Centres Overview
OISE Centres have a long tradition of collaborative scholarship that enhances our global reputation, promotes research excellence, and enriches the student experience. The breadth and depth of our departmental- and institute-level centres provides an extraordinary range of opportunities for multidisciplinary research, community partnership, and deep engagement in focused fields of study. A fundamental part of our history, OISE’s centres provide vibrant opportunities to connect and explore interests and synergies, welcoming students, faculty members and staff to engage in a variety of activities and events.
Research Centres
The Atkinson Centre promotes research on child development, and the development of early learning policy and practice that serve young children and their families. Central to the work of the Atkinson Centre is the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion in its research agenda.
Centre for Black Studies in Education
The Centre for Black Studies in Education (CBSE) exists primarily to harness the knowledge of Black scholars and address anti-blackness & inequities that impact Black people in all aspects of Canadian life including education.
Centre de recherches en éducation franco-ontarienne (CREFO) est un centre de recherche interdisciplinaire où on étudie les pratiques éducatives, sociales et langagières de la francophonie en Ontario, au Canada et dans le monde, en mettant l'accent sur les processus de construction des différences et des inégalités sociales ainsi que sur les mécanismes sociaux d'inclusion et d'exclusion.
Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy
The Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy is an interdisciplinary centre dedicated to research and development of multicultural and diversity issues in counselling and psychotherapy, focusing particularly on the stigmatized social identities of gender, race, sexual orientations, class, disabilities, religion, and age.
The Centre for Educational Research on Languages and Literacies (CERLL) focuses on curriculum, instruction, and policies for education in second, foreign, and minority languages, particularly in reference to English and French in Canada but also other languages and settings -- including studies of language learning, methodology and organization of classroom instruction, language education policies, student and program evaluation, teacher development, as well as issues related to bilingualism, multilingualism, cultural diversity, and literacy.
Centre for Indigenous Educational Research
The Centre for Indigenous Educational Research (CIER) is designed to foster Indigenous resurgence and strengthen an Indigenous presence in research practices, but more specifically within Indigenous educational research contexts. The Centre provides a safe and supportive research environment linking Indigenous communities and the university. It serves to promote and support culturally aligned methodologies and theoretical approaches to Indigenous educational research.
Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies
The mandate of the Centre for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies (CIARS) is to enhance research and teaching in the areas of equity, anti-racism praxis and alternative knowledge(s) in education. CIARS' mandate also includes the generation of collaborative relationships with community and other institutional organizations.
The Centre for Leadership and Diversity (CLD) is devoted to engendering, promoting and sustaining an interest in, and commitment to, leadership and diversity. Centre initiatives are intended to encourage and nurture activities that advance the cause of equity, social justice and democracy in matters of leadership and policy.
The Centre for Learning, Social Economy & Work (CLSEW) brings together academics, public and private sector labour educators, participants in the social economy and broader community to understand and enrich the often under-recognized contributions of work and learning dynamics throughout their full range of variation in Canadian society and internationally.
The Centre for Media, Culture, and Education (CMCE) seeks to foster critical inquiry and debate regarding cultural practices integral to everyday life in contemporary communities.
The Centre for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education's (SMT's) mission is to undertake research, development, and teaching that promote critical understanding, inclusion, diversity, equity, personal well-being, creativity, and social and environmental justice.
Centre for Smart Learning and Development
Advances in artificial intelligence systems and the widespread adoption of portable technologies are effecting a transformation in education goals and teaching practices. In this context, the Centre for Smart Learning and Development aims to improve learning outcomes by fostering the development and application of research on cognitive psychology and smart learning technologies. The Centre will serve as a research hub, connecting faculty to external stakeholders, including industry, community, and government partners.
The Centre for the Study of Canadian & International Higher Education (CIHE) has four main objectives: 1) to support and promote research on the study of Canadian and international higher education; 2) to disseminate research findings through Centre publications, conferences, symposia, and seminars; 3) to contribute to and support informed public debate on Canadian and international higher education; and 4) to create a research community of engaged scholars, graduate students, and others interested in the study of higher education.
The Centre for Urban Schooling (CUS) was established in 2005 to connect OISE to urban schools and communities. The Centre conducts research on and advocates for critical practice that is focused on how to better serve historically marginalized and racialized children and youth in public schools.
The Comparative, International & Development Education Centre's (CIDEC's) mandate is to promote excellence, collaboration, and innovation in comparative and international educational research at OISE.
Institute for Knowledge Innovation and Technology
The Institute for Knowledge Innovation and Technology (IKIT) conducts research, develops technology, and helps build communities aimed at advancing beyond "best practice" in education, knowledge work, and knowledge creation.
The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) brings together graduate teacher education through the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education (MA-CSE) program, exemplary educational practices for the Laboratory School children in nursery to Grade 6, and multidisciplinary research in child development at the endowed Dr. R.G.N. Laidlaw Research Centre.
Laidlaw Research Centre
The Dr. R.G.N. Laidlaw Centre is at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS). The Centre is dedicated to the support of applied multidisciplinary research in child development. It is integral to the Institute of Child Study’s mission of integrating research, graduate/teacher training, and exemplary elementary education in the JICS Laboratory School. Current research aims to understand children and innovative programs to support their education and development.