Celebrating DeGroote grant success in 2025

DeGroote is proud to share the outstanding success of its researchers in recent national funding competitions. Projects span critical issues such as consumer behaviour, food security, workplace well-being, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and climate risk.  

Eight faculty members have been awarded grants through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development program—an 80 per cent success rate for DeGroote-led projects. In addition, seven faculty are contributing as co-applicants on other SSHRC projects. Complementing these achievements, our researchers also secured two SSHRC Insight Grants, one Partnership Development Grant and two Partnership Engage Grants. Adding to this success, two DeGroote scholars received Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grants.  

Congratulations to the lead researchers, co-applicants and contributors involved in these exciting collaborative projects. 

SSHRC Insight Development Grants (DeGroote-led projects)

DeGroote applicant: Christine Lesage, Marketing

Project title: Provenance and patriotism: Exploring consumer behaviour toward product origin across multichannel contexts 

This research investigates the psychological and contextual drivers of consumer attitudes toward product origin in online and offline retail. It offers insight into how nationalism and trade protectionism shape consumer behaviour, informing strategies that enhance Canada’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. 

DeGroote applicant: Manish Verma, along with Yun Zhou, Operations Management
Project title: An incentive mechanism to reduce avoidable food waste in Canada

This project explores how tax incentives can encourage earlier food donations from retailers, reducing waste and improving food security. Findings aim to inform policy that delivers both economic and social benefits across Canada’s food distribution systems. 

DeGroote applicant: Ala Mokhtar, Accounting and Financial Management

Project title: The effect of subjectivity in performance evaluation, superior-subordinate trust, and observability of evaluation on employee effort and overwork 

This study examines how subjectivity in evaluations, trust and transparency affect employee performance and well-being. It aims to inform strategies that reduce bias and overwork while preserving fairness. 

DeGroote applicant: Yair Berson, Human Resources and Management

Project title: The effects of exposure to rudeness on cognitive functioning and task outcomes: A neuroscience perspective

This study investigates how exposure to workplace rudeness impacts neurological and cognitive functions. It offers insight into performance outcomes and the broader implications for employee well-being. 

DeGroote applicant: Benson Honig, Human Resources and Management

Project title: Selling beauty, building power: Women entrepreneurs in the emerging markets of medical aesthetics

This research examines the rise of nurse practitioners in the medical aesthetics industry, exploring racial and class dynamics, entrepreneurial journeys and market trends shaping this fast-growing sector. 

DeGroote applicant: Berk Gorgulu, Operations Management

Project title: Designing fair allocation mechanisms for food rescue and allocation

This project develops new algorithms for the equitable distribution of donated food. It incorporates multiple fairness and efficiency measures to better address food insecurity and reduce waste. 

DeGroote applicant: Lingling Shi, Operations Management

Project title: Economic and environmental impacts of recycling and repurposing used EV batteries in a circular economy framework

This study models the first- and second-life use of electric vehicle batteries, offering cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approaches to end-of-life battery management. 

DeGroote applicant: Cansu Ekmekcioglu, Information Systems

Project title: Understanding and improving the accountable use of Generative Artificial Intelligence technologies in human services: Insights into non-profit immigrant settlement organizations in Ontario

This project examines how Canada’s non-profit settlement sector adopts Generative AI and its role in supporting accountability. It identifies improvements to ensure safe, fair and effective use. 

SSHRC Insight Development Grants (DeGroote co-applicants)

Co-applicant: Manish Verma, Operations Management  

Project title: Towards equity and sustainability: Advancing extended producer responsibility systems for electronic waste management in Canada 

Co-applicants: Khaled Hassanein and Milena Head, Information Systems  

Project title: Harnessing Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to maximize performance while nurturing self-accomplishment: A balanced approach 

Co-applicant: Ruhai Wu, Marketing 

Project title: Evolving Dynamics and Compensation Design in Brand-Influencer Partnerships 

Co-applicant: Catherine Connelly, Human Resources and Management 

Project title: Gaining insights into leaders’ behavioral integrity from the leaders themselves 

Co-applicant: Trish Ruebottom, Human Resources and Management 

Project title: Divided: How political polarization shapes cultural industries 

Co-applicant: Yoontae Jeon, Finance and Business Economics  

Project title: Measuring climate uncertainty cost for Canadian insurance firms 

Co-applicant: Ashish Pujari, Marketing 

Project title: Responsible Innovation for SDGs: Engaging minor stakeholders to solve grand challenges 

SSHRC Insight Grant

DeGroote applicant: Alfred Liu, Accounting and Financial Management 

Project Title: Topics and Language in U.S. and Canadian Corporate Climate Risk Disclosures  

In 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enacted landmark rules, requiring registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in their registration statements and periodic filings. This project investigates the topics and language in corporate risk disclosures.  

DeGroote applicant: Sudipto Sarkar, Finance and Business Economics 

Project Title: Climate Beliefs and Attitudes, Economic Distress, and Pollution 

Corporate decisions on sustainable behavior are affected by both government regulations and social norms. This research will enhance our understanding of the determinants of corporate pollution levels. It will help identify the role of climate beliefs and attitudes, as well as regional economic distress, in determining the level of pollution.

NSERC Discovery Grant

DeGroote applicant: Berk Gorgulu, Operations Management

Project title: Control of Stochastic Queueing Networks with Endogenous Effects 

This program uses fluid models to investigate how internal system factors affect queueing networks and response strategies. It focuses on capacity allocation, planning and admission control in healthcare settings.  

DeGroote applicant: Shane Saunderson, Information Systems

Project title: Neurophysiological Feedback for Understanding and Designing Humanlike Technologies.

Using lab experiments, this research studies how interactions with robots and AI affect human neurophysiology. The findings will shape reinforcement learning models and inform the design of emotionally intelligent technologies. 

SSHRC Partnership Development Grant

DeGroote applicant: Catherine Connelly, Human Resources and Management

Project title: The show must go on: Supporting Canadian professional musicians 

Many musicians live at the poverty line and need resources like negotiation workshops to improve working conditions. Partnering with Sonic Unyon, FMCAD at Humber Polytechnic, the Toronto Musicians Association and the Canadian Live Music Association, this project explores when musicians should accept performance opportunities and how to negotiate better terms. 

SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant

DeGroote applicant: Benson Honig, Human Resources and Management

Project title: Assisting Older Women Immigrants Through Virtual Incubation

Partnering with the Immigrants Working Centre, this project supports older immigrant women facing unemployment and isolation. It investigates entrepreneurial barriers and co-designs training tools to help participants develop viable small businesses. 

DeGroote applicant: Sean O’Brady, Human Resources and Management

Project title: The social shaping of artificial intelligence adoption and job quality in the information and communications technology industry 

Building on research with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), this project will study AI adoption in workplaces, focusing on customer service agents and technicians. Findings will guide CWA in shaping best practices, collective bargaining, public campaigns and policy reform.