Our Team

Teresa Avvampato, DSc is a professor in the Faculty of Health Science. Her current research program is centered on intraprofessional collaboration and education in the health care sector. Her doctoral studies employed applied mixed methods research and engaged numerous organizational partners, through a developmental, multiphase environmental scan, intervention, and national evaluation. Dr. Avvampato is presently working with diverse community partners to research the impact to quality of care when therapists work with assistants to expand treatment frequency, intensity, and access to rehabilitation. She has presented her work provincially, nationally, and internationally and has a podcast episode with “OT Conversations that Matter” available on Spotify and other platforms and will be delivering a webinar series on intraprofessional practice in the Fall of 2024. By profession, she is a registered occupational therapist, who has practiced in the Durham region since 2005. Clinically, she has worked in pediatrics, mental health, acute care, and private practice.

K. Jennifer Bedford (M.A, B.A. Hons) is a Professor and Research Coordinator and coordinates the Film and Motion Design: Media Fundamentals program in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Design (MAD). As a lens-based creator, her research interests span storytelling concepts while examining ideas about the archive, nostalgia, and memory. She believes in the power of community building on campus and beyond by working as a faculty advisor with Enactus DC, FastStart and worldwide through her work with students in Indigenous communities in Guatemala through the Faculty-Led Classroom Abroad program in the faculty of MAD. Over the past ten years, Jennifer has contributed to multiple work-integrated learning (WIL) projects with her students and participated in international education exchanges with students in Africa and Central America. She is actively involved in applied research projects with the Social Impact Hub. In 2022, Jennifer was a collaborator focusing on knowledge translation in a funded Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Connection grant project, Social Innovation in Applied Research: Mobilizing Knowledge and Co-designing a Path Forward as well as a collaborator in producing knowledge mobilization pieces for a project entitled: Community-Based Exercise Intervention for Forensic Patients: Barriers and Impacts on Physical and Mental Health.

Amanda Cappon is a professor in the Social Service Work Program in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy and has a combined 12 years of experience working in a variety of clinical settings where she provided support to youth and adults with issues ranging from addictions, student wellness and general case management needs. Amanda is driven to integrate her clinical skills with her role as an educator and has found applied research a great avenue for this. Amanda sees social innovation as a way to address social justice issues and support our most vulnerable populations.

Lorraine Closs, a professor in the Faculty of Social and Community Services since 2013, previously worked for 20 years providing services in the field of social work with eight years in senior management positions. Her experience in leading community partnerships for social innovation includes responsibility for the development and operation of several programs including a youth residential program. As a faculty advisor in the Enactus program at DC for 3 years, she was responsible for empowering students to realize entrepreneurial and social innovation project goals. Lorraine’s research focus is on social injustice issues related to poverty and homelessness. From 2018 to 2020 she was Principal Investigator of a College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) research project to co-design a housing supportive model for vulnerable youth at risk of homelessness. She is currently the Principal Investigator of a 3-year CCSIF research project entitled; Building Bridges Together: Co-production of Financial Empowerment Strategies with People Experiencing Low Income. Lorraine was the recipient of the DC Researcher Award of Excellence in both 2019 and 2023.

Kay Corbier started her role at Durham College as a professor in the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program in the Faculty of Health Sciences in 2012. Her work over the past 35 years has been in the Developmental Services Sector, with over 30 years of experience in senior management positions. Kay has maintained strong partnerships in the sector and serves on the Board of Directors for a local Community Living Organization. In 2014 she led a successful research study, funded by the Ontario Human Capital Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF) on investigating the impact of an experiential initiative on students’ preparedness for field placement; and in 2017 she completed a project on the effects of an instructor led video simulation. Kay’s current research focuses on positively impacting the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

Erin Dancey, PhD, is a professor and research coordinator in the Faculty of Health Sciences with a strong focus on community health and wellness. She recently led a project investigating the social determinants of health through a Newcomer Kitchen Community Program, in collaboration with the Community Development Council Durham. Dr. Dancey’s research contributions extend to the fields of rehabilitation science, wellness, food insecurity and exercise science. Her work is characterized by her ability to bridge research and community engagement, making significant contributions to health equity and wellness in the community. She is currently collaborating with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and the Abilities Centre in Whitby on a College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This study will examine the barriers to exercise for forensic patients and how community-based exercise impacts their physical and mental health.

Nicole Doyle is a Professor and Research Coordinator for the Faculty of Social & Community Services, teaching legal research and professional skills to law clerk students. She is also an experienced project manager, innovator and leader of new initiatives in education, libraries, and organizational knowledge management, with demonstrated expertise in research and developing collaborative partnerships. More recently, Nicole has focused her efforts on social innovation through research and knowledge mobilization in the early learning community.

