Chart Your Course to Excellence in Applied Research

Acquire the knowledge to launch your career as an
applied researcher - in just a few hours!

LEARN MORE ENROLL NOW

  • “What exactly is applied research?”
  • “I want to get involved in applied research, but where do I begin?”
  • “My college has an applied research office but how do I ask for help?”
  • “Do I even have the right expertise to work on an applied research project?”
  • “How do I get grant funding to help an industry partner solve a problem?”
  • “I have a PhD and a research background - what should I expect when I get started in applied research?”

Imagine being able to confidently balance your research and teaching/career interests while creating amazing learning opportunities for students.

Imagine you are the reason that your industry or community partner is able to navigate their most pressing challenges.

Welcome to Introduction to Applied Research

Your fast-track to securing the skills and knowledge needed to thrive as an applied researcher.

TRANSFORM YOUR CAREER

In just a few hours, Introduction to Applied Research will teach you the ABCs of applied research and help you discover your unique expertise and value proposition as an applied researcher.

Created exclusively for faculty and staff of St. Clair College by IDEAWORKS at Mohawk College, Introduction to Applied Research is the only training program of its kind designed to give you practical knowledge, templates, and tools to help you achieve your goals.

No more guessing or aimless searching online to figure out “how to do applied research!”

By the end of this program, you’ll learn:

What is applied research and if it is the right choice for your research career.

How to define your area of expertise and what factors to consider before you get started in applied research.

How to scope your first applied research project in a concise and clear statement.

Who is funding applied research in Canada and how you can access available grants.

Is Introduction to Applied Research right for YOU?

  • You are faculty, staff or an administrator at St. Clair College.
  • You WANT to get involved in applied research but don’t know how to get started.
  • You are UNSURE if you want to get involved in applied research and want a clearer understanding of what applied research is before you commit.
  • You have a meeting with your research office and want to be ready and prepared to get started on your first project as soon as possible.
David Potocek
Research Project Manager, St. Clair College Research and Innovation

An invaluable tool for our faculty and staff

The Applied Research 101 course is an invaluable tool for our faculty and staff at St. Clair College. It provides essential insights into applied research, empowering to confidently engage in and pursue new research opportunities. The flexible, self-paced format allows individuals to enhance their skills at their own convenience, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration without our institution. This program is an excellent steppingstone for anyone looking to make meaningful contributions to applied research at St. Clair College.

Ruth Susannah
Chair, Zekelman School of Information Technology, St. Clair College

Provides instrumental foundational insights

The Applied Research 101 program provides instrumental foundational insights into research, alongside practical tools and frameworks that are especially beneficial for faculty and team members who are new to this field. Drawing inspiration from the industry-standard Business Model Canvas, the program supports research in identifying clear value propositions, defining project deliverables, and evaluating resource needs–ensuring our faculty are well-prepared to meet the expectations of industry partners. The toolkit also guides users in defining their areas of expertise and exploring various deliverable options, from prototypes to workflow improvements, empowering them to engage in research with confidence and clarity. It not only prepares educators to make substantial contributions to research but also enhances the potential for impactful collaboration with industry.

Dr. Stephanie De Franceschi
Chair, School of Health Sciences, St. Clair College

Equips faculty and staff with practical knowledge and tools

The Applied Research course from St. Clair College’s Research and Innovation Department equips faculty and staff with practical knowledge and tools to explore real-world research opportunities. This program fosters a deeper understanding of applied research, enabling participants to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The course focuses on building confidence and empowers individuals to initiate, engage in, and contribute meaningfully to innovative projects. Faculty and staff gain valuable insights that inspire collaboration and enhance research capabilities across various disciplines. This initiative promotes the college’s commitment to research excellence and promotes a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the institution.

Don’t spend countless hours trying to
guess the best way to get started.

Accelerate your journey as an applied researcher!

GET INSTANT ACCESS

Just dive right in.

$0

As a member of the St. Clair College community, access to this training is free! Don’t have a coupon code yet? Connect with St. Clair Research team for

Discover the secrets to impactful research…

  • 28 individual lessons over four modules that will build your knowledge quickly and efficiently.
  • Interactive content that will help you prepare for your first research project.
  • Insider insights on finding research partners.
  • A copy of the Mohawk College Applied Research Toolkit, a PDF resource that you can use to plan your research projects.
  • An opportunity to join a network of like-minded researchers who are navigating their own journeys in applied research.

Meet Your Instructor
Andrea Johnson


Andrea Johnson is the General Manager of the Centre for Emerging Research Initiatives at Mohawk College and creator of Applied Research 101. She worked with David Potocek at St. Clair College to create this custom learning opportunity just for you. 

With almost 20 years of experience in higher and post-secondary education, Andrea has worked in applied research since 2015, working with researchers in fields as diverse as AI, biotechnology, and social innovation.She is responsible for helping Mohawk College faculty and staff get involved in applied research, from defining their interests to finding funding for their first research project.

Connect with Andrea on Linkedin

Frequently Asked Questions

This program provides you with a foundational introduction to applied research, based on the recommendations of the St. Clair Research and Innovation Office. The lessons in this course provide an easy-to-understand overview of applied research and are are designed so that you can get through the content efficiently and get started fast. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive look at applied research.

This course is designed to prepare you to be a research lead or principal investigator which are roles that are typically held by employees of a college, CEGEP or Institute. A student version of Applied Research 101 is offered by Mohawk College.

Yes! Even if you don’t plan on being a research lead, this course can help you understand the foundations of applied research.

The course is designed for flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Most of the lessons and the reflection pieces will take around 2-4 hours to complete. Additional recommended content and resources may add additional time to complete. How long do I have access to the course? You’ll have access to this course for four months. Return to the material anytime to refresh your knowledge or stay updated on the latest trends in applied research.

You’ll have access to this course for four months and can also request an extension to your course end date. Return to the material anytime to refresh your knowledge or stay updated on the latest trends in applied research.

This program is exclusively for the use of employees at St. Clair College. Interested in the core content? Visit Mohawk College’s Applied Research 101 program, which is an open enrollment program.

We’re happy to help. Contact David Potocek with your questions.

Unlock opportunities.

Now is the perfect time to enroll in Introduction to Applied Research.

Innovation support and applied research expertise are needed more than ever by community organizations and Canadian companies, with the number of applied research projects increasing nationally by 25%. Plus, as many of your organizations are looking to find additional revenue sources, applied research can be a great way to find new sources of funding.

  • An opportunity to complement your day-to-day work activities with exciting research projects.
  • A chance to provide your students with real-world experience.
  • The ability to be involved in shaping the future of innovation in Canada.
  • A way to develop a productive working relationship with industry and community partners.

GET STARTED TODAY