»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

In this CoP session, participants will explore the realities of supporting student-led community-based research experiences, where academic timelines, administrative processes, and institutional expectations often misalign with the pace of community trust-building. We will look at common barriers that students, faculty, and community partners face during short-term placements, including challenges with continuity, funding, and balancing rigor with relevance. In break-out rooms, participants will focus be encouraged to discuss practical strategies for strengthening reciprocal partnerships, supporting student learning, and ensuring that community partners experience meaningful benefit from these collaborations. The questions to be discussed in break-out rooms include:

1. What structural or institutional barriers most affect your ability to support meaningful student placements in community settings, and how have you navigated them?
2. How do you build and sustain reciprocal partnerships when student projects are short term and community needs are long term?
3. What approaches have you found helpful for preparing students to work in community contexts, especially around power, positionality, and expectations for co-creation?

April Guest Facilitator:

Dr. Kristina Kokorelias, Translational Research Scientist, Sinai Health & Assistant Professor

Dr. Kateryna Metersky, Interim Associate Director and Assistant Professor,