On May 22, 2025, Vibrant Communities Calgary co-hosted a research forum, Evidence in Action: Community-Driven Interventions for Better Health Policy, with the O’Brien Institute’s Centre for Health Policy and Health Policy Trials Unit and The Alex.
Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and community organizations came together to explore how policy trials – research projects testing the real-world impact of policy interventions – can drive evidence-based health solutions.
Importantly, the event focused on the power of collaboration between academics and community partners. One example shared was a joint project between Dr. David Campbell and the Alex focused on improving access to diabetes care for underserved people in Calgary. Another trial connected Shoppers Drug Mart with academic researchers to improve medication safety for pharmacy patients. When research projects and policy interventions are driven by community need and lived expertise, we create real-world impact. Evidence-based, community-driven health policies build a healthier future.
Here are our top takeaways on collaborative research and policy work:
- All partners bring something valuable to the table. Academics, community organizations, policymakers, practitioners, and people with lived experience bring unique perspectives, insights, and expertise to collaborative projects. We help each other see around corners, design more inclusive projects, and question our assumptions.
- Leave your preconceptions at the door. Sometimes, a policy intervention looks promising on paper but makes little impact on people in the real world. Data doesn’t always confirm that policy interventions work – it can also tell researchers and community organizations to look for a different approach, ask more questions, or focus efforts elsewhere.
- Collaboration isn’t always easy. Different partners are driven by different needs, face different constraints, and speak what sometimes feels like different languages. However, working through the challenges of collaboration is worth it, and facilitates the changes we need in our communities.
- Relationships make real-world impact possible. We’re stronger when we work together across perspectives, sectors, and disciplines. We need collaboration to tackle complex social issues like poverty and health disparities.
Evidence-based policy advocacy is central to VCC’s work in reducing poverty and improving well-being in Calgary. We’re committed to continuing to build relationships and working together to create a healthier Calgary.
Learn more:
- Listen to our podcast episode with Dr. David Campbell and Dr. Amity Quinn on how developing proven, evidence-based policy interventions can improve the health and well-being of individuals in our community.
- Interested in learning more or collaborating on a policy trial? Reach out to the Health Policy Trials Unit at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health.
