'From Theory to Practice: Competencies for Community Engagement' course

Course 'From Theory to Practice: Competencies for Community Engagement' was an intensive four-day workshop designed for academics, staff, graduate students and community leaders seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of community engagement. Through interactive sessions and hands-on learning, learners developed skills in the foundations of building authentic partnerships, exploring innovative participatory research and engagement methods, diving deep into thematic research areas, and developing ethical decision-making skills for community engagement. The workshop was held in person from May 6–9, 2025, at the UVic campus, facilitated by Dr. Rajesh Tandon and Dr. Crystal Tremblay.

This series of workshops combined role-playing exercises, practical method training, thematic explorations in water and public health domains, and case study analysis to provide learners with concrete tools for meaningful community engagement. From partnership development to ethical practice, learners emerged with enhanced competencies in collaborative community engagement design, implementation, and planning. The workshop emphasised experiential learning and practical application, ensuring learners can apply their new skills in their own community engagement work.

Learning objectives

• Develop effective strategies for establishing equitable partnerships

• Learn to address power imbalances and develop skills in ethical practice

• Learn techniques for facilitating participatory methods

• Learn to apply participatory methods for theme-specific community issues

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