CEL Spring Forum: Community-Engaged Learning for People, Place and Planet

About the Forum

The 2027 CEL Spring Forum, coordinated by the University of Victoria’s Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) Office, aims to celebrate, strengthen, and expand the relationships that make community-engaged learning possible at UVic.

Bringing together students, faculty, and community partners, the Forum will:

• showcase the diverse community-campus collaborations that support the well-being of people, place, and the planet, and
• highlight how community-engaged learning facilitates positive action and impact through meaningful partnerships

The Forum welcomes UVic students, faculty and staff, and community partners who are engaged with CEL or who would like to learn more about CEL at UVic.

Day-of schedule

Through panels, student posters, World Café discussions, and course case study presentations, the Forum will highlight community-engaged learning as a key pedagogical approach and institutional response to the urgent and interconnected challenges of the polycrisis.

Through this day-long knowledge exchange event, attendees will explore the what, why and how of community-engaged learning, while connecting with faculty, students and community partners to share practical strategies, explore potential new projects and collaborations, and celebrate the dedicated and passionate people who make CEL possible at the University of Victoria.

Students - call for posters

Are you a student who is participating in community-engaged learning (CEL)?

Share your experience, celebrate your collaboration, and showcase the impact of your community engaged work at the Forum.

Presenting your work is a great opportunity to highlight your project, reflect on your learning, and share the impact of your collaboration with others.

Why participate?

• Showcase your work and community partnership
• Gain valuable experience presenting your community engaged project or research
• Strengthen your CV and build your professional portfolio
• Connect with other students, community partners, and faculty
• Celebrate the work you’ve done and the impact of your community collaboration

Poster criteria

Posters should highlight a bit about the course (if relevant), the community partner that students worked with, and the final project or outcome of the community-engaged work that students did with their community partner.  

Student eligibility

• Must be a UVic student (undergraduate, graduate, or Continuing Studies)
• Must have:
  • Participated in a community-engaged course during the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Fall 2026, and/or Spring 2027 terms (including, but not limited to, service-learning courses, field-based courses, community-engaged projects or assignments, and courses that supported community-engaged research and worked with a community partner) OR
  • Be a BA Honours student, an MA student or a PhD student conducting community-engaged research in collaboration with a community partner

Note: Students may submit as a team, but please designate one team member as the primary contact for the event coordinators.

Funding

Accepted students will receive a $50 honorarium to print their poster.

Timeline

• We will accept applications beginning on October 20, 2026 (check back for the form).
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from students who are registered in Fall or Spring courses.
• Application will close on March 1, 2027 (or until all spots are filled; there are 30 to 40 spots available).