On this page: Individual projects | Team project
Individual projects
Rahyma Raid Abdo (mentored by Barry Stewart)
Project Area: Rahyma provided support to E-IDEA鈥檚 SCOPE graduate interns, who are co-developing resources for graduate students to engage with topics and skills related to EDI, social impact, and science communication in the design professions. Rahyma鈥檚 focus was to identify creative and interactive ways to engage graduate students in the content and to support peer exchange. Her contributions are being integrated as the project continues to progress over the 25/26 academic year.
Skills & Knowledge: Through the course of her project, Rahyma deepened her open-mindedness and compassion toward the experiences of various groups of graduate students and colleagues. She participated in difficult conversations, practiced active listening, and stepped out of her comfort zone to deepen her self-awareness. Rahyma also gained knowledge in project planning techniques and broader dynamics between science and policy making.
Karimata Barry (mentored by Shay Heans-Moreyra & Ren茅e Pellissier)
Project Area: Karimata created a how-to guide for using a new teamwork assessment tool designed by the E-IDEA Teamwork Program. Karimata鈥檚 guide includes key information about the purpose and benefits of the assessment tool, as well as clear steps for implementing it in engineering and design classrooms. The guide will be launched alongside pilot runs of the assessment tool during the 25/26 academic year.
Skills & Knowledge: Karimata strengthened her skills in organizing projects, finding realistic solutions, and creative design. This was supported by actively incorporating feedback and paying attention to details. Karimata also developed research skills related to EDI strategies, practiced framing questions to foster meaningful conversations around EDI, and deepened her collaborative teamwork skills to successfully co-create the interns鈥� team project.
Karen Nguewou (mentored by Shay Heans-Moreyra & Reem Ramadan)
Project Area: Picking up from the Summer 2024 Interns鈥� team project, The Power of Diversity, Karen investigated potential platforms and formats for expanding an accessible database of design professionals from diverse backgrounds. The goal is to provide a resource supporting diverse representation in teaching material and communications related to the engineering, architecture, and urban planning disciplines. Karen鈥檚 recommendations will be used to begin building the database during the 25/26 academic year.
Skills & Knowledge: Karen developed technical skills around building accessible websites, including considerations of language, layout, and user-friendly functions. She undertook much of this work independently, leading research, trial-and-error, and problem-solving. She also developed strong teamwork and communication skills to ensure her work remained purposeful and well supported, as well as to participate in the interns鈥� team project.
Johanna Turton (mentored by Nia Fernandez)
Project Area: Johanna focused on building her knowledge around EDI strategies and action planning in the Faculty of Engineering, and applying this knowledge to key areas of her academic life. In collaboration with members of the Bioengineering Department, Johanna successfully advocated for a departmental EDI committee (officially launched in September 2025) and an Inclusivity Sub-Team for the 9I制作厂免费 iGEM design team.
Skills & Knowledge: Through Johanna鈥檚 project, she became more confident in starting conversations about EDI and advocating for collaborative action to improve internal processes and impact. In addition to applications within the Faculty of Engineering, Johanna reflected on ways to promote EDI in every aspect of her life, and is carrying her advocacy forward into all of her activities.
Bethany Wakelin (mentored by Nia Fernandez)
Project Area: Bethany joined the Working Group on Accessibility and Inclusion in Engineering Physical Spaces to complete a preliminary report describing opportunities and challenges related to inclusivity in major lobby / ground floor spaces across the Engineering buildings on the Downtown Campus. She also performed a literature review and developed an action plan for consulting key affected groups in the Faculty of Engineering. This will guide the future activities of the Working Group.
Skills & Knowledge: Bethany鈥檚 internship experience helped her develop more confidence when engaging in conversations about race, culture, and inclusion. In particular, she recognized the importance of dialogue in shaping inclusive and welcoming spaces. She also learned how to develop strong proposals and understand the steps involved in executing a project from concept to completion.
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Team project
Rahyma, Karimata, Karen, Johanna, and Bethany co-designed a special panel discussion, entitled 鈥淲hat鈥檚 in a Name? / Que signifie un nom ?鈥�, for the 3rd Annual E-IDEA Student Showcase on September 8, 2025. The purpose of this conversation was to challenge stigma, reframe the dialogue, and celebrate the complexity around equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
The interns participated as panelists, reflecting on the impact and relevance of their internships in their professional and personal lives, their thoughts on the current climate around social justice, and their hopes for EDI in the Faculty of Engineering.
This panel was followed by a networking session with invited representatives of Advancing Indigenous People in STEM (AISES), the Graduate Engineering Equity Committee (GEEC), 9I制作厂免费 iGEM, the 9I制作厂免费 Students鈥� Chapter of Scientista, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE 9I制作厂免费), the Projections: Sankofa Team, Promoting Opportunities for Women in Engineering (POWE), and Queer Engineer.
More photos from the 3rd Annual E-IDEA Student Showcase
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