ISR provides services to academic research projects funded by tri-council agencies (the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Some of the recent academic projects include:
Research Period: 2019-present
Funding Source: SSHRC
Principal Investigator: Professor Lorne Foster, York University
Project Description: The “Blackness in Canada” research project examines Black Canadian identity, practice and experiences with the intent to build networks aimed at equity policy development, implementation and outcomes. The research has four objectives: (1) to investigate the Black Canadian population as a national ethnoracial identity; (2) to investigate how the experiences of Black Canadians are shaped by intersecting social, political, and economic factors; (3) to determine the most promising approaches to alleviate anti-Black racism experienced by them; and, (4) to create a framework for a comprehensive policy network to adapt to Black community issues using a holistic approach.
ISR’s contact: Lorne Foster, Director of ISR
For more information: https://blacknessincanada.ca/
Research Period: 2020-present
Funding Source: CIHR
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Eric Kennedy (York University), and Dr. Claudia Chaufan (York University), and Dr. Kieran O’Doherty (University of Guelph).
Project Description: This is a Canada-wide web survey which examines how Canadians understand and perceive the COVID-19 outbreak. The goal of the survey is to better understand health risks facing Canadians. ISR’s role is to assist in the data collection of panel web surveys (n=9,000).
ISR’s contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
Research Period: 2020 – present
Funding Source: Government of Ontario, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Principal Investigator: Dr. Uzo Anucha, School of Social Work, York University
Project Description: YouthREX is a province-wide initiative based at York University with five regional Hubs across Ontario. Their mission is to make research evidence and evaluation practices accessible and relevant to Ontario’s grassroots youth sector through knowledge exchange, capacity building and evaluation leadership.
By using web surveys and semi-structured in-depth interviews, ISR will assist the YouthREX team in collecting data that will help to understand how youths and youth workers across Ontario are adapting in the COVID-19 context.
ISR’s contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
For more information: www.youthrex.com
Research Period: 2019-present
Funding Source: Canadian Blood Services
Principal Investigator: Professor Nathan Lachowsky, University of Victoria
Project Description: This is a national telephone study across Canada which examines who is allowed to donate blood, if the sexual practises of those who donate should be considered, and attitudes towards minority groups of people who may donate blood. The study is being conducted for researchers at the University of Victoria (in British Columbia) and the Community-Based Research Centre (in Vancouver), and funded by the Canadian Blood Services.
ISR’s contact: Stella Park, Project Manager
Research Period: 2016-2021
Funding Source: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Principal Investigator: Professor Yvonne Bohr, York University
Project Description: Making I-SPARX Fly in Nunavut is a youth and community-directed e-mental health intervention designed with and for Inuit youth. It involves the development and use of a computer game that builds resilience and promotes mental health. ISR’s main role is to provide statistical consultation and provide input for the development of I-SPARX evaluation measures.
ISR’s contact: Hugh McCague
Website: https://www.isparxnunavut.com/
Research Period: 2019-2020
Principal Investigator: Jane Mulatz, Director, Strategy & Accreditation at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University
Project Description: ISR worked with the team at the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University to conduct a survey of their graduate students and alumni. The web-based survey was designed to be the first of a series of ongoing student studies. The primary aim of the survey is to assist St Mary’s to better understand the
experience of graduates in the realm of entrepreneurship, assess their social and civic engagement, and identify trends and patterns re continuing education.
ISR’s Contact: Liza Mercier, Project Manager
Research Period: 2019-2020
Funding Source: SSHRC
Principal Investigator: Professor Dr. James Turk, Director of Ryerson University’s Centre for Free Expression
Project Description: This SSHRC funded project was completed for a consortium of academic researcher from multiple Canadian universities under the direction of Dr. James Turk, Director of Ryerson University’s Centre for Free Expression. Questionnaire design commenced in Fall, 2019 and an online questionnaire was developed in the winter of 2020. The sample included approximately 3,000 members of Canadian Actors Equity and online data collection was completed near the end of the current budget year. The funds for this project are mostly collected at the start of the next budget year. The goal of the research is to learn more about the extent of harassment and bullying in the live performance industry, how it is being dealt with, the effectiveness of current anti-harassment and whistleblowing initiatives and what can be done to improve them.
Research Period: 2018-2019
Funding Source: SSHRC
Principal Investigator: Professor Emeritus Paul Anisef (Sociology), York University
Co-investigators: Professor Emeritus Paul Axelrod (Education), York University, Professor Carl James (Education), York University; Professor Karen Robson (Sociology) McMaster University); Professor Wolfgang Lehmann, Western University.
Project Description: This unique study follows up with an Ontario cohort of late baby boomers who were part of the high school graduating “Class of ‘73” and comprises the seventh phase of a 46 year longitudinal research project. Study participants, first interviewed in 1972, are now either in the early stages or on the cusp of retirement. Respondents to the survey have lived through a period of unprecedented economic and social change and the study offers an opportunity to explore how life experiences including education and work have shaped people’s lives. The original survey was conducted with 2,522 Grade 12 students from 97 Ontario high schools in 1972 and over time, five follow-up surveys have been conducted with the same participants. The last follow up survey was completed in the winter of 1994. At that time, the study participants were 40-42 years of age, in mid-life and mid-career, often married and in the process of raising their own children. Over a period of twenty years, the researchers found that three fifths of this cohort experienced upward, one fourth downward, and less than one-third downward mobility in their careers. The cohort is now 61-65 years of age, and approaching the typical age of retirement. Findings from the current survey, being completed over the telephone, will examine how life choices are shaped by significant social and economic changes as well as individual’s health, education, careers and friendships.
ISR’s contact: David Northrup, Director, Survey Research
For more information: https://classof73.apps01.yorku.ca
Research Period: 2016-present
Funding Source: SSHRC Insight Development Grant
Principal Investigator: Dr. Glenn Stalker, York University
Project Description:
ISR’s contact: David Northrup, Director, Survey Research
Research Period: 2014-2017
Funding Source: SSHRC
Principal Investigators: Dr. Valerie Preston, York University and Dr. Brian Ray, University of Ottawa
Project Description: This research project examines the impacts of race, gender, social network, and place on employment and social mobility of the second generation (adult children of immigrants) in the Greater Toronto. ISR is currently interviewing 2,000 individuals who are second generation (children of immigrants), between 25 and 44 years of age, from various racial/ethnic groups across Toronto CMA.
ISR’s contact: David Northrup and Stella Park
For more information: http://second-generation.info.yorku.ca/
Research Period: 2016 – 2017
Funding Source: Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration and International Trade
Principal Investigator: Dr. Pat Bradley, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, York University. With assistance of Partners from Colleges of Algonquin, Centennial, Fanshawe, George Brown, Mohawk, University Health Network (UHN), Bridgepoint Active Health care (BAH), and the center for Inter-professional education.
Project Description: The purpose of this research is a) to assess learning needs of participants such as nursing faculty who teach IEN students in a BSN bridging education program, b) to identify best practices for teaching IEN and culturally diverse groups in bridging education and in clinical practice, and c) develop nursing faculty teaching skills in bridging programs and in preparation for IEN/ diverse learners to successful employment. The web survey is being conducted for the research team by the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at York University.
ISR’s contact: Richard Myles
For more information: http://health.research.yorku.ca/six-connected-themes/pat-bradley/
To look at ISR's projects in the: