GET INVOLVED - COMMUNITY
Current ways you can be involved with The Accelerator.

Family Engagement in Research Course
Learn about how to add your voice to health research through the Family Engagement in Research (FER) course.
Family Engagement in Research Course
Get Involved as a PARTNER in Research!
- APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED -
Join the Azrieli Accelerator and the University of Calgary to learn about how to add your voice to health research through the Family Engagement in Research (FER) course presented through McMaster University Continuing Education, CanChild, and the Kids Brain Health Network.
This is a dedicated cohort for participants in Calgary and area, who are interested in research related to neurodevelopment, neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiversity.
There is no cost to participate.
Who can apply?
This course was designed and is delivered by expert parents and researchers in the field of neurodiversity. We are looking for community participants in the Calgary area who have a shared interest and experiences related to neurodiversity, including neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental conditions.
This includes:
- family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, etc.)
- individuals with lived experience
- graduate students
- researchers (research coordinators, investigators, etc.)
There is no cost to take this course.
Why should I get involved?
This unique course brings together researchers, family members, and individuals with lived experience in a fully integrated online course.
By the end of the course, learners will have increased their knowledge and confidence in family engagement in research and will be ready to apply what they have learned by partnering on family-centred research projects.
What will I learn?
Community members will partner with researchers during this course and together gain a better understanding of:
- Why it’s important to partner with people with lived experience.
- How to partner throughout the research process.
- Barriers and facilitators to research partnership.
- The ethics of partnership
- Tools and resources to support and evaluate partnership.
The coursework involves:
- Live online group discussions
- Individual review of course materials
- A Group project – see past examples here
Is this a certificate course?
Yes! Participants will receive certification of completion and a McMaster University / CanChild / Kids Brain Health microcredential.
By the end of the course, learners will be ready to more effectively partner in future research studies.
Questions?
You can reach out to fer@mcmaster.ca or azrieli.accelerator@ucalgary.ca
Additional Information
WATCH FOR
Upcoming opportunities with The Accelerator.

Family Community Advisory Committee
Coming Soon!
Join our contact list and watch for more information about how to get involved in the weeks ahead.