Abstract: This report presents findings from the Hamilton Immigrant Survey 2023, where close to 700 immigrants shared their experiences with housing, income, employment, sense of belonging, service usage and provided immigrant-led recommendations. In this survey, immigrant refers to anyone who was born outside Canada and lives, works, or studies in Hamilton. This includes economic class immigrants, family-sponsored immigrants, refugees, international students, refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, and recent Ukrainian arrivals. Findings from this survey provide a snapshot of how immigrants are faring in various aspects of life, as perceived by immigrants themselves and — for some questions — shared in their own words. The survey also reveals how these differ according to markers such as immigration category and status, length of time in Canada, racialized status, and gender. This report aims to contribute to our understanding of the experiences, strengths, challenges and contributions of various groups of immigrants in Hamilton in order to guide future actions to improve the settlement experiences of newcomers and immigrants.

The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) is working with students through CityLAB to further explore immigrant experiences with belonging. A summary report will be available in early Spring. HIPC is open to collaborations with community partners and encourages using the Immigrant Survey as a resource to inform collective action locally.

Learn more here and read the report here.

Abstract: This interdisciplinary study aims to engage marginalized communities in discourse surrounding loss, coping mechanisms, and help-seeking behaviors catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By delving into these discussions, the project seeks to inform the development of public health policies addressing the pandemic’s aftermath and contribute to the realization of transformative changes outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This endeavor aligns with McMaster University’s commitment to advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The study objectives encompass shedding light on how South Asian and Black communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) perceive and experience loss in the context of race, ethnicity, gender, health, age, and religion/spirituality. Additionally, the research aims to explore coping strategies employed by these communities in response to the pandemic-induced losses and identify barriers hindering their access to essential health and mental health services. Utilizing diverse knowledge mobilization approaches, the study endeavors to provide platforms for these racialized communities to share their narratives and expertise, thereby fostering empowerment and advocacy for improved community-level resources and services rooted in an understanding of differential COVID impacts and equitable health promotion practices.

Find more here.

Abstract: The Community Research Platform (CRP) is a partnership between the Faculty of Social Sciences and five community organizations (i.e. Canadian Mental Health Association Hamilton, Centre [3] for Artistic and Social Practice, Hamilton Public Library, John Howard Society of Ontario and YWCA Hamilton).

As a McMaster Core Research Platform, we are dedicated to building shared infrastructure to foster collaborative research that advances societal health and well-being. We strive to:

• Increase the research capacity of all stakeholders
• Support the research needs and aspirations of partner organizations
• Advance interdisciplinary and intersectoral social impact research
• Provide Community-Engaged Research training and professional networking for students
• Increase capacity to secure academic, community and government grant funding

Learn more about the CRP here.

Affiliated Projects:

• The Dynamic Model of Evaluation for Means Safety Training (CMHA)
• The Public Library in the Life of the Community: Understanding Social Workers’ roles in Hamilton Public Library (HPL)
• Centre [4] Art & Research (Centre [3] for Artistic and Social Practice)
• Responding to Pregnancy, Infant Apprehension and Homelessness: Building Community Capacity for Adequate Housing and Support Through YWCA Hamilton (YWCA)

Abstract: The Adult Basic Education Association (ABEA) is the adult learning network in Hamilton, Ontario. They offer educational pathway planning to help adults reach their educational goals. As Research Shop associates, we worked with ABEA to understand what challenges and barriers apprentices face throughout their training journey. We conducted a focus group with key informants to identify potential challenges and barriers (which helped us develop our interview guide), and then we conducted in-depth interviews with current apprentices. We identified multiple challenges and barriers that exist at different points throughout apprenticeship training, including finances, transportation, social relationships, self-doubt, learning differences, navigating through training, and securing a sponsor. Our community partner (ABEA) was highly engaged in all stages of the research process, including co-facilitating interviews, recruiting participants, and preparing the technical report.

Learn more here.

Abstract: Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) are an essential part of Ontario’s education industry and play a crucial role in shaping our future workforce. The Government of Ontario estimates the province will face a shortage of 8,500 ECEs by 2026. Workforce Planning Hamilton (WPH) is working with McMaster Research Shop to understand issues with recruiting and retaining ECEs in Hamilton. This project is being conducted in 2 phases. Phase 1 consists of a literature review and key informant interviews to identify potential challenges of ECE recruitment and retention. Phase 2 involves conducting an online survey of ECEs in Hamilton to estimate the prevalence of these challenges. Preliminary data emerging from Phase 1 indicate that ECEs enjoy participating in the early development of children and celebrating their accomplishments; however, insufficient compensation, high workload, irregular work schedules, limited or undefined career progression, and lack of public and professional recognition pose significant challenges for ECEs in the area.

