The Institute for Research on Migration and Society announces the 2025–2027 Bridging Divides research fund recipients
The Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS) is pleased to announce the Concordia recipients of the 2025-2027 Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides research funds. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), Bridging Divides brings together researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University, Concordia University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta.
This year’s internal competition at Concordia invited proposals aligned with two central themes: immigrant health and well-being, and employment and lifelong learning.
Each selected project received up to $50,000 over two years. Together, these projects explore how Advanced Digital Technologies (ADTs) and digital communication tools can support integration through community-based design, artistic collaboration, mental health innovation, digital learning and language-education transformation. With this competition, six new Concordia faculty members are now affiliated with IRMS.
Below are the recipients for the 2025-2027 cohort:
Cultural Consultation for Migrant Mental Health: Improving Access with Advanced Digital Technologies
This grant was awarded to Andrew Ryder as his team builds on Montreal’s expertise in culturally adapted mental health care, this project explores how digital tools — from online assessments to smartphone-based supports — can enhance cultural consultation models. The research aims to improve access to mental health services and strengthen care pathways for migrant communities.
Immigrer et apprendre le français à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle : Étude interrégionale sur les enjeux de la “francisation” au Québec
This interregional study analyzes the challenges facing adult immigrants learning French amid shifting budgets and the rapid arrival of AI-based language tools. Led by Diane Querrien, the team will develop an open-access repertoire of practices to support ethical, inclusive, and pedagogically sound uses of digital tools in adult French-language education.
Localizing AI: Community-Based AI Development
Working with local organizations in Marconi–Alexandra and Parc-Extension, Alessandra Renzi and Fenwick McKelvey will co-design a community-driven AI tool addressing issues such as food security and access to services.
Creative Tensions: Leveraging Interactive Systems to Support Listening, Value Negotiation, and Well-Being in Community Music for Immigrants and Refugees
This project, led by Luis Carlos Sotelo Castro (Concordia University) and Edith Law (Waterloo University), develops an interactive platform that helps multilingual and multicultural community choirs navigate the “creative tensions” that naturally arise during collaboration. By supporting concert planning, collective decision-making, and open value discussions, the tool aims to strengthen communication, well-being, and belonging among immigrant and refugee choir members.
Game Jams as Learning Tools for Up/Re-Skilling in Interactive Digital Technologies
This project, led by Mia Consalvo, examines how digital creation tools can help immigrants build skills relevant to the interactive technology and gaming industries through inclusive, scaffolded game-making workshops, and game jams.
Together, these five projects represent Concordia’s growing leadership at the intersection of migration studies, digital innovation, and community-engaged research. IRMS looks forward to supporting each team as their projects develop over the next two years.