Research Themes

IN-HOUSE CAPACITY

Each of our major research themes represent a priority area for applied research and training at George Brown College.

Research at George Brown takes many forms, resulting in a wide range of projects headed by expert researchers across many emerging sectors.

What these themes all share is a dedication to promoting Canadian innovation through meaningful industry-driven applied research.

RESEARCH THEME
Design for the Smart Economy

RESEARCH THEME
Intelligent Built Environments

RESEARCH THEME

Design for the Smart Economy

Design research at George Brown helps Toronto’s SMEs to adopt new approaches in designing and developing customer experiences, digital service design ecosystems, computing platforms and alternative user interfaces that are shaped by technology. Our researchers have expertise ranging in: gaming and interactive digital media, interaction design and development, user experience and user interface design, usability testing and validation of technology, virtual effects, graphic design/branding and information technology.

Programs Under This Theme:

Interactive Design Exchange
The IDX will serve as an umbrella for a variety of applied research areas that work with academic and industry partners to take products and services to market while equipping graduates with practical innovation skills and knowledge.

RESEARCH THEME

Health & Wellness

Health and education affects everyone. We think change starts with one project at a time.

George Brown works with industry partners that span the sectors—from small businesses and start-ups; to universities and colleges; to hospitals and other healthcare environments. Our industry partners have access to a full spectrum of innovation support, technology transfer and commercialization services.

We help our partners design and prototype products, processes and services for use in educational, clinical and home care settings, increasing awareness, safety, independence and healthy living. George Brown’s training program integrates students into the projects, exposing them to industry and health system practices, new models of interprofessional care and research methodologies.

RESEARCH THEME

Community & Culture

Every great enterprise starts with a single idea. We’re there when those ideas need a little help.

Through our Community & Culture research, the city of Toronto essentially becomes a living laboratory for our students and partners alike, crossing diverse industries and needs.

Our approach and facilities support these activities at virtually every stage, including: education and training in entrepreneurship; access to entrepreneurial advice and expertise via coaching and mentoring programs; experiential training via working side-by-side with small- and medium-sized enterprises on technology development, product development and applied research projects; specialized support for emerging entrepreneurs across multiple sectors; and support for existing student-led businesses.

Programs Under This Theme:
The Social Innovation Exchange
The Social Innovation Exchange is a hub that allows George Brown researchers to work directly with the communities that surround them, building partnerships that foster social innovation in a range of sectors. Learn more.

startgbc
Our gateway to entrepreneurship at George Brown College. We are a physical and virtual hub connecting students, alumni and the community with resources, programs and support to foster a culture of entrepreneurship on campus and beyond. Learn more. Learn more.

RESEARCH THEME

Food & Beverage

Where culinary art meets food science.

Our food and beverage research, housed at George Brown’s St. James campus in downtown Toronto, offers partners an expert food science applied research process, supported by cutting-edge research laboratories, test kitchens and equipment. We help the food and beverage industries to develop new food product, improve shelf-life, create and perfect new recipes, perform sensory evaluation, and much more.

Programs Under this Theme:

Food Innovation & Research Studio (FIRSt)

FIRSt offers industry access to technical resources, state of the art facilities and networking opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses within the GTA food and beverage industry, enabling these companies to grow and reach more customers. Learn more. Learn more.

RESEARCH THEME

Intelligent Built Environments

Changing the skyline of our cities, one sustainable building at a time.

Our research in Sustainability and the Built Environment connects the Canadian construction sector to market-focused applied research that accelerates local, sustainable innovation. We help local industry bring their ideas to market, giving Ontario’s small to medium sized enterprises a way to test, prototype and commercialize a variety of green technology, including building automation and sustainable energy production. Applied research in this sector fast-tracks the business life cycle, developing new technologies and products that will have a lasting impact on our community.

Programs Under This Theme:
The Green Building Centre
The Green Building Centre, built in 2012, is the first facility of its kind. Integrated into the existing structure of the Casa Loma campus, the GBC Green Building Centre helps SMEs innovate and get new products to market faster.

Mass Timber Institute
The Mass Timber Institute aspires to be an ambitious and unique public-private collaboration focused on ground-breaking research and development as well as specialized teaching and training regarding mass timber tall wood buildings and the use of advanced wood products. Learn more.

The BIM Lab
Within the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Lab, we produce advanced manufacturing for the construction industry, using complex 3D rendering of buildings to ensure efficient builds and management of building resources over time.

RESEARCH THEME

Teaching & Learning

Research within the teaching and learning theme focuses on the classroom from early childhood to college-level learning. Researchers under this theme engage in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and in Innovation in Teaching. In the early year education, research centres on engaging and encouraging learning for children, including exploring approaches like cognitive sensitivity training for early childhood educators, and using new technologies to engage children in learning. At the college level, researchers explore innovative pedagogies in the classroom and using cutting edge technology in the learning environment. Some of the projects include creating simulations of work environments for students, developing blended, hybrid and flipped classroom courses, introducing podcasts and other social media options into the classrooms, developing critical digital literacy.

RESEARCH THEME

Product Development

We get industry into the market.

At George Brown’s Product Development Exchange, our partners rapidly develop new products and stay ahead of the curve. The Product Development Exchange lab at the Casa Loma Campus features leading edge rapid prototyping tools including 3D printers, laser and water jet cutters, CNC machines and mechanical and electrical component building and testing equipment, for iterative development of prototypes.

Programs Under This Theme:

The Product Development Exchange
The Product Development Exchange (PDx) is used to rapidly develop new products for many sectors, including: advanced building technology and energy management; healthcare technologies; and food innovation, among many others. LEARN MORE.

RESEARCH THEME

Fashion

Making Canadian clothing a more sustainable choice.

George Brown College’s fashion research aims to model and foster innovative, ethical, and environmentally and socially sustainable production. FX is a vibrant hub where fashion education, design, production, entrepreneurship and engagement come together under one roof in the heart of downtown Toronto. Our programs bring together fashion educators, industry partners, community organizations, and fashion graduates to innovate for an increasingly sustainable, socially-conscious, and economically vibrant fashion industry.

Programs Under This Theme:

The Fashion Exchange
The Toronto-based Fashion Exchange offers today’s aspiring fashion students and active industry professionals both Postgraduate level studies and access to skills based employment training programs taught hands-on in our urban manufacturing facility. LEARN MORE.

All of research is undertaken within programs across all of our campuses. Learn more:

EXPLORE PROGRAMS

EXPLORE PORTAL

Curious about our projects? Learn more about what we work on with our Project Portal. Searchable by research focus, year or PI.

startGBC

Do you have a great business idea? Want to know how to set up your own business or social enterprise? Need practical help and support to develop your business skills?

Innovation Badges

Awarded in recognition of this hands-on, real world experience, our badges can be attached to an online profile, wherever a prospective employer may see it.

Project Portal

Curious about our projects? Learn more about what we work
on with our Project Portal. Searchable by research focus, year or PI.