Learn more here.

Abstract:  Based on observations, Filipinos are an underrepresented demographic in post-secondary education. The McMaster Research Shop partnered with the Filipinas of HamOnt to better understand this issue.

We conducted a literature review to gather information on the rates/proportions of post-secondary attendance among people of Filipino descent in Canada and reasons that may explain these trends.

We found that Filipinos are underrepresented in universities and experience lower intergenerational educational mobility compared to other visible minorities. Gender and age at immigration were important factors. We present reasons for Filipinos’ lower post-secondary attainment in an adapted ecological systems model. Filipino youth are less engaged in school, experience pressures due to their parents’ de-professionalization, and lack confidence to pursue careers that would require post-secondary education. Barriers within the educational system include streaming practices, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, devaluation of prior academic credentials, and lack of cultural representation in curriculums. Broader immigration and labour policies, labour market structures, and lack of representation in societal roles were also barriers.

Our findings highlight the need for policies and programs to support Filipino youth. The Filipinas of HamOnt will use our findings to inform programming that helps Filipino youth achieve their post-secondary educational goals.

Learn more here.

Abstract: The McMaster Research Shop partnered with the Youth Alliance for Intersectional Justice (YAIJ) to explore services available for autistic adults during their cancer journeys. While developmentally appropriate services are often prioritized for children, there is a significant gap in understanding how the specific needs of autistic adults are addressed within oncology care.

Primary research question: What are the developmental oncology services available, if any, to autistic adults with and without intellectual disabilities?

Our sub-research questions focus on:

1. healthcare service challenges and needs unique to autistic adults and cancer patients,
2. existing policies/legislation/guidelines for cancer care and systems navigation for adults with developmental and/or intellectual challenges, and
3. cancer care and systems navigation services and supports available to autistic adults in the Hamilton/Burlington area.

We conducted a literature review and environmental scan to understand what is already known about the unique healthcare needs of autistic adults, as well as to identify existing policies and programs. We will interview local service providers to gain further insights.

We will present our findings in a plain language report to inform YAIJ’s advocacy work. Our research may also inform future research and program development on developmental oncology services.

Learn more here.

Abstract: Middle-aged men are more likely to die by suicide than any other demographic, prompting initiatives to improve their mental health. The Suicide Prevention Community Council of Hamilton (SPCCH) collaborated with McMaster Research Shop to investigate effective men’s mental health programs. Phase 1 involved interviews with experts revealing a gender paradox: men are underdiagnosed yet have higher suicide rates. Man-to-man relationships were highlighted as crucial for improving mental health, particularly in activity-based settings. Phase 2 interviews with mental health initiatives revealed successful strategies: amplifying lived experiences, activity-based programs, intentional language, and advocacy efforts. Challenges included funding, measuring success, and participant retention. Several initiatives were assessed: Men’s Sheds, Buddy Up, Tough Enough To Talk About It, and Love Letter to Men. Each has strengths and limitations. Men’s Sheds offer activities but require financial resources. Buddy Up provides flexibility, Tough Enough To Talk About It targets industry workers, and Love Letter to Men encourages dialogue but does not directly foster social connection. SPCCH must tailor its initiative to Hamilton’s population, which includes identifying a target population and consideration of budget and funding constraints.

Learn more here.

Abstract: Children’s art can provide insight into developmental stages, emotional expression, cultural contexts, educational significance, and historical documentation. Unfortunately, children’s artwork has often been undervalued. The Children’s Design International Collection (CDIC) is interested in the collection and preservation of children’s artwork, seeking to understand the motivations and methods involved. They aim to collect any child-created pieces of significance, not just those perceived as high-quality. Currently, CDIC contributors typically have artistic backgrounds, but they seek to broaden their contributor base. CDIC has collaborated with the McMaster Research Shop to better understand the determinants of preserving or not preserving children’s art. In Phase 1, online interviews will be conducted with parents, grandparents, and guardians to understand the determinants, motivations, and barriers to the preservation of children’s art. The interviews will provide an in-depth understanding and uncover potential determinants that otherwise would have been missed. In Phase 2, an online survey will be completed by a larger population of parents, grandparents, and guardians. The findings from Phase 1 will inform the questions and response options in the Phase 2 survey. The findings of the interviews and survey will facilitate the development of strategies to increase submissions of children’s artwork to the CDIC’s collection.

