Abstract
Canadian colleges and polytechnics have always been leaders in terms of teaching excellence and providing student-centred learning; however, more recently they have begun to excel at conducting innovative research. Many faculty members receive private and public funding to complete longitudinal research projects across a range of disciplines. These projects tend to have an applied versus theoretical focus because they are housed within the college/polytechnic system. The current project will highlight a meaningful applied project within the area of gender-based violence. In short, survivors of intimate partner violence often have experienced concussion and do not always have access to standard medical support. This research connected with participants to offer concussion recovery technology and education. Overall, there were benefits in conducting this research, such as its framework drawing on trauma- and violence-informed care, including student research assistants in the field, and directly supporting survivors of violence in the community providing them with the opportunity to have their voices heard through research. However, there are additional challenges when completing studies off campus and outside of the typical research lab, especially when participants are from a vulnerable population. This innovation spotlight will discuss the benefits and challenges of applied research within a college system, specifically in the sector of gender-based violence and working with both for-profit and non-profit community organizations.
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