Graduate Student wins NAGS Thesis Award

Robin Kay, PhD
Professor and Dean - Faculty of Education

April 30, 2023

We love to celebrate our students' accomplishments - impactful community projects, successful teaching practica, research publications, and convocation, to name a few - but it is always an exciting day when a student's work is recognized on an international scale. We are thrilled to announce that Jennifer Robb, recent graduate of our Master of Arts program, has been awarded the prestigious Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) and ProQuest Dissertations 2023 Master's Thesis Award! 

Jennifer's thesis, titled ChangeMakers: Exploring Social Consciousness through Making and the Internet of Things, explores the intersection of technology, education, and global awareness, exemplifying the transformative potential of education in the digital age. Today's students are incredibly well-connected, often learning about significant global events within minutes of their occurrence. Yet, this heightened global connectedness can also bring a sense of helplessness. In response, Jennifer's research focused on harnessing the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to engage students in addressing pressing global issues.

Jennifer's dedication to her research and her innovative approach to education have not gone unnoticed. Her thesis was described as "well-crafted, meticulously-reasoned, and timely" by the awards committee, resonating with reviewers from various disciplines. Jennifer's success is a source of pride for the institution and a shining example of what dedication to academic inquiry can achieve! 

This remarkable achievement also builds on Jennifer's prior recognition at Ontario Tech University, where she received both the 2022 Ontario Tech Outstanding Master's Thesis Award and the 2022 Governor General's Gold Medal of Academic Excellence Award. Congratulations, Jennifer! We can't wait to see what you do next.