Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF)

The Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF) brings together practitioners and scholars from around the world to enhance the knowledge base of social innovation and changemaking.

2024 Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF)

The New Horizons of Social Innovation in Changemaker Education and Research

Join Ashoka Canada and Ashoka U for the 2024 Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF), taking place virtually February 29-March 1. In a rapidly changing world, the ways in which changemaking and social innovation are taught, researched and measured in post-secondary education are shifting and adapting. Academics and practitioners are forging innovative new paths forward in changemaker education and the 2024 CERF will explore and highlight research on these new horizons and their impacts.  

CERF 2024
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Previous Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF) Information

CERF
Download the CERF Program here

Third Annual
Changemaker Education Research Forum

September 17 – 18, 2022
Online and Onsite: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Hosted By:

ashoka canada

Ashoka Canada and Ashoka U are thrilled to co-convene our third Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF), held in conjunction with the International Social Innovation Research Conference (ISIRC) in Halifax, Nova Scotia in September 2022.

We invite attendees from across and beyond the Changemaker Campus network and look forward to expanding the scope of our conversations across borders. The Changemaker Education Research Forum welcomes practitioners and scholars eager to share their stories and insights about the practical applications of their research.

CERF will take place as a hybrid event, offering participants the option to join us virtually or in-person in Halifax. 

 

ABOUT CERF

The Changemaker Education Research Forum (CERF) brings together practitioners and scholars from around the world to enhance the knowledge base of social innovation and changemaking.

Our focus is to create the conditions for deeper collaboration and knowledge-sharing amongst the Changemaker network and beyond tapping into valuable insights from Ashoka Fellows, academics, researchers, Change Leaders, university staff and students. The theme for 2022 falls across two core streams; Impact of Changemaker (Social Innovation) Education and Cultural, Geopolitical and Structural Barriers to Social Innovation.

CERF was initially launched by Ashoka Canada in 2020, previously the Canadian Changemaker Education Research Forum (C-CERF) and has now grown into a global gathering hosted by Ashoka U and Ashoka Canada.

 

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STREAMS

Stream 1:

The Impact of Changemaker (Social Innovation) Education

Co-Chairs:

Wray Irwin (University of Northampton) and Matthew T.A Nash (Duke University)
 

Sub-stream 1A:

  • Greater Life Satisfaction in Amani Institute Fellows: Stephanie Haase, Global Program Director, Amani Institute, Amani Institute Fellow
  • Belief into Action: Fostering and Measuring Collective Efficacy: Marguerite (Maggie) Sheffer, Professor of Practice & Associate Director of Design Thinking for Social Impact, Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Tulane University
  • Application of a Transdisciplinary Research Quality Framework for Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Rachel Claus, Research Assistant, Sustainability Research Effectiveness Program, Royal Roads University; Rachel Davel, Research Assistant, Sustainability Research Effectiveness Program, Royal Roads University; Brian Belcher, PhD, Ashoka Chair in Research Effectiveness, Professor, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Royal Roads University

Sub-stream 1B:

  • Integrating Changemaker Education into Business School Curriculum, Exploring the Impact: Lois Fearon, Assistant Professor, School of Business, Royal Roads University
  • The Human Rights Scholar’s Acknowledgement: Rochele Padiachy, Masters Student, Human Security and Peacebuilding, Royal Roads University
  • First Nations Executive Education: A New School For and By First Nations: Johanne Turbide, Professor, Accounting, HEC Montréal

Stream 2:

Cultural, Geopolitical, and Structural Barriers to Social Innovation

Co-Chairs:

Athena Madan (University of Victoria), Robert Mittelman (Royal Roads University) and Kenny Panza (Ashoka Canada)

Sub-stream 2A:

  • Navigating Across Territories of Social Innovation and Changemaking: Dr. Laura Murphy, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, Tulane University ****
  • Unhappy Accidents? The Twisted, Tortuous Path to Social Innovation Success in Post-secondary: James Stauch, Director, Institute for Community Prosperity, Mount Royal University ****

Sub-stream 2B:

