applied research

Sentiers Wakefield Trails – Website Revamp

The Sentiers Wakefield Trails (SWT) is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting trail creation, maintenance, and associated activities in Wakefield and La Pêche. It is a part of the Trans-Canada trail which is the longest multi-use trail system in the world. The SWT is funded by the Trans-Canada trail and the local municipality. Because the trail is a part of the Trans-Canada trail, particularly in Gatineau Park, the board frequently works with the National Capital Commission.

Last year the SWT conducted research with the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design (HCD) program at Algonquin College. With these new research findings, the SWT came to our team from the Interactive Media Design (IMD) program to modernize their website to enhance its user experience, improve the website’s usability and accessibility, and implement the findings from the HCD groups. Alongside the website revamp, we revised their logo, designed a branding guide for their website, and crafted a tagline to strengthen their brand’s cohesion. Our project process focused on ensuring the revamp met the SWT target audience’s needs. We created eight personas, each of which reflected the SWT key audiences. From these personas we gathered that the SWT had to improve its information and donation process for funders, the sign-up process to attract volunteers, and the quantity and quality of content for trail users and trail associations. We conducted usability testing with three target audiences for the website to ensure the user experience aligned with their needs and goals.

Additionally, we enhanced the website’s SEO and addressed accessibility issues to improve the usability of the website. During the planning phase of the project, we conducted an SEO audit on the SWT which revealed many issues that had to be solved. Although the selected platform, Weebly, was limited in terms of SEO functionality, we still improved the SEO with what could be modified. Most importantly we fixed many of the issues impeding accessibility, particularly a lack of alt text on images. In companion to our accessibility fixes on the technical side, we ensured all the branding colours and elements had visible contrast and legible text sizes to assist low-vision users. To help the maintainers of the SWT website – who are an older demographic, we recorded how-to video tutorials for them to assist them in maintaining the website. This was to ensure our improvements can be sustained after our revamp. With these SEO and accessibility improvements, we also set up Google Analytics for the website to help the SWT ensure their website is meeting their goals.

Populii Website UX Improvement

We successfully integrated Orgfitech into Populii’s brand identity, creating a cohesive and streamlined digital experience. Initially developed as separate brands, their distinct visual identities caused user confusion and a fragmented experience. Through this project, we eliminated those barriers, improving clarity and usability.  

We restructured the Solutions Portfolio, simplifying it from three categories to two—Culture Shaping Tools and Skills & Knowledge—making navigation more intuitive and user-friendly. This transformation involved redesigning Populii’s website, specifically the homepage and Solutions section, to effectively communicate the updated structure.  

Ensuring brand consistency was a key priority. While maintaining the foundational branding from previous Populii designs, we aligned visual elements and UX patterns across the website. We also reimagined key tools such as Culture Monitor, Culture Screener, and Suitability Gauge to fit within the Populii ecosystem seamlessly.  

A strong UX research component guided our approach. We developed user personas, refined information architecture, and optimized navigation pathways to enhance the user journey. Additionally, we implemented SEO strategies to boost online visibility and engagement.  

 

Final Deliverables:  

A redesigned, mobile-friendly Populii website with an enhanced Solutions section.  

A unified WordPress design template for Culture Monitor, Culture Screener, Suitability Gauge, and Culture Tag websites, ensuring brand consistency.  

Improved navigation and UI/UX refinements for a seamless user experience.  

A comprehensive client handoff package, including step-by-step WordPress tutorials for future maintenance.  

This project successfully strengthened brand recognition, improved user engagement, and delivered a seamless digital experience, solidifying Populii’s position as a leader in cultural shaping strategies.  

Marine Anchoring Systems

The purpose of our project was to determine the feasibility of a proposed marine anchoring system located at the Confederation Basin Promenade in Kingston, Ontario. The proposed design was provided to us by our client, Kehoe Marine Construction (KMC), along with their submission to the City of Kingston as part of their Value-Added Proposal. The feasibility of the proposed design was evaluated in comparison to the tender design through investigation of wave-induced uplift forces, site-specific geotechnical conditions, and installation methodologies.

