Call for Participants: Tell Us About Your Experiences With Mental Health

In partnership with Health & Wellness, the Innovation Hub is interested in hearing about how you are taking care of your mental health. We are looking to hear perspectives and understand student needs to better inform health supports and programming at U…

Project Insights: Future of Dining at Chestnut Residence

Written by Eli Rose, (Design Research Team Lead), Bo Phi, Kimberly Mak, Yin Chen Wan (Design Researchers) 

In this project, we partnered with Chestnut Residence to gain a deeper understanding of the student experience at the dining hall and help Food Services build a positive and collaborative relationship with students and staff. In this work, the Food Services Design Research Team reflects on their experiences. 

Connecting to Campus as a Team

Written by Anchana Kuganesan – Design Research Team Lead Transforming the Instructional Landscape


Anchana smiling while leaning against a wall
Anchana Kugansesan

After joining the design research leadership team at the Innovation Hub, I had the chance to learn more about my colleagues during our team retreat day on August 8th. In the morning we took turns taking the team to different spots on campus that were memorable to us. We shared stories about how these places evoked emotions and memories about our time on campus, and how we are all connected through these feelings. We used design thinking methods to ask one another questions that probe more deeply into each other’s experiences and build empathy and we had great conversations as a team throughout the tour. Not only did this make us pay closer attention to our team members, but it also evoked new ways of thinking when we revisit these spaces on campus in the future. 

Reflections on the Return to In-Person Work

Written by Delphine Ji (Design Research Team Lead), Austin Go, Ting Bai, Izzy Friesen, and Hong Shu (Design Researchers)

Over the course of the summer, one team at the Innovation Hub has been dedicated to ensuring that returning to work in person is a positive experience. The team hosts team-building activities during our Friday workshop meetings and has been gathering feedback from team members. To grow and improve the Innovation Hub, a key focus is identifying aspects that are working well, and what to improve. With this term, the Innovation Hub has moved back into in-person work, and a few team members took a moment to reflect on their experiences. 

Innovation Hub Work Study Fall-Winter 2022-23 Hiring

Julia smiling against a white background
Julia Allworth, Manager, Innovation Projects

We are so excited to be starting off the fall/winter season on campus at the Innovation Hub. This is our 7th year of welcoming new students into the work, and we’re so grateful for our new space in the Student Commons. We are excited to announce that we have some amazing opportunities available this Fall/Winter 2022-23! The deadline to apply for positions is August 21 at 11:59pm. Job postings are now live on CLNx. 

Finding Inspiration in Research

Rion smiling in front of a Christmas tree outdoors

Written by Rion Levy, Design Research Team Lead: University College

Prior to coming to the Innovation Hub, my design research experience was sporadic. I have a few years of informal, self-led design research experience under my belt, but most of my formal training has been tied to the Academy. I’ve worked as a part of a team, as a team lead, and independently in the humanities, social sciences, and in design research.  

The Tech2U Pilot Program: Through the Eyes of Student Classroom Ambassadors

Written by: Anchana Kuganesan (Design Research Team Lead), Nia Spooner, Cathy Li, Ashley Vadivelu, Garima Sharma (Designer Researchers) The Tech2U program has been active for a full school year now and we’ve consistently seen its impact in successfully creating opportunities…