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Research Projects

Overview

CERi leads multiple research projects related to climate, arts, health, social justice and more.  These projects are funded through the Tri-Council and via Fee-for-Service. We also lead Community-identified research project through the 312 Main Research Shop. 

Tri-Council Projects

2020–2026 | SSHRC Partnership Grant

Participedia: A Global Resource for Participatory Democracy

CERi Role: Research Lead

Themes: Democracy, Public Participation, Education

This global platform supports democratic innovation and public participation. CERi co-hosted a summer school on radical democracy, engaging diverse scholars and activists.

2025–2032 | SSHRC Partnership Grant

The Arts Impact Partnership (TAIP)

CERi Role:Co-Investigator

Themes: Arts, Data Equity, Impact Frameworks

A transnational initiative redefining how the civic impact of the arts is measured, especially in equity, migration, health, and sustainability contexts.

2025–2026 | SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant

Governing through the Aftermath

CERi Role: Co-Investigator

Themes: Climate Governance, Emergency Response, Community Networks

A comparative study of BC and Hawai’i exploring community-based climate disaster responses, with insights into collaborative governance and public health integration.

2024–2031 | SSHRC Partnership Grant

Impact Training: Experiential Learning Toolkits

CERi Role: Collaborator

Themes: Education, Systems Change, EDI

This project equips emerging SSHRC researchers with tools for social impact, systems change, and research innovation, grounded in equity and community engagement.

2025–2032 | SSHRC Partnership Grant

From Catastrophe to Community: A People’s History of Climate Resiliency

CERi Role: Co-Investigator

Themes: Climate, Narrative, Justice

An international storytelling project documenting climate disaster experiences through trauma-informed interviews to support community resilience and public action.

Fee-for-service Projects

2022–2024 | Funded by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Newcomer Services Planning – Burnaby

CERi Role: Research Lead

Themes:Immigration, Service Design, Community Planning

A model for improving settlement services in Burnaby by engaging diverse organizations and community members to improve integration and funding outcomes.

2022–2025 | Spencer Foundation

Pedagogies of Community Engagement

CERi Role: Co-Investigator

Themes: Facilitation, Equity, Knowledge Sharing

This project explores facilitation practices in community-based sectors like arts, health, and education. It supports emotional sustainability and equity-informed collaboration.

2024–2025 | Vancity Community Foundation and SFU Action on Climate Team (ACT)

DTES Climate Readiness Roadmap

CERi Role: Research Co-Lead

Themes: Climate Resilience, Social Sector, Urban Vulnerability

This project supports social sector climate resilience in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside through lowcarbon planning, risk assessment, and community-driven strategy.

2022–2025 | BC Alliance for Arts + Culture

Co-Creating Arts on Prescription

CERi Role: Research Partner

Themes: Arts & Health, Social Prescribing, Community Wellbeing

A needs assessment on how arts and culture can be prescribed to improve health outcomes, connecting healthcare and community organizations.

2024 | City of Richmond

Body-Rub Studios Consultation – Richmond

CERi Role: Research Lead

Themes: Education, Systems Change, EDI

Based on a referral from the City’s Community Safety Committee, CERi researchers identified stakeholders’ perspective on the City of Richmond’s bylaws governing body-rub studios.