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:

• We purposively work to deeply understand the communications of another and to understand how what is said is meaningful from their situated living.

• We are required to be actively open to the possibilities that exist for another, which may not be possibilities for one’s self.

• 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

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.”

Dennis Kappen, PhD., Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology

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

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

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.