Blog

Sam is a 2016 BKI grad who is working with the implementation science team at Nova Scotia Health as a Health Outcomes Scientist. There, Sam conducts rigorous mixed-methods evaluations of healthcare interventions and programs within Nova Scotia as well as broad implementation research. Prior to this role, Sam completed a PhD in Health Sciences from Carleton University and a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto/University Health Network.

Sam says, "Knowledge Integration helped build the skills required for me to effectively communicate with interdisciplinary groups, critically evaluate data, and implement evidence-based programs."

Click on Sam's profile to learn more about his experience and the courses he took in KI!

Laura is a 2012 BKI grad working at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as a Policy and Programs Analyst with the Fertilizer Safety Section. During her time in KI, Laura completed a minor in Biology before obtaining a Master of Science in Biology.

Laura has worked for both the provincial and federal governments and developed a passion for plants while working in the agriculture sector. In addition to her current role, she serves as Community Liason on the Board of Directors for the North Grenville Learning Center.

Click on Laura's profile to learn more about her story!

Evaleen is a 2015 BKI grad who is self-employed as a Lawyer and Consultant at her business, Hellinga Law & Consulting. While in Knowledge Integration, Evaleen completed minors in Philosophy and Psychology. After graduation, she worked for a design and strategy consulting firm for a couple of years and then completed her JD at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Evaleen shares that she, "regularly uses the critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills she developed in KI to support and advocate for her clients."

Click on Evaleen's profile to learn more about her story!

Clarice is a 2016 BKI grad working at Athlon Studios as a Senior Design Lead. While in KI, she completed the Collaborative Design Specialization and a minor in Spanish. She then went on to pursue the Interaction Design Essentials Certificate from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2017.

As a Senior Design Lead, Clarice has transitioned from the day-to-day craft of creating design work to leading design teams through projects and managing relationships with clients.

Click on Clarice's profile to learn more about her story!

Joshua is a 2018 BKI grad working as a teacher at the Waterloo Collegiate Institute. After completing his KI degree with a minor in French, Joshua obtained a Masters in Teaching at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He now teaches History, Law, and French at Waterloo Collegiate Institute and spends his Julys with the Shad summer program.

Joshua shares that KI's high school outreach, "inspired his teaching journey; the program’s design inquiry focus, academic flexibility, and passionate community made it a clear choice for his undergraduate education."

Click on Joshua's profile to learn more about Joshua's story!

Gurkiran, first-year Knowledge Integration student completed an internship at Georgetown University in Washington, USA. 

Reflecting on her experience, Gurkiran shares, “My internship at Georgetown University deepened my understanding of public health and medicine, showing me the real-world impact of innovative health solutions.”

Sophia, third-year Knowledge Integration student, spent her summer travelling to Cape Town, South Africa, for a new pilot field course, ENV 474: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Social Justice.

Sophia shares, "This field course ignited a passion for marine ecosystems and helped me experience what it would be like to work abroad. I come out of this adventure with new knowledge, new connections, close and far, and a new outlook on the world."

Izzie, Corinne and Sakura, third-year Knowledge Integration students, presented findings from their third-year design capstone project Imagine That! at The Association for the Study of Play (TASP) in New York, one of two international conferences focused on the interdisciplinary field of play study.

The three KI students were the only undergraduate students to attend and present their research at the conference! They share, "We hope our experience is a sign to other students that there is a place for us in academia before Masters or PhDs. Go and share the cool capstone and thesis projects you’ve worked so hard on!"

Erin is a 2017 BKI grad who has been working as a lawyer at the Kitchener Crown Attorney's office since 2021 after her call to the bar and completing her JD from Queen's University. Erin is recently working on a team that deals primarily with youth accused people, as well as people whose mental health has a nexus with their offending behaviour.

She says, "KI taught me so much about making connections and communicating at different levels. Those are skills I employ every day in my advocacy."

Click on Erin's profile to learn more about her story!

Joan is a 2012 BKI grad who is working as an Energy & Carbon Manager at Wester University. In this role, they work to decarbonize Western's campus and operations. In undergrad, she completed a concurrent degree with Knowledge Integration and Systems Design Engineering with a French minor.

Before their current role, Joan worked as a user experience designer at a tech start up and tried out grad school before she shifted into energy management.

Click on Joan's profile to learn more about their story!