Community Engagement

Community engagement is the process through with the Osler Research Institute for Health Innovation (ORIHI) meaningfully connects with our community. For us, this means including people that could be impacted by research findings, such as patients, researchers and the local community.

Community engagement in research is recognized as a key process to improve the way the research is prioritized, translated and used in a real-life setting, and can help to reduce health disparities. The forum that ORIHI uses to engage our community is the Community Based Research Advisory Committee.

Community Based Research Advisory Committee

The committee is a community advisory group that provides guidance to help ensure ORIHI’s research is relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs and priorities of communities served by Osler. Members have the opportunity to:

• Amplify community perspectives: share community priorities, concerns, barriers and opportunities to help inform ORIHI’s research planning and design
• Support equitable participation: offer insights to support inclusive, culturally safe recruitment, engagement and retention of participants from diverse communities
• Strengthen knowledge translation: advise on clear, plain language and culturally safe ways to share research processes, progress and findings with community audiences
• Build trust and impact: help ensure research is meaningful and beneficial by promoting collaboration, transparency and trust between researchers and community partners

Overall, the committee plays a necessary role in advancing health care through research and innovation while fostering collaboration and community engagement.

New! Call for committee members

Are you passionate about improving health and wellbeing in your community? Do you want to help shape research that is equitable, culturally relevant and reflective of the diverse communities served by Osler? ORIHI is seeking community members to join its Community Based Research Advisory Committee.

As a member, you will provide input to researchers on ways to strengthen community–research partnerships and support meaningful translation of research into real world community settings.

Who should apply?

Applications are welcome from individuals who:

• Live, work or are closely connected to communities served by Osler
• Bring lived experience and or community insight related to health and wellness
• Are committed to equity, inclusion and community empowerment
• Are interested in contributing to community driven research
• No prior research experience is required

Time commitment

• Four virtual meetings per year, 60 minutes each
• Occasional ad-hoc meetings may be scheduled to address time sensitive topics and may be virtual or in person

How to apply

Apply online now. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2026.

Questions can be directed to research@williamoslerhs.ca.