Research and Innovation

Digital Initiatives helps organizations explore, validate, and advance practical digital solutions through applied research, technical expertise, and collaborative project delivery. Working with businesses, public-sector organizations, and community partners, the team supports projects involving artificial intelligence, data engineering, immersive technologies, process automation, software development, and technical feasibility. From understanding the challenge to building and validating a solution, Digital Initiatives helps partners use technology to improve processes, strengthen decision-making, and create meaningful impact.

Community Insights helps organizations understand, measure, and act on complex challenges through data-driven research, analytics, and evidence-informed decision support. The team works with municipalities, economic development and tourism organizations, community agencies, workforce partners, and public-sector collaborations on projects involving program evaluation, performance measurement, dashboards, strategic planning, survey research, and community, workforce, economic, and tourism analysis. Community Insights turns data into clear findings that support stronger decisions, better planning, and measurable impact.

Industry | Innovation into impact

We help businesses and organizations move from concept to solution through applied research and hands-on collaboration. By connecting you with Georgian’s expert faculty, skilled staff, and motivated student researchers, we provide the technical expertise and practical support needed to design, test, and implement real-world innovations that strengthen industry performance and community impact.

Students | Build experience

As a student researcher, you will apply your classroom knowledge to real industry and community projects that develop your technical, professional, and teamwork skills. From design and testing to data analysis and business support, you will gain experience that stands out to future employers. Apply to join the Talent Pool, a group of qualified student researchers who are the first to hear about upcoming paid opportunities.

Research Leads | Engage and develop 

Applied research connects your expertise to real industry and community challenges while contributing to an unrivaled student experience. As a Research Lead, you will collaborate with industry partners, lead student research teams, and integrate authentic, hands-on learning into your courses. Your guidance ensures high-quality, practical results that create measurable value for students, industry collaborators, and the communities they serve.

Meet the experts advancing applied research at Georgian

Georgian’s research team includes faculty and dedicated research professionals who bring specialized expertise to industry and community projects. Learn about their backgrounds, areas of focus, and the innovations they’re driving through collaboration and applied research.

RISE Day

Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Day is a place where you can be innovative, creative and share your changemaking ideas with the Georgian College community and beyond. Join us and enjoy engaging guest speakers, live sessions, student competitions and research showcases that will demonstrate the innovation happening across the college.

AutoHack

AutoHack is Georgian’s annual hackathon where students collaborate to solve real-world industry challenges through creativity, simulation, and innovation. Check out the video from the most recent AutoHack to see the event in action, and stay tuned for similar upcoming opportunities for students and faculty to get involved in applied research and innovation.

PTI 

The Partnership for Training with Industry (PTI) prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing by combining classroom learning with hands-on industry experience. Through applied research projects, mentorship from industry professionals, and immersive technical training, students develop the practical skills employers need while giving industry partners access to new talent.

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  CrISP – Beaver Rock Roastery

  Georgian’s Research and Innovation team partnered with Beaver Rock Roastery to design and manufacture custom equipment that improved production efficiency and supported the company’s sustainability goals. This project highlights how applied research helps local businesses solve real-world challenges while providing students with meaningful, hands-on research experience.

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  Community Insights – Tri-County Green Development

  Georgian College and Grey County collaborated to advance sustainable rural development through the Green Development initiative across Grey, Dufferin and Wellington Counties. Student researchers helped municipalities identify practical, evidence-based sustainability solutions by conducting market research, data analysis, and asset mapping to support resilient, climate-ready communities.

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  CrISP – Arc Skis

  Student researchers collaborated with ARC Skis and Boards to design and manufacture innovative ski production technology, helping improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency while gaining hands-on experience solving a real-world engineering challenge.

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  Community Insights – Bright Futures Barrie

  Georgian College collaborated with Bright Futures Barrie to evaluate programs and measure community impact through research, analytics, and evidence-based insights. Georgian students contributed to data collection, analysis, and reporting, gaining hands-on experience while helping inform data-driven decisions that support positive outcomes for children, youth, and families.

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  Community Insights – Grey Bruce CSWBP

  Georgian College collaborated with Grey Bruce community partners to evaluate local priorities and generate actionable insights that informed the region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. Georgian students participated in applied research activities, building practical skills in community-based research and data analysis while supporting evidence-informed planning and decision making.

Commercialization of IP

Georgian supports Ontario’s Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework, ensuring that made-in-Ontario innovations benefit Ontarians. Through collaboration with industry and community partners, Georgian helps turn applied research into real-world impact and supports the commercialization of intellectual property created through our work.

Research Data Management Strategy

Georgian is committed to responsible and collaborative research that meets the highest professional and ethical standards. In alignment with the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, this strategy guides how research data are collected, stored, and shared to ensure transparency, accessibility, and integrity.

EDI Dimensions Charter

Georgian is committed to research that values and includes diverse perspectives. We recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2+ individuals, persons with disabilities, racialized groups, and women. Our goal is to create a research environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities, support, and success.

The department of Research and Innovation connects industry and community partners with faculty and student researchers to help clear business and/or technology hurdles and better understand their target markets. For general inquiries, please contact us:

• Email: researchandinnovation@georgiancollege.ca
• Phone: 705.722.5197
• Location: Barrie Campus, N201
• Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.