An Online 10-Week Certificate of Completion

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) and CanChild are delivering a new online program for graduates of the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, in partnership with McMaster Continuing Education.

Course Goals

The Family Engagement in Research (FER) Leadership Academy aims to be a springboard for future FER leadership development in Canada. The objective is to develop family and research leaders who advocate, inform, and support organizational and community efforts to engage families in child health research.

Every member of our instructor group recognized the need for advanced training in family engagement in research (FER). We are thrilled that our vision has come to fruition and that this course will ignite positive change in FER leadership at research institutions and communities across Canada and beyond.”

~ Donna Thomson, FER Course Co-Founder and Co-Instructor

This program is an online course that includes real-time sessions, small group mentorship, and a FER leadership project. Throughout the course, learners will build knowledge in the core competencies of FER leadership (self-awareness, communication, empathy and compassion, advocacy, and entrepreneurship) and skills to apply these competencies at an organizational and community level.

Course themes

The FER Leadership Academy enables learners to focus in greater depth on issues FER Course graduates have identified as particularly important to their development as FER leaders. These issues include deepening cultural competencies in equity, diversity and inclusion and strengthening skills in advocacy and communication so that learners feel confident in implementing FER leadership in their communities and organizations.

The FER Leadership Academy creates a cohort of family members, caregivers and researchers who are:

  • Invested in building leadership and promoting FER as a priority at an organizational and community level.
  • Knowledgeable about the core competencies for FER leadership and ready to apply these competencies and mentor others in FER.
  • Capable and confident to implement current best practices in FER at an organizational and community level.

What’s Involved?

Graduate Testimonials

I came out of the FER Leadership Academy with the knowledge, self-awareness and inspiration to move forward on my path towards becoming a leader in the field. As leaders themselves, the instructors offered invaluable encouragement and guidance based on their deep expertise. They also brought in a number of compelling speakers with unique perspectives to enrich the discussion. Alongside these experts, I benefited from my classmates’ depth and breadth of professional and lived experience in FER. For me, the positive impact of the Leadership Academy has been immeasurable. With increased competence and confidence, my goal now is to empower the quiet patients and families who often remain in the background to have a voice in research.”

~ FER Leadership Academy Graduate
As a family caregiver and a staff within a healthcare system, the FER Leadership Academy validated and allowed for both of my realities to coexist, merge and strengthen my resolve to use my varied experiences to guide my future work. Through the series, my vision of my future became clear and the support of my fellow students and staff fueled my resolve. I made more progress towards my goals in the six weeks of the academy than I had in years and although the course is officially over, I have continued to receive the support and encouragement to keep moving forward.”

~ Program Graduate

Contact Us

We invite you to join the Family Engagement in Research (FER) community. To learn more about the FER Leadership Academy, please visit the CanChild website, or contact fer@mcmaster.ca.

If you have any questions about the Kids Brain Health Network National Training Program, or if you want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact training@kidsbrainhealth.ca.