Ongoing Projects

Employer Perceptions towards hiring Newcomers and International Students in Newfoundland and Labrador

This project was funded by Newfoundland and Labrador's Workforce Innovation Centre and is focused on labour market dynamics in Newfoundland and Labrador and employer perceptions towards hiring newcomers and international students. The first stage of the project has been completed with five mini reports based on a survey to over 300 employers across NL.

The second stage of the project will focus on evaluating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the NL labour market and business and public policy response to COVID-19 in the shortterm and longer-term and possible changes in employer hiring attitude towards newcomers and international students.


Developing Social Enterprises for Access to Culturally Diverse Food and Ingredients: The Case of the St. John’s Community Market

Agriculture development, food security, and meaningful employment to immigrants are always important issues in NL. This project aims to address these issues by providing an innovative solution to help the St. John’s farmer groups grow into a social enterprise, which combines farmers, ingredient suppliers, diverse cultural food providers, immigrant entrepreneurs, and immigrant employees.

We have applied and secured a regional development fund launched by The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this project, by employing a social cost-and-benefit analysis, we aim to thoroughly evaluate the social, cultural, and environmental impacts that could be brought forth by the St. John’s farmers groups’ potential transition to a social enterprise, while also assessing its economic viability and exploring the opportunities and potential challenges of developing a social enterprise business. We will also look at the policies and support that the government may propose to help facilitate the start-up or development of this potential social enterprise.

Link: Provincial Government Announces Social Enterprise Research Projects


Policy and Image: Canadian Mass Media and Immigrant Integration

Mass media may have significant effects on immigrant images and efficacy of state integration policies of immigrants. By conducting formal and informal interviews with media producers, this research will address the complex and dynamic relationship between immigration/integration policies and mass media in Canada, especially in the Atlantic region. The project is funded by Memorial University of Newfoundland – Seed, Bridge and Multidisciplinary Fund of the Research Grant and Contract Services (RGCS).


Developing Better Understanding of the Integration Needs of Newcomers in the NL Labour Market: A Public Engagement Project

Working with the ANC (Association for New Canadians) to conduct public consultations with employers, newcomers, and settlement agencies, this project will develop deep understanding of immigrants’ experiences, challenges, and expectations regarding integrating into the NL workplace. This project will also identify best or promising practices that make immigrants’ integration successful in NL and develop a suite of training materials to be delivered to hundreds of business owners and employees annually.

This project is funded by the Harris Center’s Public Engagement Accelerator Fund.


Evaluating the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Efficacy of Business Responses and Recovery Policies in Newfoundland and Labrador

Businesses are responding to a severe global pandemic in various ways, and HRM practices are becoming more agile and responsive as a consequence of the changing world of business. Funded by the JR Smallwood Foundation research grant, this project will investigate changes in public policies and organisational behaviours during the pandemic, including changes in business operations, workplace practices, and alternative work arrangements both in the short-term and longer-run.


Understanding barriers of student participation in outbound mobility to Latin America

Outbound mobility is now considered as equally important inbound mobility by Canada’s institutions of higher education, according to Canada’s International Education Strategy, 2019-2024. The Jarislowsky chair research team is currently collaborating with researchers from Lakehead University, Vancouver Island University, and Carleton University to conduct relevant literature review and student surveys in order to identify potential barriers for Canadian postsecondary students to participate in outbound mobility programs to Latin America. This project also aims to improve program design and provide support to students from low-income families, students with disabilities, and indigenous students, and develop promotional strategies to increase outbound mobility to Latin America.