Research & Scholarship Awards celebrate collaboration and growing research culture
Collaboration, curiosity and a growing culture of research were on full display at this year’s Research & Scholarship Awards and Scholars Celebration at Medicine Hat College.
Sign welcomes attendees to the 2026 Scholar's Celebration at Medicine Hat College.
The annual celebration, now in its third year, brings together faculty, staff and students to recognize research, scholarship and creative work across multiple disciplines.
“For me, the significance is really in the diversity,” says Dr. Nancy Brown, Vice-President, Academic & Provost. “We’re recognizing everything - from traditional academic research to creative work and applied projects. It’s a chance to see how much is happening across the institution.”
Dr. Brian Duffels, recipient of the Disciplinary Research Award, involved a group of undergraduate students for his project Investigating the Psychological and Behavioural Consequences of Emotion Induction: An Evolutionary Approach. The project explores how the same emotion can lead to different behaviours depending on how it’s experienced, showing that emotions don’t always work the same in every situation.
From right to left: Dr. Nancy Brown, Vice-President, Academic & Provost; Dr. Brian Duffels, Instructor, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.
“Research is where the facts in textbooks meet reality,” said Duffels. “This project was only possible because of a small team of volunteer students. These are early-career [learners] getting experiences they might not have in a larger institution.”
The celebration also highlights the breadth of talent across campus, often revealing new aspects of colleagues’ work and reinforcing the value of coming together.
“We’re seeing growth year over year in the number of projects, the diversity of topics and the level of engagement – there's a real sense that this is something that’s building,” adds Brown. “I hope people walk away seeing what’s possible, no matter where they are in their research journey.”
To learn how scholarly inquiry and applied research at Medicine Hat College are shaping learning, strengthening our region, and supporting industry, visit www.mhc.ab.ca.