From health care to housing, this year's Brock University Indigenous Research Grants (IRGs) will support research on a range of significant topics.
Offered by the Office of the Vice-President, Research with leadership from the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, the grants fund research or creative activities in any discipline and on any topic that relates to Indigenous Peoples.
"The Indigenous Research Grant supports scholarship grounded in authentic engagement and co-creation of the research process and results," says Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois. "We build community through research that aims to improve the lives of Indigenous people by implementing Indigenous ways of knowing and being."
The 2025 IRGs are funding four projects:
- "Using Participatory Theatre to Eliminate Discrimination in Health Service Delivery" Co-led by Associate Professor of Women's and Gender Studies Margot Francis and Assistant Professor of Education Sherri Vansickle, the project builds on earlier work supported by the federal government's New Frontiers in Research Fund to create, present and evaluate theatrical vignettes challenging discrimination in health care delivery
- "How are Ontario Indigenous Schools Funded by the Federal Government?" The research, led by Professor of Educational Studies Xiaobin Li, aims to find out how the federal government funds Indigenous elementary and secondary schools and compare that with provincial funding for non-Indigenous schools.
- "Indigenous Visions of Making Home in Niagara" Assistant Professor of Political Science Liam Midzain-Gobin and Adjunct Professor of Political Science Joanne Heritz's work follows up on their earlier IRG, which saw the creation of the multi-organization Indigenous Housing Advisory Circle (IHAC). The team will incorporate and finalize content from sharing circles and conversations in two reports, which will be presented to the Indigenous community for their approval and then shared with the wider Niagara community.
- "Relational International Stories in an Educative Global Context" Assistant Professor of Sociology and of Women's and Gender Studies Lyn Trudeau is studying if and how international students gain knowledge about Indigenous Peoples before and during their time in Canada.
Acting Vice-President Research Michelle McGinn says the research topics in the January 2025 round, and the Grant itself, reflect Brock University's commitment to pursing diverse, inclusive scholarship, as articulated in the 2025-2030 Institutional Strategic Plan.
"Advancing reconciliation requires awareness of Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary realities and a deep appreciation for Indigenous ways of knowing and being," says McGinn. "Indigenous scholarship fosters a research culture that draws upon the richness of lived experience."
First launched in 2021, the IRG provides up to $7,500 in funding over two years to help researchers advance small-scale research programs and creative activities.
Research and creative activities led by, or in partnership with, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples are given priority, although research proposals involving Indigenous Peoples around the world are also welcome.
Faculty members wishing to apply should visit the Indigenous Research Grant page of the Research Services site (login required). For more information, contact Syna Thakur, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Research Advisor at sthakur@brocku.ca
