Inside view of courtyard of campus building.

About

Since its inception, CRECS has made valued and substantive contributions to social betterment, especially for those communities whose members are vulnerable or have been historically marginalized, through the improvement of policies, programs, services, and practices in the education, social service, health, and government sectors.

Mission

CRECS logo

More about the CRECS

The Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services (CRECS) collaborates with community partners in the education, social service, health, and government sectors to co-create and mobilize knowledge to improve policies, programs, services, and practices. Our work emphasizes social inclusion and focuses on applied research, evaluation, and training.

Vision

Inclusive knowledge, better society

Guiding principles

Social betterment. Our research and activities focus on improving educational, social, health, and government policies, programs, services, and practices to create better outcomes for communities, especially for those community members who are vulnerable or historically marginalized.

Inclusion. Our research and activities emphasize social inclusion. We support the participation of people who are historically marginalized in research and evaluation, and in decisions about the policies, programs, services, and practices that affect their lives.

Collaboration. In designing and conducting our research and activities, we work to build trust and to articulate common goals with the actors and organizations involved. We aim to ensure the benefits of research and evaluation are shared equitably. 

Crossing boundaries. We work across disciplinary, institutional, and sectoral boundaries to co-create and mobilize knowledge that leads to better outcomes for communities.

Integrity. We pursue our work with respect for our partners, academic rigour, and a professional ethos that reflects our mission and guiding principles.

Pillars

CRECS’ collaborations and partnerships are supported through three interrelated pillars of expertise and activity:

  1. Research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization
  2. Training and capacity building
  3. Community engagement

Our team

Indigenous Affirmation

We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. 

We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. 

We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future. 

Learn more about the Indigenous Affirmation.