"The work of a 'summer' is not always visible. Sometimes it lives in conversations carried across borders, in relationships quietly tended, and in ideas brought carefully home. The purpose is to keep momentum moving, our community connected to what is emerging, and St. Clair close enough to the future to help shape it rather than wait for it to arrive." |
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Director (Research & Innovation) |
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Community Meetings and Events |
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MP Kathy Borrelli Visits St. Clair College Research & Innovation |
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Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore MP Kathy Borrelli is flanked by members of St. Clair College's Research and Innovation team during a campus visit July 9, 2026. (John Fairley/St. Clair College) |
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St. Clair College recently welcomed Kathy Borrelli, Member of Parliament for Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore, for a visit and discussion focused on the important role colleges play in workforce development, applied research, innovation, and community growth. During the visit, representatives from the College highlighted how St. Clair continues to respond to the evolving needs of industry and the region through student-centred learning, applied research partnerships, and innovative programs that support economic development. Discussions explored emerging opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, data governance, and workforce training, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Ontario's college sector.
MP Borrelli expressed her appreciation for the College's facilities and the hands-on learning environments available to students, particularly those pursuing careers in the skilled trades. Drawing on her personal connection to the manufacturing and tooling sectors, she emphasized the importance of trades education and workforce development in supporting families, businesses, and the regional economy. The conversation also touched on the need to strengthen pathways into in-demand skilled trades and ensure students have access to the training required to succeed in today's workforce.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the role colleges play as drivers of innovation and regional resilience, as well as the importance of advocating for sustainable investment in both education and applied research. St. Clair College shared its ongoing efforts to remain responsive to emerging priorities, including technology development, industry collaboration, skills training, and economic growth.
The Research & Innovation team appreciated MP Borrelli's engagement, thoughtful questions, and willingness to better understand the needs of the college sector. Her visit reinforced the value of collaboration between government, education, and industry as the region continues to build a strong foundation for future growth, innovation, and student success. |
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St. Clair College Research & Innovation at the Rise Above Community Health Conference |
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St. Clair College Research & Innovation is proud to be part of the Rise Above Community Health Conference 2026, taking place September 25 at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts.
With this year’s theme, “Reclaiming Purpose in Care and Service,” the conference brings together professionals, community leaders, researchers and organizations to share ideas, insights and innovative approaches to community health and well-being.
The Rise Above Community Health Conference provides a valuable opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about improving care and service in our community. We look forward to sharing knowledge, learning from community partners, exploring new ideas, and building relationships that can lead to future research and innovation opportunities. Through these collaborations, we can help create solutions that are informed by the people and organizations they are intended to serve and ultimately contribute to a stronger, healthier community. |
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St. Clair College Welcomes Unitree R1 Humanoid Robot |
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Unitree R1 Humanoid Robot, name TBD. (St. Clair College) |
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This summer, St. Clair College became the first college in North America to acquire the newly released Unitree R1 humanoid robot through funding from NSERC's Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) program. The robot, housed within the Research and Innovation department, serves as a cutting-edge platform for applied research in robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and large language models (LLMs).
Standing approximately four feet tall and weighing 29 kilograms, the R1 can walk, run, communicate, and perform a variety of programmed tasks. More importantly, it provides students, researchers, and industry partners with opportunities to explore real-world applications of humanoid robotics, including process monitoring, quality inspection, predictive maintenance, workforce training, and automation solutions. |
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John Lopez, Program Manager, Research and Innovation Dpt. (St. Clair College) |
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The project supports St. Clair College's commitment to preparing students for emerging technologies by providing hands-on experience in robotics, programming, AI, cybersecurity, human-machine interaction, and ethical technology deployment. Researchers will also examine how AI systems can be developed to be more inclusive, culturally responsive, and relevant to diverse communities.
The arrival of the R1 has generated significant interest from industry leaders and innovation organizations, including the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), who see humanoid robotics as an emerging technology with the potential to improve productivity and competitiveness across sectors. The robot was also featured in local media, including CTV News Windsor and the Windsor Star, highlighting St. Clair College's leadership role in advancing next-generation technologies.
