Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design Program

AC research highlights challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ international students in Ottawa

Two people stand in front of an informative poster at a conference

Dinh Nguyen (Danny) Nhu and Maria Montano at Summit 2025.

Researchers at the Human-Centered Design Lab recently presented their findings on a first-of-its-kind study outlining the challenges faced by 2SLGBTQI+ international students in Ottawa. Research associates Dinh Nguyen (Danny) Nhu and Maria Montano shared key insights at Summit 2025, an annual conference hosted by the Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) which focuses on the health of 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada via the Algonquin College Research and Innovation Development Institute, the project, titled ‘Addressing the Vulnerabilities of 2SLGBTQI+ International Students in Ottawa’ explores the gaps and challenges experienced by 2SLGBTQI+ international learners. Continue reading →

Democracy Worldview earns first place at In-Class Projects Showcase

A group of people putting their hands up in the air in celebration.

Students from the first, second and third place teams celebrate their wins with Kristine Dawson, Philip Dawe and Jed Looker, coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design program.

Learners from the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design program took first place for their project, Democracy Worldview, at the In-Class Projects Showcase, held at the Ottawa Campus on Aug. 3. The research project centred on how to prevent the erosion of trust in elections, as well as how inaccurate information can be addressed in the electoral process to build public trust. Second place went to We Vibe Phase 2, with third place going to AI Brand Recognition Machine Learning Project.

At the event, more than 50 student teams exhibited their applied research projects, ranging from robotics, artificial intelligence, fundraising, civic engagement and much more. The projects were created in collaboration with industry, institutional and community partners, bridging the gap between education and employment while providing a glimpse into the future of technology and the current state of innovation.
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Diabetes awareness project takes first place at RE/ACTION Showcase

Four students smiling, one of which is holding a trophy.

Alexandra Massie, Dhanashree Dama, Noha Abdelrahman and Jay Donde Ericsson with their first-place trophy.

Learners from the Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design (ISHCD) program captured first-place at the RE/ACTION Showcase on April 14, the first to take place fully in-person since 2019.

Students Alexandra Massie, Dhanashree Dama, Noha Abdelrahman and Jay Donde Ericsson developed their project, titled “Communicating Timely Measures for Type-2 Diabetes,” over the last six months. According to professors Su Cheng Lee and Lanre Jerry-Ijishakin, the group’s efforts serve as a confirmation of the skills that they have developed throughout the course of their studies, and as a testament to the overall strengths of the ISHCD program.

The RE/ACTION Showcase highlights applied research projects led by student teams in partnership with real industry clients. This event — the first to take place in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — saw more than 50 projects displayed by nearly 200 AC students from 11 different programs of study, as well as some examples of the initiatives funded through the AC Innovation Fund. The Showcase is held in support of funding agencies including the Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Ontario Centre of Innovation, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Mitacs.
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