Learn more here.

Learn more here.

Abstract: SRHR Hubs is a youth-led grassroots organization that advocates for and advances SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights). The SRHR grassroots sphere in Canada is often overlooked by government and other funding agencies. Grassroots organizations face a variety of challenges including difficulty securing funding sources that speak to their needs and political backlash due to stigma surrounding issues involving sexual health. The aim of this project is to elucidate barriers to SRHR work experienced by individuals and organizations and to better understand the nuances of their experiences. This study will include virtual semi-structured interviews with eligible participants and an optional demographics survey. The interviews will aim to develop an understanding of the SRHR grassroots experience, and the demographic data will be used to develop an understanding of how the SRHR grassroots experience may be related to specific identities and experiences. Participants will be recruited via snowball sampling and will include individuals aged 18 and older who are involved in the grassroots SRHR sphere. The findings of this study will be used to create a deliverable that will help to inform what can be changed or implemented to overcome existing social, political, and economic barriers to SRHR grassroots work.

Learn more here.

Abstract: The aging population in Canada has resulted in more than 5.6 million employees, or 35% of the workforce simultaneously managing adult/elder care responsibilities. Lack of workplace support can result in caregiver-employees leaving the workforce, taking early retirements, and/or missing workdays – all of which reduce productivity and cause avoidable costs to employers. Recognizing that the aging demographic will affect all workplaces, it is incumbent upon workplaces to implement gender sensitive caregiver-friendly workplace practices, such as the implementation of the newly unveiled CSA B701-17 Carer-inclusive and accommodating organizations Standard. In doing so, workplaces have the potential to enhance work-life balance, retention, autonomy and reduce health insurance costs. In partnership with academic researchers and organizational partners, the scaling up of the Standard, which is a gender-sensitive, accessible guide for employers, human resource professionals, and a wide variety of workplaces, will scale up the Standard and the many associated tools, while conducting intervention testing and economic evaluation research in specific workplaces. Simultaneously we disseminate knowledge through creating and mobilizing implementation tools for the Standard. In so doing, we will not only best capture variation across workplace sectors, but also provide the evidence-based research for scale-up of the CFWP across the country.

Learn more here.

Abstract: The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) supports interdisciplinary, impact focused research on aging. MIRA uses design thinking to engage with multiple perspectives: older adults, community organizations, the private sector and academics from different disciplines. Design thinking is an approach to research where we ask and answer questions from a lot of perspectives and people to generate solutions that meet the needs of the people we want to benefit from our solution. We encourage working with stakeholders to empathize with others’ perspectives, define problems, and ideate, prototype and test solutions. Join us at our poster to share your ideas about how this research approach works, and how we can make it work better for our community.

Learn more here.

Abstract: Too often prison health research is developed without partnership with or engagement of people with lived experience of incarceration, which is problematic for many reasons (including ethical, logistical, feasibility, and others). Our project, based at the McMaster University Department of Family Medicine, is working to change prison health research by establishing a Research Engagement Council of people with lived experience of incarceration. We ran recruitment and onboarding through fall 2023, ensuring to include representation of populations that are over-incarcerated in Canadian prisons due to racism, homophobia and colonization. We now have a Council of 14 lived experience experts who will meet once a month for at least a year. The Council themselves will be able to determine the direction of the council, and help drive the course of prison health research projects. In the first two meetings, we established a terms of reference, ran a “Research 101” seminar, and began discussing what the council would like to accomplish within our year. In the third meeting, the Council will further determine their direction, but in the meantime we are very happy to reach out to connect to any other prison-related projects happening in the McMaster University community or beyond.

Who We Are
The McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging is a coalition of researchers, trainees, older adults and caregivers working together to improve the health and well-being of older Canadians by advancing patient-oriented health research on aging.

What We Do
With a commitment to meaningfully engage older adults and caregivers and centre our work with the voices of those with lived experience, the Collaborative:

• Brings an aging perspective to health services and policy research
• Provides researchers and trainees with methods and tools needed to conduct patient-oriented research
• Facilitates partnerships and knowledge translation for patient-oriented research on aging

Connect With Us
Follow us on LinkedIn, X and YouTube or subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest news and resources available from the Collaborative.

