A YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-2021
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/OLLYY
OVERVIEW Foreword 4
Message from the Dean
Who We Are 6
Who We Are
7
What is Applied Research?
8
Our Values, Vision and Mission
9
Humber College Rises in Rankings of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges
12 Humber Research Areas
Approach to Research & Innovation 16 Strategic Pillar 1: Career-Ready Citizens 17 Summary Information for Projects Awarded 20 Focus: Covid-19 Projects 23 Key 2020-2021 Projects 26 Innovation360
Lead, Transform & Differentiate: Research & Innovation 29 Strategic Priority 1 30 Strategic Priority 2 31 Workshops and Coaching Sessions 32 Humber College President’s Awards 2020
Some of Our Rock Star Researcher Highlights Appendix 45 Contact Us 46 Notes 47 Land Acknowledgement
This annual report covers the period of April 1st, 2020, to March 31st, 2021. External sources are listed in the notes section.
FOREWORD
Ginger Grant, PhD., Dean, Office of Research & Innovation
Our Values:
Respect
Collaboration
Innovation
Enabling others
4
OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
This Annual Report showcases the resiliency and steadfastness demonstrated by the outstanding research community, who have withstood the pandemic’s harsh realities and have endeavoured to do the work that needs to be done. Humber College now ranks at #6 in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2020. We boast a proud total project value of $13.9 Million (20202021). We will host Canada’s first Broadcast-Broadband Convergence (B²C) Lab as the first R&D Living Lab in North America equipped with both an ATSC3.0 broadcast ecosystem and a 5G core network, uniquely positioning Humber on both the Canadian and global stage of innovation. In addition, four social innovation applied research projects have received over $1.2 Million under the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grants through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC). And so much more! Around the world, we have witnessed disruption; we have also witnessed the power of respect and collaboration to survive and prosper in the age of innovation by enabling others. Since joining Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation (earlier Applied Research & Innovation) in August 2018, I have had the pleasure of working alongside an incredible team of talented individuals to launch diverse programming and support applied research projects through phenomenon-driven research that facilitate ways for Humber to Lead, Transform and Differentiate the educational experience. The Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) is harnessing a multifaceted approach and building a sustainable research culture by targeting faculty, students, and industry/community partners to further strengthen ties within and outside of Humber. We assist faculty with grant proposals to provide access to funds for applied research and provide students with a valuable opportunity to participate in experiential learning opportunities through research.
ICONS: NOUN PROJECT / TINASHE MUYAGI, OKSANA LATYSHEVA, AMETHYST STUDIO, SHUTTERSTOCK/NAVEGANTEZ
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
FOREWORD
We are continually assessing the needs of our audiences and delivering on their asks through engaging workshops and coaching sessions. To support the development of Humber’s research culture, we encourage and support faculty to approach research and innovation through the lens of discovery, collaboration and to make a difference.
In 2021/2022, we will look to build upon these new initiatives while continuing to find innovative ways to engage with faculty, staff, and students. We will continue to break down obstacles to applied research and further develop a lively and inclusive research culture here at Humber. An idea is all it takes to begin the journey to research and innovation!
PHOTO: PEXELS/MATHEUS BERTELLI
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 5
WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
HUMBER’S OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION (ORI) is a leader among Canadian Polytechnics in sustainability-related applied research. We approach this in three ways:
how we seek out projects
which projects we choose
how the projects are executed
ORI helps faculty and student research teams engage in phenomenondriven research with industry and community partners, solving specific, real-world problems. As a result, industry and community partners gain solutions, and students gain valuable experience. Whether it is building a prototype, coding a new business’s website, or discovering the most efficient method for a company’s outreach—a team of student research assistants works with a faculty member and industry or community partners to create and innovate. ORI works with all six of Humber’s academic faculties and all five Centres of Innovation (COIs) to provide opportunities for students to apply their skills towards measurable and practical outcomes. We encourage the growth of applied research partnerships, which increases opportunities for faculty and students to engage in valuable applied research projects.
6
OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WHO WE ARE
What is Applied Research? Applied research is the systematic and original investigation of a problem, need or new entrepreneurial opportunity with a goal of achieving measurable, practical outcomes. Implications of these opportunities are identified either by the industry or community partner or through analysis. For a project to be classified as applied research at Humber, it should have faculty, staff, and student involvement. In addition to government and externally funded projects, student capstone projects are a form of applied research. Research projects strengthen curriculum by identifying and showcasing areas where student skill development is required. These activities help ensure faculty remain current with rapidly changing market needs, allowing them to bring new industry insights into the classroom. This cycle builds partnerships: academic programs show responsiveness to industry needs, producing quality graduates with the skill sets needed to succeed and innovate.
“
I f we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”
Albert Einstein
“
Never, never, never give up.”
Winston Churchill
industry/ community
students
faculty Figure 1. Involvement and Collaboration
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 7
WHO WE ARE
Our Values, Vision and Mission
The Office of Research & Innovation supports Humber’s grander vision. Institutional Vision: Transforming postsecondary education through global, polytechnic leadership.
Values Respect, Collaboration, Innovation, Enabling others. Humber’s institutional values of courage, innovation, equity, health & wellbeing, and sustainability are core to how we operate.
Vision To be a top-three applied research college in Canada and be the pre-eminent college for innovation measurement and management.
Mission Create a culture of innovation and a rewarding and sustainable environment in which relationships between Humber students, faculty, staff, industry and community partners are strengthened through increased engagement in the applied research process.
8
OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WHO WE ARE
Humber College Rises in Rankings of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges Humber College has been a steadily rising leader in Canadian applied research, and it was recognized as the national leader in research partnerships. The ranking is according to Research InfoSource Inc., which publishes an annual list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges.
“
esearch is an opportunity R to expand one’s knowledge and help impact real change.”
Audrey Wubbenhorst, Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
As per Research InfoSource Inc., which published the Spotlight on College Research Activity—Winners Circle Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2020: Humber College’s impressive rank in the category of Research Partnerships resides at number 1. In the category of Industry Research Income, Humber College sits at number 3. Overall, Humber’s impressive climb to number 6, from number 8 in 2018, is in part due to the strong network of research, industry, and community partners, which create unique learning opportunities and a collaborative environment not just for faculty and industry but also for our students and community to work closely to solve real-world challenges together. These opportunities, in turn, benefit the Humber community to contribute to a knowledge economy and help address industry skill gaps to prepare our students for success.
Continued on next page… YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 9
WHO WE ARE
Humber College Leads Despite the unprecedented challenges faced due to COVID-19, Humber College continues to set an example of resilience and determination to adapt and persevere quickly. ORI illustrated that an innovative mindset is key to boosting our capacity to pivot and deliver positive results.
1 RD 3 TH 6 ST
Place: Research Partnership
Place: Industry Research Income
Rank in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges 2020
“
A lthough we have been hit by the new reality of lockdowns and closed campuses during the process, the online learning and the new reality, in fact, have enabled us to approach and connect with international partners because in the virtual world the physical borders no longer exist. We strongly believe that through forming cross-functional and cross-cultural teams, we can enhance collaboration, creativity, and synergy.”
Vladimira Steffek, Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
Read Humber College Rises in Rankings of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges (https://humber.ca/today/news/humbercollege-rises-rankings-canada-s-top-50-research-colleges) 10 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WHO WE ARE
umber is pushing boundaries, supporting “ Hcollaboration, applied research and
innovation in the college community and beyond…Our inclusion and top rankings on national research lists are a reflection of our success in supporting research that approaches problems and needs in a systematic way, leading to meaningful and innovative solutions.”
