UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
FACULTY OF EXTENSION RESEARCH R&D REPORT 2008
Extension welcomes new centre: Community-University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families (CUP) People of CUP
Jeff Bisanz, CUP Director
Critical to CUP’s work is the Steering Committee, where individuals from diverse backgrounds representing community, government, and University provide guidance to CUP’s Secretariat. CUP’s Secretariat is in turn led by the Leadership Team, which consists of CUP’s Director, Associate Director, 3 Assistant Directors, and a Policy Associate. Support staff, including an Office Administrator, a Project Development Officer, and a Communications Coordinator provide support across all of CUP’s activities, while numerous Project Staff provide support to specific initiatives.
Looking Ahead “Joining the Faculty of Extension opens up a world of possibilities for CUP–we are in a better position to plan further into the future and engage with both the community and the University in new and different ways. CUP has always been successful because of its ability to be opportunistic; joining the Faculty of Extension is one of those opportunities that couldn’t be passed over. I look forward to seeing where this merger will take us in the future.” ~Jeff Bisanz, CUP’s Director
O
n July 1, 2008, the Faculty of Extension officially became the new home for the Community-University Partnership for the
Study of Children, Youth, and Families (CUP). CUP was created in July 2000 in response to a desire among
many individuals and organizations interested in improving linkages between the community and University to support the healthy development of children, youth, and families. CUP was fostered in its first eight years of operations by the Health Sciences Council at the University of Alberta. Discussions about a merger with the Faculty of Extension began in 2007 as both the Faculty and CUP
How CUP Works CUP engages in research, lifelong learning, and knowledgesharing activities by consulting with researchers, service providers, and policymakers; brokering relationships and collaborations among them; and taking a leadership role in specific projects. For example, CUP provides consulting to new researchers at the University of Alberta who are interested in working with the community; provides
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
recognized that there were many shared goals and objectives that
Engaging our communities: Extension’s New Academic Plan
3
had the potential to yield significant mutual benefits.
Patient Leaders as Advocates and Activists: The Experience of Individuals Who Have a Life-threatening Illness
4
Extension’s Newest Researchers: 2008 Graduates from the Master of Arts in Communications & Technology
4
Showcasing Community Engaged Research
5
Research Publications, Presentations
6