The Collaborative is part of the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU)’s network of 14 health research centres across the province that provides scientific knowledge and supports high-quality patient-partnered research with the goal of improving health and the health system.

Learn more here.

Abstract: The purpose of this research project is to support the growth and implementation of No Hate in the Hammer’s (NHH) Belonging Pledge. The Belonging Pledge is a digital pledge that allows individuals and organizations to commit to combating hate and working toward inclusivity in Hamilton. However, the pledge currently has low accountability as limited measures are being taken to engage with stakeholders who have signed the pledge. After investigating strategies employed by advocacy and community-based organizations to engage communities both online and in physical spaces, we have identified several recommendations. These include establishing a stakeholder discussion forum, requiring personalized public accountability statements from stakeholders, and enhancing engagement through email marketing and social media outreach to both stakeholders and the public. To support the implementation of the final point, we intend to develop an evergreen content bank with posts and template emails that are informed by our research and various aspects of the Pledge. As we continue our research, we aim to collaborate with our partners to refine these findings and finalize an engagement strategy that can feasibly guide future actions by the NHH.

Learn more here.

Abstract: Post-secondary students face unique mental health challenges that may benefit from innovative support approaches. The Distress Centre of Halton is exploring the potential adaptation of their peer-led outbound call program, TeleCheck, to address student mental health challenges. This research examines the theoretical benefits of such a program to inform development and investment decisions. Through a rapid literature review of academic and grey literature, we examined student mental health needs, and the separate evidence bases for peer support and outbound call programs.

Abstract: Marginalized Canadian youth continue to face evolving mental health challenges in the post-pandemic era. Abrar Trauma and Mental Health Services (ATMHS), in partnership with McMaster Research Shop, is conducting a follow-up study to assess these needs and barriers to care. This research builds on the 2021-2022 “In This Together” campaign, which identified key obstacles such as financial barriers, long wait times, stigma, and a lack of culturally sensitive services. Through a literature review and focus groups with marginalized youth, this study will examine how the mental health of marginalized Canadian youth and their help-seeking behaviour have evolved in the post-pandemic era.

The study objectives encompass shedding light on how South Asian and Black communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) perceive and experience loss in the context of race, ethnicity, gender, health, age, and religion/spirituality. Additionally, the research aims to explore coping strategies employed by these communities in response to the pandemic-induced losses and identify barriers hindering their access to essential health and mental health services. Utilizing diverse knowledge mobilization approaches, the study endeavors to provide platforms for these racialized communities to share their narratives and expertise, thereby fostering empowerment and advocacy for improved community-level resources and services rooted in an understanding of differential COVID impacts and equitable health promotion practices.

Abstract: The Sex Workers’ Action Program Hamilton (SWAP) advocates for the decriminalization and recognition of sex work, universal health access, and economic empowerment for sex workers. To support their advocacy efforts, SWAP commissioned a literature review from the McMaster Research Shop to synthesize recent scholarly research relating to sex workers’ experiences with police, healthcare access, and social exclusion. This report details the findings from our review, which focused on studies published after the implementation of 2014 federal end-demand legislation (PCEPA).

Findings indicate that Canadian sex workers remain a marginalized group, facing significant challenges potentially exacerbated by end-demand legislation. Sex workers’ interactions with police are marked by significant stigma and discrimination, including condescending attitudes, victim-blaming, and dismissal of abuse reports. Trans and non-binary sex workers, as well as im/migrant sex workers, face disproportionate discrimination, including unreasonable stops, searches, and harassment, and
heightened surveillance. Consequently, sex workers exhibit widespread mistrust of police, deterring them from seeking their assistance in emergencies.

Healthcare access is hindered by stigma and fear of negative treatment, with nearly two-thirds of sex workers reporting unmet healthcare needs. Barriers include perceived condescending attitudes, judgment, and an unwillingness to take their health concerns seriously. Immigrant sex workers encounter additional barriers such as language difficulties, lack of culturally competent services, and fear of workplace inspections.

