Parkland College is breaking new ground in Saskatchewan in the area of applied research.
Just two years ago, the school was granted full institutional eligibility with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), giving the College access to all funding programs open to post-secondary institutions.
Although Parkland has some recent history in research with its experimental crops program, it is unusual for Saskatchewan community colleges to engage in applied research.
Last week, SSHRC awarded Parkland College a two-year, $168,000 research grant through its Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF), a new initiative that enables colleges to work with community organizations to address social issues such as poverty, crime prevention, community safety, and economic development.
Dwayne Reeve, Parkland College president said it was a major accomplishment for the college just to be granted eligibility and big, big news to be the only applicant organization in Saskatchewan selected for a grant.
Parkland College will partner with Good Spirit School Division and Yorkton Tribal Council schools. Students in the Bachelor of Education and Social Work programs at the College will interact with children in grades 5 to 8 to study bonding and attachment, and to find out what factors help students stay in school as they enter their teenage years.
“We are thrilled to have earned this honour,” said Dr. Gwen Machnee, university and applied research coordinator.
“It’s exciting to work with Good Spirit School Division and Yorkton Tribal Council, and we’re looking forward to sharing the results of our research.”
Reeve said although it is common in other parts of the country for community colleges to engage in research, he did not know if this would set a precedent for Saskatchewan schools. He pointed out that it is not easy to develop the required infrastructure and faculty skill sets.
“We’re lucky to have that capacity with Gwen Machnee, who has a doctorate and understands research very well,” he said.
This project is one of 27 being funded by the Government of Canada, which announced nearly $6 million in federal support Thursday.
