SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Ann Corbold, Faculty of Social & Community Services Humber value/s: EDI, Health & Well-being Ann is a passionate researcher and has demonstrated leadership and expertise in constitutional law, community partnerships, adult education, community policing, adjudication, and qualitative research analysis. In 2020, Humber College received $1.2 million towards CCSIF funding, for four game-changing social innovation research projects, through grants from NSERC. Ann is leading a research project entitled “Community Agency Partnerships: Best Practices for the Creation of Healthy Communities”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan and Street Culture Project (Regina). This project was awarded $219K.
A brief synopsis Youth who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system, especially those who become gang-involved, need the support of multiple community agencies. Although there is strong evidence to support implementing a network response, there is limited information on how best to do it.
Project Objective This is a three-year project, currently in phase two. In partnership with John Howard Society of Saskatchewan and Street Culture Project, Humber College will be examining the characteristics of effective community agency partnership networks through this research project. The research team intends to analyze an existing community agency partnership network to identify best practices in creating and maintaining these types of partnerships. The overarching objective of this project is to help reduce youth crime, particularly gang violence, in Canada.
44 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Ann exerts, “We have seen evidence through research that says young people, particularly young people at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system, need wraparound supports—multiple services. We are aware of these facts, but there is very little data to answer how we can set up a network, how do we maintain it, and importantly, how do they maintain themselves?” Ann’s history as a Police Sergeant from 1985 to 1999 plays a significant role in her outlook and involvement with community and social policy. She proclaims that those same years cemented the concept of ‘helping people, especially the youth’. Ann states:
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hen it comes to crime control, you have to be W willing to listen and address the social issues that cause crime. You have to understand both sides and accept that the tension might not fully go away yet have the patience to work in an adversarial situation.”
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T he resilience and persistence of front-line community workers is why change happens. They never give up because they know full-scale change takes time and commitment. Obstacles like lack of funding and resources become challenges. They adapt and keep going. They aren’t doing it for money or acknowledgement; they are doing it to make their communities a better place for everyone.”
