Fleming College
AC-10: Support for Research

The Office of Sustainability co-hosts a Pitch Competition with the School of Business where students research a sustainable solution to a campus or community problem and then "pitch" their solutions to a panel of judges. Multiple solutions are then funded to be implemented by the students. Fleming College Innovation and Technology Showcase in partnership with Bell Hosted at the Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre (KTTC) at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus, the event is a showcase of experiential learning in action. Throughout the winter, students from the School of Business and School of Trades and Technology have worked with sponsors from industry and non-profit sectors to find innovative solutions to a business-or technology-related problem. The students gain academic credit and on-the-job experience by undertaking these supervised applied projects. At the same time, the project results provide new information, answer questions, contribute to planning and, lay the groundwork for future innovations. “Through these projects, students make a valuable contribution to the local community and economy, while gaining entrepreneurial experience. These projects prepare students to be high performers in the workforce,” continued Dean Mann. “Their participation in the Showcase further allows them to highlight their accomplishments, gain confidence and build their network. Thank you to Bell for supporting the Innovation and Technology Showcase.” https://flemingcollege.ca/news/putting-the-spotlight-on-applied-learning-at-the-fleming-college-innovation-and-technology-showcase-in-partnership-with-bell-2/

Fleming College’s current Strategic Plan encourages expanding applied research activities into all Fleming College programs. Incentives for faculty to conduct research include providing release time, potential project funding, and assistance in preparing project/grant proposals. Applied research activities and successes are celebrated and promoted through internal and external marketing (such as the published “Applied Research Annual Review”). Fleming’s two major applied research centers, the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT, an NSERC Technology Access Centre) and the Centre for Sustainable Municipalities (CSM) engage in research that directly contribute to areas of sustainability. Faculty researchers involved in both centers are drawn from multiple programs and disciplines.

Preference for experience and capability to engage in applied research is now included in most faculty job postings

The Library has research guides for all programs, including our programs with an environmental focus (e.g., Sustainable Building Design, Sustainable Ag, etc). Additionally, the library staff is available to help all staff and students with research and library resources.