We are a joint initiative between McMaster University, led by Faculty of Social Sciences, and five community organizations: (1) Hamilton Public Library (HPL); (2) Canadian Mental Health Association of Hamilton (CMHA); (3) Center [3] for Artistic and Social Practice (C3); (4) YWCA Hamilton (YWCA); (5) John Howard Society of Ontario (JHSO).
The Community Research Platform (CRP) is a unique ‘platform’ model of community-university research partnership as it aims to develop and foster long term, sustainable, ‘programs of research’ that extend far beyond individual research projects.
Stakeholders share research infrastructure in the form of space, software, data, equipment, and expertise. Five key thematic areas have emerged that align with the expertise and interests of McMaster researchers and the mandates of community partner organizations.
They are: Mental Health (CMHA), Arts-informed Research (C3), Social Engagement and Community Resilience (HPL), Gender and Intersectionality (YWCA) and Crime, Criminalization and Punishment (JHSO).
For each thematic area, the CRP has formed working groups comprised of interdisciplinary researchers and community experts.
Groups work to advance research that informs organizational practice and contributes to social impact (i.e., shedding light on social issues, supporting innovation, and providing guidance for policy). All CRP partners are well networked locally, regionally, and/or nationally, increasing the scalability and impact of research projects and knowledge mobilization activities.
Acting Director: Dr. Christina Sinding
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