Ginger Grant, PhD., Dean, Office of Research & Innovation
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WHO WE ARE
Humber Research Areas Provincial and federal funding agencies have developed priorities focused on institutional areas of strength. To thrive and prosper in this environment, we focus research and innovation efforts and resources in areas where we have an established, world-class reputation and where we are demonstrating emerging expertise and competency. Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation has identified five key areas of research and training activities to provide Humber with the highest potential to enhance our research reputation. These were selected based on evidence that Humber faculty and students had already completed, are actively engaged in, and have sufficient capacity to continue research activities in each area. In addition to reflecting areas in which Humber can build on its unique strengths, these areas may also serve to stimulate thinking about new, interdisciplinary research activities and be particularly helpful in developing and enriching partnerships at the regional, provincial, national, or/ and global level.
1. Social Innovation Humber’s social innovation research is focused on the area of community development. Projects in this area aim to address challenges by collaborating with community members to take collective action. Social innovation projects create opportunities for students from programs such as Addictions and Mental Health, Criminal Justice, Child and Youth Care, Research Analyst Postgraduate, Food and Nutrition Management, Social Service Worker, Developmental Service and many others across all Humber schools. Some of Humber’s facilities that support this applied research are the Conflict Resolution Simulation Lab, the Crime Lab, and the Forensic Studio.
“
Authentic collaboration is not only a topic of our work, but it is the core to how we exist as researchers. This means that: y We purposively work to deeply understand the communications of another and to understand how what is said is meaningful from their situated living. y We are required to be actively open to the possibilities that exist for another, which may not be possibilities for one’s self. y We deliberately do the work of honouring the voices of those with whom one is interacting, rather than converting to one’s own expert knowledge, desires and needs.” Sara Nickerson-White, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Social & Community Services
Figure 2. Five Areas of Research and Training
12 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
ILLUSTRATION: VECTEEZY.COM/NAKI-SAMA
WHO WE ARE
2. Industrial Internet of Things (Internet 4.0) The Internet of Things (IoT) is the rapidly growing network of machines, appliances, systems, and devices that feature internet connectivity. IoT objects are equipped with sensors and are controlled remotely and integrated into computer-based systems that result in improved efficiency, accuracy, and economic benefits. Humber students from Computer Engineering Technology, Industrial Design, Web Design and Interactive Media, Wireless Telecommunications, User Experience Design, and other programs are trained with the skills required to collaborate on IoT projects and make these interconnected communications a reality. Working with Humber faculty, staff and research professionals, industry partners can solicit feedback from potential clients and modify their products before they launch, increasing the likelihood of market success in a much shorter period.
“
Evidence-based research should drive design. Everything stems from the human being. That is my motivation behind conducting research— understanding the human context, trying to humanize technology, trying to connect how all these pieces, and the contextual aspects of the environment around us, all work together to create a functional design. A design for a space that you live in or a product that you use, everything stems from that aspect of humanizing the technology you are creating.”
3. User Experience (UX) Design All User Experience (UX) Design starts from a humancentred approach. UX Design is a design process focusing on enhancing the user’s interaction and experience with a product. UX Design research focuses on generating design problem hypotheses, structured design process plans, persuasive arguments for redesign, and compelling UX deliverables. UX research projects draw from expertise in innovative web and mobile design, interactive storytelling, advertising and PR, 3D animation, journalism and more—and in all areas, usability is at the forefront. Partners discover insights about their client base through usability testing and prototyping; students can apply classroom learnings to real-world contexts and build design portfolios that will help them launch careers as UX design professionals; and faculty members can expand their research offerings in a quickly evolving field of study. These projects yield benefits for all parties.
“
Research is an insightful and thoughtful process, envisioning a future you are trying to create. As researchers, we aspire to foresee how things will play out, and we attempt to do that with thorough investigation and calculated guesses. As an educator, the added value is bringing students along that journey of research. It is fascinating to work alongside my students, conducting research, observing and learning through their lens.” George Paravantes, Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
Dennis Kappen, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 13
4. System Integration System integration is the process of joining various subsystems used in a variety of industrial processes into a larger, more efficient, and cohesive system. Students working on applied research projects in this area combine existing components into an integrated system and ensure that each subsystem functions in sync, supporting innovation. Considerable work has been directed towards supporting Ontario’s manufacturing sector. These system integration projects often feature the skills demonstrated by students from Humber programs such as Electromechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electronics, and Industrial Design. By collaborating with Humber on these projects, partners have access to facilities such as the Robotics/Automation Lab, Instrumentation, Process Control, PLC Lab, and the Manufacturing Lab and Machine Shop.
“
I love engaging with students because they think outside the box. They do not even know what the box looks like. Not knowing what standard industrial procedures look like, they end up finding new and innovative solutions to industrial challenges that vetted industry members, who work inside a box, may never consider.” Lars Kristjansen, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
5. Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficient Construction Applied research in Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficient Construction involves projects that seek to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space, both in construction processes and resulting infrastructure. Partners collaborate with the faculty and students of programs like Architectural Technology, Computer Engineering, Project Management, and Sustainable Energy and Building Technology to work on these projects, creating more sustainable architecture. Collaborators can work on sustainability projects at Humber in facilities such as the Sustainable Energy Labs, Energy Auditing Lab, Building Automation Systems Lab, and the Renewable Energy Lab.
“
We had an excellent research experience with our partner, BIM Studio. This research project utilized a proprietary Building Information Management (BIM) workflow developed by BIM Studio to provide increased efficiency, accuracy, and speed while creating single-family dwellings. Ultimately, the goal is to offer a more sustainable construction practice by reducing waste and provide affordable housing to the public. The students were completely immersed in the BIM Studio’s team and contributed to real data that will be implemented in built projects. The research pushed the boundaries of the student’s existing computational and critical thinking skills along with increasing their network of industry professionals.” Elizabeth Fenuta, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
14 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
ILLUSTRATION: VECTEEZY.COM/NAKI-SAMA
WHO WE ARE
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION ORI’s Plan embodies Humber’s values and envisions how we will leverage our applied research strengths to enhance the student experience. It is an ambitious plan that fosters and builds upon Humber’s strong culture of innovation and applied research excellence. It encourages and supports the growth of applied research collaborations and partnerships, and through these, increased opportunities for our faculty and students to engage in pragmatic applied research projects, where they will be mentored in their learning and gain the high-level skills that employers demand. ORI’s Plan integrates and harmonizes with the institutional Strategic Plan 2018-2023 and embodies two overarching goals tied to Strategic Pillar #1 in Humber’s current Strategic Plan: Career-Ready Citizens. Both goals seek to build and enhance research and innovation activity by removing barriers and streamlining the processes to engage in these activities as efficiently as possible by: 1. Transforming education by creating opportunities for all students to participate in meaningful experiential learning, with a focus on workintegrated learning and research. 2. Establishing strong, sustainable collaborations with industry, community, international and alumni partners that create unique learning experiences for our faculty and students and reciprocal benefits for our partners.
PHOTO BY NATALIYA VAITKEVICH FROM PEXELS
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 15
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Strategic Pillar 1: Career-Ready Citizens Strategic Pillar #1 states that it is critical that we prepare our students to succeed in a global, knowledge-based economy that is technologydriven and changing at a phenomenal rate. These changes have disrupted the nature of work and are putting upward pressure on the knowledge and skill requirements of the labour market. Humber is addressing these challenges with a dynamic blend of academic and experiential programs that deeply engage students in their learning and empower them to think critically, make bold choices and become leaders of change (Humber College, 2018).