As development begins, the College looks forward to working with students and industry partners to explore the full potential of humanoid robotics and help shape the future of AI-driven innovation. |
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Research and Innovation Featured in Biz X Magazine |
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The Research and Innovation team at St. Clair College from left, including Program Manager, John Lopez; Business Development Manager, Sonja Popovski; Director, Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon; and Project Research Manager, David Potocek. |
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St. Clair College's Research and Innovation department was featured in the July/August 2026 edition of Biz X Magazine, highlighting the thought leadership of Director Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon and the department's evolving vision for innovation in higher education.
In the feature article,"Rethinking Innovation in Higher Education," Dr. Dhillon challenged traditional approaches to innovation by emphasizing the importance of people, purpose, and community impact alongside technological advancement. Through themes such as A Posture of Radical Care, The Intrapreneurs Among Us, From Measurement to Meaning, A National Invitation, and Reclaiming the Ethos of Innovation, the article explored how colleges can create meaningful change by supporting individuals who are willing to think differently, collaborate across disciplines, and address real-world challenges.
The feature highlighted the Research and Innovation department's commitment to fostering a culture where students, faculty, staff, industry partners, and community organizations work together to drive innovation that is both economically impactful and socially responsible. Dr. Dhillon emphasized that true innovation extends beyond technology and commercialization to include relationship-building, inclusivity, student success, and creating opportunities that strengthen communities.
The recognition in Biz X Magazine provided an opportunity to showcase St. Clair College's growing leadership in applied research and innovation while contributing to broader conversations about the future of higher education in Canada. The article reinforces the department's ongoing mission to support transformative research, empower emerging innovators, and ensure that innovation remains grounded in purpose, humanity, and meaningful outcomes. |
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WEtech Alliance Named OVIN Regional Technology Development Site |
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RTDS Team (WEtech Alliance) |
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St. Clair College's Research & Innovation team is proud to celebrate a significant milestone for the region as WEtech Alliance has been designated an Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS).
This designation represents a major investment in the future of innovation and advanced mobility in Windsor-Essex. Through the program, the Province of Ontario is investing up to $1.5 million in the Windsor-Essex RTDS, supported by nearly $3.35 million in private sector contributions and $1.75 million in public sector support, bringing the total commitment to approximately $6.6 million.
The new RTDS will strengthen the region's capacity to support businesses developing next-generation automotive, mobility, robotics, automation, and emerging technologies. By providing access to expertise, testing environments, research partnerships, and commercialization support, the initiative will help local companies accelerate innovation and bring new technologies to market.
As a long-standing partner within the Windsor-Essex innovation ecosystem, St. Clair College recognizes the important role WEtech Alliance plays in fostering entrepreneurship, supporting technology companies, and creating opportunities for collaboration among industry, academia, and community organizations. The RTDS designation further positions Windsor-Essex as a growing centre for innovation and reinforces the region's leadership in the future of mobility and advanced manufacturing.
The investment is expected to create new opportunities for businesses, researchers, and students while helping attract talent, investment, and economic growth to the region. St. Clair College looks forward to continuing its collaboration with WEtech Alliance and regional partners to support innovation-driven projects that strengthen our workforce, advance technology adoption, and contribute to the long-term prosperity of Windsor-Essex. |
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Strengthening Our Influence Across the Research Ecosystem |
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St. Clair College’s Research & Innovation leadership is taking on an expanded role in helping strengthen the voice of Colleges, CEGEPs and Polytechnics within Canada’s research ecosystem. Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon will begin her tenure as Chair of the Heads of Applied Research Ontario, while continuing to contribute nationally through the Colleges and Institutes Canada National Research Advisory Committee (NRAC). Together, these roles create an important opportunity to connect what is happening locally in Windsor-Essex with broader provincial and national conversations about the future of applied research. For Dr. Dhillon, the responsibility is larger than representing one institution. It is about ensuring that colleges, institutes, CEGEPs and polytechnics are recognized for the distinctive way they conduct research: closely connected to students, employers, industry, community organizations and regional needs. Her tenure as Chair will focus on strengthening collaboration across the college sector, creating more opportunities to share practice and infrastructure, advancing research security and responsible innovation, and advocating for sustainable support that allows applied research to become an increasingly embedded part of institutional life. A particular priority will be ensuring that the diversity of the college system is reflected in