of programs successfully support our nation’s most disadvantaged families.

Dr. Jenni Karl in partnership with the Kamloops Brain Injury Association (KBIA), “Incidence and Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury Among Vulnerable Canadian Populations.”

• The results of this research will be used by the KBIA as a reference for future funding applications, and to provide reliable knowledge and best practices for their everyday interactions with Traumatic Brain Injury survivors.

Dr. Heather Price in partnership with the United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, “Building Toward a Child Advocacy Centre in Kamloops.”

• This research will inform a federal funding proposal for a Child/Youth Advocacy Centre in Kamloops. The centre would not only house the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) clinic, but also provide space for RCMP and/or social workers to conduct investigative interviews. In this centre, services can be coordinated and an atmosphere of support can be established during all stages of an investigation.

Dr. Carol Rees and Dr. Susan Lidster in partnership with Brocklehurst Middle School and the Kamloops-Thompson School District, “The impact of online science laboratory experiences through the BC Integrated Laboratory Network (BC-ILN) on student engagement and identity formation for a Grade 8 class in the Explorations Program.”

• This research will assist in the evaluation of Brocklehurst Middle School’s Exploration Program, which is designed for Grade 8 students and connects social studies, science and language arts together in a full-day open timetable. The research will also help the school district explore opportunities for expansion of the BC-ILN to schools in remote areas.

Katie Sykes in partnership with BC Aboriginal Business Service Network/CFDC of CIFN, “Guidance on Articles of Incorporation for Community Businesses operated by Women and Indigenous People.”

• This research will result in the development of articles of incorporation templates and user-friendly guidance tailored to the needs of businesses owners, specifically women and Indigenous people, who often face barriers to the costly legal assistance required for incorporation.