ORI’s Commitments To provide the best educational experience for our faculty and students, we must have stable funding to capitalize on emerging opportunities and invest in strategic priorities. Through the development of exceptional infrastructure, systems, and technologies, we are contributing to a learning environment that supports innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. Our focus on integrated planning functions, administrative best practices, operational excellence, and continuous improvement strengthens our ability to deliver on our commitments to our students. By investing in these key fundamentals, we empower our mission to transform education and create a durable framework for Humber’s bright future.
“
I think that the thing I most want you to remember is that research is a ceremony. And so is life. Everything that we do shares in the ongoing creation of our universe.” Shawn Wilson, Author of Research is Ceremony: Indigenous Research Methods
“
Working with ORI allows me and my students to take on new and interesting projects that create a positive economic impact. The folks at ORI are great to work with and have an uncanny ability to find these little pots of money we need to keep these projects going. In the end, everyone: partner, student, and faculty benefit from working on these projects and working with ORI.” Bernie Monette, Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
16 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Summary Information for Projects Awarded Total project value: April 1st, 2020, to March 31st, 2021
$13.9 Million *
Total Number of Tri-Council & Government Projects Awarded: 20
5
2
2
2
2 1
CFI
CIHR
February 2020
September 2020
1 August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
1
Funders:
2
NSERC
March 2021
1
May 2020
Includes funding from: y Canada Foundation for Innovation Fund— College-Industry Innovation Fund (CFI—Stream 1 & Stream 2) y Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) y College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) y Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) y Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
1
April 2020
Valued at: $13.8* million
SSHRC
Total Number of Projects Funded by ORI: 6 Valued at: $103k* Supporting: y Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology (FAST) y Faculty of Business (FB) y Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning (FLA), and y Faculty of Social & Community Services (FSCS)
Faculty** Funded by ORI 2 FAST 1 FB 2 FLA 1 FMCA
*Approximately **See Notes for Faculty acronyms
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 17
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Research Portfolio
Total Projects Breakdown
Through external (Tri-Council & Government) and internal (ORI) funding, the value of applied research projects in 2020-2021 stands at a resounding $13.9 million. This is, in part, due to the successful award of a combined CFI/NSERC grant valued at $4.5 million over the next five years towards the pioneering project supporting the Broadcast-Broadband Convergence (B²C) Lab. The Lab will be managed by Orest Sushko, who has been seconded to ORI. We were also awarded a CFI equipment grant valued at $2.8 million, which will be managed by Neal Mohammed, Director, Barrett CTI. Under the supervision of ORI, the project teams were awarded these grants in February 2021.
Funders Faculty
NSERC
CFI
CIHR
SSHRC
ORI
10
FAST
2
FB
1
FLA
2
FMCA
1
FSCS
3
ORI
2
1
1
1
1 1
COI—Barrett CTI
Total Portfolio Measure Names Awarded Amount Humber Cash Humber In-Kind Partner Cash Partner In-Kind
This is Humber’s first successful submission of a Stream 2 (combined CFI and NSERC IE Build), which will enable the first of its kind B²C Lab in Canada and North America, positioning the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning at the forefront of research and innovation.
Total Portfolio 13,936,985.00
FMCA
$7,076, 294.00
COI—Barrett CTI
$2,855,350.00
FSCS
$1,665,466.00
ORI
$1,259,880.00
FAST
$1,028,245.00
FLA
$36,750.00
FB
$15,000.00
0M
1M
18 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
2M
3M
4M
5M
6M
7M
8M
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Total Number of Personnel Involved and Supported in Projects
Personnel Participation
Tri-Council & Government Projects
ORI 60
March 2020 to April 2021 Funded by Tri-Council & Government Projects: y y y y
Applicants: 47 Collaborators: 10 Students: 48 Partners Involved: 38
48
47
38
Funded by ORI: y Applicants: 6 y Collaborators: 3 y Students: 60 A total number of 108 students participated in solving real-world industry and community challenges.
10 6 3
Students
Partners
Collaborators
Applicants
Students
Partners
Collaborators
0 Applicants
“
We are living in unprecedented times of building new structures which requires new sets of skills. Working in interdisciplinary and international teams across Humber in combination with industry partners, inspired by the work of the young generation, is the way to build a more sustainable future and shape the leaders of tomorrow.” Rossie Kadiyska, Professor, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
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APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Focus: Covid-19 Projects
The following two projects were approved under this program.
20 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
PHOTO: PEXELS/COTTONBRO
IN 2020, HUMBER COLLEGE played a vital role in addressing some of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through funding received of nearly $150K for two projects under the NSERC College and Community Innovation Program— Applied Research Rapid Response to Covid-19 Program. This funding opportunity leveraged the expertise and infrastructure in Humber College to rapidly mobilize support and expertise related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Project 1: Canadian Hospital Simulator for Management of COVID-19 Cases and Contact Tracing Principal Investigator: Shahdad Shariatmadari Partner: Intransigence Corporation Total Project Value: $73,119 Project Synopsis The project aimed to create a hospital resource prediction software to be used by health authorities at the municipal level to forecast the demand for ward and ICU beds. All necessary data is available publicly through official government-issued reports and databases. The simulator makes use of several parameters which are adjustable by hospital staff in making these predictions. Using the data from the simulator, hospital administrators can manage staffing needs (nurses, physicians) and equipment requirements (masks, ventilators, ICU beds, etc.) on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The project code is written in Python with an interactive web module for public healthcare administrators to prepare their resources to deal with COVID-19 cases. The epidemiological model can be viewed on the COVID-19 Simulator.
“
esearch, to me, is about constantly improving and R building on something discovered earlier, making it better, making it usable and continuously searching and researching.”
“
The pandemic has heightened an ‘allhands-on-deck approach’ and brought us all together. It is an honour to work with a fantastic industry partner like Intransigense Corp. and their team and engage our grads/students in this project. So proud of the outcomes so far, and more to be achieved.”
Shahdad Shariatmadari, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
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APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Project 2: A scalable hand sanitizing sensing solution: IoT enabled hand sanitizer and soap dispensers Principal Investigator: Timothy Wong, PhD. Partner: Mero Technologies Inc. Total Project Value: $74,290 Other Faculty members involved: Sandro Zaccolo Project Synopsis Mero is a technology innovator in the facility management automation industry, serving commercial properties with wireless IoT devices that monitor the metrics behind washroom use and waste. With the recent spread of the COVID-19 virus, hand sanitizer use is at an all-time high. For commercial properties to sustainably provide sanitization to the public, monitoring their supply is a must. With Mero’s sensing technology, this process is streamlined and readily available, but some refinement of the product remains. This grant has enabled Mero to develop a scalable, repeatable retrofit solution to incorporate their sensors into existing hand sanitizer and soap dispensers regardless of the dispenser vendor and create the packaging and training manuals necessary for commercial use. This technology will help keep essential workplaces, communities, and cities safe during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.
“
Students who are involved in research will get hired very quickly.”
“
I am anticipating success with the project. Humber research encourages the scientific community to come up with ideas to build industry collaborations and assists in acquiring funds to support such initiatives at FAST.”