Despite these challenges, some studies highlight facilitators that improve access, including nonjudgmental staff and the availability of community/sex worker-led services. Research reveals that stigma exists both externally and within the sex work community, creating complex hierarchies and intersectional challenges. Social exclusion leads to discrimination, economic vulnerability, and mental health issues, contributing to isolation and barriers to support. To navigate these challenges, sex workers employ various strategies such as concealing their occupation, carefully managing disclosure, and engaging in “stealth organizing” to find supportive peers. Despite these individual efforts, the pervasive nature of stigma continues to hinder collective action for social change within the sex work community.

Key recommendations include decriminalizing sex work, improving police and healthcare provider training, establishing sex worker-led health services, and conducting more representative research on sex worker experiences. Overall, the findings suggest Canadian sex workers remain a marginalized group facing significant challenges, despite some community-led efforts to mitigate harms. Further research and policy changes rooted in bodily autonomy and human rights are needed to address ongoing issues.

Abstract: Through a collaboration with the McMaster Research Shop and the Brighter Spark Applied Research (BSAR) team, this project will develop and test a survey for the clients of organizations funded by United Way of Halton and Hamilton (UWHH), which will later be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment with this demographic. The survey will use the sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) develop survey measures that will highlight the gaps in assets among people who use UWHH services.

Within these gaps, the survey will also ask participants to identify what kinds of services would help meet their needs, as well as their experiences with existing services. The UWHH has also established an advisory committee to inform on the survey development.

Abstract: This project presents the findings from a project conducted by the McMaster Research Shop for the Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO). DJNO is a non-profit organization located in Hamilton, Ontario, with a mission to build a just and accessible Ontario where disabled people are empowered. One area of DJNO’s advocacy focuses on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which provides financial assistance, medical and employment support to disabled people. Initial evidence suggests that disabled communities in Ontario may face various barriers when accessing the ODSP and navigating related tribunal processes, which prompted this investigation.

The purpose of this research was to examine potential accessibility challenges in the ODSP application and related tribunal and legislative processes, with particular attention to the experiences of disabled people, and more specifically, Black, Indigenous, and racialized disabled populations. This study employed secondary research methods, including a review of academic and grey literature. Sources included peer-reviewed articles, organizational reports, and legal documents focused on the ODSP.

Based on our review, the literature suggests several potential barriers that disabled individuals may encounter when accessing the ODSP. For instance, the reviewed sources point to possible challenges in obtaining required medical documentation for ODSP applications and describe varied experiences in interactions with ODSP caseworkers. The literature also explores accounts from both successful and unsuccessful ODSP applicants, including their experiences with the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT). While our review indicates possible systemic barriers at various stages of interaction with the ODSP system, the most substantial evidence of racism-specific impacts appears to emerge in the appeals process for unsuccessful applicants. These preliminary findings suggest the value of conducting a more comprehensive investigation into potential racial disparities throughout all stages of the ODSP application and system processes.

Abstract:  Student club McMaster Start Coding, and charity STaBL Foundation have together introduced over 30,000 Grade 4 to 8 students to coding over the last decade. Children start with ShapeCreator an interactive overview of the graphics functions, and starter coding tool. However, because the coding language borrows words from English, there are many students who are not well-served by this system, including students who do not know English, and minority language students whose communities are trying to preserve their language and culture.

In a collaboration with Kji-Wikoum Studios, McMaster students, alumni and community members, we have developed a multi-lingual ShapeCreator. In our next steps: (1) We will recruit Mi’kmaw immersion schools to help us develop curriculum to teach STEM subjects in Mi’kmaw, which we hope will inspire other Indigenous communities to adopt the tool as well. (2) We will develop a phone version of the app for children without access to a computer outside school, and pilot it with SNS College of Engineering in Coimbatore, India. (3) We are recruiting NGOs in Nigeria to develop a teacher training program around this tool.

Abstract: Cycle Hamilton, a non-profit organization in Hamilton, is committed to promoting cycling safety for all ages and abilities. In Fall 2024, Cycle Hamilton partnered with the Research Shop for an 8-month project exploring motivations and barriers to collision reporting among vulnerable road users (e.g. cyclists, pedestrians) in Hamilton.

The primary research question aimed to understand the factors influencing collision reporting and whether underreporting of collisions occurs in the city. Accurate reporting of collisions involving vulnerable road users is essential for identifying crash frequency and severity, providing data that can advocate for the installation of safer infrastructure, such as bike lanes.
This study used a quantitative survey targeting vulnerable road users in Hamilton who had been involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. Preliminary findings suggest that underreporting of collisions among vulnerable road users is present in Hamilton. A key motivator for collision reporting is severe injury, while barriers include a lack of information about the collision reporting process and the time and distance required to reach a reporting centre.

