TORONTO, ONTARIO – Humber Polytechnic researchers have been awarded grants valued at more than $1.3 million to address challenges in community innovation, provide the equipment needed to enhance collaboration with partners and create brilliant learning opportunities for students.
Humber Polytechnic is committed to working with partners and organizations to solve the pressing challenges they face, including those related to social innovation, which impact productivity and community well-being. These collaborations provide valuable opportunities for faculty members, students, and industry professionals to work together in addressing both economic and societal needs.
Three research projects at Humber Polytechnic will each receive $360,000 to be disbursed over the next three years through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). The grants are funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
Another two projects at Humber will receive grants through Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI), funded through Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Humber's Broadcast-Broadband Convergence Lab received a one-year grant valued at $200,000, and research into wearable technologies received more than $55,000 for one year. ARTI grants aim to enhance colleges’ ability to conduct applied research projects in collaboration with industry, public, non-profit, and health organizations within their communities, while also providing training opportunities for college students.
The projects funded by these grants include:
The Development of a Framework for Leveraging Advanced Forensic DNA Testing Tools in Criminal Justice
This research project aims to enhance Canadian law enforcement’s use of forensic DNA technology to improve community safety and solve cold cases. Despite advancements in other technologies, DNA methods have stagnated since the 1990s. The collaboration between Humber Polytechnic, led by Principal investigator Joanna Amirault and her team, Toronto Police Service, Othram Inc., and the Missing Children Society of Canada seeks to update DNA methods like SNP testing. The project will develop a decision-making tool and best practice model for handling historical DNA samples, benefiting law enforcement practices and affected families and communities.
The Impact of Precarious Employment on International Students Mental Health and Well-being
This research project, led by Humber Polytechnic and Principal Investigator Vanita Varma, and Indus Community Services, examines how precarious employment affects the mental health of international students in the Greater Toronto Area. It aims to develop a fair work framework, inspired by Australia’s model, to educate stakeholders about workplace rights and support. The project will address a research gap by focusing on the mental health implications of precarious employment and create a prototype website to disseminate this framework.
Global Talent Advancement Framework: Empowering Internationally Trained Professionals Through a Six-Tier Sector-Specific Bridging Program (GT6)
This research project addresses the integration of immigrants into Canadian society amid rising immigration. With immigration driving 98 per cent of population growth from July 2022 to July 2023, Canada plans to welcome up to 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2026. The project, led by Principal Investigator Ginger Grant, her team and partner organization ACCES Employment, emphasizes the need for strategic integration of internationally trained professionals to sustain economic prosperity and calls for improved immigration policies and knowledge-transfer systems to ensure effective integration and inclusivity.
Broadcast-Broadband Convergence Lab Electromagnetic Interference Testing Equipment
Humber Polytechnic will receive an ARTI grant to enhance its Broadcast-Broadband Convergence Lab (B²C Lab) for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) testing. The B²C Lab, the first in Canada to explore multisectoral innovation with ATSC 3.0 and other global data delivery standards like 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, will acquire essential EMI testing equipment, including an automated antenna mast, antenna, coaxial cables, RF power amp, RF connectors, and software. These upgrades will bolster Humber’s research infrastructure, supporting innovation in broadcast and broadband technology convergence.
High-quality physiological signal acquisition for wearable technologies
The ARTI grant will enhance Humber Polytechnic’s research in physiological signal acquisition for wearable technologies. The grant will fund the purchase of essential equipment such as PowerLab C, Quad Bio Amp, and Stimulus Isolator to support high-quality data capture for studies in electromyography (EMG), electrocardiography (ECG), and other physiological signals. The investment will also aid in developing Smart Textile products through the Fabric Based Research Platform (FIBRE) technology.
To learn more about how Humber Polytechnic is building brilliance, visit humber.ca/building-brilliance.
Quotes:
“Today, we celebrate the remarkable researchers, students and institutions set to benefit from this vital funding. The Government of Canada will continue to empower them by providing the resources and opportunities to advance their groundbreaking work. By investing in their growth and development, we are reinforcing Canada’s leadership in global research and innovation and paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future for everyone.”
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Better support for the next generation of researchers and more modern science and research infrastructure is key to supporting the secure and thriving economy of tomorrow. By supporting researchers at all levels and promoting diversity, we are reinforcing Canada’s leadership in tackling challenges and improving quality of life for all.”
- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue
“Humber is committed to creating a culture of creativity that supports exploration, leans into innovation and drives towards productivity. This funding will help build students’ capacity to solve complex real-world problems in innovative ways and help contribute to their lifelong employability. We are incredibly grateful for NSERC’s, the CCSIF, and ARTI’s support that will allow Humber researchers and partners to advance critical issues, including the productivity crisis that Canada is facing today, and I’m confident that this support will have a profound social and societal impact on our communities.”
- Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO, Humber Polytechnic
“The Missing Children Society of Canada is honoured to collaborate with Humber Polytechnic on groundbreaking research aimed at advancing technology to support the resolution of historical cold cases and investigations of unidentified remains. Our involvement ensures that those most affected by these tragic incidents have a voice in shaping how cold cases are approached with this technology.”
- Patricia Hung, president, Missing Persons and Police Partnerships
“ACCES Employment is proud to collaborate with Humber Polytechnic on research that evaluates our unique workforce development model, to ensure skilled newcomers are supported with training that enables them to successfully integrate into the Canadian labour market. This partnership demonstrates the importance of innovative approaches to workforce integration, and we are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our partnership with Humber and reinforce our shared commitment to driving meaningful, sustainable employment outcomes for underserved jobseekers.”
- Allison Pond, president & CEO, ACCES Employment
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About Humber Polytechnic
Humber is Canada’s competitive advantage. Like the world around us, we’re constantly in motion, creating a new expectation for education, while helping solve Canada’s wicked productivity problem. More than just a place to learn, it’s a place to belong. Offering the largest depth and breadth of programming to more than 86,000 learners, Humber is pioneering innovative and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. With the support of our deep-rooted industry connections, dedicated faculty, and amazing staff, at Humber, we build brilliance every single day. Visit humber.ca to learn more.
For more information, please contact:
Sylvie Lendvay
Media Relations and External Communications Specialist
Humber Polytechnic
Sylvie.lendvay@humber.ca | 416.729.8940