Timothy Wong, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
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APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Key 2020-2021 Projects
1
Broadcast-Broadband Convergence (B2C): Positioning Canada as a Leader in ATSC 3.0 Adoption and Multisectoral Business Applications Contributing Partners: Synamedia, Sparx, CEMWorks, Avateq, Pelmorex, Soundplays Non-contributing partners: Bell Media, NOKIA, Rogers, Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc., North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), Alticast, Inc., Pearl TV, Keysight Technologies Canada Inc., KatloTech, EdgeGPS, WKAR Public Media, SMPTE Toronto, University of Waterloo—Omar M. Ramahi, FIEEE Professor. Total Project Value: $4,519,073 (NSERC) & $2,514,781 (CFI Stream 2) Funding Agency: NSERC & Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Principal Investigator: Orest Sushko Other Faculty members involved: (in alphabetical order) Faruk Erkmen, Francis Syms, Mihai Albu, Muhammad Alam Project Synopsis
“
The Lab offers tremendous multidisciplinary research capacity for Humber across all our academic schools. Our talented faculty and students can play a significant role working directly with industry partners to help other industries and sectors beyond television broadcast digitally transform—from autonomous vehicles, and healthcare, to IoT agriculture, mining and more.” Orest Sushko, Director, B2C Lab
Humber has received its first NSERC Innovation Enhancement (IE) Build funds to build applied research (AR) and innovation capacity in the Broadcast-Broadband Convergence (B²C) Lab. The Lab will explore multisectoral business applications enabled by the new Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standard. Orest Sushko, who has been seconded to ORI, is the visionary and driving force behind the development of Canada’s first BroadcastBroadband Convergence (B²C) Lab at Humber. This Lab explores media broadcast and datacasting applications enabled by the new Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 television standard. Brought to fruition through a joint $4.5 million NSERC/CFI Innovation Enhancement Build grant, this project is a historic first for Humber College and a milestone for Humber’s ORI team.
Orest Sushko, Director, B²C Lab
Continued on next page… YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 23
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION As the first R&D Living Lab in North America equipped with both an ATSC 3.0 broadcast ecosystem and a 5G core network, the B²C Lab will uniquely position Humber on both the Canadian and global stage of innovation, supporting interoperability of the 3.0 standard with other global data delivery networks.
2
The core objective of the Lab is to position Canada as a leader in ATSC 3.0 technology, services, and products by advancing the state of experimentation and adoption of the standard by Canadian businesses—providing Canadian businesses with an advantage as the standard is globally adopted.
Humber’s 1st CFI and 1st COI Grant: Leading Innovation in the Internet of Things Partners: Alphacor Sustainability Solutions Ltd., Avateq Corp., Ecosystem Informatics Inc., Eleven-X Inc., Embedded Sense, Intransigense Corp., Mero Technologies Inc., PUSH Design Inc., Soundpays Inc., Sparx Technology Inc., ThinkData Works Inc., SEWEurodrive; Communications and Power Industries Inc. (CPI), SICK International, Sonova International. Total Project Value: $ 2,855,350.00 Funding Agency: Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Principal Investigator: Neal Mohammad Other Faculty members involved: David Weisz, Dennis Kappen, Faruk Erkmen, Francis Syms, Mihai Albu, Orest Sushko
(in alphabetical order)
Project Synopsis The CFI project, awarded to our Centre of Innovation: Barret CTI, will add state-of-the-art IoT infrastructure to Humber College’s current capacity to deliver a complete end-to-end ecosystem for a full spectrum of collaborators, from local SMEs and entrepreneurs to multimilliondollar corporations. IoT integrates technologies including 24 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
sensors, communication, data storage, analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and user interface technologies. This presents a clear challenge for companies; rarely do companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, have all the resources to build end-to-end IoT solutions. The Humber’s network of Centres of Innovation (COIs) brings together interdisciplinary teams of faculty, students, and community and industry partners to solve complex, real-world problems, and provide an experiential learning environment for Humber students and prepares them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. The COIs are a key differentiator and support all six faculties, which makes Humber stand apart as a leading polytechnic institution. In our next Annual Report, we aim to share key accomplishments highlighting our other COIs (including Barrett CTI, CCBI, CIHW, CfE and Social Innovation).
APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
3
Institute for Design-Driven Analytics Partners: Embedded Sense, PUSH, Think Data Total Project Value: $496,760 Funding Agency: NSERC—Entry-Level Innovation Enhancement Principal Investigator: Ginger Grant Other Faculty members involved: (in alphabetical order) Ashley Bennington, David Weisz, Orren Johnson
4
Project Synopsis The objective of the grant is to establish applied research capacity at Humber College in Design-Driven Analytics (DDA). DDA employs an interdisciplinary approach combining design, business analytics and connected technology to develop competitive advantages for companies. This will be achieved by investigating the relationship between business intelligence and DDA in an environment of emerging new technologies to encourage business innovation across a range of industry sectors.
Automated Aircraft Maintenance Data Processing and Analytics Partner: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries—Regional Jet, formerly Bombardier Inc. Regional Jet (MHIRJ) Total Project Value: $441,280 Funding Agency: NSERC Principal Investigator: Mihai Albu Other Faculty members involved: (in alphabetical order) Faruk Erkmen, Orren Johnson, Shahdad Shariatmadari Project Synopsis This project will address two complementary maintenancerelated needs. The first need is for an Automated Maintenance Data Processing system that will work with maintenance data submitted—in multiple formats and over varying intervals—by aircraft operators (airline companies). The solution can significantly reduce the time and effort required by MHIRJ personnel to administer and maintain the process. The second need is for an Integrated
Analytical Tool that will assist ground maintenance crews in their critical and time-sensitive ‘dispatchability’ decision: ‘go’, ‘go with limitation’ and ‘no go’ in a very narrow window of time between flights, based on real-time operational data from each flight. The Integrated Analytics Tool’s design will be based upon the same data processing and analytics algorithms developed for Automated Maintenance Data Processing. This will result in more consistent data interpretation, improved efficiency by aircraft maintenance crews, faster turn-around times of aircraft with improved safety. The project will enhance the competitiveness of MIHRJ and establish a stronger collaboration between MHIRJ and Humber College.
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APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Innovation360 Humber College has been selected as the designated Canadian educational provider by Innovation360 Group, which supports our strategic priorities. In 2020, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Innovation360 Group AB, a Swedish-based Innovation Solutions Firm. Innovation360 helps organizations become innovation-ready through a datadriven methodology and a suite of tools for innovation management. Innovation360 Group’s research-intensive innovation assessments and metrics are derived from InnoSurvey®—their proprietary innovation database (all data stored in Sweden). Innovation360’s InnoSurvey® draws insights from the world’s most comprehensive database of innovation projects, now including more than 5000 companies in 105 countries. Conducting Innovation360 assessments supports establishing strong, sustainable collaborations with industry, community, international and alumni partners that create unique learning experiences for our students and reciprocal benefits for our partners. Innovation360 represents a significant opportunity to deliver on our mission to lead, transform, and differentiate by improving Humber’s internal capacity to innovate and build innovation capability with students, alumni, and partners. Below is a brief introduction to this framework: Why do you innovate?
What do you innovate?
Strategic Question Market? Profit?
Type of Innovation Product Processes Organizational Structures Management System Production Business Model Services
Type of Innovation Strategy Incremental Radical Innovation Strategy Need seeker Market reader Technology-driven
How do you innovate? Leadership Style Cauldron Spiral Staircase Fertile Field PacMan Explorer Capabilities (66) Lens: 16 Aspects Lens: 10 Personas Lens: Innovation Process: Ideation Selection Development Commercialization
Where? When? Who?
