Sheridan Awarded $317,375 CCSIF Grant for Community Ideas Factory: Pathways to Potential

Two FHASS professors have been awarded a $317,375 Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grant to lead Community Ideas Factory: Pathways to Potential, a three-year partnered research project directed by Dr. Sara Cumming with Co-Investigator Dr. Jessica Pulis. This marks the fourth iteration of the Community Ideas Factory series, following Vital Solutions (Michael McNamara and Sara Cumming), the Behavioural Insights Unit (Michael McNamara and Nathaniel Barr), and The Life Skills Project (Sara Cumming and Julianne DiSanto).

This innovative initiative will explore the formative adolescent and early adult experiences that contribute to women’s advancement into leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated fields such as STEM, healthcare, law, finance, and the skilled trades. Partnering with Women of Influence+, Balsam Advisory, Trillium Health Partners, and WeirFoulds LLP, the research team will employ a mixed-methods approach—surveys, focus groups, and creative problem-solving—to identify systemic barriers and co-create actionable strategies that foster leadership opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.

In addition to generating evidence-based tools and strategies, the project will provide Sheridan students with hands-on training in applied research, equity and inclusion practices, and social innovation methods. Outcomes will include practical toolkits, scalable initiatives, and widespread knowledge mobilization across academic, professional, and community networks. This award underscores FHASS’ leadership in applied, community-driven research and reaffirms Sara and Jessica’s commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in leadership.