Ignite your journey in health professions education research鈥攊n the heart of Ottawa
Join us in Summer 2026 for the inaugural Ottawa-SPARK, a vibrant and immersive 5-day course designed to introduce participants to the breadth of research approaches in health professions education.
Led by an internationally recognized faculty of scholars and educators, this program goes beyond surface-level exposure. Through engaging instruction, hands-on workshops, and personalized coaching, participants will apply concepts to their own ideas or projects鈥攍eaving with foundational knowledge, practical skills, and early progress on scholarly work.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Differentiate among key research paradigms (e.g., post-positivist, constructivist) and explain how they shape research questions, study designs, and analytic approaches.
Identify and describe a range of methodologies and methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed approaches used in education research.
Apply course concepts to develop a preliminary research plan, aligning research questions with appropriate paradigms, methodologies, and resources for rigorous execution.
Demonstrate foundational research skills through practical exercises in survey design, interviewing, statistical analysis, and consensus methods鈥攕upported by daily coaching and workshops.
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for those new to health professions education research or with limited exposure to the field. It is especially suited for:
Clinician educators and aspiring education scholars seeking a clearer understanding of available methods, their application, and how to access resources for rigorous research.
Early-career researchers and recent graduates aiming to explore diverse research designs, deepen methodological understanding, and build confidence in applying them.
Whether you are just beginning or expanding your research journey, Ottawa-SPARK offers a dynamic and supportive environment to grow your skills, connect with peers, and be inspired.
Join us in Ottawa in the summer of 2026鈥攁nd spark your future in health professions education research.
Key Details
Dates: July 6鈥10, 2026 | 8:00 AM 鈥 5:00 PM
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (walking distance to the Rideau Canal)
Cost: $4,000 CAD
Course Leads: Dr. Kori LaDonna (PhD) and Dr. Susan Humphrey-Murto (MD, MEd)
Program at a Glance
Monday: 鈥婭ntroduction to Research Paradigms, Survey Design
Tuesday: 鈥婹uantitative Research, Quasi-Experimental Design
Wednesday: 鈥婹ualitative Research
Thursday: 鈥婯nowledge Synthesis, Consensus Methods (Nominal Group/Delphi)
Friday: 鈥婸rogram Evaluation
Daily Skills Development & Coaching
Hands-on sessions will cover:
Designing a survey
Conducting an interview
Coding interview transcripts
Conducting statistical analyses
Controlling and accounting for confounding factors
Choosing Delphi & Knowledge Synthesis software
Practical strategies for building a research team, budgeting, and applying for grants
Daily small-group coaching will support integration and application of course concepts.
Faculty
Monday: 鈥婦oug Archibald, PhD | Claire Touchie, MD, MHPE
Tuesday: 鈥媀icki LeBlanc, PhD | Timothy J. Wood, PhD
Wednesday: 鈥婯ori LaDonna, PhD | Roy Khalife, MD, MHPE
Thursday: 鈥婽anya Horsley, PhD, MBA | Susan Humphrey-Murto, MD, MEd
Friday: 鈥婫enevi猫ve Gauthier, PhD | Andrew Hall, MD, MHPE
For more information please consult the PDF Brochure