Doing Research with Red Deer Polytechnic
Collaboration is an essential part of research at Red Deer Polytechnic. We are proud to undertake a wide variety of research projects with students, faculty and staff, as well as community partners, innovators, researchers and businesses from across central Alberta and beyond. 
Looking to develop a research or innovation idea? By utilizing the facilities and connecting with the experts at Red Deer Polytechnic, you will be able to develop your project, streamline processes and help navigate funding and engagement opportunities. researchscholarshipoffice [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (Contact us) to learn how we can assist you.
The five focus areas below demonstrate some of the ways in which Red Deer Polytechnic supports diverse research opportunities.
Innovation in Manufacturing
The Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing leverages its broad capacities, network, technical capabilities, and multi-skilled technical experts to help provide timely solutions to industry’s manufacturing and design problems. Our expertise and resources in 3D prototyping of plastic, wood, and metal helps innovators advance their ideas toward commercial application.
Applied Health Collaborations
Community collaborations with health agencies like Bethany CollegeSide, as well as local non-profit agencies, lead applied research in many health and social science disciplines, providing community partners with expertise and students with experiential learning opportunities.
The Health Research Collaborative (HRC) was an applied research initiative developed between Red Deer College and Alberta Health Services to achieve excellence in collaborative applied research that effectively addressed health issues, improved health outcomes, and built capacity for evidence-informed planning and decision making. The HRC was Chaired by Dr. Scott Oddie, Director of Primary Care Research, AHS Applied Research and Evaluation Services. It ended in 2019.
Environment and Ecology
Faculty in the Sciences work with students on a number of projects, including environmental water testing and research on human-wildlife interactions.
Alternative Energy
Red Deer Polytechnic's Energy Innovation Centre – an important part of our larger Alternative Energy Initiative – positions us to help Albertans integrate alternative energy sources and systems into their homes, businesses, and communities. The initial focus is on solar photovoltaic and combined heat-and-power energy producing systems, as well as demonstration of solar thermal, geothermal, energy storage, and energy from waste.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is an important part of scholarly work. It has a practical dimension, improving faculty teaching and student learning. It also has a theoretical dimension, applying the rigour of research method to faculty exploration of real-world teaching challenges.