This project provides the groundwork and covers the critical first steps of a multi-year research study that examines the lived experience of Black Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The purpose of this larger study is to better understand the nature of the challenges facing the Black community, through exploring the lived experiences of individuals within this community (focusing on values, identity, aspirations and experiences), and the factors leading to success or failure.

Across the province, students are channeled into academic and applied programs at the start of high school. Students in applied courses are less likely to enjoy school or pass the provincial standards for achievement in both elementary and secondary school (EQAO, 2012). We know little about “who” takes applied courses in Ontario and what opportunities exist for them to transfer into academic streams.

This project will partner a student intern in graduate mathematics with the development team at Mathtoons Media Inc., an educational technology company in the business of creating mobile learning applications. Learning and academic practice is migrating away from traditional textbooks and webwork and toward mobile devices. The varying physical constraints of these devices post a significant challenge to the creators of mobile digital math practice applications.

The Ahp-cii-uk Community Society and the Beedie School of Business are submitting a research cluster proposal to the MITACS Accelerate Program with the purpose to continue research conducted by the Ahp-cii-uk Leadership Initiative in the three Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations of Ahousaht, Ehattesaht and Tseshaht.

The proposed research will study the best way to evaluate sleep disorders among persons who suffered a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the workplace. We will draw upon the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board-insured workers being evaluated at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, approximately 300-400 annually, for mild to moderate TBI. This study will provide a better understanding of the evaluation of sleep disturbance among workers with this condition which serves to inform better assessment and treatment.

Mobility in the home is a difficult task for older adults with mobility limitations and is associated with a risk of injury from falling. However, it is a requisite for maintaining independence. A number of assistive technologies have been developed to help a number of different activities of daily living, one in specific is the transfer pole – a vertically oriented pole that pressure fits between ceiling and floor and helps the user stand-up. Three common configurations include a single vertical pole, a single pole with a horizontal grab-bar, and two vertical poles.

A Canadian scientific innovation known as DNA barcoding is advancing species identification and discovery through the analysis of short, standard gene regions. This has led to the widespread use of DNA barcoding as a tool for species identification in a diverse array of practical applications, from ecological monitoring to food fraud.