Research & Innovation

As Canada's oldest, largest and leading art and design university, OCAD U offers a range of undergraduate and graduate research. The University engages in impactful art and design research through a diversity of perspectives, methods and approaches. OCAD U researchers also partner with projects outside the university from every sector and discipline to add design thinking expertise.

Research excellence

Learn about award winning researchers at OCADU

Researchers

Search our directory of OCAD U faculty members

Research centres & labs

Global Centre for Climate Action

Inclusive Design Research Centre

Health Design Studio

Research news

OCAD U and UHN collaboration brings dementia-friendly shower room from concept to reality

An idea sparked in the Design for Health graduate studio evolved into collaborative research, led by UHN’s KITE Research Institute, which resulted in a redesigned dementia-friendly shower room at UHN’s Toronto Rehab University Centre.

February 17, 2026

OCAD U research project on creative arts education receives funding

Led by Vice-President, Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Dr. Ashok Mathur, the project will examine PhD programs in creative arts.

February 11, 2026

Community initiatives address need for sustainable housing retrofits and sustainable neighbourhoods

OCAD U Associate Professor Dr. Bill Leeming is working with neighbours in Seaton Village to go green and make houses healthier and less dependent on fossil fuels.

February 10, 2026

New online catalogue provides access to cultural data

The Canadian Cultural Data Catalogue, a result of a collaborative research project co-led by OCAD U President Emerita Dr. Sara Diamond, provides a centralized, searchable tool that connects artists, researchers, policymakers and organizations with cultural data resources across the country.

February 6, 2026

Research project develops AI tools to support urban planning

The project, co-led by OCAD U President Emerita Dr. Sara Diamond, focuses on planning resilient, affordable and healthy communities.

February 3, 2026

Recent study shows how entrepreneurs strengthen local economies, drive social change

Recent research by Professor Emerit Dr. Lynne Milgram shows how artisans and vendors in the Philippines and Philippine-Toronto migrant store owners are using community networks, social entrepreneurship, and transnational connections to build stable livelihoods, strengthen local economies, and drive social change.

January 26, 2026

Research events

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Strategic Research Plan

Building on over 140 years of internationally recognized art and design education, professional practice in art, design and new media, innovative research, and engaged scholarship, this Strategic Research Plan (SRP) speaks directly to OCAD University’s new and ambitious Academic Plan — OCAD University: Transforming Student Experience, 2017-2022 which re-affirms the central role of knowledge creation and research across the institution.

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Research Ethics Board

All OCAD University-affiliated research involving human participants requires prior review and approval from the OCAD University Research Ethics Board (REB). The REB works in compliance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research.

External researchers carrying out human participant research in collaboration with members of the OCAD U community or utilizing OCAD U resources may also require prior review and approval from the REB.

Contact the Office of Research and Innovation

research@ocadu.ca

Physical Address
OCAD University 205 Richmond Street West, 5th floor, room 520 Toronto, ON

Mailing Address
Office of Research & Innovation OCAD University 100 McCaul St. Toronto, ON M5T 1W1

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