The SSHRC funded projects are in two parts.
Phase One will be focused on: Post-secondary Emergency Management (EM) programs are increasingly expected to prepare graduates who can apply theory in complex, real‑world situations. A recent comprehensive review of JIBC’s diploma and bachelor programs identified an important opportunity to enhance applied learning by strengthening Work‑Integrated Learning (WIL), employer engagement, and profession‑specific applied research. However, clear evidence and practical models for integrating WIL into advanced emergency management courses remain limited, especially in online and hybrid learning environments.
This exploratory project will investigate how WIL can be meaningfully and sustainably embedded into upper‑level emergency management curriculum. Through a focused literature review, an environmental scan of Canadian and international EM programs, and consultations with faculty, instructional designers, employers, and EM practitioners, the project will identify best practices and contextual considerations for applied, practice‑oriented learning.
Phase Two: This phase will include an interactive workshop to be held at the upcoming Building Resilient Communities Conference in November. The workshops is intended to bring together community organizations, non-profits, emergency management practitioners, industry partners, and representatives from Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) to explore how Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) can support emergency management and community resilience through stronger collaboration and practical partnerships.
The workshop is designed as a collaborative and action-oriented session focused on identifying real organizational and community needs and exploring how students may contribute through meaningful WIL opportunities. Rather than focusing primarily on academic program structures, the session centers community and practitioner perspectives to better understand operational realities, existing capacity gaps, and practical partnership opportunities.
WHAT WERE THE MAIN GOALS OF THIS PROJECT?
The primary objective of this project is to strengthen applied teaching and learning innovation in Emergency Management (EM) education by examining how Work‑Integrated Learning (WIL) can be effectively embedded into upper‑level courses within a bachelor program. This work directly responds to recommendations from the comprehensive program review of JIBC’s ESMS diploma and bachelor programs, which identified the need to revise curriculum to enhance applied learning experiences through WIL, employer engagement, and profession‑specific applied research. As an applied post‑secondary institution with a mandate to advance a just society, JIBC is uniquely positioned to lead this exploration and generate models that align academic learning with community and sector needs.
At DemoFest we will be presenting/showcasing any findings we have to date, looking to engage with others to discuss and gage our outcomes.
HOW DOES THIS DEMONSTRATE INNOVATION?
The project will demonstrate innovation by highlighting opportunities for WIL initiatives to be incorporated into the EMD programs which has not been previously done before, especially in an online program delivery. The results of the project will feature 2-3 conceptual WIL ready instructional models.
