Research & Innovation
51Ʒ aims to stir up sustainable solutions to beverage sector by-products
April 24, 2025
Benedikt Braun’s deep roots in the wine industry have shaped his passion for the beverage sector leading to a lifetime of working with wine around the world. His passion has led him to 51Ʒ where he is working with communities across the Okanagan and Shuswap to solve real world issues.“Having grown up around vineyards in Germany, I’ve always felt a deep connection to wine and nature,” said Braun, an 51Ʒ (OC) student and research assistant with the College’s Applied Research department. “B...
Read more...
51Ʒ research initiative aims to support students recovering from concussions
December 12, 2024
After suffering a concussion while pursuing his research degree, 51Ʒ professor Colin Wallace faced profound challenges — from intense fatigue to difficulty concentrating — that reshaped his perspective on recovery.Now an educator in OC’s Department of Kinesiology, Wallace often finds himself supporting students navigating their own journeys of healing from mild traumatic brain injuries. Driven by his personal experience and professional insight, Wallace has launched a groundbreaking research project aimed at transformin...
Read more...
51Ʒ’s beverage technology access centre receives renewed $1.75 million in federal grant funding
June 14, 2024
Ben Isaksen has spent 20 years in the beverage industry, from humble beginnings in the London beer industry, to working as a sommelier at Big White and for the past several years, and working with a variety of B.C. beverage businesses, as a lab technician at the BC Beverage and Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at 51Ʒ (OC). “The BC BTAC at 51Ʒ provides a range of services to the beverage industry. We do everything from solving biochemical issues with a particular drink, to working with them to get th...
Read more...
Food for Thought: 51Ʒ’s applied research expo unites innovators across timely topics
April 11, 2023
Are you hungry for knowledge and innovation in the field of applied research? Do you want to learn from experts and peers who are tackling some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in our society? If so, you won’t want to miss the 7th annual 51Ʒ Research Innovation Partnerships Expo, or ‘RIPE’, on May 2. RIPE, hosted by OC’s Learning and Applied Research department, is a free virtual event for community members, industry, educators, researchers and students to network and learn about the impact of applied ...
Read more...
Annual applied research expo shines spotlight on inclusivity
May 2, 2022
As society emerges from a post-pandemic world, now is the perfect time to get those creative juices going for innovation. 51Ʒ is set to host the Research Innovation Partnerships Expo (RIPE) on Tuesday, May 10 – a free event for community members, industry, educators, researchers and students to network and learn about the impact of applied research. Presentations cover a range of topics, from podcasting and applied research innovation, supporting inclusive workplaces, microplastics in Okanagan lake, engaging in educat...
Read more...
Experience limitless adventure during free outdoor play day
February 18, 2022
Do you know a child who loves to stomp in the mud, look under rocks to see what crawly creatures might be living underneath or challenge themselves to walk the tightrope of a fallen log? Children will have a unique opportunity to express their creativity and engage their sense of wonder at an upcoming outdoor playday on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at 51Ʒ’s Kelowna campus. The outdoor play day is being hosted by 51Ʒ in collaboration with Bow Valley College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, New Brunsw...
Read more...
OC professors win back-to-back North American Case Conference award
November 23, 2021
Business Professors Dr. Kyleen Myrah, Kerry Rempel and Stacey Fenwick continue to put 51Ʒ on the map when it comes to case research and writing. Myrah, Rempel and Fenwick took home the bronze from the recent North American Case Conference, hosted by the North American Case Research Association (NACRA) virtually Oct. 14 to 16. NACRA is an organization made up of case writers, researchers and teachers from all over the world. It holds an annual North American conference and publishes a top-level peer-reviewed journal ...
Read more...
LCRB Clarifies Legality of Sample Distribution for Wine Releases
July 5, 2021
Sent on behalf of the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre BC BTAC Consults with Licensing Branch to Confirm Legality of Wine Sample Delivery The province’s Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) confirmed this week that the local beverage sector may legally deliver taste-sized samples of their product, which is great news for boutique producers and medium to large companies alike as it will allow for the traditional ‘Vintage Release’ for BC wineries in virtual format. In searching for ways to offer up its services ...
