Georgian celebrates annual Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship (RISE) Symposium April 5

March 22, 2023

Georgian College will share and celebrate research, innovation, scholarship and entrepreneurship across the college at its annual RISE Symposium. The Symposium is open to everyone and takes place at the Barrie Campus on Wednesday, April 5.

Innovation thrives throughout Georgian, and the theme for RISE 2023 is #InnovateTogether. The theme is designed to capture and showcase the spirit of how Georgian works collaboratively across the areas of research, innovation, scholarship and entrepreneurship to realize the vision of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet – across the regions of our seven campuses.

Visitors to RISE will learn how Georgian students and faculty are changing the world.

This full-day event demonstrates our commitment to innovation, changemaking, and the importance of cultivating a mindset of inquiry. The college is involved in a wide range of research, from technology to health and wellness, the arts, and social sciences. As we grow the research culture at Georgian, it’s important to share and celebrate the work of our students, staff and faculty.

– Dr. Mira Ray, Executive Director, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Georgian College

Dr. Ray adds there are two important themes for the day: protection of our environment, and social innovation.

The morning program focuses on the importance of innovation through a stewardship lens and will feature a keynote by Mark Abbott. Abbott currently serves as Director of the Engineering Change Lab and Director of Tech Stewardship at the MaRS Discovery District. His presentation is on “Building Better Technology for All: How Stewardship is transforming the landscape of technology.”

The keynote will be followed by panel session on Innovation as Stewardship: What it means to innovate together. Abbott will be joined by moderator Nicole Norris, Manager, Social Innovation at Georgian; Yael Katz, Vice President Academic, Georgian; Jeff Monague, Respected Elder, Knowledge Keeper and local Indigenous columnist; and Irena Pozgaj-Jones, Social Innovation Fellow, Georgian. The panelists will share diverse perspectives on the concept of stewardship through the lens of community data, arts and culture, education, and resource management and technology. They will also explore the meaning of stewardship and how embracing our roles as stewards is the key to shifting how we innovate as global changemakers.

The afternoon program offers participants the opportunity to learn, engage and explore innovation and changemaking. Guests will also hear from speakers on their research and scholarly work, join a discussion on innovation, watch a ScaleUp! Simulation, hear from notable authors on their recent publications, experience immersive VR, and take some time out with a mindfulness practice or time with therapy dogs. They will also see innovative technology and projects, share in student success with the Innov8 Awards, and see how #ChangeTheNow is supporting climate action and climate impact learning.

Register now for RISE