The findings provide the first known examination of collision reporting from the perspectives of vulnerable road users in Hamilton. This research will offer valuable insights to inform Cycle Hamilton’s ongoing advocacy efforts.

Abstract: Co-designed with the Gilbrea Centre’s Intergenerational Advisory Group, the intergenerational kitchen pilot project was created to explore the impact of intergenerational, food and cooking-focused activities and programming on the social health and well-being of participants. It also aims to explore if this type of programming encourages feelings of inclusion and positive views on aging among participants.

The project entails 4 x 2-hour intergenerational kitchen sessions scheduled from February to April 2025, taking place at the Westdale United Church’s Community Kitchen. Participants consist of up to 6 community-dwelling older adults (55+) and 6 McMaster students (18+). Drawing on the co-design process, each session comprises a cooking-based activity, time to socialize, and eating together.

Potential benefits of the program will be evaluated using ethnographic-style field notes, pre-project interviews with older adults and pre-project surveys for students. Mood questionnaires will also be completed before and after sessions to measure participants’ mood. A final focus group after the pilot sessions will help capture further insight on the participants’ views of the project. These methods will help provide insights into the self-reported benefits of the intergenerational kitchen.

This study contributes to an understanding of innovative approaches to addressing well-being and the continued need for creative, community-based, intergenerational research. The findings carry implications for academic knowledge, specifically in promoting social health and well-being for older adults and students in intergenerational settings.

Abstract:The St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) Ethics Program seeks to support ethical decision-making in healthcare by improving its educational resources for patients, families, and healthcare providers. This study assessed the accessibility, effectiveness, and inclusivity of existing ethics resources through an environmental scan and primary data collection.

An environmental scan of Canadian ethics resources identified best practices and areas for improvement. A survey of 36 patient-facing staff and a focus group with six Ethics Committee members highlighted key concerns. Identified barriers included limited visibility, insufficient training, and a lack of cultural and linguistic inclusivity. The study’s findings informed an evaluation framework to guide continuous improvement. Recommendations include offering digital and print materials, using plain language with visual aids, providing multilingual options, and developing distinct resources for staff and patients. By addressing these gaps, SJHS can enhance the usability and reach of its ethics resources.

Abstract: The Substance Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN) is interested in exploring culturally responsive harm reduction models to better support racialized and ethnoculturally diverse communities. While harm reduction services play a critical role in addressing the overdose crisis, many existing programs are designed within frameworks centered on cisgender and non-racialized individuals, potentially limiting their accessibility and effectiveness for diverse populations. This research seeks to assess and document innovative service models that integrate cultural competency to inform future program development and knowledge mobilization. By mapping these services, this research aims to foster inter-organizational learning, enhance service development, and promote equity-driven harm reduction strategies.

Abstract: In 2020, Ontario implemented significant changes to its mathematics curriculum, mandating computer programming (coding) instruction from grades 1-9. Mathstronauts is a non-profit organization in Hamilton that offers programs for middle school students to get hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through Mathstronauts’ existing co-curricular programming in Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) schools, informal feedback suggests that teachers face significant challenges in delivering this new curriculum component. The McMaster Research Shop is partnering with Mathstronauts to ascertain the challenges middle school teachers face in delivering the coding curriculum and explore how to best design a coding training program for teachers to address these challenges. To do this, the Research Shop team is conducting surveys and interviews with middle school teachers and math facilitators at the HWCDSB and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) to collect feedback (results to come).

Abstract: Co-designed with community dwelling older adults living with dementia and their care partners, the “Dementia Tech Club” was created to support their social inclusion and address their self-identified digital learning needs. This project sought to understand how to best support older adults living with dementia and their care partners as they learn about and use technology.

The initial two participatory co-design workshop sessions at Burlington Public Library gathered participants’ (4 people living with dementia and 2 care partners) views on different technologies that can promote social connection and they would like to learn about during the “Tech Club”. The subsequent 8-week 2-hour sessions aligned with participants’ views and learning needs.

The project was evaluated using a wide range of methodologies: ethnographic style field notes, pre-project interviews, pre- and post-session mood questionnaires, and a post-project focus group.
This project contributes to raising awareness about dementia within society and the importance of co-creating initiatives designed to support those living with dementia through technological means. This research addresses a significant gap in our understanding of how to bridge the digital divide and promote social health and wellbeing for people living with dementia.

