Collaborations and diverse perspectives not only help us better understand and tackle problems, they sustain us.
“Partnering in Research” (PiR) is a collaborative venture between the Knowledge Exchange Unit and Indigenous Research Support Initiative of UBC’s Vice President Research and Innovation, the Office of Community Engagement under the Vice President External Relations, and the Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement in the Faculty of Arts.
Inspired by the success of the inaugural UBC Partnering in Research Conference in June 2023, our teams are committed to offering regular programs that uphold and promote excellence in partnered research across UBC. This initiative is designed for UBC researchers, students and staff engaged in partnered research, as well as community partners already collaborating with UBC.
Upcoming Workshops
Join us for a series of educational workshops designed to build upon the professional development insights from the 2023 PiR conference. In these sessions, facilitators from various disciplines will work with participants to cultivate the skills necessary for enhancing engaged research.
- Demystifying UBC’s Financial System: Supporting Fair and Timely Payments for Community PartnersNovember 7, 2024 | Develop the skills you need to process payments smoothly and fairly within UBC’s financial system. Strengthen your partnerships by ensuring prompt, transparent compensation for community collaborators.
PiR Stories
Hear from various researchers as they address some of the most common challenges faced in partnered research and their innovative solutions.
- Challenges in Partnered Research: Navigating Conflict in Partnered ResearchIn this episode, learn how to navigate and embrace conflict in partnered research to create stronger, more equitable partnerships and outcomes.
- Challenges in Partnered Research: Achieving Sustainability in Engaged ResearchIn this episode, discover strategies to tackle financial challenges, ethical considerations, and trust in engaged research. Learn about the importance of community involvement, the difference between reciprocity and transaction, and visions for the future of community-based research.
- Challenges in Partnered Research: The Power of Storytelling in Collaborative Research In this episode, learn how storytelling though a variety of mediums, namely comics, podcasts, and apps, are powerful tools for engaging audiences, securing research funding, and delivering impactful messages.
- Valuable Insights From Defining and Describing Community-Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and Tenure with Dr. Emily JankeWatch and explore key takeaways from the Partnering in Research Workshop, “Defining and Describing Community Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and Tenure” with Emily Janke
UBC’s 2025 Partnering in Research Conference
Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Location: Vancouver (In-person, venue TBA)
We’re excited to announce the return of UBC’s Partnering in Research Conference! Mark your calendars for June 12, 2025, and join us for a full day of learning, discussion, and collaboration focused on equitable, engaged research. The 2025 conference will bring together UBC faculty, staff, graduate students, and their community partners to explore the challenges and rewards of partnered research, share experiences, and develop strategies for community-centered change.
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Past Workshops
Review the workshops we have offered so far in 2024.
- Crafting a Compelling Narrative: How to Tell Your Research Story October 8, 2024 | Learn the art and science of storytelling to tell your research story with authenticity and impact. Gain tools to captivate funders’ attention and showcase the significance of your work.
- How to Keep the Lights On: Strategic and Financial Planning for Sustainability in Community Engaged ResearchSeptember 20, 2024 | Learn to craft a compelling business case for your community-engaged research program. Gain insights into the business case framework, access practical tools, and identify strategies for financial sustainability.
- Decolonizing and Engaging in Research by Way of Graphic RecordingJune 10, 2024 | Learn about the skills and experiences of graphic recorders Adriana Contreras and Michelle Buchholz. Discover how graphic recording can enhance your research and serve as a tool for decolonization, creativity, and engagement.
- I’m a Community Engaged Researcher. Should I Start a Non-Profit?June 3, 2024 | Explore the benefits and challenges of non-profit organizations for research, offering a decision-making framework and guidance for those considering launching a non-profit entity to support their community-engaged initiatives.
- Defining and Describing Community-Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and TenureMay 21, 2024 | Learn how to effectively present your community-engaged scholarship, focusing on outputs, outcomes, and processes, to enhance recognition and appreciation of your work across your portfolio.
- What Doesn’t Kill It Makes It Stronger: Navigating Conflict in Partnered Research TeamsMay 2, 2024 | Learn how to identify and navigate conflict in research teams using the Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. Transform disagreements into opportunities for deeper understanding and impactful collaboration.
- Crafting a Compelling Narrative: How to Tell Your Research StoryApril 30, 2024 | Storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging audiences, securing research funding, and delivering impactful messages. In this interactive workshop, learn how to tell your research story with clarity, authenticity, and impact.
About Partnering in Research
UBC’s Partnering in Research Conference
The inaugural conference in June 2023 at UBC Robson Square marked a significant milestone, bringing together 57 speakers and 187 attendees to explore the multifaceted aspects of partnered research.
What is Partnered Research?
We define partnered research* as the collaboration between institutions of higher education and wider communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.
The purpose of partnered research is to foster connections between university knowledge and resources and those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; to address critical societal issues; to prepare educated, engaged citizens; to support reconciliation and decolonization; to strengthen civic responsibility; and to contribute to the public good.
*This definition is adapted from the Carnegie Foundation’s definition of community engagement, used in the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.
Our Purpose
Our mission is to convene, support, and celebrate engaged researchers—including graduate students and early career researchers—their non-academic partners, and university staff involved in reciprocal research partnerships that catalyze community-centered change. We aim to:
- Organize learning opportunities aligned with contemporary best practices.
- Celebrate and advocate for the value of reciprocal partnered research.
- Leverage UBC’s existing teams and expertise.
- Connect communities of engaged researchers.
Looking ahead to 2024, “Partnering in Research” seeks to act on the insights and calls for action from the 2023 conference, focusing on the creation of programs and resources for building inclusive partnerships, recognizing and showcasing community-university partnerships, and enhancing support for partnered projects.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, reach out to us at PiR.Support@ubc.ca