Trendsetting Through Meaningful Partnerships

A Conversation on Community Engaged Scholarship 

Scholarship in institutions of higher education is evolving, with researchers demonstrating an increased interest in partnering with larger external communities. This sharing of knowledge and resources in scholarship creation is beneficial to the institution, the community partner and most importantly, the student. In this session, you will hear from a panel of community members representing business, civic and cultural perspectives, as well as from past community engaged scholarship researchers. Gain insight as they share their experiences and speak to the possibilities and opportunities for mutually beneficial outcomes.

Meet Our Amazing Panelists 

 

Puneeta McBryan  is Executive Director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, where she is working to secure the ongoing and renewed vibrancy of Downton Edmonton, having taken on the role in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic as downtowns across North America grappled with the new realities and challenges ahead.  Prior to joining the EDBA, she served public and private sector clients across Alberta as a business strategist and consultant specialising in marketing, communications, and stake holder & community engagement. A transformational leader and a connector by nature, Puneeta aims to support Edmonton's economic recovery and evolution through innovative new initiatives & community collaborations with downtown stakeholders, the business community, and all three levels of government.

Rita Dhungel with Nepali birth is an assistant professor with the School of Social Work and Human Services at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. In collaboration with equity groups and community-based organizations, she has been involved in community based participatory studies both in local and international contexts. Using a wide range of liberatory and advocacy tools, her research has promoted community/social change. Her areas of scholarship are violence against  women, human trafficking, AIDS/HIV, participatory action research and masculinity and community change. 

Scott McKeen aside from being a Ward 6 City Councillor from 2013-2021, Scott McKeen is best known for his 24 years at the Edmonton Journal, including eight years as the hometown newspaper's City Hall columnist. He has been actively involved in the community, a few including volunteering as director of the Downtown Edmonton Community League, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force, the Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health and the Lieutenant Governor's Circle on Mental Health and Addiction. Scott has advocated for our most vulnerable population with his Mental Health and Urban Isolation initiative and through affordable housing reduction strategies. 

Sarah Pocklington began her role as the executive director at the Citadel Theatre in August 2021. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the position with over 40 years as an arts manager, educator, performing artist, and public servant. Sarah's previous positions include the Arts Manager for First Peoples' Cultural Council, time with the British Columbia Arts Council and Alberta Foundation for the Arts where she yielded strong programming with youth, community, and Indigenous engagement, as well as the creation of policies to help reduce barriers for access to grants in these areas. She has championed anti-racism work throughout Alberta and British Columbia, helping to lead and inspire public policy creation and adoption. She is community builder and visionary who has a strong track record of leading practical and creative approaches to both challenges and opportunities within the organizations she has been a part of.  Sarah continues to be an active vocalist, composer, arranger and percussionist. 

Raymond Baril is Associate Professor of Music and Head of Performance Studies in the Department of Music at MacEwan University. Recently, Raymond accepted the position as Director of Community Engaged Scholarship in the Office of Research Services at MacEwan. He is in his 23rd season as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Edmonton Winds and is in his 6th season as director of the River City Big Band. He has been Director of the MacEwan University Jazz Ensemble for 37 seasons. Raymond remains a much sought after national clinicain and adjudicator as well as a feature guest speaker at music education conferences across the country. 

Raymond was a regular member of the Tommy Banks Big Band for 25 years and has appeared with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra on numerous occasions as an orchestra member, soloist, and guest conductor. 

Raymond holds a grauduate degree in conducting from Northwestern University, undergraduate degrees in both performance and education from the University of Alberta. In 2018 Raymond was inducted in the Edmonton's Cultural Hall of Fame. In 2016 he was recognized with a Distinguished Teaching Award from MacEwan University. In the past, he has been the recipient of many awards of his contribution to music and music education from Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Alberta Association, Edmonton Public Schools District Service Award and from Alberta Learning.