Figure 3. The Innovation360 Group’s Innovation Framework (Source: Penker, 2011)
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APPROACH TO RESEARCH & INNOVATION
How Innovation360 Supports Humber’s Strategic Plan Innovation360 will help Humber deliver on its mission to lead, transform and differentiate. Innovation360 develops data analytics and data storytelling skills and 21st-century employability skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, which works towards the development of career-ready citizens. A certificate could be offered to students, alumni and partners, which would establish Humber as the first educational institution to offer an educational program in an innovation management methodology. This certificate would work towards accessible education and Humber’s goal to lead the province in developing programs, credentials and pathways that enhance student choice, mobility and access to higher education. Humber’s strategic vision is to transform postsecondary education through global, polytechnic leadership. Innovation is both one of the values and the capabilities we need to cultivate to deliver on this vision. We strive to nurture an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential and develop the courage to chart a new course in high-quality education. ORI researchers and certified practitioners include Ginger Grant, PhD., Tania Massa, PhD., Raeshelle Morris, Jennifer Larson, Barath Roy Michel, Camila Perez Pena, Dianna Dinevski, Debra Pickfield and Anju Kakkar.
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I nnovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat.”
Steve Jobs
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Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”
Theodore Levitt
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We’re here to put a dent in the universe.”
Steve Jobs
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LEAD, TRANSFORM & DIFFERENTIATE
LEAD, TRANSFORM & DIFFERENTIATE: RESEARCH & INNOVATION As innovation becomes an increasingly important driver of our economy, ORI is focused on creating unique opportunities for our faculty and students to work directly with industry and community partners to address fundamental and practical challenges that strengthen our society and develop future leaders. ORI works towards the following strategic priorities to help support Humber’s mission as a differentiated institution:
Strategic Priority 1: Transform education by creating opportunities for all students to participate in meaningful experiential learning, with a focus on work-integrated learning and research.
Strategic Priority 2:
PHOTO: UNSPLASH/ JOSH-CALABRESE
Establish strong, sustainable collaborations with industry, community, international and alumni partners that create unique learning experiences for our faculty and students and reciprocal benefits for our partners.
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LEAD, TRANSFORM & DIFFERENTIATE
Strategic Priority 1 Transform education by creating opportunities for all students to participate in meaningful experiential learning, with a focus on workintegrated learning and research.
Supporting Action Engage students in innovation by leveraging our world-class Centres of Innovation network to promote and support interdisciplinary, multischool applied research.
ORI’s Commitment y Encourage interdisciplinary work by supporting Humber’s Centres of Innovation (COI) y Invest in our faculty and students by expanding research and innovation training opportunities across all disciplines. y As of April 2021: | Develop and expand Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). | Develop and expand Humber Press and all of its offerings. | Develop a Graduate Certificate Program in Research through SEDA UK (Staff and Educational Development Association).
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One of the great revelations in my collective experience with teaching & learning is that research, much like other aspects of life, participates in the three transcendentals–three properties of being: truth, beauty and goodness–the interplay and connection with truth, beauty in discovery, and goodness in impacting real change. I celebrate the privilege of being an instructor who chooses to interplay with objective truth—it is attainable, reachable, understandable—the best part is that it is teachable. If a concept can be understood and explained, then by definition, it can also be taught.” Mark Stoiko, Professor, Faculty of Business
Supporting Action Create a closer integration of research, program curriculum and experiential learning outcomes.
ORI’s Commitment y Develop research excellence at Humber, enhancing our professional reach and growing our capacity and identity as researchers with a focus on Humber’s five research areas. y Establish transparent operating principles and protocols within the Office of Research & Innovation (ORI) to facilitate the completion of all research projects.
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 29
PHOTO: HUMBER COLLEGE
LEAD, TRANSFORM & DIFFERENTIATE
Strategic Priority 2 Establish strong, sustainable collaborations with industry, community, international and alumni partners that create unique learning experiences for our faculty and students and reciprocal benefits for our partners.
Supporting Action Engage and support industry and community providers of experiential learning through clearly defined roles and responsibilities, a seamless Humber experience, and mutually beneficial communication and interaction.
ORI’s Commitment y Build relationships with industry and community stakeholders to strengthen our research and innovation efforts and enhance our profile.
Supporting Action Promote excellence in applied research by fostering balances and diverse faculty teams with expertise in industry, teaching, applied research and partnerships.
ORI’s Commitment y Improve Humber’s innovation culture through professional development workshops and coaching sessions, online (synchronous and asynchronous) and in-person.
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“
Having ORI’s support meant that we could take on a last-minute grant application that would have otherwise been impossible to complete. Once we won the grant, we had a team ready to guide us through the budgetary and policy procedures so that we could focus on our research. It takes a lot to produce good research; after four projects together, I know that I have always got a solid team to work with, and I can take on a new opportunity with confidence.” Daniel Bear, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Social & Community Services.
LEAD, TRANSFORM & DIFFERENTIATE
Workshops and Coaching Sessions The ORI team continues to support faculty, researchers and our valued industry and community partners through offerings of workshops and coaching sessions on a regular basis. These workshops and coaching sessions are selected and facilitated with a focus on developing creative
problem-solving skills, values-based innovation, adopting design thinking methodologies, and aim at disseminating knowledge and informing attendees about funding guidelines and grant applications.
Faculty Participation ORI Participants
FB FAST Workshops
FHSW
Coaching Sessions
FLA FMCA
*other departments and non-faculty members
FSCS Other* 0
10
20
30
40 50 60 Total Participants
70
80
90
100
Figure 4. Faculty Participation Data
Participation
158
334
Registered for Workshops (with 70% participation rate: 110 attendees).
Total number of participants registered for Workshops and Coaching Sessions delivered by ORI’s Team
176 Registered for Coaching Sessions (with 62% participation rate: 109 attendees).
TOP THREE MOST ATTENDED WORKSHOPS AND COACHING SESSIONS y Introduction to ORI y NSERC Engage Grants y CCSIF Intro and Professional Development ILLUSTRATION: SHUTTERSTOCK/M.STYLE, MICROONE
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2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS
Humber College President’s Awards 2020 Research Excellence Award About the Award The Research Excellence Award is designed to recognize full-time faculty and staff members who have made significant contributions to the growth of Humber’s research programs, and may include contributions such as: y involvement of students as research assistants. Ideally, research participation will enable students to apply concepts they are learning in their program(s) and develop industry-relevant skill sets; y impact the researcher’s field or industry (e.g., patents) and Humber students and/or curriculum; y explore and/or improve emerging trends and technologies benefitting the industry and the institution; and y foster community development through social innovation.
32 2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS RECIPIENTS
PHOTO: PEXELS/ANNA SHVETS
2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS
Maryam Davoudpour, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology 2020 President’s Awards Recipient, Research Excellence Award Humber value/s: Innovation, Health and Well-Being Maryam is a successful researcher and a passionate professor. She is a Professor of Electronics at FAST since 2016. She brings extensive industrial and academic experience and research knowledge. Maryam is the Chair of IEEE WIE Toronto Section and Vice-Chair of IEEE Toronto Section. She successfully secured the IEEE Toronto Section scholarship for Humber (one of the exclusive scholarship recipients). Maryam’s field of expertise spans IoT, context-aware systems, Petri Nets, AI, nonlinear modelling & simulation, digital signal processing (DSP), knowledgebased expert systems and ontology. She received the New Frontiers in Research Fund–Exploration Award in 2019 for $250,000, as co-applicant, in collaboration with the University of Toronto and Ryerson University. This unique opportunity provides a new research activity for Humber to participate in one of the most demanding topics in health technology today.
