professor brings community-based research and learning to lakehead’s orillia campus

(august 25, 2011/orillia, on) dr. doug west, associate professor with the departments of interdisciplinary studies and political science, is new to orillia, but certainly not to 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 . west recently moved to orillia from thunder bay, where he was a faculty member for the past 20 years, five of which, as chair of the department of political science.

west brings with him a passion for community-based research and learning. in the few weeks since his arrival, he has initiated projects that will benefit both the orillia campus and the community.

this summer, west was instrumental in developing a partnership between the university and the couchiching institute on public affairs. the partnership, explains west, is an example of how community-based research and learning works and why it makes so much sense. "community-based research is a practical way to connect the research interests of faculty and 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 directly with the needs of community organizations, and vice versa. as the university reaches out to assist community partners, we simultaneously give 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 opportunities for hands-on learning."

the partnership with the couchiching institute is doing just that. two 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , along with west, attended the institute's 80th annual conference held earlier this month at geneval park on lake couchiching. this year's event, "from the ground up: civic engagement in our time," examined the ways individuals and organizations influence and shape civic life and public policy.

"the couchiching institute on public affairs is canada's oldest public affairs forum and has a mission of increasing awareness and understanding of public issues among canadians," notes west. "participation at this conference is an outstanding opportunity for our 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 . it gives them the opportunity to come face-to-face with world leaders who are making global decisions."

kaylen leonienco, a third year social work student, participated at the conference and thought it was "definitely worth attending." leonienco said she especially enjoyed the diversity of the conference delegates. "i was inspired by how many young professionals were there, along with political figures and 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 . we were all able to interact together for in-depth discussions - i would recommend this experience to my classmates and feel so fortunate that i was able to attend this year."

the value of the conference experience was shared by timothy michano, a fourth year political science student at lakehead's thunder bay campus. "not a stone was left unturned in terms of delegates, guest speakers and topics," says michano. "the information flowed as one to become a river of valuable information that i will share with others and hopefully inspire them to attend in future years." michano added that the most valuable part of the weekend was meeting people with similar interests and making new friends. "they are valuable contacts and will not to be forgotten."

in addition to student attendance at the annual conference, the partnership with the couchiching institute will incorporate a community service learning component for 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 enrolled in professor west's political science class. the community will also benefit from a series of "couchiching round tables" to take place throughout the year. the round tables will be open to the public and will feature special guest speakers who will lead discussions on civic engagement and other topics of interest.

"we are absolutely thrilled to begin this partnership with 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 ," says rima berns-mcgown, the organization's newly elected president. "our collaboration with 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 , with its multiple campuses and commitment to community involvement, will increase the institute's capacity to reach more canadians, while providing 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 with the benefits of exposure to the storied summer conference and expanded year-round programming."

west agrees. "this is a win-win alliance that connects the university to the community in a profound and productive way."

the partnership is just the beginning of what the community can expect to see as a result of west's energy and passion.

another exciting initiative for the orillia campus is the expansion of the university's inventive humanities 101 program. the program has been running at the thunder bay campus since 2006 and will be offered in january 2012 at the orillia campus under west's direction. "humanities 101 is a community-based outreach program designed to provide access to a university experience for those who face financial and other barriers," explains west. "we've had remarkable results with the program in thunder bay."

west has set up a committee of faculty members and community partners who are now working together to plan and deliver the program. "i am excited about what we can do together," says west. "the interdisciplinary focus of the orillia campus supports this kind of initiative and other community-based activities." west adds that he has been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm he has discovered since arriving in the area. "i'm very happy to be here and look forward to what we can accomplish together."



阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 , kaylen leonienco and timothy michano (right), along with 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 professor of policical science, dr. doug west, take a break from sessions at the 80th annual couchiching institute on public affairs conference held august 4 - 7, 2011 at geneva park on lake couchiching.