  • Strengthening Women Entrepreneurship in India as a Vehicle for Change: Eeshta Malhotra, Programs and Communications Manager, Amani Institute ****
  • How Possible is it to Eliminate FGM? Uncovering Practice- Sustaining Barriers in South West Nigeria: Dr. Boluwaji Olaniru, Founder, Voices Against Female Genital Mutilation Foundation, Director, Women Focus Canada Inc
  • Social Innovation in Colombia: Analysis of the Structural Barriers and Opportunities: Maira Cristina Castro Mina, Master of Arts Student, Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, BC, Canada

Sub-stream 2C:

  • Humanitarian Innovation Funding Mapping: A Framework Towards Humanitarian Equity: Aanu Ighagbon, International Development Consultant ****
  • Challenging the Barriers in Fundraising Culture: Exploring Community-Engaged Alternative Structures: Jen van der Meer, Assistant Professor, Parsons Strategic Design and Management Program, Co-Director, Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, The New School
  • The Ties that Bind: Innovation Configuration Linkages in Low- and Middle-Income Healthcare Delivery Settings: Rebecca Obounou, Assistant Dean, Social Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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AGENDA

Please note all times are in ADT, as CERF is taking place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Saturday, September 17

Stream 1: The Impact of Changemaker (Social Innovation) Education

10:00-11:00 AM - Optional Morning Coffee: An in-person opportunity for CERF & ISIRC participants to network.

11:00-11:25 AM - CERF Registration and Virtual Log-in: Those attending in-person will register and those joining online will log-in.

11:25-11:40 AM – Opening Remarks: CERF Co-Chairs and Ashoka staff will share opening remarks.

11:40 AM -1:00 PM - Sub-stream 1A of Presentations: Three presentations will be shared with time for Q&A from those attending in-person and those engaging virtually.

1:00-2:30 PM - Lunch: An in-person opportunity for CERF & ISIRC participants to network.

1:30-2:15 PM- Lunch & Learn with Nova Scotia-based Ashoka Fellow Jennifer DeCoste: Jennifer is the founder of Life.School.House. This is an in-person opportunity for a 45-minute conversation and Q&A to learn about Life.School.House. and what Jennifer has learned from her experiences collaborating with academia and undergraduate student researchers.

2:30-3:50 PM- Sub-stream 1B of Presentations: Three presentations will be shared with time for Q&A from those attending in-person and those engaging virtually.

3:50-4:00 PM: Closing Remarks: CERF Co-Chairs will share closing remarks for the day.

 

Sunday, September 18

Stream 2: Cultural, Geopolitical, and Structural Barriers to Social Innovation

10:00-11:00 AM - Optional Morning Coffee and Virtual Log-in: An in-person opportunity for CERF & ISIRC participants to network. Those joining online will log-in.

11:00-11:15 AM – Opening Remarks: CERF Co-Chairs and Ashoka staff will share opening remarks.

11:15 AM- 12:00 PM - Sub-stream 2A of Presentations: Two presentations will be shared with time for Q&A from those attending in-person and those engaging virtually.

12:00-1:30 PM - Lunch: An in-person opportunity for CERF & ISIRC participants to network.

12:30-1:00 PM - Lunch & Learn with Ashoka: Finding Social Innovators: Join Kenny Panza from Ashoka Canada's Venture & Fellowship Team for an in-person 30-minute conversation and Q&A about how Ashoka is building & supporting networks of social innovators & changemakers in Canada.

1:30-2:45 PM - Sub-stream 2B of Presentations: Three presentations will be shared with time for Q&A from those attending in-person and those engaging virtually.

2:45-3:00 PM - Optional Afternoon Coffee: An in-person opportunity for CERF & ISIRC participants to network.

3:00-4:15 PM - Sub-stream 2C of Presentations: Three presentations will be shared with time for Q&A from those attending in-person and those engaging virtually.

4:15-4:25 PM - CERF Closing: CERF Co-Chairs will share closing remarks.

Special thanks to RBC

RBC Foundation

Get In Touch

Send us an e-mail at [email protected]