Our Four Worlds Centre team has served as principal researchers and lead advisors on many local, regional, national and international research initiatives related to social and economic development and to finding solutions for critical human problems. Some initiatives have been pure, peer-reviewed research, others applied and focused on policy or program development and still others aimed at supporting ongoing community or area development processes, whether at the program design or evaluation stages.

Our research methodology choices almost always include a participatory action research component, a culturally grounded perspective, and community engagement. In addition, to uncovering theoretical research solutions, we are always keenly interested in implementation, which often requires additional research streams to indigenize research findings to local realities. Our primary value is research with people, not research on or for them. For us research is about knowledge creation, but it is also about the education and mobilization of those who must act in order to improve some aspect of life for real people on the ground.

SAMPLE PROJECTS

International
Evaluation of IDRC's Global Research Ecohealth program, specifically related to community participation and transdiciplinarity and coaching of research teams in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Cuba related to those topics as well as to qualitative methodology more generally (2001-2006)

Canada
National study of the range and effectiveness of Canadian Aboriginal community approaches to healing and recovery from the impacts of inter-generational trauma rooted in residential school experiences, resulting in the publication of the study report "Mapping the Healing Journey" by the Aboriginal Policy Unit of Solicitor General Canada (2002)

National study aimed at finding practical solutions for women's mental health and homelessness in the northern territories of Canada (Yukon, North West Territories, Nunavut), funded by the Canadian Health Research Institute (2001-present)

Pakistan
Community situation mapping and needs assessment as a foundation for development planning in three districts of northern Gojal, Hunza region of Gilgit-Baltistan. (2011-2012)