Projects assess WIL in community policing, integrating social determinants in paramedic training
The Government of Canada awarded two research grants totalling $720,000 over three years to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), for projects that will explore the impacts of elements of law enforcement studies and paramedic training programs.
“JIBC students are motivated by a desire to make a difference in the health and safety of our communities,” said JIBC President and CEO Len Goerke. “I am pleased to see the Government of Canada providing this research funding to assist us in finding ways to help students do just that.”
JIBC’s two research projects, which each received $120,000 per year for three years, will explore the following subjects:
- Beyond the Classroom: Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in Vancouver Community Policing Centres and Community Impact – Researchers will investigate JIBC’s work-integrated learning experiences which involve law enforcement studies students volunteering in Vancouver's community policing centres (CPCs). The research project will assess the initiative’s impact on public safety outcomes, student professional development, community interactions, and collaboration between educational institutions and CPCs. It also aims to discover how actively involving students in community policing initiatives in diverse communities may better prepare future law enforcement personnel with critical skills in communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.
- The Social Determinants of Health in Paramedic Practice Education in British Columbia – Researchers will investigate the integration of social determinants of health (SDH) into paramedic practice education in B.C., recognizing their impact on health outcomes. Through collaboration with stakeholders, including BC Emergency Health Services preceptors, JIBC students, and community partners, the project seeks to develop a policy and teaching framework to guide paramedics in addressing SDH in practice. The study presents an opportunity to empower paramedics to act as social advocates by understanding and addressing the broader social and cultural circumstances impacting patient health, and ultimately seeks to enhance the quality and effectiveness of paramedic care.
“JIBC is well-situated to conduct research with community partners who aim to improve the outcomes both for the public receiving assistance from emergency responders and for the public safety workers themselves,” said Dr. Ron Bowles, Dean, Office of Applied Research & Graduate Studies. “I am proud to see these grants recognize our research capabilities and expertise in these fields which benefits so many in our communities.”
The grants, announced Sept. 13, are among 50 awards totalling $17.3 million granted through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), which fosters community innovation by connecting the research capabilities of Canada’s colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of community organizations. The funding program is administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.