Lethbridge College’s Citizen Society Research Lab (CSRL), led by Dr. Faron Ellis, received a bronze Innovation in Applied Research Excellence Award last night at the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) annual conference in Quebec City.
“This award showcases the extraordinary contribution of individuals and programs to our college community – and by extension highlight the role of the college in social, cultural and economic development,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “Dr. Ellis and his team have pioneered the college’s pursuit of applied research opportunities and, by extension, have helped promote Lethbridge College to a national platform.”
The CSRL is part of Lethbridge College’s Centre of Applied Arts and Science and is supported by the Centre of Applied Research and Innovation. It was established in 1997 and is one of the college’s earliest and most successful applied research and teaching initiatives. Initially developed as a way to engage students in his Local Government class in applied research, the CSRL has flourished under Dr. Ellis’ leadership to become a nationally recognized quantitative public opinion service. Using omnibus surveys conducted by college students each semester, the CSRL measures public opinion on a variety of issues that are of interest to our students, faculty, industry partners and community organizations.
Since its founding, the CSRL has partnered with 17 small- and medium-sized enterprises and community organizations, conducted 159 public opinion studies, engaged 13 faculty and trained over 2,300 students. Students who participate in projects led by CSRL learn not only important applied research skills – including theoretical development and design, data collections, statistical analysis and ethics training – but also valuable workplace skills such as critical thinking, communication, administration and project management.
“The CSRL is a unique program that offers affordable, high quality market data used by industry and community organizations alike, to make evidence-based decisions,” says Gina Funicelli, Dean of the Centre of Applied Research and Innovation. “In one case, the research provided by the CSRL led directly to an investment of $2 million and the creation of 50 jobs as part of an innovative restaurant venture in Lethbridge.”
Ellis adds that “it has been rewarding to have been encouraged and enabled by various presidents, vice-presidents, deans and boards of governors over the past couple of decades to pursue the development of an ongoing applied research initiative at Lethbridge College. The institution didn’t have a research focus when I was initially hired, and to have the support to build and help develop a program has been a true pleasure.”
CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes and polytechnics. The association works with industry and social sectors to train 1.5 million learners of all ages and backgrounds at campuses serving over 3,000 urban, rural and remote communities in Canada.
Additional details about the CSRL and applied research opportunities at Lethbridge College can be found online or by calling 403-320-3202 ext. 5787.