From February 16 to May 7, 2026, Algoma University’s Brampton campus convened students, professionals, and community members through the inaugural CivicTechBrampton series, a dynamic set of workshops exploring the role of technology in civic life.
Supported by Algoma University’s Academic Strategic Initiatives: Computer Repair and Technology Access Hub, the series created a practical, inclusive environment for learning, dialogue, and community-driven innovation. Led by Dr. Ushnish Sengupta, Assistant Professor in Algoma University’s Community, Economic and Social Development (CESD) program, the initiative focused on equipping attendees with hands-on experience while fostering meaningful connections between students and industry professionals.
“The CivicTechBrampton series reflects our commitment to experiential learning and community impact,” said Dr. Sengupta. “By bringing together practitioners, students, and interested citizens, we are creating opportunities to engage with real-world challenges and explore how technology can support more resilient, inclusive communities.”
The series featured a mix of workshops and discussions designed to make technology accessible while encouraging civic engagement. Participants had the opportunity to network with professionals, learn from subject-matter experts, and collaborate on applied projects, bridging theory with practice.
Several sessions stood out for their depth and relevance. The inaugural workshop, titled ‘Open Water Data’, focused on water quality and the use of open data in environmental monitoring. Mitch Bechtel, founder of Open Water Data, introduced participants to available datasets and led a hands-on session on water quality detection hardware and software.
Another highlight was the Practical AI Projects workshop, where Alex Olson from the Centre of Analytics and Engineering at the University of Toronto explored a range of applied artificial intelligence (AI) projects, offering students insights into how AI can be leveraged to address real-world challenges.
Additional sessions, including discussions on immersive technologies and grassroots communication tools such as HAM radio, further expanded the conversation, examining both emerging innovations and enduring approaches to community connectivity.
Through the CivicTechBrampton series, Algoma U continues to advance its role as Brampton’s University, strengthening local partnerships, supporting experiential learning, and creating accessible pathways for students to engage with technology in meaningful ways.
The series of past and upcoming meetups can be found on the event website Luma under CivicTechBrampton. The meetups are free and open to everyone.
The next event will be ‘Climate Voting Records for Everyday Citizens’, a presentation focusing on understanding city councillors environmental voting records and if municipal voting records can be presented in a way that is understandable by all citizens. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 8 Queen St. E.
For photos from one of these events please click here.
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