Digitizing a Proactive Approach to Navigating Aging & Caregiving

About the Winter 2026 Project

We are launching a research-driven digital design initiative to identify and solve unmet needs within a specific community segment = older adults and their caregivers. The goal: to translate deep user insights into a tangible minimum viable product (MVP), a digital platform that delivers meaningful impact for the group that needs it most. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of human-centered research, digital innovation, and social impact design.

  • Industry partner: Collaborative Aging, a Canadian organization focused on reimagining aging through inclusive, intergenerational, and community-centred approaches.
  • Funding: Support for this project is provided by Humber’s Office of Research & Innovation through the Mobilize Grant, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Project Phases

Phase 1: Discovery & Ideation

  • Complete paid onboarding with HR virtually during the first two weeks of January 2026
  • Attend regular progress meetings on Tuesdays from 11:00 – 1:30 (in-person)
  • Conduct secondary research on aging-related challenges and innovations
  • Participate in a design sprint session (in-person)
  • Generate initial MVP concepts (and lo-fi sketches)

Phase 2: Prototyping & Development

  • Begin hands-on prototyping of MVP(s) using tools and platforms aligned with your concept
  • Present early-stage MVPs to the industry partner and project team
  • Gather feedback internally, iterate and refine the MVP accordingly

Phase 3: Testing & Validation

  • Conduct ethically approved research with human participants (pending REB clearance)
  • Carry out interviews and usability testing to capture real-world user experiences
  • Participate in a field session with Christie Gardens (TBC) to contextualize your findings
  • Apply insights to revise the MVP for stronger alignment with user needs and implementation feasibility

Phase 4: Handoff

  • Finalize all documentation related to your MVP
  • Prepare and deliver a professional handoff package to industry partner
  • Participate in a final team debrief to reflect on key lessons learned

Research Assistants Team

  1. Andrea Agila
  2. Arina Volkova
  3. Bhagyashri Sisodia
  4. Igor Alves Popazoglo
  5. Irijaya Hora
  6. Jensi Patel
  7. Kashish Shah
  8. Khrystyna Rohashevska
  9. Leah Nkweto Kasolo
  10. Nicholas Musialek
  11. Ruhaani Karkara
  12. Serhiy Bashnyak
  13. Vitor Nania