The tender design featured Dywidag anchors, intended to be drilled, grouted, and tensioned on the inside of a driven Hollow Structural Steel (HSS) pile to provide preload against wave-induced uplift forces. KMC’s proposed design of interest consists of the same HSS specified in the tender, in conjunction with a prefabricated non-shrink grout plug at the bottom of each pipe pile. KMC’s proposed design locates all anchoring connection details at the bottom of the pipe pile, eliminating the need for post-tensioning as seen in the tender drawings.

It was determined that the alternative anchoring design submitted by KMC was feasible, offering significant cost savings, improved constructability, and sufficient structural integrity to withstand wave-induced uplift forces and site-specific geotechnical conditions.

AI-Assisted Corruption Benchmarking

This project is an AI-driven benchmarking tool designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) evaluate their Ethics & Compliance (E&C) programs. The tool offers three tiers of benchmarking—high-level, mid-level, and deep-dive assessments. It will generate automated reports with gaps, recommendations, and benchmarking against global best practices and regulatory requirements specific to the company’s jurisdiction. The system will provide actionable insights and a scoring process through heat maps and key performance indicators.

AI-Powered Ethics and Compliance News Aggregator

The AI-powered ethics and compliance news aggregator tool will collect, filter, and present relevant news from multiple sources based on user preferences. Designed to function as an enhanced version of Google Alerts, this tool will cater specifically to ethics and compliance professionals, allowing them to customize their news feed, receive AI-driven summaries, and explore related topics.

CF4AASS – Promotional Videos

The CF4AASS Video Production Initiative is a collaborative project between the charity and the Interactive Media Design (IMD) team at Algonquin College. This initiative aims to create engaging video content communicating CF4AASS’s vision, mission, values, and national advocacy efforts.

CF4AASS is an impartial, nationally registered nonprofit charity promoting the availability, credibility, and sustainability of excellence in Animal-Assisted Human Services (AAHS). The charity’s programs and activities encompass but are not limited to stakeholder engagement, special events, advocacy, outreach and education, research, and voluntary development of the AAHS Industry Sector Standards.

The organization plays a crucial role in raising awareness, developing national benchmarks, and promoting best practices with and for AAHS with end-users, service providers, and other stakeholders across various disciplines and sectors, including healthcare, social services, justice and corrections, multiple disciplines, and the interested public.

Public awareness about the AAHS remains low due to fragmentation, silos, and the status quo. The government does not regulate AAHS; anyone can start a business with little or no accountability.

Additionally, because the CF4AASS works behind the scenes and allocates all of its funding to developing national programs and special projects, CF4AASS faces challenges in promoting its vision and mission, securing donor support, and attracting volunteers to participate in essential committees to further its cause.

To address these challenges, our project will:

  • Develop structured videos that communicate CF4AASS’s vision, mission, impact, and advocacy goals in an accessible and engaging way.
  • Highlight the importance of the Private Member’s Bill C-417 (https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/44-1/c-417) in securing government support for veterans who need AAHS.
  • Promote the “One Health and Welfare” approach, which recognizes the interconnected well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.
  • Enhance interest in and nurture public safety and the welfare of Human Services Assistance Animals (HSAA) within this rapidly growing AAHS industry and sector.
  • Provide stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, healthcare professionals, and beneficiaries, with a clear understanding of AAHS and the dire need for a national framework to establish a credibility chain.

The project will consist of one long-form introductory video (approximately five minutes), one short-form educational video focusing on Bill C-417, and a proof-of-concept video showcasing a potential design for a directory.

By leveraging motion graphics, live-action interviews, and a structured video breakdown, these videos will serve as a powerful communication tool for relevant Calls to Action nationwide, such as replacing the former directory of AAHS with a new state-of-the-art searchable directory, promoting the Virtual AAHS Centre of Excellence, and launching a national certification program for AAHS businesses to demonstrate excellence through voluntary third-party assessments that validate adherence to the sector’s first AAHS National Standard of Canada.

Embracing Tradition and Reconciliation Around the Fire

Pikwakanagan First Nation Cultural Ground

Summer is a time when many people enjoy the great outdoors. For a group of 13 incoming and current Algonquin College students, six days in late August was more than just campfires and starry nights. It was a foundational and transformative time to learn more about truth and reconciliation.

