CALGARY - Bow Valley College (BVC) has received two additional Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grants from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). BVC will be using the funding to research civic well-being and engagement among retired immigrant women, and another group will focus their research on co-creating learning materials with the Siksika Nation for Indigenous early childhood education.

Through the CCSIF, 35 projects at Colleges and polytechnics across Canada received $7.4 million in federal support to research social issues. Over the course of three years, the CCSIF will provide $15 million to help support projects at colleges and polytechnics that foster social innovation in Canada.

"BVC provides leadership and innovation in a number of areas of critical importance to the Calgary region. We are extremely proud that our expertise-this time in early learning and child care and immigrant advancement-has been recognized through these awards," said Anna Kae Todd, VP Academic and Chief Learning Officer.

One project will see Elza Bruk, Dean, Centre for Excellence in Immigrant and Intercultural Advancement; Hana Taleb Imai, and Gayatri Moorthi, researching a community outreach initiative. In partnership with the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, the team will work to enhance social and civic well-being and engagement among retired immigrant women.

At the same time, Dr. Cherylyn Cameron, Dean, School of Community Studies and Creative Technology, is leading a project with Cheryl Kinzel and Noella Wells of the Iniikokaan Centre. The group has formed a partnership with Siksika Employment and Training Services and the Palix Foundation to create materials for Indigenous early childhood education.

BVC also received funding in 2015 for a research project led by Russ Wilde, Director of Academic Innocation and Applied Research, with Dr. Augusto Legaspi, Tim Loblaw, and Scott Henwood. Together, with our partners Mount Royal University, the Town of High River, and the United Way of Calgary, BVC researched Social Innovation on the Ground: Accessible and Evidence-Based Tools for Social Innovators.

The CCSIF is administered by the SSHRC and aims to increase college capacity to engage in collaborative projects with community organizations and businesses in order to address social issues. Launched as a pilot project in 2014, the fund's goal is to expand research opportunities for Canadian colleges, institutes and their partners. 

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Editor's Note  

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is the federal agency that promotes and supports post-secondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing on developing Talent, generating Insights and forging Connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world. 

Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning. BVC's Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), workplace training for immigrant professionals and employment services provide a wide range of services for businesses and professionals.