The Peel Institute of Research and Training (PIRT) is the research arm of Family Services of Peel (FSP), a non-profit social service organization situated in the Region of Peel. Through its achievements in the community, PIRT has evolved to become an example of how a social service agency can integrate research and knowledge creation and bring together academic researchers, community organizations, and community members to bridge the long-standing gap between research and practice. This overview offers an experiential account of a unique and innovative research endeavour by a social service agency that can support other social service agencies in expanding their operations into the realm of research.

PIRT serves as a central, region-wide, and community-based initiative focusing on supporting and enhancing the well-being of Peel residents. PIRT is grounded in an Equity, Anti-Oppression, and Anti-Racism Framework and serves as a crucial point for data-driven, evidence-informed practice. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, PIRT aims to improve community services by combining the perspectives of the diverse population served, academia, and community service providers.

PIRT was founded in 2013, as the Peel Institute on Violence Prevention (PIVP), following an open forum discussion called Café Scientifique: An Open Discussion of the Experiences of Immigrant and Racialized Women Survivors of Sexual Assault in Accessing Primary Health Care Services.

Over the past decade, PIRT has faced numerous challenges related to financial support, staff retention, and acceptance into the social service community. Undeterred, PIRT has continued to flourish, creating partnerships within FSP, with the broader community and academic institutions, and publishing articles in international journals and books. Its research focus has expanded to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. Within the past two years, PIRT has seen immense success, collaborating with academic and community partners, seeing a high proposal acceptance rate, and increasing its presence in the community. Fundamental to reaching this point has been the PIRT framework, its community-based participatory research approach, the infrastructure, and organizational support of FSP and academic institutions, and its approach to knowledge mobilization.

The Peel Institute of Research and Training (PIRT) is mandated to lead Participatory Action Research (PAR) to improve the social well-being of vulnerable community groups, including racialized individuals, families, women, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+, and newcomers. PIRT focuses on conducting collaborative PAR projects with the community, policymakers, and academia to address social and health disparities. Additionally, PIRT plans and implements training initiatives to bridge gaps in social practices and improve outcomes related to the social determinants of health. Enhancing knowledge transfer and mobilization is a key aspect, achieved by communicating research findings and recommendations through various platforms, including publications, social media, and conferences. PIRT also works to increase community partner engagement and commitment to secure resources that support well-being initiatives. PIRT operates within a framework grounded in equity, anti-oppression, and anti-racism to conduct data-driven and evidence-informed research and training. By fulfilling this mandate, PIRT strives to create a more equitable and inclusive society in the Peel region.

R: Respect and dignity for all persons

E: Evidence-Informed Practice

S: Survivor-centered approach

E: Equity for all persons

A: Anti-oppressive practices

R: Racism-free environment

C: Community involvement and participation

H: Helping build stronger families

The Peel Institute of Research and Training (PIRT), originally founded as the Peel Institute on Violence Prevention in 2013, is a community-based initiative focused on enhancing the well-being of Peel residents through an equity, anti-oppression, and anti-racism framework. The Institute began with a focus on violence prevention, particularly for at-risk groups, and has since expanded to address broader social issues, including immigration and mental health, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Institute was established following a forum discussing barriers faced by immigrant and racialized women survivors of sexual assault. Although initially a collaborative effort, the responsibility for running the Institute eventually fell solely to Family Services of Peel (FSP) after the dismantling of the Peel Committee on Sexual Assault.

Despite challenges such as financial struggles and staffing issues, PIRT has grown over the past decade, forming partnerships, publishing research, and increasing its presence in the community. The success of the Institute is largely attributed to its unique framework, developed by the Institute’s Director, which integrates equity, intersectionality, Indigenous health concepts, and the Social Determinants of Health into its operations.