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Advances in technology are rapidly transforming everyday life. At Queen’s, researchers are working to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with inclusion, equity, and community engagement. This commitment is embodied in Connected Minds, a national research initiative led by York University in collaboration with Queen’s that supports interdisciplinary teams exploring the social dimensions of technological change.

Supported by more than $100 million from the and additional contributions from York and Queen’s, Connected Minds is one of the largest initiatives of its kind in Canada. Now in its third year, the program is supported by more than 50 industry, hospital, and community partners. In its first round of Team Grants, the program invested a total of $7.5 million across five interdisciplinary projects. Each team received up to $1.5 million to investigate how technology can support a more inclusive, equitable society.

“Connected Minds reflects the kind of collaborative, human-centred research Queen’s is proud to be part of,” says Gunnar Blohm, Connected Minds’ Vice-Director, and a computational neuroscientist with Queen’s Centre for Neuroscience Studies. “These projects show how we can work across disciplines and institutions to shape technologies that respect people’s needs and support real change in society.”

The first round of Connected Minds Team Grants features five ambitious projects, each with Queen’s researchers helping to discover new ways of aligning innovation with community needs:

When People Talk, Listen Completely 

(Smith Engineering) and York’s Shital Desai are co-leading a national effort to improve employment outcomes for people with speech impairments. The project, When People Talk, Listen Completely, brings together experts in workplace accessibility, communication technologies, and clinical care to reduce stigma and enhance inclusion. The team is working closely with individuals with lived experience, employers, and community organizations to develop practical tools, policies, and education materials that support workplace success and foster greater acceptance.

Creative Collectivities: Rehearsing Equitable Futures through Participatory Technologies 

(DAN School of Drama and Music) is collaborating with York’s Laura Levin to study how participatory technologies, from immersive theatre to artificial intelligence, can foster more inclusive ways of coming together. Their project, Creative Collectivities, involves artists, engineers, neuroscientists, and community partners from 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, racialized, and disabled communities. By combining live performance with digital tools such as AI, the team is reimagining how technology can support collective expression and challenge systemic barriers.

The goal is to create shared spaces, both physical and virtual, where diverse voices shape not only the stories being told but also the tools used to tell them. Through collaboration and experimentation, Creative Collectivities is exploring how performance and emerging technologies can reflect the needs and imaginations of marginalized communities.

Development and Validation of a Technologically Advanced, Clinically-Effective, Socio-ethically-Responsible Wearable EEG System for Personalized Epilepsy Management

(Medicine), in partnership with York’s Hossein Kassiri, is developing a wearable electroencephalogram system to help people with epilepsy monitor and manage their condition in real time. The team is combining medical, engineering, and ethical expertise to create a device that is accurate, comfortable, and socially responsible. With input from people living with epilepsy and support from organizations like Epilepsy Toronto, the project aims to bring personalized care into people’s homes while addressing important questions around brain data and privacy.

The Biskaabiiyaang Indigenous Metaverse

(Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) is contributing to a project that brings together Indigenous knowledge systems, community leadership, and immersive technology to create a new kind of virtual learning environment. The Biskaabiiyaang Indigenous Metaverse, led by York University’s Rebecca Caines and Maya Chacaby, is designed to support cultural connection and language revitalization through interactive, story-based experiences.

Developed in partnership with organizations such as the Nokiiwin Tribal Council and UniVirtual, the platform aims to uphold Indigenous governance and values while advancing digital inclusion. Through research in neuroscience, psychology, and community-informed design, the team is examining how virtual spaces can reflect Indigenous ways of knowing and offer personalized, ethical approaches to in-game learning and engagement.

Co-creating Intelligent Neuro-Technologies for Healthy Aging (CINTHeA) 

(Rehabilitation Therapy) is working with York’s James Elder to create socially assistive technologies that support healthy aging. The project, CINTHeA, focuses on mobility, cognitive health, and social connection for older adults. In collaboration with caregivers, community organizations, and clinical experts, the team is developing tools such as personalized robots and mobile assessments designed to promote independence and quality of life. Neuroscience research and AI-powered monitoring systems also help enable early intervention and support.

These inaugural Team Grants reflect Queen’s research community’s growing involvement in Connected Minds and its commitment to socially responsible innovation. As the program continues to grow, researchers across disciplines will have new opportunities to lead initiatives that connect technological advancement with ethical and real-world impact.

Learn more about Connected Minds.