ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & DESIGN EDUCATION & HOMELESSNESS



Event
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m (MST)
Location: Zoom


A collaborative exploration with NextCalgary.

Supported by the Teaching Academy Grant for Educational Leadership (University of Calgary/Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning) and the Richard Parker Initiative.


QUESTIONS

AI-Focused Questions:
  1. "How can AI tools help students tackle wicked problems?" - How can educators integrate AI into education to support students in addressing societal challenges while promoting ethical and socially responsible practices?
  2. "What safeguards ensure AI-driven solutions are inclusive?" - Can we create AI solutions for social issues, like homelessness, that are truly inclusive and do not unintentionally reinforce existing biases or contribute to exclusion?
  3. "Can AI solve homelessness?" - What socio-economic and political barriers might hinder the effectiveness of AI-driven solutions in addressing complex social issues?

Design-Focused Questions:
  1. "Is AI the ultimate plagiarist?" - Can generative AI create something genuinely original, or is it simply an advanced tool for remixing existing ideas?
  2. "What ethical responsibilities do designers have in ensuring that AI-driven design solutions contribute to more just and equitable futures?" - If ethics require human judgment, can we trust AI to make moral decisions in design contexts?
  3. "Could AI be a better urban planner than humans?" - If AI could optimize cities for social justice, should we let it? What role should human creativity play in addressing the needs of vulnerable communities?

Homelessness-Focused Questions:
  1. "Can AI be harnessed to promote social equality?" - If AI is trained on historical data, does it inherently reinforce existing biases, limiting the potential for more inclusive futures?
  2. "Can AI replace human support in social services?" - Could AI-powered tools enhance efficiency, or would they depersonalize critical services and erode trust?
  3. "Does using AI to address homelessness risk turning a deeply human crisis into a detached data problem?" - Could a focus on technological solutions like AI distract from addressing the systemic and structural causes of homelessness, such as housing policy failures, economic inequality, and social exclusion?


GUEST SPEAKERS/PANELISTS (alphabetically)

  • Matthias Drilling, Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Chrissi Nerantzi, Professor in Creative and Open Education, School of Education, University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
  • Geoffrey Messier, Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary.
  • Lois Peterson, author and artist, Vancouver, Canada.
  • Upasana Gitanjali Singh, Associate Professor, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
  • Jay Shaw, Canada Research Chair in Responsible Health Innovation (Tier 2) and Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Canada.
  • Bonnie Stewart, Associate Professor, Online Pedagogy & Workplace Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor, Canada.
  • Svitlana Tarasenko, Senior Lecturer, Department of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University, Ukraine.
  • Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, Emerita Professor, Research, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada.


ORGANIZERS 
  • Sandra Abegglen, Researcher, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary
  • Matthias Drilling, Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland
  • Fabian Neuhaus, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary. Canada

GRADUATE ASSISTANT RESEARCHERS
  • Craig Delean, Graduate Assistant Researcher, Master of Planning, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary
  • Lucas Campbell, Graduate Assistant Researcher, Master of Planning, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary


BIOS

 
SPEAKER BIOS (alphabetically)
Matthias Drilling, Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland Matthias Drilling is a professor at the Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland. For many years, he has been conducting research on homelessness within an international network and presented the first studies on the extent, profile, and dynamics of homelessness in Switzerland. His publications primarily address the social policy implications of such severe exclusion processes. In addition to his research, Matthias advises administrations at the national and regional levels and supports NGOs and grassroots organizations in developing concepts and reflecting on their activities. With students, he carries out numerous planning and implementation projects for inclusive spaces. Contact: Matthias.drilling@zhaw.ch

Chrissi Nerantzi, Professor in Creative and Open Education, School of Education, University of Leeds, United Kingdom Dr Chrissi Nerantzi (PFHEA, NTF, CATE) is a Professor in Creative and Open Education in the School of Education, a Senior Lead of the Knowledge Equity Network and the Academic Lead for Discover and Explore at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Her innovative contributions, such as cross-boundary learning and open professional development, foster collaborative, creative and inclusive education. A National Teaching Fellow, multi-award-winning educator, and prolific researcher, Chrissi integrates creativity, playfulness, and openness to inspire transformative learning experiences across disciplines and communities. She is an internationally recognised leader in creative and open education, with a career spanning roles as a  teacher, programmer, translator, academic developer, and education innovator in Greece, Germany, and the UK. Chrissi is a GO-GN alumna, the founder of the international open #creativeHE community and has co-created many OER and initiated a range of further open professional development courses, networks and communities that have been sustained over the years. Recently the open crowdsourced genAI collection, a project she leads, won the Open Education Award for Excellence in the category of Open Curation/Repository by OEGlobal.