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It is an honour to receive this award and to be recognized by Humber College for my achievements and contributions. I am extremely proud and grateful. Like many other faculty and researchers at Humber, I deeply believe in uplifting the value of humanity. This award is very special to me and I am passionate to further contribute to this research project and to impact change that will have positive health benefits towards the betterment of human life.” Maryam Davoudpour, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
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2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS
Smart Garments: AI Therapy for Your Muscles In Canada, 230,000 individuals are admitted annually to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to critical illness, and up to 50% will develop a condition known as ICU Acquired Weakness (ICUAW). Muscle inactivity and unloading as a result of continual bedrest, sedation and at times paralysis required for treatment of the unstable patient result in inadvertent muscle injury. ICUAW increases ICU mortality, and weakness can be permanent, resulting in life-long physical disability, thereby increasing health resource utilization and health care costs (up to $3.5 million/person 1-year post-ICU discharge). There is no effective therapy to prevent or treat ICUAW.
34 2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS RECIPIENTS
The objective is to create novel smart textile garments (leg stockings and arm sleeves), enabling automated, sustained neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy to prevent ICUAW. If solved, this challenge— requiring coordination of expertise from engineering, industrial design, physical therapy, and medicine—will enable an ICU therapist to easily and quickly apply, coordinate, and optimize individualized NMES therapy to all patients in the ICU. Full or partial prevention of ICUAW will decrease ICU mortality, mitigate subsequent physical disability, enabling return to work and continued independent living, and decrease health resource utilization and health care costs post ICU discharge.
2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS
Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Humber value/s: Innovation, EDI, Health & Well-Being Dennis’ field of expertise spans computer science, gamification research and design, industrial and user interaction and brand experience design. He has been the recipient of several awards. The most recent: Co-recipient of the President’s Extra Mile Award in 2020 for organizing an online platform, due to Covid-19, for the Industrial Design show. Assisted by fellow professor Catherine Chong, Dennis used this platform to enable students to present their theses virtually, which was a considerable success, incorporating industry engagement, resulting in job opportunities for the participating students.
PHOTO: HUMBER COLLEGE
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ORI has been extremely supportive in connecting subject-matter experts from multiple disciplines, corporate partners and students with the common goal of creating new knowledge and nurturing human capital.” Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
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Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology The motivation, according to Dennis, behind any research should be about nuanced problem definitions, understanding the problem and designing based on evidence. Here is a short overview of the PhD research that Dennis conducted, a collaborative endeavour that required research ethics application approvals from both Humber College and Ontario Tech University (UOIT). Dennis accords thanks to the massive support he received from Humber, including the utilization of resources like the Live Labs and the cross-discipline between the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology and Faculty of Media & Creative Arts to materialize the triumphant result emerging from what he calls ‘organized chaos’.
Technology Facilitates Physical Activity Through Gamification: A Thematic Analysis of an 8-Week Study Dennis informs, “Our paper studied the usage of gamification elements over an 8-week period in the context of older adults’ physical activity (PA). Thematic Analysis of the interview data showed distinct variations in emergent themes for three groups, indicating that gamification elements can be customized to participants for the 50+ age group and tailored to suit their current health conditions and prevalent barriers, thus facilitating adaptive engagement in PA. The emergent themes, motivational affordances and design guidelines are valuable for researchers and designers of PA technology and will help to advance the development of gamified PA technology for older adults.”
36 2020 PRESIDENT’S AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Dennis Kappen, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/BLUESROAD
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Research helps us understand the fundamental human values which serve as a starting point to define evidencebased strategies for improving human lifestyle through design.”
SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
SOME OF OUR ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/SERGEY NIVENS
Humber College is committed to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and this commitment reflects on-going research engagement within and outside the Humber community. We are privileged to have the expertise of many of our dedicated faculty members. They approach research and transfer knowledge gathered from their insights and experience to solve realworld challenges.
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SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Maria Jacome, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Humber value/s: Sustainability, Health & Well-being Maria Jacome, PhD., Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
Maria’s field of expertise spans integrating surface and borehole seismic data with geological information for oil/ gas and mining exploration, as well as environmental/civil engineering studies and applied exploration geophysics.
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In 2020, Humber College received grants through NSERC Engage funding to support applied research projects with industry partners. Maria led the research project on “Numerical Modeling of Fluids Migration in a Sanitary Landfill, by Combining Geophysical and Gas Emission Data”, as the Principal Investigator. This project was awarded $25K.
I had a great experience working with ORI’s team. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with an incredible group of people that delivered professional, committed, and reliable responses to all the challenges we faced during the different stages of the project.”
Humber College’s pioneering research project won third place in the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) York Chapter 2020 Engineering Research Project of the Year Award. Maria Jacome led the research project in collaboration with ATOMS Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto in partnership with DGI Geoscience Inc. Maria envisions and hopes to expand the research project to a national level targeting other landfill sites in the future. Maria Jacome states, “I wanted to reinvent my research background in geophysics and apply acquired knowledge and expertise to the civil engineering and environmental industry. I am so glad that this project got its due recognition. It was successful due to the collaborative efforts of all parties
38 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
involved, including the student research assistants from Humber and the University of Toronto.”
A brief synopsis Aquifers are one of the main supplies of drinking water in most communities of Ontario. Landfills have a significant impact on public health and safety, which is why they require close monitoring. Conventional methods used to monitor landfill gas (LFG) and contaminated groundwater are costly, time-consuming and provide limited information.
Project Objective An alternative methodology has been developed to fully characterize groundwater contamination sources that uses subsoil 3D electrical conductivity images and quantifies the complex synergy between methane surficial emissions and leachate accumulations at depth. This low-cost, time-effective, and non-invasive methodology provides reliable tools for choosing prevention, mitigation and remediation strategies.
SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Orren Johnson, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Humber value/s: Innovation, Sustainability, Collaboration Orren’s expertise spans big data, application development, innovation, SDLC, database, project management and data analytics. Orren aims at motivating students to get involved in an all-inclusive culture of teamwork and technical craftsmanship while coordinating and leading research and capstone projects at Humber. In 2020, Humber College received grants through NSERC Engage funding to support applied research projects with industry partners. Orren led the research project on “The Occupancy Monitoring System: IoT Sensors and Gateways resulting in a Delivery Platform”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with Embedded Sense Inc. This project was awarded $25K.
A brief synopsis Embedded Sense, Inc. (ESI) is a premier technology partner specializing in leveraging embedded processing, interface, sensing and wireless expertise into product solutions for global customers in the military, industrial/ commercial and medical markets. ESI provides a full suite of intellectual property management, proof of concept, engineering design, product prototyping and commercialization services. The Occupancy Monitoring System is a smart building technology product of ESI.
