LEVERAGING DIVERSITY
Applied research is supporting the establishment of best practices for leveraging diversity in the workplace,
improving our understanding of how cultural values shape and reflect the aspirations and beliefs of diverse
segments of the population, including women, immigrants, Aboriginal people, and persons with disabilities.
Immigrants and Entrepreneurship [RBC, SSHRC]:
Key projects examine issues facing immigrants
including employment and entrepreneurship. The RBC
Immigrant, Diversity and Inclusion Project considers
the barriers that impede immigrant entrepreneurs,
including mental health, consumer behavior, and social
engagement. Additionally, researchers at Ryerson are
looking at the assets that immigrant entrepreneurs
bring to Canada. By examining business cases of
Chinese immigrants to Canada, researchers are
determining how connections they maintain at home
can help them not only integrate into the Canadian
economy, but also leverage their social capital to
strengthen ties between transnational business
communities.
DiversityLeads [SSHRC CURA]: This initiative brings
together more than 30 community and industry
partners to examine senior leadership across sectors in
major Canadian cities. This project focuses particular
attention on issues that women face in leadership and
entrepreneurship.
RYERSON RESEARCH & INNOVATION
www.ryerson.ca/research
innovate@ryerson.ca
@RyersonResearch
Research in Skills
and employment (RISE)
for the 21st Century
"You cannot learn surfing from a textbook."
-Jim Balsillie, founder of Blackberry
An increasing concern in Canada is the
development of a workforce that can support
innovation, prosperity, and quality of life. A
number of centres, institutes, and initiatives
in Canada are actively supporting evidencebased policies and programs to develop a
highly skilled workforce that can support an
employer's needs or equip graduates to create
their own employment opportunities through
entrepreneurial endeavours.
Leveraging innovative, multidisciplinary research
methods coupled with new data mining and
psychographic testing tools, Ryerson University's
research projects deal with critical issues including:
¥¥ Employer demands and the talent pool;
¥¥ New tools to bridge the skills gap;
¥¥ Developing entrepreneurship and the culture
of innovation; and
¥¥ Leveraging diversity.
RESEARCH FOCUSING ON EMPLOYER DEMANDS AND THE TALENT POOL
DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE CULTURE OF INNOVATION
Based on an extensive analysis of market trends, employer demands, and graduate competencies, research is
determining how employer demands influence the attitudes, skills, and behaviours of employees. This research
informs training programs that support the development of innovative entrepreneurs to build a 'culture of
innovation' in Canada.
Building on its polytechnical and applied roots, Ryerson is pioneering new evidence-based approaches to teaching
entrepreneurship. A range of research projects are aimed at exploring questions surrounding effective ways to
develop entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of new ventures.
Understanding the Skills Gap of Social Science
and Humanities Students [Ontario Human Capital
Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF)]: Using
advanced data mining and analytics coupled with
surveys of employers and graduates, this project
examines issues related to the demand and supply
of Social Sciences and Humanities students in order
to inform policy making and practice.
Advanced Digital and Professional Training
(ADaPT-ICT) [MEDTE's Youth Skills Connection
Fund]: Working with an extensive network of partner
companies and associations, this research-based
program is action-oriented and focuses on leveraging
the particular skills of social sciences and humanities
graduates and addressing the challenges they face in
the digital economy. Participants will receive intensive
training in workplace skills coupled with practical
experience through a paid internship, applied research
project, or business incubator program. Pre-test, posttest, and follow-up evaluations will help define best
practices for generating employment opportunities
for youth.
Re-thinking Financial Literacy [TD Bank]: Based on a
needs assessment and review of leading practices, this
action-oriented project is aimed at encouraging high
school students from marginalized neighbourhoods
to consider careers in the financial sector. Activities
include curricular support for teachers, a mock
university lecture providing an "Introduction to
Finance," and a "Borrow a Boardroom" initiative to
expose students to corporate environments.
Assessing the Impact of Universities in the
Innovation Ecosystem: Incubators, Accelerators
and the Culture of Innovation [SSHRC Knowledge
Synthesis]: This study examined global approaches to
assessing innovation and developing entrepreneurs.
Building a Culture of Sustainable Innovation
and Entrepreneurship in Canada [Proposal]: This
ambitious proposal aims to develop a national network
to undertake action-oriented research to nurture
entrepreneurship and build an entrepreneurshiporiented innovation ecosystem in Canada. This project
will conduct research into entrepreneurship that spans
many segments of the population, including women,
immigrants, Aboriginal people, and persons with
disabilities, identifying barriers that diverse individuals
face when establishing businesses.
Growing Entrepreneurs: The Digital Media Zone:
Through its "Zone" model of incubation, Ryerson
accelerates the growth of new entrepreneurial
companies. To date, Ryerson's Digital Media Zone
has incubated 123 start-ups and created more than
900 jobs. As part of an integrated ecosystem, a sixstage process builds the entrepreneurial pipeline:
Awareness, Engagement, Skills Development,
Application, Execution, and Acceleration. Researchers
are defining best practices to drive the development
of entrepreneurs.
