Karen Robson has been appointed the new academic director of McMaster's Office of Community Engagement (OCE) for a three-year term, bringing extensive experience in community-engaged research and educational equity to the role.
Robson is a professor in the Department of Sociology and the Ontario Research Chair in Academic Achievement and At-Risk Youth. She also serves as chair of graduate studies in Sociology.
Sociology professor Karen Robson is the Ontario Research Chair in Academic Achievement and At-Risk Youth. She also serves as chair of graduate studies in Sociology.
She was selected unanimously by a committee chaired by the vice-provost, Teaching and Learning, with representation from all six faculties, students, staff and a community partner.
Since joining McMaster in 2016 from York University, Robson has built a research program focused on the transition from high school to postsecondary education and the barriers experienced by equity-seeking groups.
Her work has involved partnerships with school boards, including the Toronto District School Board, as well as organizations such as the Hamilton Community Foundation and the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario.
"As a researcher who has worked very much on the applied' side of research my entire career, I am excited to take on this role at OCE," said Robson. "I have always valued the importance of community in my research, working alongside partners to create mutually meaningful discoveries about educational trajectories in Ontario."
The Office of Community Engagement, established in 2016, is recognized as McMaster's hub for community-engaged teaching, research and partnership building. Over nearly a decade, it has launched key initiatives such as the Community Engagement Minor, the CityLab Semester in Residence program, and CMTYENGA community-engaged learning courses, which blend classroom theory with hands-on projects in the community.
The office has also worked alongside community partners including Empowerment Squared, a charity focused on supporting newcomer, racialized and marginalized youth and families, and the McMaster Children and Youth University, which delivers free STEAM-based programming for local children and youth.
"As Karen steps into this role, she brings extensive experience in community-engaged scholarship and a strong record of building meaningful partnerships," said Kim Dej, vice-provost, Teaching and Learning.
"Her collaborative work with community organizations and education partners will help strengthen OCE's impact across campus and beyond. We are excited to welcome her into this leadership role."
Robson said one of the strongest draws of the position is OCE's collaborative approach to research and engagement.
"Many things attract me to the OCE, but if I had to pick the biggest thing, it would be about how the OCE gives researchers and community partners the opportunity to learn from each other and co-create research in a way that benefits all parties involved," she said.
Robson holds a PhD in Applied Social and Economic Research from the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, an MA in Sociology from the University of Calgary, and a BA (Honours) in Sociology from the University of Alberta.
As academic director, she will also chair the Interdisciplinary Minor in Community Engagement curriculum advisory committee and the Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning (ExCEL) group.
An important priority will be to build on OCE's recent external review and self-study, ensuring the office continues to support impactful programs, foster advisory committees, and integrate recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional-community ties.
"In addition to continuing to foster the extensive relationships that have already been cultivated by previous directors, I am excited about expanding the mandate of community-engaged research to our graduate student population at McMaster," she said.
"I am also very committed to spreading the word across our campus to all Faculties and schools about what OCE is and how we can help them with community engagement in their courses and research projects."
The appointment of the new academic director marks a return to having one leader at the OCE, following the conclusion of terms for academic co-directors Karen Balcom (Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning) and Ameil Joseph (Community-Engaged Research and Relationships), who completed their roles at the end of December.
