Community-university partnerships: Linking research and action for sustainable community development

Abstract

Community-based research, which usually links university students and faculty with community groups in applied research projects, is gaining recognition as an effective mechanism for community-directed research and development. These partnerships can serve a variety of research, policy, educational and action goals. The nature of the outcomes also depends on the intensity, duration and quality of the partnership. Three types of partnership are described, with reference to the Sustainable Toronto project, which includes all three kinds of relationships under its general umbrella. Recommendations are made to encourage and sustain community–university partnerships.