New Horizons, New Directions: Summary Report for Horizons Conference: Crisis and Social Transformation in Community-engaged Research

We are living through one of the most disruptive and transformative eras in living memory, a period when war, health, environmental, social and political crises are challenging our ability to care for each other and imagine a common future. These same crises have brought into stark contrast the immense concentration of power and privilege in the hands of the few and the dangers and inequities this poses for many.
In this context, community-engaged research and knowledge mobilization that supports sustainable, inclusive and just futures are more urgent than ever. It is in this spirit that Horizons: Crisis and Social Transformation in Community-Engaged Research brought together community and university-based researchers, artists, students, and others to share work that responds to the crises now before us.
Our vision was to offer an inclusive and welcoming space for those working in community research, to gather together those who aim to create a world beyond the crises we face today, a world on the horizon that we can dream together, into a new reality for all.

The goals for the conference were:
Explore the key issues, topics, debates, innovations and tensions associated epistemic justice and CER;
Connect with and strengthen the international CER community of practice and network;
Build bridges across disciplines, draw connections, identify patterns;
Imagine future possibilities associated with CER;
Create space for joy, art and creative expression;
Facilitate an in-person gathering after two years of online connections amid COVID-19.

This report details what we learned in trying to achieve these goals and how to orient ourselves for the work ahead.