Overview

Durham College (DC) has developed a distinct cluster of ongoing projects focused on social innovation. Through funded collaborations with community partners, faculty members have demonstrated expertise in this area, along with the ability to transform strong community partnerships into viable applied research projects.

As DC’s fifth applied research centre, the Social Impact Hub explores and facilitates further collaborations while creating a venue for knowledge mobilization for these initiatives and projects within the walls of DC, the local community, and beyond. In addition to providing access to capacity building tools and resources, mentorship opportunities for employees, students and community collaborators are available through the Social Impact Hub.

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The Social Impact Hub, Durham College is a member of Community-Based Research Canada, a national non-profit that connects individuals and organizations within and beyond Canada in advancing community-based research excellence and in contributing to more equitable, just, and sustainable communities.

What's new


The Social Impact Hub is thrilled to announce a second season of the Surviving Addictions docuseries! This follows the success of the first season, which had a screening on campus on November 28, 2024. Filming of season two is set to begin in 2025 with funding support from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and Mitacs.

Student testimonials

Social Impact Hub in the news

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  • Photo from @durhamcollege on Instagram on durhamcollege at 2/20/25 at 8:23PM

    Revolutionizing Firefighter Training with MR!

    The future of firefighter training is here. Durham College’s @dcmrcstudio and @dcsocialimpacthub, in partnership with @cityofoshawa, Oshawa Fire Services and TeachingCity Oshawa has successfully developed a Mixed Reality Firefighter Training Simulation that provides an immersive, life-like experience to prepare firefighters for conditions they face on the job.

    This simulation places trainees in high-stress, high-risk scenarios, such as a building collapse with low-visibility conditions, allowing firefighters to train in realistic environments without the danger of real-world exposure.

    This training augments traditional methods, helping firefighters build resilience, improve decision-making, and enhance overall performance under pressure.
    We are excited to showcase this groundbreaking project and its potential to change how emergency responders train.

    View the documentary, made possible by TeachingCity Oshawa at the link in our bio!

    #VirtualReality #FirefighterTraining #Innovation #ImmersiveLearning #DurhamCollege #OshawaFireServices #OshTeachingCity @dcorsie

  • Photo from @dcsocialimpacthub on Instagram on dcsocialimpacthub at 10/30/24 at 2:35PM

    📢As Remembrance Day approaches on November 11, join this session focused on veterans and help us spread the word with your networks!✨
     
    💚Veterans in the workplace: Challenges related to transition and inclusion💚

    ✨November 5, 1-2:30pm EST✨

    #veterans #remembranceday #veteransday #SocialImpactHub #DCOrsie #durham #durhamcollege #innovation #appliedresearch #entrepreneurship #event

  • Photo from @dcsocialimpacthub on Instagram on dcsocialimpacthub at 12/2/24 at 5:55PM

    Join Us for Our Next Speaker Series Event!!

    Speakers:
    Nicole Doyle, Professor & Researcher, Faculty of Social and Community Services, Durham College
    Dr. Taryn Eickmeier, Executive Lead, Research, Innovation & Knowledge Mobilization, Grandview Kids

    📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11th from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
    📍 Location: Centre for Innovation and Research (2nd floor)

    What’s on the agenda?
    Discover the essential role of engagement in applied research, social innovation, co-production, and knowledge mobilization. From funding opportunities to community partnerships, this session will unveil a framework for planning meaningful engagement with residents, partners, and leaders, complemented by real-world success stories.

    Whether you’re an academic, community leader, or change-maker, this event will inspire new ways to foster collaboration and drive impact.

    Don’t miss it! Reserve your spot now at the link in our bio!

    #SocialInnovation #AppliedResearch #CommunityEngagement #KnowledgeMobilization #DurhamCollege #GrandviewKids

  • Photo from @dcorsie on Instagram on dcorsie at 10/18/24 at 5:07PM

    📣We are thrilled to announce that we are hosting the ORSIE Impact Expo, formerly known as as Research Day on October 25, 2024 in the Centre of Innovation and Research from 9 am to 12 pm. 🥳

    Here’s what to expect at the @dcsocialimpacthub :
    🩷A demo of the Financial Help Hub Kiosk.
    🩷Baby Simulators from the RRF Project.
    🩷A selfie station to capture all your memories at ORSIE Impact Expo.
    🩷A chance to talk with our team, students and project leads.

    🔗Register with the link in our bio.We can’t wait to see you there!🤩

    #dcorsie #socialimpacthub #research #innovation #appliedresearch #durhamcollege #durham #event #orsieimpactexpo

  • Photo from @durhamcollege on Instagram on durhamcollege at 11/28/24 at 9:49PM

    Earlier today DC hosted a special screening of Surviving Addiction, a docuseries by DC alumnus @chriscull, created in collaboration with DC’s @dc_socialimpact and journalism students.

    This event was an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about addiction, mental health, and recovery. Chris’s work, rooted in his own experiences, sheds light on the raw realities of addiction and the journey toward healing.

  • Photo from @dcsocialimpacthub on Instagram on dcsocialimpacthub at 10/16/24 at 4:51PM

    📣@dcsocialimpacthub at @durhamcollege is pleased to announce that it will be offering the See Different Program, Principles of DEI Certificate for all DC students.

    Register using the QR code in the image above.⬆️

    Registrations close on October 25, 2024!⏳

    Any questions? Email us at see.different@ccdi.ca 📧

    #socialimpacthub #dcorsie #durhamcollege #durham #change #social #dc #dccommunity

  • Photo from @dcsocialimpacthub on Instagram on dcsocialimpacthub at 11/7/24 at 2:56PM

    Your Presence Can Make a Difference More than just a screening—this event is a chance to be part of a meaningful conversation about addiction, mental health, and recovery.✨

    Chris Cull, a Durham College alumnus, has used his personal experiences to create Surviving Addiction, a docuseries that captures the raw realities of addiction. This work was made possible with the support of Durham College students and staff, amplifying the voices of those affected by addiction.💚

    🗓 Date: November 28 ⏰ Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
    Don’t miss out on this chance to learn, engage, and contribute to raising awareness in our community. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

    🔗 RSVP Now at the link in our bio!

    #MentalHealthMatters #BreakingTheStigma #AddictionAwareness #SurvivingAddiction #InspireByExample #CommunityImpact #EventAlert

  • Photo from @dcsocialimpacthub on Instagram on dcsocialimpacthub at 9/25/24 at 2:12PM

    🎊We are pleased to invite you to our newly launched Speaker Series: Voices of Impact!🩵💚💛🩷

    👉In our first event, we will explore The Power of Co-Production. Co-production goes beyond consultation—it’s about service users and service providers working together, learning from each other’s perspectives, and creating meaningful change.

    👉This session will explore the Building Bridges Together project by showcasing 3 unique perspectives that will challenge how you interact with those you serve.

    💡When: Wednesday, October 16
    💡Time: 9:30am – 11am
    💡Location: The Social Impact Hub at Durham College: 2000 Simcoe St. N. Oshawa, ON - Centre for Innovation and Research (CIR209)

    Registration is now open, head to our bio for link!🔗

    #socialimpacthub #durhamcollege #socialinnovation #event #speakerseries #orsie #appliedresearch #research

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