Award Recipients

Doug Thomson and Emma Smith’s partnership in research is helping to transform the Toronto Police Service’s Neighborhood Community Officer Program into a highly effective, collaborative, and community-focused unit. They are bringing with them Humber values of equality, diversity, and inclusion to influence change across our city today. They are working across faculties to leverage the students input and applied learning. This research will impact lives today and into the future. ​ 

This work has been recognized by the Toronto Police Services, their partners and even Ontario Superior Judge, Epstein, as the benchmark in how to transform policing practices. Transformation through partnerships is possible and Humber is helping to make this a reality. ​ 

Community focus groups, questionnaires and round-table discussion serve as the central methodologies to collecting such valuable experiences and data from neighborhood members and the police. This research has proved vital in giving a voice to community members supporting EDI and showing what works to the police. Through this research the Toronto Police Service is helping develop safer, collaborative, and inclusive communities. 

Dr. Eva Ziemsen and Elizabeth Fenuta have achieved remarkable success through their innovative research program in the Metaverse, impacting education and training in the fields of architecture and virtual production. Their inclusive approach, significant impact, and commitment to excellence make them deserving recipients of this prestigious award. Their initial SoTL project, "Harnessing Higher Education in the Metaverse," showcased their progressive involvement in exploring innovative teaching and learning methods. Through the power of interdisciplinary programs like Unreal Engine, Twinmotion and Revit, they led a team that created a virtual educational environment that allows students to immerse themselves in a Digital Twin of the BCTI at Humber College. ​ 

Building upon their preliminary prototype, Dr. Ziemsen and Fenuta attracted an external partner, APG Media Group, for their Applied Research and Technology Partnership (ARTP) project. With the support of NSERC, they developed a fully functional VR and PC-based application that provides an original immersive educational experience. Users can now explore a virtual production LED volume, gaining practical knowledge of virtual production technologies. This collaboration has not only provided crucial resources but has also opened doors to larger grants and future research opportunities. ​ 

One of the key strengths of their research program is the meaningful involvement of students. Game Programming, Interior Design, and Film and Media Communications students have played instrumental roles as Research Assistants, applying their learning in advanced ways and even securing job opportunities with industry mentors and potential partners. Through extensive knowledge dissemination via videos, press releases, conferences, and publications, Eva and Elizabeth have showcased their advancements in the metaverse on an international stage. Their publication on teaching film production and architecture in the metaverse will reach a wide audience, solidifying their influence in the field.  

Dr. Eva Ziemsen and Elizabeth Fenuta have achieved outstanding success through their research program, enhancing education and training in architecture and virtual production through metaverse-based technology.