Abstract: The Church of Saint John the Evangelist serves the Kirkendall and Durand neighbourhoods, offering various programs to its approximately 200 congregation members. To better understand how these programs are meeting the needs of its community, the Research Shop conducted a needs assessment using a comprehensive survey and key informant interviews. A report was created by the Research Shop, which summarized our findings, providing insights into the congregation’s program awareness and usage, satisfaction levels, and potential service gaps. The research uncovered significant challenges in program awareness and participation, with many programs experiencing substantial disparities between awareness and active engagement.

Overall program satisfaction was generally positive. However, the research identified critical barriers to participation, primarily scheduling incompatibilities and insufficient program communication. The congregation expressed a strong desire for more inclusive and diverse programming. Interview participants emphasized the need for targeted support for underrepresented groups, including families with young children, LGBTQ+ members, and newcomers to the Anglican tradition. Recommended strategic priorities include developing a comprehensive communication strategy, addressing accessibility challenges, creating more flexible program timing, and implementing informal, relationship-driven feedback mechanisms. These findings will be highlighted in this poster presentation.

Who We Are
The McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging is a coalition of researchers, trainees, older adults and caregivers working together to improve the health and well-being of older Canadians by advancing patient-oriented health research on aging.

What We Do
With a commitment to meaningfully engage older adults and caregivers and centre our work with the voices of those with lived experience, the Collaborative:

• Brings an aging perspective to health services and policy research
• Provides researchers and trainees with methods and tools needed to conduct patient-oriented research
• Facilitates partnerships and knowledge translation for patient-oriented research on aging

Connect With Us
Follow us on LinkedIn, X and YouTube or subscribe to our mailing list to receive the latest news and resources available from the Collaborative.

The Collaborative is part of the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU)’s network of 14 health research centres across the province that provides scientific knowledge and supports high-quality patient-partnered research with the goal of improving health and the health system.

The Public and Patient Engagement Collaborative (PPEC) at McMaster University supports organizations and teams in engaging patients, caregivers, and community members in health research, system planning, and governance. Operating at the interface of research, policy, and practice, we provide resources and tools to build, sustain and evaluate equity-focused engagement-capable environments.

Abstract: Co-creation approaches, including co-design and co-production, are increasingly recognized as best practices in engaging health and social service users for service improvement. However, without intentional inclusivity, these processes risk reinforcing systemic inequities. This study aimed to develop three micro-credentials—EqCC Ambassador, EqCC Coach, and EqCC Experience Advisor—to promote equity-based co-creation (EqCC).

Using an iterative co-design approach, over 40 stakeholders—including individuals with lived experience, service providers, students, researchers, and policymakers—were engaged through interviews, pilot testing, curriculum design, and scenario development. Initial interviews with eight key informants informed content development, followed by small-group feedback sessions. An instructional designer then translated insights into interactive online modules.

Grounded in seven core EqCC principles, the iterative design process enhanced the relevance and applicability of the micro-credentials, with real-world examples illustrating best practices.

These micro-credentials aim to empower service providers, policymakers, students, and individuals with lived experience from historically underserved communities—including Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals—to actively participate in co-creation processes. Recruitment is ongoing through the EqCC Research Hub and partner networks to ensure diverse representation and meaningful engagement in service design and delivery.

Abstract: ChloroNova proposes an innovative solution to two critical global challenges: climate change and antimicrobial resistance. In a world where rising carbon emissions threaten ecosystems and public health, and antibiotic resistance renders many treatments ineffective, our venture aims to address these issues simultaneously through a circular economy-driven approach. We have developed a biosystem that transforms industrial carbon emissions into a valuable resource, using genetically engineered algae to produce high-value biomolecules, such as antimicrobial peptides. This scalable and sustainable platform bridges the gap between environmental responsibility and a resilient health infrastructure.

Our system leverages waste carbon dioxide emissions from high-output industries, such as Hamilton’s steel manufacturing sector and distilleries in the Niagara region, to fuel algal bioreactors. These biofactories are designed to sequester carbon at its source while producing high-value peptides for applications in therapeutic, cosmetic, and agricultural sectors. Unlike traditional bacterial systems, which require sugar feedstocks and generate greenhouse gases, algae-based bioproduction offers a sustainable alternative that mitigates food scarcity and reduces environmental impact.