Hosted by the Pembroke Campus, the first Indigenous Cultural Camp took place from Aug. 22-27. Led by an Indigenous cultural teacher and two staff, this deeply profound experiential learning opportunity was initiated by the Applied Research office through the Government of Canada Social Sciences and Human Research Council (SSHRC) grant as part of the college’s Mamiwi Maadaadizi project.

“The Cultural Camp was a very significant and profound time for all with much learning, healing and looking forward,” said Joanne Haskin, Executive Director of Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation, a partner on this project. “The potential for continued immersed learning as we continue the journey of truth and reconciliation must be foundational and the College must continue in these ways to allow for all Indigenous students to know there is a place for them, and for partnership in the journey.”

Haskin and her team also included Elders, Knowledge Keepers and special guests, who worked with participants as they listened, reflected, engaged and thought about ways to act.

Ontario Parks provided access and usage of Foy Provincial Park which allowed for meaningful connection to the land. “This was an impactful experience that touched me spiritually and emotionally. It challenged me to move away from thinking about allyship towards acting in allyship, always with ‘nothing about us without us’ in mind. The College and broader community can expect a more concerted effort from me to move us forward in understanding the truth and pursuing acts of reconciliation. It was my honor to participate, ” said Kate Monahan, a professor at the Pembroke campus.

Activities included a visit to Pikwakanagan First Nation, a Kairos Blanket Exercise and discussions and learnings with special Elders and guests. There was also time for painting, self-reflection and journaling and experience on the land.

Areas of learning were centered around Residential Schools & Sixties Scoop, The Seven Grandfather Teachings, the clan system, self-governance, forestry management and of course, TRC Calls to Action.

Student feedback was incredibly positive. “I cannot express the depth of my gratitude for this experience, for learning about Indigenous culture and for being so changed by being on the land,” said one learner. “This was life changing for me,” said another.

Established in the spring of 2020, the Mamiwi Maadaadizi project was created to advance Indigenization efforts at Pembroke Campus through collaboration with The Circle of Turtle Lodge, Pikwakanagan First Nation and other Indigenous community members. The mandate included identifying best practices for embedding Indigenous Knowledge across Pembroke’s services and academic programming and working towards Reconciliation for all students and community members. Another goal was to examine how to better support Indigenous learner needs and develop learning interventions through a field school and Indigenous-led training.

“In 20 plus years of working in higher education, it has been a while since I have seen such a cohesive, thoughtful, kind group of people gather,” said Brenda Slomka, Algonquin College Program manager, Applied Research. “This was deeply meaningful to witness and be part of. The impact from our SSHRC grant, allowing us to focus on Indigenization within our rural campus has been so important and we are thankful. We are deeply hopeful that this will be the first of many more Cultural Camps to come.”

To read the full report about the Indigenous Culture Camp click this link.

Interactive Media Design (IMD) is now accepting Applied Research Project Applications for Winter 2022 In-Class Projects

On behalf of the Office of Applied Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (ARIE) at Algonquin College, I am pleased to announce this call for proposals for in-class client projects for the Winter 2022 semester.

Interested companies can apply using the application form HERE. Our onboarding practice is to screen the online applications and invite the most promising proposals to a ‘Pitchfork’ session. Candidates are asked to do a 15-minute pitch via Zoom Meetings with interactive Q&A. The review panel is comprised of ARIE project managers, facilitators, and professors from the School of Media and Design who collectively select the projects that are ‘best-fit’ for our programs.

Key dates for Winter 2022 projects:

  • The deadline for applications is Friday, December 10th
  • ‘Pitchfork’ sessions will be scheduled between December 20th – 31st for invited candidates
  • Chosen candidates will be notified by January 7th
  • Projects starting the week of January 28st
  • Projects to be completed by end of term (mid-April)

Types of projects considered:

  • Websites (New designs and re-designs)
  • User interface prototypes for web and mobile apps
  • Animated videos

If your organization is looking for any of the above, we encourage you to submit an online application. In addition to registered for-profit businesses, we will be able to support a limited number of not-for-profits and social enterprises.

Have any questions? Contact David Solomon, Professor & IMD Applied Projects Facilitator – solomod@algonquincollege.com

Algonquin College’s Social Innovation Lab is now recruiting for Winter 2022 positions

We're Hiring! SliDE - Social Innovation Lab

Want to Make our World a Better Place? Join Algonquin’s Social Innovation Lab – SLiDE is Hiring for Winter 2022 positions.

