As part of TIEDI's Public Outreach Initiative, TIEDI team members gave five presentations at the National Metropolis conference on March 1, 2012 in Toronto. The National Metropolis Conference is an annual forum for researchers, government policy makers, representatives from community and settlement organizations to get together to share and exchange knowledge and experience in the field of immigration and settlement. Over 1000 people were present at the conference.

Workshop Title: Mobilizing Data on Immigrants in the Labour Market: Applying the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI) Model

This workshop featured the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI)'s 4-year experience of mobilizing knowledge and disseminating a model of community-driven and policy-oriented research.

With growing interest in community-driven, data-based, and policy-relevant research on immigrant settlement, the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI) has developed a unique and successful model in providing organizations with free access to statistical data and analysis on various aspects of immigrant labour market integration. Starting in 2008, the TIEDI project developed research questions in collaboration with partners from various labour market sectors, and has disseminated research findings to its 600 members. The presenters in this workshop will address the following questions: What lessons have been learned regarding the processes necessary for useful and effective knowledge mobilization? What might be the benefits and challenges of replicating this type of research model in other urban centres? What are the best practices for creating effective partnership with community organizations? What are the policy recommendations and practical implications of TIEDI’s research findings for recent immigrants, immigrant-serving organizations and for governments?

Organizers: Philip Kelly and Stella Park

Chair/Facilitator: Erika Gates-Gasse

Presenters

1) Mobilizing Data on Immigrants in the Labour Market: Applying the Toronto Immigrant Employment Data Initiative (TIEDI) Model: Introduction to TIEDI. 14th National Metropolis Conference, March 1, 2012, Toronto, ON (presentation slides, PDF) (Presenter: Philip Kelly)

2) Applying TIEDI’s Knowledge Mobilization Model to Immigrant Cities in Canada. 14th National Metropolis Conference, March 1, 2012, Toronto, ON (presentation slides, PDF) (Presenter: Steven Tufts)

3) TIEDI: A Community Partner Perspective. 14th National Metropolis Conference, March 1, 2012, Toronto, ON (presentation slides, PDF) (Presenter: Joan Atlin)

4) Policy and Practice Questions Arising from TIEDI. 14th National Metropolis Conference, March 1, Toronto, ON (presentation slides, PDF) (Presenter: Rupa Banerjee)

5) Building Relationships and Accountability in Our Research: Student Reflections on TIEDI's Knowlege Mobilization Project and the Role of Social Media. 14th National Metropolis Conference, March 1, 2012, Toronto, ON (presentation slides, PDF) (Presenters: Nathan Prier, Laura Lepper, and Stella Park)

Pre-conference Workshop

Secondary Data Sets and the Impact of Settlement Services on Labour Market Integration. Presentation to “The Impact of the Sector Serving Immigrants: A Critical Introduction”. 14th National Metropolis Conference February 29, 2012, Toronto, ON (Presenter: Steven Tufts)

To see photos from the conference, click here.

To view full program of the Metropolis conference, click here.

To view Metropolis conference newsletter- click on each link for Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4.

TIEDI also had an 'Exhibitor booth' every day at the conference so that delegates could find out about TIEDI's activities.

For more information about this conference, including the program, click here, http://www.metropolis2012.net/program

We welcome your feedback and thoughts on any specific reflections you might have about the presentations we made at the Metropolis conference or if you are interested in replicating TIEDI's model in your research centre/community.

Are you working with immigrant communities in Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, or Ottawa?

Are you interested in learning about TIEDI's model of community-driven, data-based, and policy-relevant research on immigrant settlement to other urban centres across Canada?

If so, please write your comments below or send an email to 'tiedi@yorku.ca'. Thank you for your interest.

To view list of other TIEDI events organized in the past and in the future, click here.

To see list of TIEDI's participation in past Metropolis conference, click here.