Crystal Garvey, PhD is a Nursing Professor in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing collaborative program between DC and Ontario Tech University and has over 20 years of clinical nursing experience specializing in emergency nursing. She has significant experience working in the community, mental health, and acute adult health care settings. As a clinical practitioner and educator, she has conducted literature reviews and internal descriptive studies which were developed into evidence-based policies and procedures to meet organizational accreditation standards. Crystal has honed her advocacy skills working closely with community members, stakeholders, and leaders of various organizations through her volunteer work at schools and faith-based organizations; creating evidence-based programs to bridge the gap in needed community services. She prioritizes time to speak to at-risk youth, athletes, and allies to empower, educate, and inspire regarding anti-bullying, anti-black racism, and mental health. She completed a doctorate degree in nursing at Queen’s University.

Teresa Goff is a Journalism Professor and Program Coordinator in the Faculty of Media, Art & Design, Academic Liaison for the Trent University and Durham College collaborative diploma/degree program Journalism and Creative Writing and a Learning Facilitator in the Centre for Teaching and Learning’s College Teaching Certificate program. She collaborates with the City of Oshawa’s City Idea Lab and the Region of Durham’s CityStudio project to develop and deliver curriculum-based experiential learning related to urban issues and diversity, equity and inclusion. She has worked with DC’s First Peoples Indigenous Centre (FPIC) to support Durham District School Board’s (DDSB) Indigenous Education with the production of five videos featuring the voices of Indigenous students and their families. She oversaw the development of a literature review related to Global Curriculum, funded through the DC International Opportunities Development Fund (IODF). She was a project team member for the Social Impact Hub’s SSHRC funded project entitled Social innovation in applied research: Mobilizing knowledge and co-designing a path forward. Her research interests include Indigenization, social innovation, social justice, urban issues, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Corrine McCormick-Brighton is an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Professor, with 27 years of employment experience at Durham College. She has a keen interest in innovation related to teaching and learning with extensive experience in course development for face-to-face and online delivery to ensure students are prepared for real world experiences. A research co-investigator, life-long learner, and relationship builder she is committed to inspiring and engaging learners as well as collaborating with community partners. She has built strong connections to professionals in the field of early learning including as a member of the Best Start Network (BSN) and its Research and Knowledge Mobilization sub-committee. As a project co-lead on a CCSIF funded project, she provides a valuable ECE perspective required to bridge ECE experiences with research inquiries to effectively address community issues.

Colleen McKay is the Manager, Grants and Special Projects within the Office of Research Services, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. With 17 years of experience in the field of research administration, she provides project development, project management, knowledge mobilization and capacity building support to projects under the umbrella of the Social Impact Hub. She facilitates interdisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships, supporting the full lifecycle of applied research projects that focus on social innovation, social determinants of health, community-engagement and co-production as well as service learning opportunities at Durham College.

Bandini Sethi, is a Professor and the Program Co-Coordinator for the Police Foundations program, in the Faculty of Social & Community Services, teaching Politics and Public Administration, Canadian Criminal Justice System, and the Criminal Code of Canada. Bandini holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and South Asian Studies, an Honours Law degree, and a Master’s of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership. Bandini is engaged in various college initiatives, including the Indigenization Curriculum Development and Academic Integrity Committees. Bandini is presently a co-lead researcher on a project titled, “Supporting International Students in Ontario’s Colleges and Universities,” using the photovoice method to capture the experiences of international students.

Michael Williams-Bell, PhD is a Professor and Research Coordinator in the Faculty of Health Sciences. He is an occupational physiologist with research interests in the physiological demands of public safety personnel performing job tasks. His research activities seek to understand how the body responds to these physically demanding tasks in order to enhance training within the occupation. He utilizes technological advances in virtual reality and wearable technology to gain insight into the physiological responses while conducting tasks in stressful environments to ultimately improve the health and safety of members and the community. Dr. Williams-Bell's research program explores how to implement these socially innovative strategies to reduce costs and improve accessibility for all public safety personnel.

Jacqueline Williamson PhD is a Nursing Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She is a co-Investigator for the project: Enhancing virtual mentorship to reduce social isolation of youth, working closely with external partner Big Brothers Big Sisters North Durham to improve virtual mentorship of vulnerable rural youth and address mental health issues for mentors and mentees heightened by the pandemic. Her research interests include mental health related to culture, race, and socioeconomic determinants, racial trauma and discrimination and its impact on physical health. She has worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto for over 27 years as a Registered Nurse, engaging clients with various mental health diagnoses in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, medication and symptom management, while embarking on interprofessional collaborations to ensure fair treatment of black males in the mental health system. She is a member on CAMH committees addressing Horizontal Violence Anti-Oppression (HVAO) and Anti-Black Racism (ABR) and is developing a mentorship program for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) health care professionals. She has presented to members of the Registered Nursing Association of Ontario (RNAO) on the effects of systemic racism and microaggressions in the workplace and effects on nurses. She is a member of the Mental Health and Addictions Community Advisory Panel at Lakeridge Health.

Social Impact Hub: Community Partnerships for Social Change

Community Partnerships for Social Change