Bridging Divides
The Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides research program is dedicated to building a new understanding of the challenges and opportunities that migrant integration poses for Canada (and all countries) locally and across borders.
The program’s unique interdisciplinary research design will drive leadership in the areas of citizenship and civic participation, the future of work, healthcare, and the responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, which is changing the way we work, live and interact. This intersectional approach will further the modernization of global immigration policies and contribute to building communities and urban centres that are equitable, resilient and inclusive to migrants.
The program will focus on the urban context, including both large urban centres and small- and mid-sized cities, as these are the main destinations of both newcomers and settled immigrants.
This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) (external link) .
Bridging Divides will address the global challenges of immigration and migration, offering critical insights during this time of rapid social, economic and digital transformation.
Key Figures
25
research leaders
100+ scholars
27 core partners
200+
organizations
1500+
one-year HQP opportunities
Academic Partners
Themes
Work in the Bridging Divides program is organized into four thematic research streams:
Immigrant Health and Well-Being
Employing innovative social and technological strategies and tools to engage immigrant communities in prioritizing needs and co-creating solutions to reduce health disparities.
Place and Infrastructure
Exploring how smart city technologies can reinforce social infrastructure to optimize the resilience of urban communities.
Employment and Lifelong Learning
Examining whether and how advanced digital technologies can be strategically applied to improve immigrants’ economic integration.
Citizenship and Participation
Considering how civic and political participation and citizenship are fundamental to the success of resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities.
Working Groups
The six working groups will act as enablers and providers of cross-cutting support for the four thematic research streams.
Stakeholder Relations Working Group (SRWG)
Coordinating connections with knowledge users and the private/public sectors.
Training Working Group (TWG)
Providing equitable access to training opportunities and workshops.
Data Management Working Group (DMWG)
Creating and supervising a data management plan and global data repository.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (EDIWG)
Overseeing the consistent adoption of EDI best practices and policies.
Technology and AI Adoption Working Group (TAWG)
Supporting the responsible adoption of disruptive technologies in diverse projects.
Knowledge Mobilization Working Group (KMWG)
Ensuring that research outputs are shared and applied widely in both official languages.
Contact Us
To learn more about Bridging Divides, contact us at bridging.divides@torontomu.ca
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