The Family Engagement in Research Course

The Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course is a 10-week online course designed for researchers and people with lived experience and their families, who are interested in partnering in child health and neurodevelopmental disability research. 

The course covers principles of FER alongside discussions of the practicalities and challenges of research partnership. Course instructors strive to create a safe space to trial and express ideas and practical methods to help learners develop competency and confidence in the theory and practice of FER. 

Objectives:

• Define and describe the benefits of family engagement in research.
• Identify family/research partners and understand how to engage individuals with lived experience throughout each step of the research process.
• Discuss roles and responsibilities of researchers and individuals with lived experience.
• Understand the ethics surrounding FER and the rights and responsibilities of research 'participants' versus research 'partners'.
• Recognize barriers and facilitators to FER and identify strategies to support FER at individual and team levels.
• Understand and utilize tools and resources for the implementation and evaluation of FER.
• Communicate ideas related to family engagement verbally and in writing.

What to Expect:

• Review weekly course content.
• Attend 4 two-hour Zoom meetings in weeks 1, 4, 6 and 10. 
• Work collaboratively with a group assigned by the course instructors in the first week of the course. 
• Meet with your assigned group for 30-60 minutes outside of class time each week.
• Develop a resource about family engagement in research with your assigned group. 

Course Fees:

• $800

Through partnership funding, full tuition coverage will be provided to people with lived experience and parents/ caregivers who do not have funding support from a research project or an organization.

Upcoming Course Dates:

Winter 2025: Jan 13 - Mar 23 

Please visit HERE for more information about this opportunity.

Questions? Email: fer@mcmaster.ca