provincial and national decision-making. Institutions differ greatly in geography, capacity, research maturity and the communities they serve, and those differences need to be understood when policy, funding and research frameworks are developed. “There is a deep responsibility in carrying the voices of institutions beyond our own. Colleges have always been places where knowledge meets the ground — where research is translated through students, industry and community into something people can use. My hope for this tenure is to bring more of those voices together, to create space for shared learning and collective advocacy, and to ensure the college sector is not standing at the edge of Canada’s research future, but helping to shape it.” For St. Clair College and Windsor-Essex, this wider leadership also creates a pathway home. The relationships, knowledge and conversations taking place across Ontario and Canada can help identify emerging opportunities earlier, strengthen partnerships and ensure that the region continues to be represented in discussions that will influence the next generation of research and innovation. The goal is ultimately one of collective momentum: a stronger college research sector nationally, and stronger communities locally. |
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Windsor Innovation District Officially Unveiled |
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The St. Clair College Innovation District banner along Ferry Street in Windsor, Ont. on June 24, 2026. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College) |
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This summer marked an exciting milestone for Windsor-Essex's innovation ecosystem with the official launch of the Windsor Innovation District in Downtown Windsor. Community leaders from industry, education, entrepreneurship, and economic development gathered to celebrate the initiative, which aims to strengthen the region's reputation as a growing hub for innovation, technology, talent, and business development.
A key feature of the launch was the unveiling of new Innovation District branding and street banners throughout the downtown corridor, creating a visible identity for the concentration of innovation-focused organizations, entrepreneurs, students, and businesses located along the Ferry Street area. The initiative is being led by WEtech Alliance in collaboration with St. Clair College, the University of Windsor, Rocket Innovation Studio, Invest WindsorEssex, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), and the City of Windsor. The Innovation District builds on years of collaboration among regional partners and is intended to serve as a focal point for entrepreneurial activity, talent development, technology commercialization, and investment attraction. Through closer connections between businesses, postsecondary institutions, innovators, and community organizations, the district aims to create opportunities that support long-term economic growth across Windsor-Essex.
St. Clair College played a prominent role in the launch. President Michael Silvaggi highlighted the importance of collaboration between education, industry, and entrepreneurs in creating opportunities for students and graduates to contribute to a dynamic, technology-driven economy. Monica Staley Liang, Senior Vice President of Academic and Career Supports, emphasized that the district reflects the region's growing reputation as a place where ideas are transformed into innovation and where businesses have the support they need to grow and succeed.
The launch represents more than new signage and branding. As partners look to the future, the Windsor Innovation District is envisioned as a catalyst for collaboration, talent retention, business growth, and investment, helping position Windsor-Essex as one of Canada's emerging centres for innovation while creating lasting benefits for communities throughout the region. |
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Exploring Oppportunities in Canada's Defence Innovation Ecosystem |
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Panel at DURA 2026, Toronto, Canada. (John Lopez/St. Clair College) |
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On June 19, John Lopez, Program Manager with St. Clair College's Research and Innovation department, attended "Campus to Capability: Participate in the Defence Innovation Ecosystem", a provincial event hosted by eCampusOntario in Toronto. The event brought together leaders from postsecondary institutions, industry, and government to discuss emerging opportunities within Canada's growing defence innovation sector.
A central focus of the event was the launch of the Dual-Use Readiness Assessment (DURA) framework, a practical tool designed to help colleges, universities, and businesses assess their readiness to participate in dual-use research initiatives. DURA provides guidance for organizations seeking to engage in research and innovation activities that have both civilian and defence applications, while ensuring the protection of national security interests, intellectual property, and research integrity.
During the event, Lopez connected with colleagues from several Ontario colleges, including Mohawk, Durham, and Seneca, and gained valuable insight into how postsecondary institutions can support Canada's evolving defence and innovation priorities. The framework outlines key areas of readiness, including governance, personnel, infrastructure, and output control, helping institutions identify opportunities for responsible participation in defence-related research and industry partnerships.
Based on the current assessment model, St. Clair College would be considered at an early stage of readiness, with opportunities to further explore and identify dual-use potential within existing research activities. Moving forward, the Research and Innovation department will continue to investigate opportunities, build relationships with industry and academic partners, and monitor developments within the defence innovation landscape to better understand how the College can contribute to future defence-related initiatives and collaborations.