Geoffrey Messier, Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Software Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada Geoffrey Messier has been a Professor in Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary, Canada since 2004.  He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alberta.  His research focus is using data science and machine learning to improve the services provided to people experiencing homelessness, mental health disorders and addiction.  This includes methods for using administrative data to estimate risk, developing data tools for front-line housing program/emergency shelter staff and privacy preserving record linkage.

Lois Peterson, author and artist, Vancouver, Canada Lois Peterson is a writer, artist and community volunteer living on Vancouver Island, BC. She worked as Executive Director of the Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter for almost three years, after which she wrote Shelter - Homelessness in Our Community, a non fiction book for youth, to address many of the myths and misconceptions about the lives and situations of unhoused people and the communities affected by homelessness.Peterson's recent book Creatively Human: Why We Imagine, Make and Innovate (Orca Book Publishers, March 2025) is her tenth book for young readers, after years of also writing for adults.

Jay Shaw, Canada Research Chair in Responsible Health Innovation (Tier 2) and Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, CanadaJay Shaw is the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Responsible Health Innovation and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at University of Toronto. Jay has a cross-appointment to the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation where he supervises research-focused graduate students. He serves as Research Director of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethics & Health at the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, and is adjunct Scientist at Women’s College Hospital.

Upasana Gitanjali Singh, Associate Professor, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Prof Upasana Singh is the Academic Leader and Associate Professor in the Discipline of Information Systems and Technology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, South Africa. Additionally, she holds the esteemed positions of Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the Victorian Institute of Technology, Australia; and visiting lecturer at the Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia. She earned her Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of South Africa, complemented by a Master's and a B.Com Hons degree in Information Systems and Technology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Natal, respectively. Prof Singh is an NRF rated researcher in the field of Technology in Education (The National Research Foundation (NRF) rating is a system that measures the quality of research in South Africa).
With extensive teaching experience, Prof Singh has specialized in IT-related subjects such as e-commerce, IT Consulting, IT Strategy, Programming, and Research Methodology. Her passion, however, lies in Educational Technologies, where she has made substantial contributions as a specialist in digital teaching, learning, and assessment.
Prof Singh's interdisciplinary research has yielded an impressive publication record, including 4 edited books, 25 journal papers, 13 book chapters, and 26 peer-reviewed conference papers. Her work has significantly impacted digital teaching, learning, and assessment discourse. She has also delivered keynote addresses at over 25 international conferences and webinars, sharing insights from her research and experiences.
As the convener and Chair of the International Conference on Digital Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (digiTAL2K), Prof Singh facilitates global collaboration and knowledge exchange, attracting scholars from diverse backgrounds and countries. Beyond academia, she is committed to driving the adoption and design of digital teaching and assessment practices. Her edited books and research projects address critical issues such as Quality Assurance in the online space and innovative uses of technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
Prof Singh’s research has been instrumental during the pandemic, providing valuable insights into the transition to online learning. She has developed conceptual models tailored to the needs of academics and students, focusing on gender-specific considerations. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Teachers Award, the Future Professors Program, and the Women in Academic Leadership initiative by ASCILITE. Her dedication to scholarship and leadership in digital education is further underscored by her participation in prestigious programs such as the MISQ Scholarly Development Academy and the Higher Education Leadership and Management Programme.
Prof. Singh is a skilled collaborator, fostering partnerships both locally and internationally. She has successfully facilitated the signing of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for the University of KwaZulu-Natal with institutions in Mauritius, India, and Australia. These agreements have created opportunities for student and staff exchanges, research collaborations, and joint conference hosting, enhancing the university's global engagement and academic footprint.

Bonnie Stewart, Associate Professor, Online Pedagogy & Workplace Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor, Canada. Bonnie is an educator and social media researcher fascinated by who we are when we’re online. Associate Professor of Online Pedagogy and Workplace Learning at the University of Windsor, Canada, Bonnie explores the implications of digital information ecosystems for institutions and society. Bonnie was an early MOOC researcher and ethnographer of Twitter as an academic environment, and currently investigates what it means to know, to learn, and to belong.

