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Patrice Calancie: “The CRPE course was undoubtedly the most exceptional academic experience I participated in during my time at U of T. Within the classroom, the small class size and passion of the students facilitated fascinating conversations. Additionally, the emphasis on designing a long-term research project gave me the tools to take my academic writing to a new level.  The freedom to pursue questions of personal interest also made CRPE unique. I focused my research on the provincial funding allocation for young persons exploited by trafficking and developed a series of evidence-based reallocation suggestions.

Outside of the classroom, the connection with a local NGO was invaluable. I had the opportunity to work for Justice for Children and Youth, a legal aid clinic representing young persons throughout Ontario. Through our partnership, I gained a great deal of practical knowledge that removed me from the silo of academia and helped me to understand the immediate needs of vulnerable populations. Post-graduation, I have continued to work for the organization. This connection would have been unlikely without the support of the CRPE course, and I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the class.  It is a wholly unique experience that can be transformative to your journey as a UofT student.”

Honour Stahl: “My experience with the CRPE program changed the course of my undergraduate experience at U of T. When I entered the program, I was partnered with CAPE, an environmental health NGO working to protect the health of the planet and people. I was able to build upon research I had already begun in previous courses, focusing on the intersections between human health, plastic pollution, and endocrine disrupting chemicals. I explored socio-political dimensions of pollution in our contemporary society and was able to apply a social justice lens to my work. My community partner was supportive and acted as a springboard for my studies, connecting me to experts in the field, setting up opportunities for me with other organizations, and inviting me to present my final research findings to Injured Plastics Workers suffering from work-related cancers and illnesses. Most of these individuals were women who felt disproportionately affected by pollutants. I was able to foster real, good relationships with these people in the industry, which gave me access to qualitative research that enriched my experience and humbled me as a student in a very profound way.

The CRPE program gave me concrete experience as a social justice researcher and prepared me for post-secondary employment. After completing the CRPE program, I was hired to continue working for CAPE to produce knowledge translation tools for the research that I had developed while in the program. I led the production of a short video series, co-authored a piece for the National Observer with my community partner, and had my work published on the CAPE website. I am fortunate enough to continue my work with CAPE as an independent researcher, now developing a literature review on the health and environmental impacts of nuclear power which will help to inform the organization’s positionality on Nuclear Energy in the Canadian context.

The support I received during the CRPE program from my supervisor, Professor Spiegelaar, community partner at CAPE, Dr. Jane McArthur, and Professor Leitch, definitely made for the most memorable experience of my undergraduate studies. I cannot recommend the CRPE program highly enough.”