Participation in this event reflects St. Clair College's ongoing commitment to exploring new research opportunities, strengthening industry partnerships, and positioning students and faculty at the forefront of emerging sectors and innovation-driven economic growth. |
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New Research Ethics Resources Launch on the R&I Website |
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St. Clair College Research Ethics website. (R&I/St. Clair College) |
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The Research & Innovation department has launched a new Research Ethics section on the St. Clair College Research & Innovation website, creating a central hub for research ethics and research governance resources.
The new webpage provides faculty, staff, and students with access to ethics-related policies, procedures, application processes, training resources, and guidance to support responsible research practices. It also helps researchers better understand when ethics review may be required and how to navigate research activities involving human participants, data collection, and community engagement.
Developed to improve awareness and support across the College, the new resource reinforces St. Clair College's commitment to ethical research, responsible data stewardship, and compliance with national research standards. Researchers can now access key information and tools in one location, making it easier to plan, manage, and conduct research responsibly throughout the entire project lifecycle. |
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Exploring the Future of Maritime Innovation |
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Detroit Port Authority. (Sonja Popovski/ St. Clair College) |
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Sonja Popovski and John Lopez, members of St. Clair College's Research & Innovation team recently attended the Autonomous Horizons Maritime event hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority, an exciting showcase of emerging technologies that are transforming the future of maritime transportation.
The event brought together innovators, industry leaders, researchers, and government representatives to explore advancements in autonomous and sustainable transportation technologies. Among the highlights were demonstrations of an electric boat, an autonomous charging station, a large-scale drone platform, and even a Viking-inspired vessel, each illustrating how technology is reshaping the way people and goods may move across waterways in the future. |
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Detroit Port Authority. (Sonja Popovski/ St. Clair College) |
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Throughout the evening, attendees had the opportunity to learn about innovations focused on improving efficiency, sustainability, connectivity, and automation within the maritime sector. Discussions highlighted the growing role of autonomous systems, alternative energy solutions, advanced sensors, and intelligent infrastructure in supporting the next generation of marine transportation.
For St. Clair College, the event provided valuable insight into emerging technologies that align with ongoing applied research activities in areas such as autonomous systems, robotics, mobility, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. It also created opportunities to connect with industry partners and organizations exploring new approaches to transportation and logistics across the Great Lakes region.
As innovation continues to accelerate across land, air, and water, events such as Autonomous Horizons help strengthen regional collaboration and identify new opportunities for applied research, student engagement, and industry partnerships. The experience reinforced the importance of staying connected to emerging technologies that have the potential to drive economic growth and shape the future of transportation on both sides of the border. |
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St. Clair College Represented at World Humanist Congress |
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Daniel Dacombe, Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon and Martin Frith at the World Humanist Congress in Ottawa Ontario Aug. 7, 2026. (Source: Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon) |
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St. Clair College's commitment to leadership, community engagement, and global citizenship was highlighted this summer at the 2026 World Humanist Congress in Ottawa. Held from August 7 to 9, the international event brought together more than 500 delegates from over 40 countries to discuss human rights, equity, evidence-informed decision-making, and community resilience.
Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon, Director of Research and Innovation, played a significant role in the Congress, serving as Chair of the Program Committee and representing Canada on the Resolutions Committee. Through these leadership roles, she contributed to international discussions and helped shape recommendations and policy conversations within the global humanist movement.
Dr. Dhillon's participation brought perspectives from St. Clair College and the Windsor-Essex region to a global audience while reinforcing the College's growing involvement in national and international networks focused on research, innovation, community impact, and social responsibility.