APPLICATION
Business Plans
NEW TOOLS TO BRIDGE THE SKILLS GAP
Ryerson University has launched Magnet, a
breakthrough network that helps students and
graduates connect to the right jobs and opportunities.
The network addresses the skills gap by employing
big data analytics to track labour market trends.
Magnet currently includes 17 Ontario universities
and colleges, representing over 500,000 students,
the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, representing
60,000 employers, and a quickly growing community of
labour- and employment-based organizations. Magnet
is powered by the technology platform WhoPlusYou,
which tracks labour force and labour market trends.
Customized reports and analyses can be provided to
Magnet members and aggregate data can be mined
to understand trends in the labour market at a local
and regional level.
ENGAGEMENT
Competitions
EXECUTION
Internships
Zones
ACCELERATION
Financing
Growth
Sustainability
SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
Courses
Case Studies
Projects
AWARENESS
Workshops
Events
Connecting people with
the right opportunities
EMPLOYEES /
USER PROFILES
EMPLOYERS /
JOB POSTINGS
DATA
RESEARCH
Skills Gap Analysis
Curriculum Development
Engagement
What Young Entrepreneurs Get From Their Mentors
[Ted Rogers School of Management & Canadian
Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)]: Through this
partnership, researchers found that mentor quality has
a greater impact on the transfer of internally oriented
skills than externally oriented skills. Consequently,
entrepreneurial education should include a mix of
mentors and peers who offer a different style of
support, fostering increased confidence and selfmotivation.
Summer Company [Ontario Ministry of Economic
Development, Trade and Employment]: The Summer
Company program provides mentorship, hands-on
training, and seed funding to youth aged 15-29 to
start their first entrepreneurial venture. In 2013, twenty
young entrepreneurs Ð including women, visible
minorities, and persons with disabilities Ð successfully
launched their first ventures with the support of faculty
and industry partners. The evaluation showed that all
participants met their revenue targets and some of
the businesses became sustainable enterprises. The
results also indicated that regardless of the success of
the businesses, the program helped students develop
their confidence and leadership skills.
As Canada's first Ashoka Changemaker Campus,
Ryerson has joined an international network of
universities and colleges that are committed to
solving real-world problems in new and creative ways.
Initiatives support student-led social enterprise projects
and research partnerships to promote community
engagement and innovation. Several projects examine
new approaches to social innovation, including using
sports and arts to promote engagement. Projects to
date have been funded by OCE and SSHRC.
RESEARCH FOCUSING ON EMPLOYER DEMANDS AND THE TALENT POOL
DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE CULTURE OF INNOVATION
Based on an extensive analysis of market trends, employer demands, and graduate competencies, research is
determining how employer demands influence the attitudes, skills, and behaviours of employees. This research
informs training programs that support the development of innovative entrepreneurs to build a 'culture of
innovation' in Canada.
Building on its polytechnical and applied roots, Ryerson is pioneering new evidence-based approaches to teaching
entrepreneurship. A range of research projects are aimed at exploring questions surrounding effective ways to
develop entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of new ventures.
Understanding the Skills Gap of Social Science
and Humanities Students [Ontario Human Capital
Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF)]: Using
advanced data mining and analytics coupled with
surveys of employers and graduates, this project
examines issues related to the demand and supply
of Social Sciences and Humanities students in order
to inform policy making and practice.
Advanced Digital and Professional Training
(ADaPT-ICT) [MEDTE's Youth Skills Connection
Fund]: Working with an extensive network of partner
companies and associations, this research-based
program is action-oriented and focuses on leveraging
the particular skills of social sciences and humanities
graduates and addressing the challenges they face in
the digital economy. Participants will receive intensive
training in workplace skills coupled with practical
experience through a paid internship, applied research
project, or business incubator program. Pre-test, posttest, and follow-up evaluations will help define best
practices for generating employment opportunities
for youth.
Re-thinking Financial Literacy [TD Bank]: Based on a
needs assessment and review of leading practices, this
action-oriented project is aimed at encouraging high
school students from marginalized neighbourhoods
to consider careers in the financial sector. Activities
include curricular support for teachers, a mock
university lecture providing an "Introduction to
Finance," and a "Borrow a Boardroom" initiative to
expose students to corporate environments.
Assessing the Impact of Universities in the
Innovation Ecosystem: Incubators, Accelerators
and the Culture of Innovation [SSHRC Knowledge
Synthesis]: This study examined global approaches to
assessing innovation and developing entrepreneurs.
Building a Culture of Sustainable Innovation
and Entrepreneurship in Canada [Proposal]: This
ambitious proposal aims to develop a national network
to undertake action-oriented research to nurture
entrepreneurship and build an entrepreneurshiporiented innovation ecosystem in Canada. This project
will conduct research into entrepreneurship that spans
many segments of the population, including women,
immigrants, Aboriginal people, and persons with
disabilities, identifying barriers that diverse individuals
face when establishing businesses.
