My research sits at the intersection of education, technology, and community impact. I have secured funding from national and institutional sources to investigate how interdisciplinary collaboration, digital tools, and AI can improve learning experiences and support communities beyond the classroom.
Funder: NSERC – Mobilize Grant. Administered by Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation. (2026)
Digitizing a Proactive Approach to Navigating Aging & Caregiving
A community-focused applied research project in partnership with Collaborative Aging, exploring how digital tools can support individuals navigating aging and caregiving. This project brought together students and community partners to develop practical digital solutions addressing a growing social need.
Funder: Humber Polytechnic, Priority 3, Academic Plan: Empowering Teaching and Learning. (2023)
Harnessing the AI Chatbot in Humber’s Classrooms: A Multi-disciplinary + Cross-Faculty Approach
A cross-faculty collaborative research project exploring how AI tools can be meaningfully integrated into postsecondary classrooms. Bringing together courses from the Longo Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, students worked across disciplines to develop real business concepts, using AI to support content creation, web development, and entrepreneurship.
Funder: Humber Polytechnic, SEED Research & Innovation Fund. (2023)
Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Improve Student Experience in Project-Based Work
A research study examining student engagement and learning experience in interdisciplinary, project-based learning environments. Using focus groups as the primary methodology, this study measured the impact of cross-program collaboration on student experience, contributing to a growing body of evidence supporting interdisciplinary pedagogy.
Funder: Global Affairs Canada (GAC) – Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT). Administered by the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC). Humber College leads the EDC Kenya project with implementation partner, CAP-Youth Empowerment Institute, Kenya. (2022)
EDC Kenya: Socio-economic Empowerment of Women Refugees
This project empowers refugee women by combining digital entrepreneurship training with online marketplaces to turn artistic talents into income. Female entrepreneurs will launch online businesses, build peer networks, and gain independence from geographic barriers. Partnering with CAP Youth Empowerment Institute (CAPYEI), the initiative expands women’s livelihoods and advances gender equality.
Funder: Ontario Centre of Innovation. Administered by Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation. (2015-2020)
Building Sustainable Online Presence for Small Businesses Using WordPress
A community-impact project supporting small businesses in Ontario in building and maintaining a sustainable online presence using WordPress. Students worked directly with business partners, gaining real-world experience while delivering meaningful value to local entrepreneurs and organizations.
→ View project examples (Regenesis Fitness, Unique Sand Casting, Purple Stage Door Productions, and many others)
Hanadi Alnawab 