Project: Work-Integrated Learning for a Just Society: Enhancing Applied Emergency Management Education at JIBC
Principal Investigator: Bettina Williams, Program Director, Program Development & Credential Programs, School of Public Safety
Research Team: Nina Bennett, Program Manager, Work-Integrated Learning; Ambreen Qazi, Instructor, Emergency Management; research assistants
Project Dates: January 4, 2026 - March 31, 2027
Project Funding: $6,920
Project Summary: This project investigates how Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) can be meaningfully embedded into upper-level Emergency Management (EM) courses at JIBC. Responding to recommendations from a comprehensive program review of the Emergency and Security Management Studies diploma and bachelor programs, the project uses a focused literature review, an environmental scan of Canadian and international EM programs, and consultations with faculty, instructional designers, employers, and practitioners to identify best practices and contextual considerations for applied learning. Outcomes include two to three conceptual WIL-ready instructional models and evidence-informed recommendations to guide curriculum renewal. Findings will be disseminated through conference presentations, a peer-reviewed publication, and internal briefings to support long-term innovation in Emergency Management education.
Outcomes and Benefits: The project will produce two to three conceptual WIL-ready instructional models suited to online, hybrid, and in-person Emergency Management education, along with evidence-informed recommendations for curriculum renewal. Benefits include strengthened applied learning for EM students, enhanced graduate readiness for professional practice, and a foundation for future WIL pilot initiatives. The broader sector will benefit through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publication contributing to national dialogue on experiential learning in professional programs. Student research assistants will gain hands-on experience in applied research and professional communication.
Funding and Support: SSHRC Institutional Grant (SIG) Explore Stream
Project Status: Active
Deliverables: TBA
