Let’s start at the very beginning: the impact of program origins and negotiated community–university partnerships on Canadian radical humanities programs

Janet GroenaJanet Groen is an Associate Professor in Adult Learning in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on transformational learning and learning opportunities for marginalized non-traditional adult learners. Her other area of research explores spirituality and adult learning within various contexts such as the workplace and the university. Correspondence: Education, EDT 1220, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 3Y2 Canada. Email: jgroen@ucalgary.ca & Tara Hyland-Russellb*Tara Hyland-Russell is an Associate Professor of English at St Mary's University College in Calgary. Located within the field of Life Writing, her research focuses on narratives of transformation for marginalized non-traditional adult learners. Her other work explores the relationships between gender and genre in forms ranging from fairy tales to the Canadian Long Poem and contemporary drama. Correspondence: English, St Mary's University, 14500 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2X 1Z4 Canada. Email: Tara.Hyland-Russell@stmu.ca a Education , University of Calgary , Canada b English , St Mary’s University , Canada * E-mail: Tara.Hyland-Russell@stmu.ca This article examines the community–university partnerships and the planning process of three Canadian Radical Humanities programs: programs that offer university entry-level humanities to adult learners on the margins of society. Examining these three iterations has revealed the significance of program origins, particularly the introduction of frame factors shaping student options and the potential for institutional change, and the importance of clarifying roles and expectations in community–university partnerships.