A unique learning opportunity

Through the Reach Alliance, students work in interdisciplinary teams on case studies and are mentored by a dedicated faculty member. Over 18 months, they conduct extensive primary and secondary research, and receive in-depth training and coaching to foster purpose-driven moral leadership that will accelerate their capacity to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.The Reach program is highly competitive. Undergraduate and graduate students from across all fields of study compete for a small number of positions each year. Recruitment happens in the spring and work begins in early summer. 

Selecting case studies

Successful applicants are first tasked with identifying highly innovative development interventions that have demonstrated success in reaching hard to reach populations. Pitch sessions are held where students make the case for why the Reach program should study that particular intervention. In early Fall, several case studies are selected for investigation, research teams are formed, and faculty mentors are designated. Reach research teams are unique due to their interdisciplinary and collaborative nature. This diversity of perspectives brings different lenses to the research process. Students learn from their peers and the experience prepares them for future collaboration in the workplace.

The research process

During the academic year, research teams conduct intensive secondary research for their case studies. As part of the Reach curriculum, students also receive specialized training from experts.]  Before beginning  field research, students prepare, submit and receive  Research and Ethics Board approval, which allows them to conduct interviews and publish their findings later on. Each team travels to the field to study their case and see first-hand how programs are successfully reaching the hardest to reach populations. Reach teams typically spend between 7-14 days in the field conducting interviews with key stakeholders. Upon returning from the field, teams write case study reports for publication. Findings are presented at the annual Reach Symposium.

Interested in joining Reach?

The recruitment process for the Reach Alliance typically begins in the spring for the following academic year.

Meet the 2020-2021 cohort!

If you are interested in applying to next year’s Reach cohort, please follow us on Twitter and Instagram to be notified.