Project Objective
costs. The second requirement of the system was to provide alerts based on a criterion of different forms of activity or inactivity at specified intervals. A dashboard and integration engine were built to work with ESI’s sensors which collected the data from various access points. Power consumption was a key feature of the proposed system. With this solution, ESI will have the ability to efficiently inform decision-making customers across a geographically disbursed real estate portfolio with current occupancy, capacity, vacancy and density metrics. In the context of fast-evolving mobile technology and space sharing environments taking shape in Canada and globally, this solution will prove a competitive advantage for the Canadian industry, not only in occupancy management but also in the broader “smart building” and “smart city” initiatives. The customer is pleased, to the extent that they hired a few Humber students. A great relationship with the industry partner was founded. “ Capstone projects have the opportunity to transition to a larger research project creating a more fulfilling and expansive environment. From my vantage point, all students want to do is get involved, they realize the potentiality of gaining real experience: they can add it to their resumé, stating they did more than just learn big data; they were involved in impacting real change.”
Orren Johnson, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
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A project-based learning environment is crucial for students to develop real-life skills. My experiences stemming from industry and client interaction, understanding the customer’s psychology, and the market’s technological needs and demands greatly help in guiding students to get deeply engaged, which eventually results in developing a working prototype that benefits all parties involved.”
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SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Audrey Wubbenhorst, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts Humber value/s: Collaboration, Enabling Others, Innovation Audrey Wubbenhorst, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
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I have been able to use research to stay current in my field and collaborate with a number of different partners along the way. ORI’s team has provided a ton of support, from structuring the projects to advising on the dayto-day administrative work. The funding has also enabled me to hire and work with students more directly and over a longer period than the classroom allows. It is great to see the outcomes of my projects!”
Audrey brings with her vast experience in public relations, human resources, business strategy and social media. Audrey states that getting involved with case studies which eventually led the path to work on a research project approved through an NSERC Engage grant, has been an eye-opening experience. In 2020, Humber College received grants through NSERC Engage funding to support applied research projects with industry partners. Audrey led the research study on “Governance Best Practices: Looking Outside the Box”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with Sunshine Coast Credit Union. This project was awarded $25K.
A brief synopsis Founded in 1941, Sunshine Coast Credit Union is a full-service financial institution delivering personal and commercial banking services to more than 17,000 members. Its three strategic pillars are member centricity, financial health and social impact. The credit union industry has become increasingly agile, innovative and technology-driven.
40 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Project Objective This project filled a gap in existing research looking at governance models outside of the credit union industry for best practice models of director recruitment, committee structure and board effectiveness. The research team built on Audrey’s governance expertise to investigate and subsequently draft a best practice study for a Credit Union in BC with a goal to ensure that its governance practices are leading edge. In 2020, Audrey also led a team of two students and implemented the “Communications in the Time of COVID-19”—case studies focusing on corporations navigating the crisis. This study was supported and funded by ORI. Audrey proudly shares her appreciation for the continuous feedback and support from ORI during the grant application and throughout the research process, expressing her thanks for the opportunities provided to faculty to participate in different types of research projects and availing the chance to work with different industry partnerships.
SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Bernie Monette, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts Humber value/s: EDI, Health & Well-being
manually intensive, difficult to use and cumbersome.
Bernie Monette has made significant research contributions through working with external partners and engaging students by allowing them to tactfully apply concepts they are learning in their respective programs to real-life industry challenges. Bernie’s field of expertise spans web development, project management, usability and user experience. His vast experience as a seasoned researcher continues to inform his teaching practice.
Project Objective
In 2020, Bernie wrapped up a research study on “Sharing My Journey: Engaging end-users in the design of a compassionate community platform”, led by him as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with The Hospice of Windsor Essex County Inc. Humber College received CCSIF funding through a grant from NSERC. This project was awarded $240K.
Bernie mentions another memorable achievement is the Get Your Hours website, a web platform designed to help high school students find and track the volunteer hours they need to graduate. A professor who has led his students beyond the classroom to instill a desire to learn cognitively and think like problem-solvers, Bernie has used the funding he has acquired to propel economic development and spark real change. Bernie has provided mentorship for several projects and continues to be an impactful part of our growing research community at Humber. We asked Bernie why he values ‘research,’ and he fittingly responded:
A brief synopsis The Windsor-Essex Compassion Care Community (WECCC) helps people who are elderly, disabled, or isolated and their caregivers develop a personalized care plan organized around their priorities, and receive customized feedback on how to improve their quality of life. WECCC assembled a series of existing off-the-shelf, open-access technologies for the initial demonstration of the model. In the initial feasibility study, patients, caregivers and volunteers all reported high or very high satisfaction with the model and community process but found the WECCC technology
Bernie Monette, Faculty of Media & Creative Arts
WECCC and Humber have created a platform that allows patients and caregivers to take direct control of their healthcare in the broadest sense of the term. Initially, this project was to create a prototype, but due to the enthusiasm of the student team, a much higher quality version was created. This version is currently in use to help people and track their progress.
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“
Research is great for the economy.”
I t’s been good for Humber. It’s good for the program. It’s good for the partners.”
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SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Lars Kristjansen, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology Humber value/s: Sustainability, Collaboration, Innovation Lars Kristjansen, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
“
The duty of a leader is to have the heart of a servant.”
Lars’ expertise spans pneumatics and fluid power, electronics, microcontrollerbased automation, biomedical engineering, product development and computer programming. He lives the term “experiential learning” and is motivated to lead his students by getting them involved in hands-on training and engaging with them holistically. In 2020, Humber College received grants through NSERC Engage funding to support applied research projects with industry partners. Lars is leading the research project on “Automated Cell Inspection”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with Nahanni Steel Products Inc. This project was awarded $25K.
A brief synopsis Nahanni Steel is a tier II/tier III metal fabricator servicing the automotive manufacturing, mining, and solar power industries. Nahanni Steel manufactures bracket cargo partitions and needs a quality control process. Currently, Nahanni’s international customer is being shipped incorrect quantities as well as some partitions that are missing bolts.
42 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Project Objective The proposed project will develop an automated cell to inspect inventory manufactured pieces for Nahanni Steel. The aim of this project is to prevent their international customer from being shipped incorrect quantities and defective parts. As a result of the shipment of defective parts, Nahanni has implemented a final inspection step to their process conducted by an associate, adding production costs. By improving quality, Nahanni will have increased customer satisfaction and become more competitive in the market as price is a major factor in the industry. Lars Kristjansen states, “We’re pushing the limits of vision systems and developing a unique method to remote view the inside of machines. We want to go where no vision systems has gone before.” Lars’ motivation to participate in research:
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T o empower lives, an opportunity to work with brilliant young minds and to access state-of theart technology that Humber has to offer.”
SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Daniel Bear, PhD., Faculty of Social & Community Services Humber value/s: EDI, Health & Well-being Daniel is a seasoned researcher and has demonstrated leadership in developing policy design and implementation, applied research, criminal justice policy, social policy research methods, qualitative & quantitative analysis, ethnography and cannabis policy and harm reduction. In 2020, Humber College received $1.2 million towards CCSIF funding, for four game-changing social innovation research projects, through grants from NSERC. Daniel is leading the research project/ study on “Engaging and Educating YoungAdult Cannabis 2.0 Consumers”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA), and Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP). This project was awarded $343K.
A brief synopsis This project seeks to engage and educate young-adult cannabis users (18-30), the age group most likely to consume cannabis, and the age group most likely to consume cannabis on a daily or near-daily basis. By targeting this age group, the research team hopes to impact long-term cannabis consumption practices, thereby having the best potential for improving public health and wellbeing outcomes for decades to come.
