Centre for Community Engagement and Social Change Year End Report 2024-2025
Message from the Director
I am excited to be sharing the 2024–2025 Annual Progress Report for the Centre for Community Engagement and Social Change (CCESC). It has been a privilege this year to work with our education community, CCESC staff and leadership team to bring to life the vision of Dean Rebecca Luce-Kapler—a research centre grounded in collaboration and transformative community-engaged research, where researchers, students, educators, artists, and communities come together to reimagine education as a catalyst for a more inclusive world.
This year marked the CCESC’s official launch and the beginning of our work to realize our shared vision: harnessing participatory, transformative research to build a world in which all students, families, and communities belong and flourish. We are energized by the faculty- and community-led projects now in development and proud to have supported these initiatives through our funding opportunities. Behind the scenes, one of my core priorities this year has been securing external research and operational funding to ensure the Centre’s long-term sustainability. I am grateful to Becca Carnevale, Kelly McElrea, and their teams for leading on operational grants. I’m also delighted to share that the CCESC has received its first major external research grant, which will engage Queen’s faculty collaborators and more than 16 student trainees. Several additional grants are under review or in development, and we anticipate more results soon. Sincere thanks to ADR Dr. Pamela Beach and Jennifer Thompson for her unfailing support of these efforts.
As we look to 2025–2026 and beyond, we are focused on deepening our impact—by growing our grants, piloting an internship programs (thanks to Michelle Searle), launching new coursework in community engagement and digital storytelling, and strengthening the partnerships that shape our work. Thank you to all who have contributed. I’m excited for all we will continue to imagine and build together.
Message from the Associate Director
The CCESC serves as a dynamic hub where people come together to collaboratively generate knowledge that tackles real-world, community-identified challenges. These relationships lie at the heart of our work, fostering trust and embracing risks. My contributions have focused on integrating a teaching, research and action agenda that seeks to improve the lives and wellbeing of the people and programs. I am grateful to support from our incredible project manager and students, whose efforts have driven the development and success of numerous CCESC initiatives, as well as our senior leadership team for their vision and dedication to establishing and supporting the CCESC.
Over the past two years, my involvement with the CCESC has been rewarding, fueling my passion for community-building, research, and expanding opportunities for learning. One highlight from this past year has been the vibrant community engagement learning experiences, coupled with impactful research, where we’ve collaborated deeply with community partners and students in sustained, purposeful efforts. As I look ahead to 2025-2026, I am eager to continue strengthening these connections to address priorities identified by our partners, co-create valuable knowledge, and foster mutual benefits in education.
Message from the Associate Dean of Research
As we reflect on the 2024-25 year at the Centre for Community Engagement and Social Change, it’s inspiring to look back on the many projects and community partnerships that have helped to advance our shared vision of fostering equitable and inclusive education. Through the work of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners, we have made great strides in applying participatory and transformative community-engaged research practices. Our collaborations with community organizations, educational leaders, schools, and families—locally, nationally, and internationally—are making important contributions to the field of education. Our dedication to advancing knowledge is further reflected in the networks and mentorship opportunities that have been established. These networks have created vital connections among faculty, students, staff, and partners who are committed to community-engaged research. It has been a fantastic year, and I am excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing dedication and contributions.