SFU CERi Impact Studio
A university-embedded creative studio for research communications and storytelling
About us
The SFU CERi Impact Studio is a university-embedded creative studio that supports researchers, students, and community organizations in translating complex ideas into accessible, engaging, and actionable public communication.
Situated within the ecosystem of community-engaged research, the studio combines communications, storytelling, and design, to strengthen the public impact of research and community initiatives.
The studio operates through a hybrid social business model that positions the university not only as a generator of knowledge, but as an active civic institution capable of supporting democratic engagement, climate action, collective well-being, and public dialogue.
Our projects are impact oriented, intended not only to inform, inspire and document community-engaged research projects and approaches, but to provide tangible, visually exciting and accessible research data for policy advocacy and activism.
Featured Projects
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Write to Read BC: Supporting literacy and connection in Indigenous communities (2011-2026)
“My experience working with CERi was extremely positive. There was flexibility, openness, transparency, and a shared motivation to complete the project with a great result. We use our report for fundraising and when we reconnect with the Indigenous communities who have partnered with us over the years. It conveys the importance of libraries and learning centres in improving educational outcomes and contributing to community pride and belonging, as well as to Indigenous cultures.” —Gordon Yusko learn more
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Climate Resilience Roadmap
“The Impact Studio at CERi was an invaluable partner in designing and producing the Climate Resilience Roadmap for Non-Profits, its accompanying technical report and an at-a-glance booklet. The team helped turn complex research and community input into a cohesive set of clear, accessible and professionally designed resources. Their attention to content and presentation ensured these resources reflected the experiences and priorities of Downtown Eastside organizations while supporting climate resilience planning and action.” —Sean Condon, Director, Community Programs and Impact, Vancity Community Foundation learn more
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Frontline Workers on the Back Burner: A Call for Systemic Accountability in the Gender-Based Violence Sector
“I cannot recommend working with CERi highly enough! Everyone we worked with was friendly, timely, and asked great questions that helped us refine our vision. When we shared our design ideas with them, they did an amazing job turning them into cohesive and beautiful layouts for our report and action plan.” —Noemi Rosario Martinez, Community Engagement and Research Fellow, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society learn more
Our purpose
We exist to support public-interest research and community initiatives through accessible, creative, and research-informed communications that strengthen public understanding, civic participation, and social transformation.
What we do
The Impact Studio offers professional communication design services, operated through a student mentorship model. Our senior team works with clients to initiate and support projects, and we hire and mentor university students to undertake graphic design and production. This capacity-building approach offers graduate students the opportunity to gain professional experience in the unique field of creative research translation, as well as experience working with clients to produce high quality design outputs.
Services
We translate new and existing research, such as academic papers, conference summary report text, or other forms of knowledge mobilization into designed outputs. We produce professionally designed digital and print assets, including, but not limited to:
Reports
Handbooks
Toolkits
Social media graphics
Infographics
Data visualizations
Ask us about other types of assets, as we may be able to accommodate requests.
Work with us
Collaborators with research content who are interested in producing designed outputs with the Impact Studio start by filling out our intake form. From there, the CERi team will generate an initial estimate and schedule an intake meeting. A quote will be provided for approval, including costs, timeline and team details, followed by a contract.
Pricing
The impact studio offers a range of pricing options. Projects can range from relatively low cost graphic design of finalized content provided by clients (portfolio example: Frontline Workers), to undertaking intensive knowledge translation of text-based academic content into accessible copy and visuals (portfolio example: Walk With Me), which requires more of a time investment. Our intake form gives us a sense of the scope of your project, and the Impact Studio team will work with you to develop a project plan that meets your needs.
Questions? Contact us
Joanna Habdank
Program Manager
joanna_habdank@sfu.ca
Tara Mahoney
Research and Engagement Lead
tara_mahoney_2@sfu.ca
Fill out an intake form
Do you have a research project that would benefit from creative knowledge translation?
Looking for knowledge mobilization strategy support at SFU?
Click here to find out more about SFU’s Knowledge Mobilization Hub!
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