Building Research Bridges

As a PhD candidate in Social Gerontology, my research focuses on workplace ageism and public policy; and I’ve always been drawn to projects that connect academic work with real-world impact. Beginning in February 2025, I had the opportunity to bring that commitment to the Hamilton Public Library (HPL) through a 21-week Community-Engaged Research graduate internship supported by McMaster University’s Community Research Platform.

Over the course of the internship, I worked alongside HPL Program Manager Erica Conly to co-develop practical tools and frameworks that support the library’s ability to engage in, lead, and learn from research. I created processes for responding to external research requests, developed internal mechanisms for staff to propose research ideas, and helped update the library’s Research Page to better showcase projects, findings, and opportunities for engagement.

A significant part of my role involved crafting communication materials that highlight the growing collaboration between HPL and the university, as well as exploring creative ways to share research results with both staff and the broader public. My goal was to make research more accessible, useful, and embedded in the library’s day-to-day work.

This internship was a natural extension of my academic approach – one grounded in equity, accessibility, and social change. By building tools and processes that will last beyond my short time with HPL, I hope I’ve helped position the library as a stronger, more informed research partner – one that not only preserves knowledge but actively generates and mobilizes it to meet community needs.

Amanda Bull