Research areas, projects and partnerships

In most cases, projects involve collaboration with multiple departments, other postsecondary institutions (CEGEPs and universities), industry or non-for-profit organizations. This collaborative approach to conducting research allows teams to apply an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary lens to their work and to foster relationships with academic and community partners.

The resulting knowledge generated and/or innovations developed consequently reflect different yet complementary expertise and insights and inherently reach a greater number of relevant stakeholders—both of which increase their potential to effect positive change. 

By clicking on the corresponding links above, you may consult a list of active and recently completed projects, as well as associated researchers/developers, within each thematic area.

Focus on the learning sciences and student success

The majority of our researchers conduct applied research in the learning sciences. These researchers investigate and provide innovative solutions to teaching and learning challenges in various contexts.  

In addition to the forms of collaboration outlined in the previous section, faculty researchers may collaborate with Pedagogical Counsellors within Vanier College’s Pedagogical Support and Innovation Office and Learning Commons, who provide guidance with respect to the incorporation and sustainability of resulting teaching and learning innovations within curricula and/or other institutional student success services. 

Moreover, in alignment with Vanier College’s institutional values and strategic priorities, student success is at the heart of all initiatives. Our researchers help students acquire the competencies they need to succeed in their studies and future (research or non-research) careers. They accomplish this via innovations in teaching and learning resulting from research in the Learning Sciences and/or by incorporating students directly into research teams across thematic areas. 

Recent projects by research area

A list of active and recently completed projects, organized thematically, is provided below. For projects marked with an asterisk (*), the parent grant is managed by an institution other than Vanier College, and only the funding corresponding to the associated grant to Vanier is specified in the table. For projects marked with a double asterisk (**), the grant is exclusively managed by an institution other than Vanier College, and the amount of funding transferred to Vanier is not specified in the table.

Partnerships

Below is a non-exhaustive list of active or recent partnerships (as of 2025-2026). This list is updated periodically and may not reflect all relevant partnerships at any given moment in time.

CEGEPs, universities and research centers

• Dawson College
• John Abbott College
• Champlain College
• Marianopolis College
• McGill University
• Concordia University
• Université de Montréal
• Université du Québec à Montréal
• Université Laval
• Institut MILA
• Centre d’optique, photonique et lasers (COPL)
• Pôle International de la Marionnette
• Observatoire Interdisciplinaire de Création et Recherche en Musique (OICRM)

Industry

• Ubisoft Montréal

Non-for-profit organizations

• Edu2
• Building 21
• La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec
• Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT)

More information 

To learn more regarding each initiative, reach out to the project lead and consult Recent News posted on our website under the ‘Research’ tag. For administrative information regarding how to obtain financial support for and conduct a new project, visit the this page and/or contact the Research Officer.