The experience reflects St. Clair College's ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful connections that create opportunities for students, partners, and communities both locally and around the world. |
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Controlled Access Management for Research Data (CAM) Implementation Planning Working Group |
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St. Clair College’s Research & Innovation team contributed to a national initiative helping shape how research data is responsibly managed and protected across Canada. Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon, Director of Research & Innovation, participated in the Controlled Access Management for Research Data (CAM) Implementation Planning Working Group, a pan-Canadian initiative led in collaboration with the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and 44 partner organizations. The working group brought together expertise in research data management, ethics, cybersecurity, sensitive data and research infrastructure. Dr. Dhillon was listed among the national working group members representing St. Clair College. The group developed guidance to help institutions navigate the growing complexity of protecting, managing, and providing appropriate access to research data. Importantly, the work recognized that institutions operate within different environments and that implementation could not follow a single, one-size-fits-all model. “One of the most important contributions I brought to this working group was the college perspective. I was often the voice highlighting the nuances of how research is structured, understood and operationalized within colleges, which can look very different from a traditional research-intensive university environment. I consistently advocated for greater recognition of those differences and for more college voices from across Canada to be included in these national conversations. If we are building a research data ecosystem for the country, it needs to reflect the diversity of institutions actually doing the research including colleges and the communities, students and industry partners we serve.” — Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon, Director, Research & Innovation, St. Clair College For Windsor-Essex region and our local community, this work mattered because research increasingly involved data shared through partnerships with industry, health, community organizations and other collaborators. Strong approaches to data stewardship supported trust, helped protect sensitive and proprietary information, and created the conditions for local organizations to participate confidently in research and innovation. The work also recognized that colleges and smaller institutions may require flexible pathways, shared resources and sustained support to participate fully in Canada’s research data ecosystem. St. Clair College’s participation helped ensure that the realities of college-based applied research, industry collaboration, student-engaged research and regional communities were represented within that national conversation. The full guidance remains forthcoming, with further details to be shared once the work was publicly released. |
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Image of New Fee-For-Service platform. (Kevin Roy/St. Clair College) |
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Explore St. Clair College’s Research Services, providing local access to industry-leading technology, specialized equipment, and expert support. Available to staff, students, and local businesses, these services help drive innovation and support a technology-focused future. View the full list of services and equipment below to see how we can support your next project. |
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Featured Equipment: Instron 3380 Testing System |
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Image of Instron 3380 Testing System. (Kevin Roy/St. Clair College) |
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This heavy-duty universal testing machine provides precision tension and compression testing up to 100 kN (22,500 lbf). Designed for quality control, product validation, and materials testing, it delivers reliable and accurate performance for evaluating the strength, durability, and mechanical properties of a wide range of materials and components. Its robust design and user-friendly operation make it well suited for both industrial production environments and research applications. Click below and discover how this time-saving solution can enhance your workflow. |
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Lead With Kindness Campaign |
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St. Clair College, Research & Innovation is delighted to present the Lead with Kindness Campaign. This initiative brings caring individuals, organizations, and researchers together to address community needs and industry challenges. By focusing on tangible outcomes, every contribution and sponsorship helps introduce cutting-edge technologies to our region, strengthens collaboration with local partners, and creates lasting impact.
Join us for hands-on demonstrations at our Mobile Discovery Hub, explore new concepts at the Innovation Station, and support initiatives such as Sponsor a Student and WE-RIDE for Research.
Through these efforts, Lead with Kindness ensures that every act of support fuels meaningful progress, guiding both our community and industries toward a brighter, more innovative future. |
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MEET Jennifer Isherwood!! |
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"Working within the Research and Innovation Department has provided me with endless opportunities that I didn't think I would experience during my first year as a BScN Student at St. Clair College. I am currently working alongside Dr. Linda McDougall (Professor, St. Clair College), Brandon Marshall RPN (2nd year BScN student), and Brandon Boundy RN, RPN (MScN-Thesis student) on a project entitled 'Who is in Our Circle of Care' which is funded through the WE-SPARK Ideas Grant. I have contributed to the design and development of our research poster and our research survey which was used to collect data related to the personal recognition of implicit bias in RPN Students. I was able to attend the University of Windsor Research Symposium, where the poster was presented to other student and faculty researchers and will hopefully be attending other conferences to present our research findings later this year. As a student researcher at St. Clair College, I have been able to learn about the research process from an openminded and supportive team, who has valued all of my contributions. Through my participation in the School of Nursing, SCC Research and Scholarship Committee and as a student researcher, I have had the incredible pleasure to collaborate with and learn from passionate and knowledgeable research professionals and hope to continue to do so throughout my time in the BScN program." - Jennifer Isherwood |
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That's all for Summer 2026! Stay tuned for our next newsletter !!! |
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