From designing a one-handed zipper closure to help stroke patients gain independence to applying new archaeological technologies in locating Indigenous petroglyphs on Vancouver Island, Douglas students are using their hands-on education to take on research topics that have real-world implications.
“We have a research culture at Douglas that facilitates learning for students,” says Research and Innovation Coordinator and English instructor Richa Dwor. “There’s also support for faculty research that has the boomerang effect of providing cutting-edge teaching, pedagogical strategies and opportunities for students to participate in as well.”
Dwor says that the College’s urban setting uniquely positions it to address social problems, community health and sustainability. While some student projects were completed as part of a course curriculum, many have been independently undertaken through the Innovation Hub, an applied research and innovation centre that provides access to technology, equipment and expertise to local community partners and businesses, while offering practical experience to Douglas students.
“The Innovation Hub was created by faculty members in Sports Science and Engineering who wanted to collaborate in helping students draw on different disciplines that may be outside of their chosen program,” says Dwor. “All of these projects are extracurricular, which means that students are doing this work purely out of interest and are supported by faculty who want to give them their time.”
Many of these projects will be showcased at Student Research Days, an annual event where students present their research initiative and achievements from individual and group research projects. Held at the College’s Coquitlam Campus on April 9 and New Westminster Campus on April 11, this event brings together innovative ideas from across the College.
With over 50 applicants across all six faculties, this year’s Student Research Days event will have the largest turnout since it started back in 2009. Dwor credits this response in part to two new submission categories introduced this year – research proposal and panel presentation – which will better accommodate fields that disseminate research via research paper or demonstration of a prototype.
“We’re trying to capture the wide range of research being done by students at Douglas,” she says. “Coming from the English Department, I’ve read countless research essays that deserve to be shared.”
Once the event concludes, a judging panel will decide on the top three projects in each category. First place will be awarded $500, second place $300 and third place $150. All Student Research Days projects can be viewed through the Douglas Open Repository (DOOR).
To learn more about the event and view projects from past winners, visit the Student Research Days page on the Douglas College website.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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Contact
Elizabeth Douglas
Communications Officer
douglase2@douglascollege.ca