Applied Research within the St. Clair College (SCC) Research and Innovation department is a type of research that seeks to solve practical problems and improve processes or products. In addition to a drive by a quest for knowledge and understanding, applied research focuses on addressing specific, real-world issues and often leads to outcomes and innovations. St. Clair College Research and Innovation works with industry and community partners to better understand the problem that they are trying to solve, define the scope of work required to provide a solution and to conduct the project.

SCC Research and Innovation supports and work closely with industry by addressing real-world challenges through collaborative projects and partnerships, translating scientific discoveries into practical applications, and driving technological advancements. Through joint initiatives, industry benefits from cutting-edge solutions and improved processes, while researchers and students gain access to real-world experiences and testing opportunities, leading to enhanced sustainability and overall economic growth. SCC Research and Innovation also works closely with St. Clair College’s academic areas to ensure projects have extensive expertise, including faculty and student researchers.

• Developing new medical treatments or health opportunities.
• Creating more efficient renewable energy technologies.
• Improving educational practices based on cognitive science research.
• Enhancing manufacturing processes through achievements in advanced manufacturing research.
• Develop new policy and practice through social science innovations.
• Enhancing agricultural techniques to increase crop yields and local sustainability.

Applied researchers at St. Clair College often identify research problems through industry needs, societal challenges, or gaps in existing knowledge. The diverse group of professionals involved in research with SCC can also identify research endeavors through academic settings such as classroom discussions, capstone projects, and student involvement. The research team works closely with stakeholders such as local businesses, healthcare providers, and/ or community organizations to pinpoint issues that require research-based solutions.

Applied research is conducted by a diverse group of professionals including faculty members, students, research staff, industry partners and collaborators, external research collaborators, and community partners. Together, these groups contribute to a dynamic and collaborative research environment at St. Clair College, working towards practical solutions and advancements in various fields.

• Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods research designs.
• Experimental designs and clinical trials.
• Surveys and questionnaires to gather data from participants.
• Case studies to analyze specific instances or applications.
• Statistical analysis to interpret data and draw conclusions

The St. Clair College Research and Innovation team is excited to work with you! If you would like to receive further information on R&I at SCC, please feel free to register for the optional Applied Research 101 Professional Development Course. The next step would be to watch the appropriate R&I Faculty/ Staff Video or Service Staff Video and then fill out the Research Inquiries Form to contact the R&I department. Please also feel free to utilize the Research and Innovation community of practice Teams platform with the St. Clair College community. 

The cost depends on resources required to conduct the research project and can include student and faculty researcher time, as well as equipment and other relevant resources. Each project is unique, and the cost of the project is determined on a case-by-case basis. Funding agencies are often essential to the applied research process. There are many funding opportunities that can be reached locally, provincially, and federally. These include but are not limited to: CFI, CIHR, RDA Fed Dev, Mitacs, NRA, NSERC, and SSHRC. Contact us if you’re interested in applying for a research project grant and we would be happy to help in more detail.

Applied researchers follow ethical guidelines and protocols to ensure the integrity and safety of their research. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting confidentiality, and adhering to regulations and standards set by the Research Ethics Board (REB). Some research activities require REB approval, particularly when working with human participants. The College’s Research Ethics Board is responsible for reviewing proposals and granting ethics approval.

Learn more about the Research Ethics Board at St. Clair College.

When collaborating with industry partners in applied research activities, IP rights are often retained by the industry partner unless another arrangement is agreed upon in advance. When working on novel research endeavors, the St. Clair College Research and Innovation team is available to support with IP related inquiries by starting here.

St. Clair College is excited to share the fantastic work on current and previous research projects. Go to website.