Abstract: This study will investigate how older immigrants perceive and interact with platform-mediated gig work as they navigate evolving physical, mental, and technological mobility demands. The goal of this study is to better understand the mobility experiences and aspirations of older immigrants in platform-based gig work. Through interviews with older immigrants and relevant stakeholders, as well as surveys and co-design workshops with older immigrants working on gig-work platforms, the study will provide a comprehensive understanding of how older immigrants interact with and are impacted by various challenges and opportunities while participating in gig-work. The end-users are older immigrants in the platform-mediated gig workforce. The stakeholders include older immigrants, digital gig work platforms, policy-makers, labour organizations, and newcomer settlement organizations. The findings will improve the efficacy and usability of digital gig-work platforms by enhancing ease of understanding, navigation, and user-friendliness, which will benefit both end users and other stakeholders. This project will improve older newcomers’ access to resources and opportunities for well-being and prosperity by enhancing their financial and physical mobility.

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Abstract: Children’s artwork holds untapped potential for understanding social, cultural, and developmental aspects of childhood, yet it remains undervalued compared to adult- created art. This study aimed to identify motivations and barriers influencing the preservation of children’s artwork and contributions to the Children’s Design International Collection (CDIC) archive. Understanding these factors is crucial for the CDIC to increase archive submissions, thereby enhancing its ability to educate the public on the significance of children’s art and preserve it for future generations.

Abstract: Media representations of environmental issues often depict generational divides with younger people as eco-warriors battling for planetary sustainability against a homogenous population of uncaring older people. To better understand how these age politics play out in sites of eco-activism, this study is examining intergenerational relationships in plogging – a leisure-time physical activity in which people pick up litter while jogging, walking, or biking. Using an ethnographic approach, we are employing go-along interviews to concurrently interview and observe Canadians as they plog. To date, seven people ranging in age from 27 to 78 have participated in this study. Emergent findings suggest that plogging is an active form of leisure in which people engage to benefit their personal health, as well as the health of their communities. Younger participants have shared that engaging in leisure disrupted their negative perceptions of older adults born out of narratives depicting older populations as uncaring about environmental issues. Older participants have spoken about plogging as a generative activity in which they teach younger generations about civic and environmental responsibility. We conclude from these findings that engaging in intergenerational plogging fosters community solidarity, offers opportunities for intergenerational learning, and contributes to shared futures of sustainability, well-being and togetherness.

Abstract: Self-censorship among university students has become an expanding issue as they manage to fulfill their expressive needs against academic responsibilities and professional goals. Our research assesses McMaster University student self-censor behaviour together with its driving elements and verifies possible gaps across different fields of study and educational environments. Our study based on qualitative interviews investigates the ways business students together with social science and humanities students manage their desire for self-expression against outside influences on their behaviour. Initial outreach efforts to faculty and program directors in business and humanities faced challenges due to low participant engagement. To address this, we expanded recruitment to the social sciences, ultimately supplementing our sample through peer and acquaintance networks while maintaining rigorous research integrity. Students from humanities and social science areas face ideological challenges in their interactions yet business students use self-censorship systematically to progress in their careers. Self-censorship functions differently across disciplines as an implementing restraint in addition to serving as an adaptive mechanism inside academic environments. Our research provides insight into how university environments shape students’ speech behaviours, laying the foundation for future exploration of self-censorship in higher education.

Abstract: Gender-based violence is a prominent issue across Canada and within Hamilton, being declared an epidemic within the city in 2023. There is a need to engage men in gender-based violence prevention programming. Interval House is an organization that runs gender-based violence prevention programming called Mentor Action. The Mentor Action program has been funded by a Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) grant to provide a gender-based violence prevention training program for men working in skilled trades (Mentor Action Training). In May 2024, Interval House partnered with the Research Shop to conduct a literature review on the following research questions:

• What are best practices in gender-based and sexual violence prevention, education, and/or training in hypermasculine workplaces?
• What work exists pertaining to this topic specifically in the skilled trades?

The literature review examined a range of peer-reviewed articles and grey literature reports on engaging men in gender-based violence programming, particularly in workplace and hypermasculine workplace settings. A set of 16 recommendations to guide programming were developed based on the findings.

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After 6 years of operation at McMaster University, Brighter Spark is now a private firm with Canadian, US and International experience in applied research, strategy, evaluation, collective impact and innovation.