Project Objective This is a three-phase project conducted over the course of three years. The research team is currently in phase two, and they are conducting a mixed-methods approach to engage and educate young adult cannabis users. “What is guiding our research is that there needs to be conversation accessible to young people to stop some of the harms they may encounter while exercising their right to consume, armed with factual information and knowledge”, exclaims Daniel.
Daniel Bear, PhD., Faculty of Social & Community Services
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Daniel has been fortunate to build a background of research experience relatively broad in the academic world. He has done extensive work towards drug policy, held consultations with the Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom, and spent time studying the interactions between incarcerated people and prison officers to reduce violence in prisons in London.
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T he critical thing, particularly for the younger population who are making decisions about forming cannabis consumption practices, is for us as educators, academics and researchers to be able to say, ‘here is a language that is honest and here is the best available information we have right now that gives you dependable knowledge to make decisions about your health and wellbeing.’ This was the driving force behind the research study.”
The reason I like working in the arena of applied research, especially with polytechnics like Humber College, is the ability to impact positive change with research that is usable in the real world. ‘To heal the world’—that is what drives me. If every person takes a positive step to make the world around them a little bit better, then the net effect across an entire society and the world is really a rather positive one, isn’t it?”
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SOME ROCK STAR RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS
Ann Corbold, Faculty of Social & Community Services Humber value/s: EDI, Health & Well-being Ann is a passionate researcher and has demonstrated leadership and expertise in constitutional law, community partnerships, adult education, community policing, adjudication, and qualitative research analysis. In 2020, Humber College received $1.2 million towards CCSIF funding, for four game-changing social innovation research projects, through grants from NSERC. Ann is leading a research project entitled “Community Agency Partnerships: Best Practices for the Creation of Healthy Communities”, as the Principal Investigator, in partnership with The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan and Street Culture Project (Regina). This project was awarded $219K.
A brief synopsis Youth who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system, especially those who become gang-involved, need the support of multiple community agencies. Although there is strong evidence to support implementing a network response, there is limited information on how best to do it.
Project Objective This is a three-year project, currently in phase two. In partnership with John Howard Society of Saskatchewan and Street Culture Project, Humber College will be examining the characteristics of effective community agency partnership networks through this research project. The research team intends to analyze an existing community agency partnership network to identify best practices in creating and maintaining these types of partnerships. The overarching objective of this project is to help reduce youth crime, particularly gang violence, in Canada.
44 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Ann exerts, “We have seen evidence through research that says young people, particularly young people at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system, need wraparound supports—multiple services. We are aware of these facts, but there is very little data to answer how we can set up a network, how do we maintain it, and importantly, how do they maintain themselves?” Ann’s history as a Police Sergeant from 1985 to 1999 plays a significant role in her outlook and involvement with community and social policy. She proclaims that those same years cemented the concept of ‘helping people, especially the youth’. Ann states:
“
hen it comes to crime control, you have to be W willing to listen and address the social issues that cause crime. You have to understand both sides and accept that the tension might not fully go away yet have the patience to work in an adversarial situation.”
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T he resilience and persistence of front-line community workers is why change happens. They never give up because they know full-scale change takes time and commitment. Obstacles like lack of funding and resources become challenges. They adapt and keep going. They aren’t doing it for money or acknowledgement; they are doing it to make their communities a better place for everyone.”
APPENDIX
CONTACT US Dr. Ginger Grant Dean, Research & Innovation ginger.grant@humber.ca
Camila Perez Pena Senior Project Manager camila.perezpena@humber.ca
Dr. Tania Massa Associate Dean, Applied Research and Innovation tania.massa@humber.ca
Jaqueline Nicol Resource Manager jaqueline.nicol@humber.ca
Tanya Perdikoulias Manager Operations tanya.perdikoulias@humber.ca
Jennifer Larson Strategic Communications and Innovation Manager jennifer.larson@humber.ca
Raeshelle Morris Innovation Program Manager raeshelle.morris@humber.ca
Dianna Dinevski Research Specialist dianna.dinevski@humber.ca
Barath Roy Michel Senior Project Manager barath.michel@humber.ca
Duarte Ribeiro Financial Manager duarte.ribeiro@humber.ca
Jennifer Arulappu Administrative Assistant jennifer.arulappu@humber.ca
Sarah Nieman Managing Editor, Humber Press sarah.nieman@humber.ca
Anju Kakkar Knowledge Mobilization Specialist anju.kakkar@humber.ca
Andrea Chan Graphics Artist andrea.chan@humber.ca
YEAR IN REVIEW 2020-21 45
APPENDIX
NOTES y Canada.ca. (n.d.). Exploration. Award Recipients. (https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/ funding-financement/nfrf-fnfr/exploration/2019/ award_recipients-beneficiaires_du_financementeng.aspx) y COVID-19 Simulator. (n.d.). (http://covid19simulator.ca/) y Communications in the time of covid. (n.d.). (https://covid19communications.ca/) y Humber College. (2018). 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. (https://humber.ca/strategic-plan/) y Humber College. (n.d.). Centres of Innovation (COIs). (https://humber.ca/about/research-andinnovation/about-centres-of-innovation.html) y Humber College. (2020). Humber and Innovation 360 Group Collaborate to Help Organizations be Innovation Ready. (https://humber.ca/today/media-releases/humberand-innovation-360-group-collaborate-helporganizations-be-innovation-ready) y Humber College. (2020). Humber College rises in rankings of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges. (https://humber.ca/ today/news/humber-college-rises-rankingscanada-s-top-50-research-colleges?_ ga=2.158450751.440581064.16212523871036839657.1613168309) y Humber College. (n.d.). President’s awards. Human Resources & Organizational Effectiveness. (https://humber.ca/hroe/oe/recognition-awards/ award-recipients/award-recipients-2020/?_ ga=2.94449049.440581064.16212523871036839657.1613168309) y Humber College. (2020). Applied Research and Innovation at Humber College. Research Innovation Humber College Receives NSERC Funding for Research Related to the Fight Against COVID19. (https://www. humber.ca/research/humber-college-receivesnserc-funding-forresearch-related-to-the-fightagainst-covid-19/) 46 OFFICE OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
y Research Infosource Inc. (2020). Canada’s top 50 research colleges 2020. (https:// researchinfosource.com/top-50-researchcolleges/2020/list) y Research Infosource Inc. (2020). Canada’s top 50 research colleges 2020: Spotlight on college research activities—Winner’s circle. (https://researchinfosource.com/top-50researchcolleges/2020/spotlight-on-researchactivity) Faculties y y y y
Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology (FAST) Faculty of Business (FB) Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness (FHSW) Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Innovative Learning (FLA) y Faculty of Media & Creative Arts (FMCA) y Faculty of Social & Community Services (FSCS) Centres of Innovation (COIs) y y y y y
Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (Barrett CTI) Centre for Creative Business Innovation (CCBI) Centre of Innovation in Health & Wellness (CIHW) Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) Social Innovation
Land Acknowledgement Humber College is located within the traditional and treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Known as Adoobiigok [A-doe-bee-goke], the “Place of the Alders” in Michi Saagiig [Mi-Chee Saw-Geeg] language, the region is uniquely situated along Humber River Watershed, which historically provided an integral connection for Anishinaabe [Ah-nishnah-bay], Haudenosaunee [Hoeden-no-shownee], and Wendat [WineDot] peoples between the Ontario Lakeshore and the Lake Simcoe/ Georgian Bay regions. Now home to people of numerous nations, Adoobiigok continues to provide a vital source of interconnection for all.
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