Community-based research is rooted in close partnerships between researchers, organizations and the communities concerned. Teams identify priorities and develop projects together in a process that draws on collaboration, mutual commitment and knowledge gained from lived experience.
Since 2021, Community-Based Research Canada has been bestowing awards of excellence on individuals who exemplify that approach. Two researchers and a team from the University of Ottawa received 2025 CBRCanada Awards. Discover how their projects, developed with and for communities, are transforming research and living environments.
Jennifer O’Neil: Providing better access to rehabilitation
Recipient: Emerging Community-Based Researcher
Jennifer O’Neil, an assistant professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences), is dedicated to making rehabilitation care and services more accessible to underserved and equity-seeking communities.
The Marche vers le futur telehealth program is giving Francophone seniors in minority communities the opportunity to take part in an initiative aimed at preventing falls by improving physical strength, strengthening balance and identifying everyday risk factors. In Canada, one in five seniors suffers a fall every year, potentially resulting in pain, loss of confidence, fear of going out and even increased isolation. Participants watch information videos, discuss preventable fall risks and do exercises remotely, in groups or at home.
The program was set up in 2008 by Professor Jacinthe Savard and Dominique Cardinal, and was subsequently tweaked by Jennifer O’Neil, in partnership with Francophone community associations and health centres. These organizations helped train more than 30 facilitators and implement the initiative in five provinces, reaching over 180 seniors. The research team designed pedagogical tools and established an online forum where facilitators and community and academic partners share their experiences and fine-tune the program together.
“The community-based participatory approach differs from more traditional research approaches, as initiatives are developed directly with the individuals concerned.”
Jennifer O'Neil
— Assistant professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences
This collaborative approach is now crossing borders. O’Neil is currently collaborating on a participatory research initiative being conducted in Uganda by a local organization, Kadupedi, in partnership with Canadian NGO CanUgan. The project includes persons with a disability in identifying priorities for rehabilitation services. In June 2024, O’Neil took part in a field visit to facilitate discussion and provide methodology support, to, among other things, adapt exercises, support training in mobility aids and build capacity among families and local stakeholders.
Tanya Halsall: Creating healthier living environments for youth
Honorary mention: Emerging Community-Based Researcher
Tanya Halsall, an assistant professor at the School of Epidemiology and Public Health (Faculty of Medicine), conducts participatory research focused on youth.
She’s currently examining how the Icelandic Prevention Model—an approach to addiction prevention mobilizing youth and their communities—could be implemented in Canada. She’s also working to develop integrated mental health, education and support services, designed in collaboration with youth and their families.
“By ensuring the active participation of youth and community partners at each step of the way, we ensure that research first and foremost serves to meet specific needs on the ground.”
Tanya Halsall
— Assistant professor, School of Epidemiology and Public Health
Through her inclusive approach, Halsall is helping to create environments that are more open and conducive to youth well-being, for example, in schools and online.
The DASH system: A tool for decision-makers for affordable and social housing
Honorary mention: Excellence in Community-Campus Research Partnership
The prototype for DASH (Decisions for Affordable/Social Housing), an interactive dashboard addressing social housing and homelessness, was developed by the Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa and a uOttawa interdisciplinary team consisting of Assistant Professor Katrine Sauvé-Schenk from the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences), Full Professor John Sylvestre from the School of Psychology (Faculty of Social Sciences), Full Professor Daniel Amyot from the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Faculty of Engineering) and Associate Professor Lysanne Lessard from the Telfer School of Management.
DASH, designed with persons who have experienced homelessness and with community organizations, will integrate data from a variety of sources to help municipalities better plan social and affordable housing services and policies. Among other things, the tool will show the number of individuals and households on wait lists, their housing needs and the availability of different types of units in a given region.
“Our partnership is based on a shared commitment: decisions are made together, and each person contributes according to their expertise and experience.”
Katrine Sauvé-Schenk
— Assistant professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences
The long-term goal is to generate a comprehensive picture of affordable and social housing across Canada, even though the current prototype is intended for community use.
Research rooted in the community
These projects have resulted in prevention programs, tools for planning services and approaches better suited to realities on the ground. Each initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when research is created with communities.
The Community-Based Research Canada awards highlight the scope of this joint effort. They also illustrate the University of Ottawa’s firm commitment to conducting research that has a tangible impact on living environments by building on sustainable partnerships and shared knowledge.