About The Program

Thanks to the support of Scotia Bank through the ScotiaRISE program, CBU is pleased to offer amazing research opportunities to support students and communities across Cape Breton.

Quick Facts: Community-Student Research Connections 

• Call issued twice per year during the fall and winter semesters
• Students matched with community/business with a research need 
• Research may include projects ranging from desk-top study to fieldwork  
• Students provide research assistance to community groups and small businesses
• Students receive $2000 for their service 

Community-Student Research Connections invites community organizations and small businesses to consider how academic research might help direct their development efforts by responding to needs or gaps in information. Consider a youth sports league that wants to examine best practices for equity, diversity and inclusion, or a business that wants to evaluate its recycling efforts. Maybe it’s the local historical society seeking archival research or a seniors’ association looking to evaluate its programming. The possibilities for Community-Student Research Connections are as varied as the people and communities across Cape Breton!

The work may be a continuation of an ongoing research initiative or maybe is a new research question. Students will be matched with eligible community-based projects, providing research service to support their development interests. Students must be enrolled in fulltime studies at CBU at the time of application, as well as returning fulltime following their participation in the program.

Research methods students may use include:  

• Archival research
• Literature review
• Policy/document analysis
• Data collection
• Needs assessment
• Program evaluation
• Environmental scan
• Impact studies

Projects will be reviewed and each successful community applicant will be matched with a student researcher, one who brings experience in research methods, along with interest and enthusiasm in the topic at hand. The student will provide research assistance, at no cost to the community partner. The student will gain valuable research experience while receiving fair compensation for their work.

Student Benefits:

• Earn $2000 for providing research assistance in-community
• Gain valuable experience to add to your resume and co-curricular record
• Learn about the people, places and pursuits of local community interests
• Contribute to community development by sharing your research skills

Community Benefits:

• Gain assistance in data-gathering at no cost to you as a community group
• Design programs, projects and activities with the benefit of timely applied research
• Understand stakeholder perspectives by collecting their input or feedback
• Build partnerships with CBU and other community interests
• Support student success, allowing students to develop and apply their research skills