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Our Mission

The Office of Community-Based Research at UVic (OCBR-UVic) is a community–university partnership. We support community engagement and research to create vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities.

What do we do?

OCBR-UVic facilitates collaborative community-university research and partnerships that enhance the quality of life and the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities.

OCBR-UVic creates and supports:

    • new opportunities for collaborative research initiatives and projects on issues that arise from and matter to our communities
    • multi-sectoral partnerships between civil society, non-profit community organizations, First Nations, funding agencies, government, business and the university
    • strong evidence-based recommendations for public policies, programs and practices to meet community needs
    • innovative national and global networks to support community-based research and community-university engagement
    • seminars, colloquia, talks, workshops and courses

    Where do we do this?

    OCBR-UVic works primarily in Victoria, the Capital Region District and Vancouver Island. We develop networks to share research, best practices and to develop new policies and programs provincially, nationally and globally.

    How do we work?

    OCBR and the university

    In 2005 a UVic-Community-Based Research consultation attracted over 140 researchers who shared their ideas and support for CBR and a campus initiative. This interest has continued to grow at UVic and on campuses across the country. Download the report(750kb PDF). The OCBR also takes its direction from the University of Victoria 2007 Strategic Plan A Vision for the Future – Building on Strength - with its strong focus on civic/community engagement. We respond to the institutional desire to strengthen the links between teaching and research, to the interest in increased service learning opportunities for students, and to build research capacity within communities. We place a strong focus on the engagement of Aboriginal community partners.

    OCBR strives to support and complement initiatives already being done by another part of UVic. Download our Community-UVic Resource Guide which profiles the many Resources and Programs at UVic related to CBR. We work collaboratively with University Communications, the Teaching and Learning Centre, the Office of Sustainability and Planning, Co-operative Education and the Office of Indigenous Affairs, Student and Ancillary Services, VIPIRG, the Innovation and Development Corporation, Office of International Affairs, and the Division of Continuing Studies. We provide direct support to faculty in the departments, faculties and centres that are currently or interested in pursuing CBR.

    OCBR and the community

    OCBR undertook further consultations with researchers, community groups and First Nations in 2006 on how the University of Victoria's community engagement, partnerships, research and projects could be supported or improved. This led to the formal development of OCBR with a Steering Committee composed of equal University and community representatives, the first university-wide and campus-community governance structure of its kind in Canada . The major function that OCBR provides is capacity building and resource support for CBR initiatives and projects. Acting as agents and brokers for community engagement and CBR partnerships is the major role.