The Lab operates SLiDE (Service Learning in Design & Engineering) with a mission of “Empowering our community by sharing student creativity and technological knowledge to drive social change”. We are looking for students that demonstrate Authenticity, Integrity, Ambition, Curiosity and Humility and want to help others in our community. #slideintoimpact Open Positions: All positions are part-time (~20 hours a week) for current Algonquin College Students and paid at Ottawa’s current Living Wage ($18.60/Hour).

The target start date for Winter Interns is January 10, 2022.

Note* All positions offer flexibility to meet students’ schedules and tentatively will include both in-person (Social Innovation Lab, Woodroffe Campus) and remote work components. All positions will be subject to the College’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

To apply, email your CV and a cover letter by the deadline of December 10, 2021: SLiDE@algonquincollege.com

Details can be seen on HireAC – Job ID 70117: https://hireac.algonquincollege.com/home.htm

IBM/SLiDE Intern – Social Sector Client Projects (5 Positions)

Applicable for students with digital technology skills (design, development, mobile, integration, adoption) or communications skills (branding, marketing, social media, written word, and videography).

Please note Intern Eligibility Requirements:
  1. Proof of full-time enrollment at Algonquin College in an Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, STEM or Business program during the internship period
  2. Proof of Canadian Citizenship/ Permanent Residency/Refugee Status, Unfortunately, due to 3rd party funder requirements, International Students are not eligible for these positions at this time.

Students who self-identify within one of the following under-represented groups are encouraged to apply: Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Indigenous students, Newcomers (immigrants who immigrated within the last 5 years), students with disabilities, visible minorities and first-year students.

Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience Study Online Survey

Online Survey Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience Rethinking Well-being 2020-2023

Victimology Research Centre would like to invite you to take part in our survey to help assess the wellness and working conditions of service providers who work with victims and survivors of crime in Canada. You will be asked about your well-being, your job satisfaction, vicarious resilience, strategies for self-care, and how your organization makes you feel. Participation in the online survey will require approximately 20-30 minutes of your time. Please note that all participation in our study is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.

To participate in our study, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be an employee or volunteer working with victims or survivors of crime in Canada

If you would like to know more about the study, you can click on this link for background information. To complete the survey, click on your preferred language. [English] [Français]

Who can participate?

This is for employees and volunteers who work with victims and survivors of crime in Canada. You need to be 18 or older. More than one person from an organization can take the survey.

Why am I being asked these questions?

We want to learn more about people working in services for victims and survivors of crime in Canada. We want to learn about your well-being, how you feel about your work, how you take care of yourself, how your organization affects your wellness, and any harm as well as growth you may have experienced as a service provider. We will share the results in a public report in 2023 and what we learn will be used to create training materials. We will also publish academic papers.

How will I be protected?

You will not be asked for your name. If you are quoted, we will change details that could identify you. We will not share your survey with your employer. We will not use your computer’s IP address. Actions like signing out of your accounts, closing your browser, and locking your device when not in use can help protect your safety. For information on deleting your browsing history, see http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000510.htm.

What if I don’t want to answer a question?

You can choose “prefer not to answer” and continue. Share only what you want to.

What if a question upsets me and I need help?

If you need support, you can access free crisis help through Wellness Together Canada: Text 741741 https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA.

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous Peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling or crisis support. Call the toll-free helpline at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca. Help is available in English, French, Ojibway, Cree, or Inuktitut.

What if I have questions about the research?

You can contact Dr. Benjamin Roebuck (Research Chair) at the Victimology Research Centre by email roebucb1@algonquincollege.com or by phone (613) 727-4723 ext. 6328. If you have questions about the ethical conduct of this study, you can contact the Algonquin College Research Ethics Board by email REBAdmin@algonquincollege.com or phone: (613) 727-4723 ext. 5213.

Victim Services and Vicarious Resilience being conducted by the Victimology Research Centre at Algonquin College in partnership with the Victim Justice Network (VJN), Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (CRCVC), and a wide range of other community partners. This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and designed with leaders in victim services from across Canada.