Svitlana Tarasenko, Senior Lecturer, Department of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University, Ukraine
Svitlana Tarasenko, Ph.D. in Economics, Senior Lecturer, Department of International Economic Relations specializes in international business, technologies diffusion, AI integration in higher education and industry. In 2023, Svitlana participated in the CORE Research Program focused on Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change at the University of California San Diego. She also worked as a team member of the Spring Research Group at the Center for AI and Digital Policy in Washington, DC (2023). From September 2022 to August 2023, she was a fellow at The George Washington University, where she conducted research on “Innovation Triggers and Industry Policy”. This project analyzed key drivers of technological innovation and their influence on industry policies. In 2025, she will be provided the research project “Comparative Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Implementation in Education and Industry: International Practices for Ukraine” supported by Indiana University, USA. These experiences equipped her with valuable skills in formulating recommendations of integration technologies in higher education.
She was/is coordinator of Erasmus+ projects, direction K2, Strategic Partnerships funding by National Agencies, deal with AI solutions in higher education (“DialogEduShift: Transforming Higher Education Teaching and Evaluation Approaches in the Era of AI Chat Tools”; “Disaster Resilience in Higher Education Systems via a Cloud University Model”).
Web page: https://mev.biem.sumdu.edu.ua/en/employees_of_nnibt/tarasenko-svitlana-viktorivna

Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, Emerita Professor, Research, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Canada Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff, PhD and MPhil, Columbia University, NYC, and MSW, University of Toronto, is a Professor Emerita, University of Calgary. Her research over the last 40 years includes mental health, addictions and homelessness and recently examined the psychosocial needs of staff in frontline staff in services for homeless people, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Currently she is involved a project that expands housing for homeless persons to convert room and board facilities to supportive housing facilities, using a combined private enterprise and non-for-profit partnership.  Her book, “Working With Homeless and Vulnerable People: Basic Skills and Practices” (Oxford University Press) addresses frontline services staff in homeless services.


ORGANIZER BIOS (alphabetically)
Sandra Abegglen, Researcher, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary Sandra Abegglen, PHD, is an educator, researcher, and advocate for innovative and socially responsible education. She has a strong interdisciplinary background, with expertise spanning workplace learning, leadership, organizational development, and adult education. Sandra’s research focuses on integrating emerging digital technologies, such as generative AI, into higher education to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Her current projects explore how AI can be used in design education to address complex societal issues like homelessness, while promoting ethical and inclusive practices. Sandra is passionate about creating learning environments that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. She believes in the power of storytelling, reflective practice, and playful learning as tools to engage learners and support their personal and professional growth. In addition to her academic work, Sandra regularly contributes to conferences, publications, and community initiatives. She is committed to bridging theory and practice, offering practical strategies for educators to navigate the evolving educational landscape. She has received multiple awards for her innovative contributions to education and the community.

Matthias Drilling, Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, SwitzerlandMatthias Drilling is a professor at the Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, Switzerland. For many years, he has been conducting research on homelessness within an international network and presented the first studies on the extent, profile, and dynamics of homelessness in Switzerland. His publications primarily address the social policy implications of such severe exclusion processes. In addition to his research, Matthias advises administrations at the national and regional levels and supports NGOs and grassroots organizations in developing concepts and reflecting on their activities. With students, he carries out numerous planning and implementation projects for inclusive spaces. Contact. Matthias.drilling@zhaw.ch

Fabian Neuhaus, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary. Canada Dr. Fabian Neuhaus, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary. Canada. He received his doctorate in urban planning from University College London, the Bartlett. His research interest are in urban participation and participatory planning as well as design pedagogy and new technologies. His research focuses on the topics of Habitus, Type and Ornament in the sense of Activity, Technology and Memory. He has collaborated nationally and internationally, exploring new and innovative participation methods in the build environment. He is the principal author of www.urbantick.org and curator of nextcalgary.ca.


GRADUATE ASSITANT RESEARCHER BIOS (alphabetically)
Lucas Campbell, Assistant Researcher, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, University of Calgary Lucas Campbell is a student at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape in his final semester of the Master's of Planning program and has an academic background in economics. Lucas' current planning interests are dense housing, walkable communities, active and public transportation, and solving issues associated with climate change through policy and design.

Craig Delean, Graduate Assistant Researcher, Master of Planning, School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape, University of Calgary Craig Delean is a first year student of the Master of Planning program at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape. He has a background in Fine Art and Visual Studies, focusing on digital media creation and online distribution practices. His current research interests are in material property investigations, these properties' relationship to participatory urbanism initiatives, and the impacts of generative AI's encroachment on creative and design fields.
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