McMaster Societal Impact Academy
The Office of the Vice-President, Research is excited to introduce the McMaster Societal Impact Academy – a new initiative designed to support research, knowledge creation, mobilization and exchange activities that shape responsible, ethical impact in society.
The Societal Impact Academy hosts a series of programs, funding opportunities and events aimed at celebrating different forms of research impact, while positioning McMaster as a national leader and global powerhouse in translating research and knowledge capital into societal impact.
Learn more about the Academy’s objectives and initiatives below.
Objectives
Bolster
Support existing research programs to enhance their potential for impact.
Build
Introduce new supports, structures and resources to build capacity for societal impact.
Buzz
Enhance visibility and develop incentives to promote research mobilization and impact.
Initiatives

Society & Impact Luncheon Series Read the latest recap
This lecture series explores how academic researchers and community partners can work together to advance meaningful social change.

Societal Impact Seed Grant Last year's winners
This grant supports campus-society research collaborations with up to $20,000 in seed funding.

Societal Impact Pitch Competition More about the Competition
This competition asks graduate students to creatively showcase how their research can help create a brighter world for a $1000 grand prize.

President's Award for Societal Impact Apply now
This new award recognizes and celebrates exceptional research teams who have generated significant societal impact through knowledge mobilization, translation and/or exchange activities.

Societal Impact Resource Network More about the Network
This network will provide resources and support to McMaster faculty as they work to translate their research into positive societal impact.

McMaster Policy Exchange More about the Policy Exchange
This forum convenes multi-disciplinary impact teams to discuss key challenges along the pathway from research to impact and explore opportunities for evidence-based policy influence.
Resources
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C2UExpo
An international conference that showcases how community-campus partnerships are addressing global and local challenges
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Canadian Forum for Social Innovation
Convenes a national dialogue around key issues around social prosperity and wealth-generating innovation.
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Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum (CKF)
A biennial event that provides opportunities for professional development, learning and networking for those interested in knowledge mobilization, translation, and exchange.
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Canadian Knowledge Transfer and Exchange Community of Practice (KTECOP)
A network of KTE practitioners and researchers who share KTE practices and experience, build peer relationships for information exchange and support and build KTE capacity.
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Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC)
An inclusive hub for connectivity, convening, capacity building, and catalyzing research in support of effective science and innovation policy.
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Community Campus Engage Canada (CCECanada)
A national network and community of practice that fuels authentic research, learning, and creative partnerships between academic institutions and community organizations.
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Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI)
Brings together community and campus skills and resources in order to advance community-identified research goals.
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Community-Based Research Canada (CBRCanada)
A national champion and facilitator of community-based research excellence, a research approach addressing challenging societal problems.
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Equity-Based Co-Creation Centre (EqCC)
Based at McMaster University, EqCC unites researchers, students, service providers and users to engage, educate and innovate for systemic transformation.
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Knowledge Translation Canada
A network of Canadian experts in knowledge translation joining forces to turn health care research into real impact in patients' lives.
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McMaster Office of Community Engagement (OCE)
Get connected with community groups and find support to help you with community-based research.
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Mitacs Business Strategy Internship
Interns work with their academic supervisor to co-design a project with their partner organization to work on the organization’s innovation activities, helping them improve their products, processes, or services.
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National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools
Find resources to support evidence-informed decision-making in public health.
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RADIUS SFU
A community dedicated to (re)building a regenerative economy where all can flourish.
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Research Impact Canada (RIC)
Find resources, learning modules and an online forum to help you turn your research into action.
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Sprott Social Impact Hub (Carleton University)
Dedicated to creating meaningful connections with charities and non-profits, providing students with real-world experiences that contribute to personal development and societal good.
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The/La Collaborative
A multi-institutions network dedicated to enhancing social sciences, humanities and arts’ contribution to innovation through campus to community partnerships.
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UBC Knowledge Exchange
Builds capacity among researchers, students and staff across disciplines to develop and share impactful knowledge through connections and exchange with communities, government, organizations and the general public.
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Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN)
A central space for academics, policy actors, and professional services staff who undertake and support academic-policy engagement.
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Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience (WISIR)
Committed to generating trans- and inter-disciplinary knowledge about social innovations and the social innovation process (the dynamics of learning, adaptation and resilience).
News

New Societal Impact Academy is helping faculty and students turn their research into impact
Research Announcements

Society & Impact Luncheon: Bridging academia and practice to close the gender-gap in cycling
Research Announcements



Deadline Extended: Societal Impact Pitch Competition
Research Announcements

Researchers awarded $85,000 to lead impactful research collaborations with societal partners
Research Announcements

Inaugural Society & Impact Luncheon tackles Canada’s housing crisis
Research Announcements

New seed grant supports McMaster research with societal impact
Research Announcements

New appointments will boost research innovation and impact
Research Announcements