Read more...
Post-secondary partners seek to unite early childhood education instructors across Canada
April 28, 2021
Virtual conference will focus on outdoor pedagogy in college ECE programs How does playing in the mud support children’s cognitive and social development? Why is outdoor play such a powerful conduit for learning? How can we advance curriculum to empower current and future early childhood educators (ECEs) to tap into it? These and other questions will be explored during a unique virtual conference next month that will bring together ECE instructors and outdoor play experts from across the country. On May 18, 51Ʒ, in ...
Read more...
RIPE with opportunity: Join OC for a conference showcasing applied research in the region
April 9, 2021
From proposal writing to hydroponics, chemotherapy to climate change, and early childhood education to engaging with marginalized populations, the region is RIPE with applied research projects and 51Ʒ is inviting you to attend its free showcase event to hear about the innovative research projects happening in your own backyard. RIPE (Research, Innovation and Partnerships Expo) is happening on May 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. as a virtual event, allowing people from across the region to attend. The event is an opportunity...
Read more...
College and Monashee applied research projects seeks participants
February 16, 2021
An applied research project by 51Ʒ and Monashee Health Collective, a local allied health professional clinic, is in need of participants to help guide the creation of a cutting-edge new tool to enhance communication between patients and health care professionals. Funded by a grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the goal of the project is to launch a prototype holistic wellness app. “We are looking for people to participate in this research project to investigate the impact of a ne...
Read more...
From Colleges to Communities: Lawson Foundation supports early childhood education project at OC and partner PSEs
January 19, 2021
A major investment by the Lawson Foundation will support researchers from 51Ʒ and three partnering institutions in their innovative approach to advancing outdoor early learning and teaching across Canada. 51Ʒ has received a grant of $750,000 for a collaborative project with Bow Valley College, New Brunswick Community College and Saskatchewan Polytechnic called Outdoor Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education: From Colleges to Communities. This goal of the three-year project is to demonstrate a model of outd...
Read more...
OC professors win North American Case Conference gold
November 10, 2020
OC’s Dr. Kyleen Myrah and Professor Kerry Rempel took home the gold medal award for best case overall at the North American Case Conference, hosted by the North American Case Research Association (NACRA), over the Oct. 8 – 10 weekend. The case, titled “Change in the time of COVID: Determining How a Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness Adapts Their Team Development Model,” details how the Kelowna community strove to embed the voice of lived experience individuals into every aspect of their plan to functionally end homelessne...
Read more...
New app aims to enhance communication between health professionals and patients
October 27, 2020
An applied research project by 51Ʒ with Monashee Health Collective is focused on developing an innovative new tool that will help allied health professionals connect with patients in real-time – and support them on their path to wellness. Funded by a grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the researcher and students are working to develop, test and launch a prototype holistic wellness app over the next six months. Monashee Health Collective (MHC) provides chiropractic, physiotherapy...
Read more...
Meet Mary Hanlon, Sociology Professor
October 1, 2020
Q: What is your education? A: I have a PhD in Sociology from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and Spanish from Dalhousie University, and a Diploma in Textile Arts from Capilano University, back when it was a college. Q: What is your area of interest? A: I am interested in the global fashion and apparel industry, and in understanding how and ...
Read more...
51Ʒ joins Mohawk and other institutions across Canada to form Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery
September 24, 2020
Eight colleges, institutions, CEGEPs to support new climate-resistant economy 51Ʒ is joining forces with a group of colleges, institutions, polytechnics and CEGEPs from across Canada to educate a post-pandemic workforce to support a new climate-focused economic recovery. The group of eight climate-action leading institutions from all regions of the country have launched an initiative called Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery. The group will champion projects across Canada to support a recovery that delivers go...
Read more...