Dr. Elliott-Johns awarded research grant

Dr. Susan E. Elliott-Johns, associate professor in the Schulich School of Education, has been awarded a $142,000 research grant from the Ontario Ministry of Education to study the building of community capacity for supporting children and youth, in partnership with the Algoma District School Board.Considerable evidence suggests it is time to re-imagine community engagement in schools and in community partnerships that support and enhance student achievement and wellbeing. The strengths, assets and resources that students, parents, school personnel, and other community partners can offer are seen as playing an integral role in the building of community capacity.In turn, increased community capacity may foster more inclusive schools and learning communities where students thrive.
Dr. Elliott-Johns’ work will inform and extend current research and practice in forging more inclusive approaches to building community capacity and more productive learning conditions for all. The study will also generate increased understandings of the benefits of collaborative partnerships among diverse stakeholders and the development of practical tools and resources for building community capacity in support of student achievement and wellbeing.