The Institute primarily pursues research at the “applied” end of the research continuum. One way to think of Humber’s research ethos is “solutions-based research”; research that solves problems across a range of topics and/or sectors, for a range of stakeholders. Three primary forms or categories of research are pursued at Humber:
1. Humber-Wide Research
This is research that is deemed to have relevance to the larger institute, and in most cases involves a number of academic schools or departments to execute. In most cases, pan-institutional research is led by and administered through the Humber Research Office. However, where appropriate, individual faculty and staff from assorted units at Humber are engaged to help execute these larger scale research projects/initiatives. Recent and/or current examples of this research include:
(a) Research on Student Engagement and Success, e.g., an evaluation of the Community College Survey on Student Engagement (CCSSE)
(b) A multi-school initiative on Sustainability & Environmental Excellence (SEE) that utilizes the Humber Arboretum and Centre for Urban Ecology
(c) The Colleges Ontario Industry Innovation Network (CONII). CONII is an initiative where various Humber programs, typically via student projects, address the applied innovation (R&D) problems of local private companies (typically small to medium sized enterprises)
2. School-Initiated and Led Research
This type of research may have a single or multi-disciplinary focus. Such research is “grown”, led, and supported by the School, and as such takes advantage of areas of strength within the given school, e.g., faculty and staff expertise, infrastructure unique to Humber, and/or academic programming. Current research focus areas in selected schools include:Given the relative short history of Humber’s research enterprise, it is anticipated that more school-led research areas will evolve in the near future.
(a) Effective Advertising (School of Media Studies & Information Technology)
(b) Design and Product Development (School of Applied Technology)
(c) Technology, Hearing, and Music (School of Creative and Performing Arts)
(d) Patient & Community Safety & Well-Being (School of Health Sciences)
Given the relative short history of Humber’s research enterprise, it is anticipated that more school-led research areas will evolve in the near future.
3. Individual Faculty Initiated Research
A number of Humber faculty engage in a variety of research and other scholarly activities. For example, in 2008-09 faculty were responsible for 127 academic and/or professional conference presentations, and were associated with 120 peer-reviewed publications (www.humber.ca/research). The Staff Initiated Research Fund (SIRF) is an internal initiative whereby faculty or staff can apply for “pilot funding” to initiate original research. SIRF applications are peer-reviewed. Awards typically range from $2,000-8,000 each. Examples of recent SIRF topics include:In sum, Humber research emphasizes outcomes and applications that provide direct benefits to internal and external stakeholders, is at the highest standard, supports student success and learning, and brings focus and authority to the institution.
(a) Can the creativity templates of “quality advertising” also predict market effectiveness?
(b) Words or pictures? How cognitive style and cognitive abilities impact learning preferences
(c) Safe drinking water for small and remote northern communities using appropriate treatment technology
(d) Reliability testing of the Student Work Safety Assessment Tool
(e) Placement testing and student success at a post-secondary institution
(f) Men in nursing
(g) The effects of acute resistance training on subsequent fuel use during aerobic exercise
In sum, Humber research emphasizes outcomes and applications that provide direct benefits to internal and external stakeholders, is at the highest standard, supports student success and learning, and brings focus and authority to the institution.
