I am pleased to share with you that Humber College has risen to second place on Research Infosource Inc.’s list of Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, and is the top ranked college in Ontario. 

Research Infosource Inc. publishes an annual list of college research leaders. Since placing 44th in the inaugural list in 2011, Humber has been a rising leader. The rise is in part the result of a strong network of research partners, as well as Humber’s five Centres of Innovation which create learning opportunities for students, faculty and industry to work together to solve real-world challenges. 

Here are some highlights from our incredible research teams: 

Affordable housing for all 

Professor Salomeh Ahmadi’s research into affordable housing began when she heard about the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF).  

She reached out to community groups to understand the obstacles they were facing and how she could help. Ahmadi teamed up with longtime Humber partner LAMP Community Health Centre. 

The research project aims to uncover cost of living issues in South Etobicoke to develop a baseline of housing affordability. 

3D landfill modelling 

As landfills pose a risk to the public and the environment, they must be closely monitored. Current modelling methods are expensive and time-consuming, so, Humber professor Maria Jacome went in search of a solution and received funding from NSERC. 

Jacome hired Shannen Boyen and Ankit Joshi, two Civil Engineering Technology students, to assist in her research, and teamed up with Vincenzo Costanzo, a University of Toronto researcher. 

With the help of industry partner DGI Geoscience, the group developed a fast, cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, creating 3D models of landfills. Their method simulates the landfill's behaviour, showing the interaction between landfill gas and contaminated groundwater moving through the landfill. 

Reducing youth crime and gang violence 

Ann Corbold, researcher and Faculty of Social & Community Services professor is investigating what makes community agency partnerships effective. After they gather the required information, Corbold and partners John Howard Society of Saskatchewan and Street Culture Project will identify best practices in the sector. 

The project's overarching goal is to reduce youth crime and gang violence in Canada. 

At Humber, we bring together talented people – faculty, students and partners - to provide innovative solutions to complex challenges. Through our Centres of Innovation Network and applied research projects, Humber serves as an innovation intermediary for organizations of all sizes and from all industrial and social sectors. I look forward to seeing what comes next.  

More information on Humber’s research projects can be found on the Office of Research and Innovation webpage.