From Barriers to Belonging: Supporting Internationally Educated Researchers in Canada
This 2025 evaluation provides an evidence-based assessment of the reach, accessibility, effectiveness, client satisfaction, and impact of the Immigrant Researchers Support Network (IRSN) program. It will help us better understand the aspects of the IRSN program that have been successful and the opportunities for improvement.
The IRSN was established as a networking and professional development platform to help Internationally Educated Researchers (IERs) to build successful research careers in Canada.
IRSN goals:
- Meet the settlement needs of newcomer researchers through available resources and services in the community.
- Increase awareness of available opportunities and resources related to employment and capacity building in research.
- Increase awareness of alternative career paths available for Internationally Educated Researchers.
- Increase awareness of the Canadian labour market and processes.
- Support Internationally Educated Researchers to understand, develop or refine their career objectives and goals.
- Build the capacity of IRSN members to conduct research in Canada, through internal (Access Alliance provided) or external training opportunities.
- Increase the sense of belonging through networking and exchange of ideas between Internationally Educated Researchers.
- Increase networking opportunities with potential employers and established researchers of the Canadian labour market.
In the long-term, the IRSN project seeks to facilitate meaningful integration of IERs into mainstream research-related regulated and non-regulated professions.
We offer 1-on-1 support, monthly online “Coffee Chats” to connect internationally educated researchers/analysts with peers, explore Canadian research work opportunities, and build Canadian experience, an IRSN portal, and an annual in-person networking and education event.
Evaluation findings
Our recent IRSN evaluation indicates that the program is effective and influential in driving system change:
- The IRSN program is helpful (87%), and 93% would recommend it to others.
- Those who accessed 1-to-1 appointments, Coffee Chats, email services, and the IRSN portal report high satisfaction with these services.
- Key facilitators to access include virtual formats, engaging content, and proactive staff.
- Clients report meaningful career benefits, such as improved resumes, expanded networks, and a better understanding of the Canadian workforce.
We looked at trends from 2020 – 2025 in three areas:
Relevance, Reach, and Satisfaction
In 2020, IRSN was highly valued for its unique and convenient combination of settlement support and professional development. In 2025, participation has grown, and clients continue to report the program as relevant and pivotal for skillbuilding, networking, and integration.
Implementation, Access & Engagement
In 2020, early pandemic constraints limited scaling and outreach opportunities, but the program sustained its engagement. In 2025, there was a noticeable increase in engagement in attendance. Participant engagement remained high, underlining the program’s responsiveness to clients’ evolving needs.
Performance, Effectiveness & Impact
In 2020, IRSN services continued to be delivered as intended despite operational constraints during the pandemic. In 2025, clients indicated improved satisfaction and meaningful outcomes such as confidence, skill development, and perceived usefulness of supports.
There are, of course, challenges:
- Gaps remain in addressing professional and settlement needs, with approximately 60% of clients reporting that their needs are met.
- Clients indicate that not all clients are aware of the various services the IRSN program provides, particularly one-on-one appointments.
- Barriers include the frequency of gathering client input on programming, inflexible event scheduling, and insufficient outreach to potential clients.
As an indication of how IRSN impacts them, clients want more. They want more individualized support, clearer job pathways, and increased mentorship and training opportunities.
Because IRSN is project funding-based, there is a need for sustainable funding, strengthened partnerships, and enhanced outreach (e.g., social media) to scale impact and improve integration. Interest in scaling the program reflects the continued need and the unique gap it fills for Internationally Educated Researchers.
Evaluation report
Download the evaluation report and presentation:
Evaluation presentation
Related Access Alliance activities
Immigrant Insight Scholar Initiative
The Immigrant Insight Scholar (IIS) Initiative is a mentored paid fellowship program for un/underemployed internationally educated researchers/analysts (e.g., epidemiologists, qualitative researchers, statisticians, evaluation experts) to utilize and strengthen their skills, and develop the local experience, track record, and professional network needed to transition to a successful career as a researcher/analyst in Canada. We partner with research institutes and academics to create these fellowships.
Laying the Foundation – Individual, Community, and Systems-Level Impacts of the Community-Based Research Department
This report highlights the impacts of our Community-Based Research (CBR) Department’s activities on individuals, communities, and system-level policy changes. It provides a thorough examination of our commitment to our CBR framework, principles, and practices.
Community Based Research Training for Peer Researchers
Our training introduces Peer researchers, researchers in the community with lived experience or working with the population of interest, to ethical CBR practice. In this training we provide an overview of the research process from conceptualization to design a research protocol a research protocol, collection of sensitive data or collection of data from sensitive populations, basics of analyzing data, basics of analyzing data, interpreting the results in accessible format, and knowledge mobilization.