Growing Entrepreneurs: The Digital Media Zone:
Through its "Zone" model of incubation, Ryerson
accelerates the growth of new entrepreneurial
companies. To date, Ryerson's Digital Media Zone
has incubated 123 start-ups and created more than
900 jobs. As part of an integrated ecosystem, a sixstage process builds the entrepreneurial pipeline:
Awareness, Engagement, Skills Development,
Application, Execution, and Acceleration. Researchers
are defining best practices to drive the development
of entrepreneurs.
APPLICATION
Business Plans
NEW TOOLS TO BRIDGE THE SKILLS GAP
Ryerson University has launched Magnet, a
breakthrough network that helps students and
graduates connect to the right jobs and opportunities.
The network addresses the skills gap by employing
big data analytics to track labour market trends.
Magnet currently includes 17 Ontario universities
and colleges, representing over 500,000 students,
the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, representing
60,000 employers, and a quickly growing community of
labour- and employment-based organizations. Magnet
is powered by the technology platform WhoPlusYou,
which tracks labour force and labour market trends.
Customized reports and analyses can be provided to
Magnet members and aggregate data can be mined
to understand trends in the labour market at a local
and regional level.
ENGAGEMENT
Competitions
EXECUTION
Internships
Zones
ACCELERATION
Financing
Growth
Sustainability
SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT
Courses
Case Studies
Projects
AWARENESS
Workshops
Events
Connecting people with
the right opportunities
EMPLOYEES /
USER PROFILES
EMPLOYERS /
JOB POSTINGS
DATA
RESEARCH
Skills Gap Analysis
Curriculum Development
Engagement
What Young Entrepreneurs Get From Their Mentors
[Ted Rogers School of Management & Canadian
Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)]: Through this
partnership, researchers found that mentor quality has
a greater impact on the transfer of internally oriented
skills than externally oriented skills. Consequently,
entrepreneurial education should include a mix of
mentors and peers who offer a different style of
support, fostering increased confidence and selfmotivation.
Summer Company [Ontario Ministry of Economic
Development, Trade and Employment]: The Summer
Company program provides mentorship, hands-on
training, and seed funding to youth aged 15-29 to
start their first entrepreneurial venture. In 2013, twenty
young entrepreneurs Ð including women, visible
minorities, and persons with disabilities Ð successfully
launched their first ventures with the support of faculty
and industry partners. The evaluation showed that all
participants met their revenue targets and some of
the businesses became sustainable enterprises. The
results also indicated that regardless of the success of
the businesses, the program helped students develop
their confidence and leadership skills.
As Canada's first Ashoka Changemaker Campus,
Ryerson has joined an international network of
universities and colleges that are committed to
solving real-world problems in new and creative ways.
Initiatives support student-led social enterprise projects
and research partnerships to promote community
engagement and innovation. Several projects examine
new approaches to social innovation, including using
sports and arts to promote engagement. Projects to
date have been funded by OCE and SSHRC.
LEVERAGING DIVERSITY
Applied research is supporting the establishment of best practices for leveraging diversity in the workplace,
improving our understanding of how cultural values shape and reflect the aspirations and beliefs of diverse
segments of the population, including women, immigrants, Aboriginal people, and persons with disabilities.
Immigrants and Entrepreneurship [RBC, SSHRC]:
Key projects examine issues facing immigrants
including employment and entrepreneurship. The RBC
Immigrant, Diversity and Inclusion Project considers
the barriers that impede immigrant entrepreneurs,
including mental health, consumer behavior, and social
engagement. Additionally, researchers at Ryerson are
looking at the assets that immigrant entrepreneurs
bring to Canada. By examining business cases of
Chinese immigrants to Canada, researchers are
determining how connections they maintain at home
can help them not only integrate into the Canadian
economy, but also leverage their social capital to
strengthen ties between transnational business
communities.
DiversityLeads [SSHRC CURA]: This initiative brings
together more than 30 community and industry
partners to examine senior leadership across sectors in
major Canadian cities. This project focuses particular
attention on issues that women face in leadership and
entrepreneurship.
RYERSON RESEARCH & INNOVATION
www.ryerson.ca/research
innovate@ryerson.ca
@RyersonResearch
Research in Skills
and employment (RISE)
for the 21st Century
"You cannot learn surfing from a textbook."
-Jim Balsillie, founder of Blackberry
An increasing concern in Canada is the
development of a workforce that can support
innovation, prosperity, and quality of life. A
number of centres, institutes, and initiatives
in Canada are actively supporting evidencebased policies and programs to develop a
highly skilled workforce that can support an
employer's needs or equip graduates to create
their own employment opportunities through
entrepreneurial endeavours.
Leveraging innovative, multidisciplinary research
methods coupled with new data mining and
psychographic testing tools, Ryerson University's
research projects deal with critical issues including:
¥¥ Employer demands and the talent pool;
¥¥ New tools to bridge the skills gap;
¥¥ Developing entrepreneurship and the culture
of innovation; and
¥¥ Leveraging diversity.