Networks

OCBR develops local, national and global effort in community based and engaged research, community-university partnerships, policy and funding. OCBR is the co-founder and secretariat for the Vancouver Island Community Research Alliance (VICRA), Community Based Research Canada (CBRC) and the Global Alliance for Community Based Research (GACER).

VICRA grew from the the capacity building project and the desire for Island campuses to jointly serve their communities and work together on a variety of capacity-building and community-based research initiatives. On the national level, OCBR has developed a networking, resource development and policy development capacity through Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC). Finally, OCBR's international collaborations are covered through a networking initiative known as the Global Alliance for Community Based Research (GACER). GACER is a networking initiative with members from all over the world from all facets of society. Both CBRC and GACER were launched at CUEXPO08 and they share the same website.

Community-Based Research Canada

Community Based Research Canada (CBRC) is a network of people and organizations engaged in community-based research to meet the needs of people and communities. CBRC came into being through the community-university Expo Conference held in Victoria, BC in May of 2008 and has grown into a strong national network with many, community partners, NGO's and post-secondary institutions.

Global Alliance on Community-Engaged Research

The Global Alliance on Community-Engaged Research involves steering committee representatives from the Participatory Research Institute of Asia (PRIA), the Sub-Saharan Africa Participatory Research Network, the Centro Boliviano de Estudios Multidisciplinarios, the Living Knowledge Network (Germany) and universities in Canada, the UK and Malaysia.

Vancouver Island Community Research Alliance (VICRA)

VICRA summer institute, June 2010, Gabriola Island

VICRA is an Island-focused community-campus research alliance between the five post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island working with partners such as the the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, the United Ways and community foundations, local governments, community agencies, Provincial government bodies, and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

The goal of VICRA is to mobilize the collective and diverse research, knowledge, skills and capacities in service of the people of Vancouver Island.

Here are links to a few of our partners in VICRA: