Faculty of Education Project Summaries

Supervisors

Janette Hughes | Kenneth Gyamerah | Laura Morrison | Wendy Barber & Matthew Kaye

 

Supervisor name: Janette Hughes

Project title: Ontario Tech: Women in the AI Machine (Podcast)

Summary of research project: This initiative will spotlight the diverse women researching AI at Ontario Tech University through recorded interviews shared as a podcast series. Aligned with WIRC’s mandate to nurture and retain talented women, the project objectives include: highlighting cutting-edge innovations, addressing gender bias in STEM and amplifying voices of women in all their diversity. The series will engage the public, inspire future researchers and strengthen an equitable research culture across the university.

Student responsibilities/tasks: 

• Edit the podcast series from start to finish.
• Insert audio.
• Refine timing.
• Create graphics of the podcasts for social media.
• Create graphics for events held under this and the WIRC.

Student qualifications required:

• Digital media courses with an A- or higher.
• Podcast editing experience.
• Digital media skills (Canva, etc.).

Expected training/skills to be received by the Student:

• Creation of media resources that reflect best standards of EDI representation, AODA compliance, etc.
• Professional executive functioning skills (communicating with team members, podcast hosts, meeting deadlines, reporting expectations, etc.)
• Develop an understanding of creating EDI-aware media resources that are also AODA compliant.

Length of award: 16 Weeks

Location of award: Hybrid

Available Award: SSHRC USRA (exclusively for Black students) or Ontario Tech STAR Award

 

Supervisor name: Kenneth Gyamerah

Project title: STEM Equity and Inclusion: A Youth Participatory Action Research Study with Black High School Youth in STEM programs

Summary of research project: This study employs Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) with 15-25 Black High school youth in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in the Greater Toronto Area. The study aims to create supportive spaces for Black high school youth to share their experiences in STEM programs and identify the factors that enable or hinder their success. It will also co-generate practical recommendations with youth participants for teachers, school leaders and policymakers to strengthen equity, belonging, and culturally responsive practice in STEM education. Findings from this study will contribute to building a more just, equitable and diverse STEM pipeline in Canada.

Student responsibilities/tasks: 

• Support Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) sessions.
• Assist with data collection, notes and transcription.
• Help review literature and organize materials.
• Create youth-friendly resources and visuals.
• Support knowledge-sharing tasks and workshops.

Student qualifications required:

• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Completed coursework in social justice in education or Equity, Diversity and Inclusion foundations.
• Skill in creating infographics using Canva.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• Experience working with diverse youth.

Expected training/skills to be received by the Student:

• Training in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) and collaborative inquiry.
• Skill-building in knowledge mobilization, including creating infographics, briefs and youth-friendly resources.
• Develop competencies in conducting literature reviews and policy analysis.
• Gain experience in organizing research data, managing timelines and supporting project coordination.

Length of award: 14 Weeks

Location of award: Remote

Available Award: SSHRC USRA (exclusively for Black students) or Ontario Tech STAR Award

 

Supervisor name: Laura Morrison

Project title: Developing a Culture-Based AI Chatbot

Summary of research project: We are designing and testing a culturally relevant AI chatbot for the science classroom. Research Questions: How can a culturally sustaining chatbot (grounded in Hawaiian epistemology and co-designed with a Native Hawaiian science kumu, cultural practitioners and community members) support student engagement and achievement in one Hawai'i DoE science classroom on the West Coast of O'ahu?

Student responsibilities/tasks: 

Student qualifications required:

Expected training/skills to be received by the Student:

• Training in culture-based education and culturally grounded research practices.
• Experience designing and testing AI chatbots for education.
• Skills in qualitative data collection, coding and analysis.
• Development of ethical research skills.
• Growth in academic writing and communication.

Length of award: 16 Weeks

Location of award: Remote

Available Award: SSHRC USRA (exclusively for Black students) or Ontario Tech STAR Award

 

Supervisor name: Wendy Barber & Matthew Kaye (FEAS)

Project title: Improving Access to Nuclear Engineering/Science in the Indigenous Community

Summary of research project: Systemic barriers to educational and technical resources limit Indigenous engagement with large scale nuclear projects. These barriers limit the potential economic benefits. This project will:

• Determine the current situation in terms of what educational and technical resources are available as compared to what might be necessary.
• Understand and identify areas of concern of the community at large and for students in particular.
• Propose alternatives to the current educational model.
• Determine what success would look like from the perspective of the Indigenous Community, the nuclear industry and the university.
• Ultimately, the project will propose paths to overcome all identified barriers.

Student responsibilities/tasks: 

• Considerable focus will be to gather data and information on what barriers exist to prevent equal Indigenous engagement on large scale nuclear projects.
• Other aspects will be to determine how approaches to the Indigenous community can be made to facilitate a positive dialogue between researchers and the Indigenous community.

Student qualifications required:

• Students in education and/or engineering.
• Nuclear background an asset but not necessary.
• Preferably completed second year.
• Good writing skills an asset.
• Good communication skills an asset.
• An ability to think outside the box.

Expected training/skills to be received by the Student:

• Data gathering and organization.
• Research skills.
• An ability to self-regulate and self-manage a project.

Length of award: 16 Weeks

Location of award: Hybrid

Available Award: NSERC USRA or Ontario Tech STAR