McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC)

Most small businesses are still not incorporating user feedback early enough in the product development process—and it may be costing them customers. Last week, our team members Brendan M. Stanley, PhD and Anjali Bedi exhibited at The Small Business Show for the third consecutive year. After speaking with many exceptional entrepreneurs and business leaders, one key takeaway stood out: there is still a significant gap in awareness around the value of integrating real user feedback throughout the R&D process. While surprising, it was also encouraging. Those conversations highlighted just how much impact usability testing, expert reviews, and accessibility assessments can have on helping organizations create better digital experiences. We had many meaningful discussions about the role UX plays in reducing friction points, identifying accessibility barriers, and ensuring the end user remains at the centre of product development. It was inspiring to see such strong alignment between the challenges businesses are facing and the expertise our team can provide to help address them. Thank you to CanadianSME Small Business Magazine for the invitation and for hosting another excellent event. We always enjoy connecting with Canada’s small business community and look forward to returning again in the near future. If you connected with us at the show—or would like to learn more about how MDTRC’s UX Services can support your organization—contact us at ux@mcmaster.ca.

Supporting emerging researchers grow into confident contributors is one of the most meaningful parts of what we do at the MDTRC. We’re incredibly proud to see Maxwell Schaub featured by the McMaster Faculty of Science in this thoughtful piece highlighting his journey into research, the experiences that shaped his path, and the passion that led him to the MDTRC. Over the past year, our team has had the privilege of supporting Max’s growth as a researcher through his work in digital accessibility and inclusive technology design for older adults. His curiosity, dedication, and drive to make technology more accessible embody the kind of impact-focused research we strive to foster at the centre every day. Take a moment to read more about Max and the work he’s contributing to at the MDTRC.

As we reflect on the milestones that shaped 2025, we are proud to share our very first annual report.  While a LinkedIn caption could never fully capture our gratitude for the many collaborators who helped make this year possible, we invite you to read through the report and see the community behind the impact we continue to make in research, outreach and education.  Still, we want to recognize some of the individuals and organizations whose support has been instrumental to our journey.  Thank you to our Advisory Committee for championing our strategic growth and believing in our mission:  Hilary Baker  Kathryn Botchford, MBA  Alfredo C. M. Tan  Paul Tedesco  Thank you to our research partners at the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, Dixon Hall and the Hamilton Public Library for helping extend our mission to create a more digitally accessible world for older adults through the EMPOWrD major program of research.  Thank you to Joe Kutlesa, the iMatr Canada Inc. team and Innovation Factory for helping develop initiatives that promote a more holistic approach to older adult wellness through the unique lens of civic engagement.  Thank you to everyone who helped bring the 2025 Digital Futures Symposium to life through both seamless execution and the thoughtful ideas shared throughout the event.  And finally, thank you to our staff and research team who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Your dedication continues to shape our success and define who we are:  Milena Head  Brendan M. Stanley, PhD  Irina Ghilic, Ph.D.  Spencer Early Carl Michael Galang, PhD Grace Mullen Babak Safaei   Mei Yang  Maxwell Schaub Hasnain Khan We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and are excited for all the goodness to come in 2026.  

Humbled and grateful to be included in the Women in Tech 2026 Series, launched in celebration of International Women’s Day. Such an honour to take part in this conversation alongside such inspiring women from the McMaster community who are shaping the future. Initiatives like this are an important reminder of the value of diverse perspectives in advancing technology and leadership. Thank you to Gayleen Gray and her team who made this series possible. Watch all the conversations here 👉 https://lnkd.in/giAcEhTw #WomenInTech #InternationalWomensDay #Innovation #Leadership #McMaster #DeGroote #MDTRC https://lnkd.in/gMG-cSBU

"When I reflect on how my expertise has evolved over the past five years, I attribute that growth to the combination of roles I hold at DeGroote. I’ve had the privilege of simultaneously pursuing my PhD, working at the MDTRC and collaborating closely with Milena Head in the D700 MBA course... This blend of experiences has given me both the time and the exposure to deepen my interest in effective communication," shares Spencer Early. Early—a computer engineer, neuroscience master’s degree holder, PhD candidate in the Information Systems department at the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University and Technical Manager at the MDTRC—reflects on how his academic and professional journey has evolved across disciplines. With passions ranging from human perception and AI to effective communication, and a niche for experimental design, Early shares his excitement about emerging MDTRC initiatives that bring these interests together in meaningful, practical ways. Read the full article to learn more about the expertise we have in-house at the MDTRC. Stay tuned for the rest of our MDTRC Expert Series! #EmergingTech #Research #MDTRC #ExperimentalDesign #InterdisciplinaryResearch #CommunicationResearch

“Commercialization of foundational research and knowledge translation and mobilization are some of the most important emerging skills for students in this age. I'm glad to have been exposed to both at the MDTRC,” shares Maxwell Schaub, reflecting on his top insight from his ongoing research experience with us. Working alongside Milena Head, Schaub–funded by NSERC USRA and MIRA USRF–presented his current research project at the Winter 2026 DeGroote Research Assistant Workshop. His project, “Silver Linings for the Silver Surfer,” asks: What visual properties of digital interfaces make online tasks challenging for older adults? We’re grateful for the support of McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, which has played a key role in this research journey. Schaub also extended a special thank you to Carl Michael Galang, PhD, Spencer Early, Brendan M. Stanley, PhD, Milena Head and Grace Mullen, whose support has been instrumental in advancing this work. Great job on your presentation, Maxwell Schaub! 👏 DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University #StudentResearch #Perception #OlderAdults #AgingResearch #DigitalTransformation #DigitalAccessibility

“Understanding how people mentally model AI systems has huge implications for design, education, work, and society more broadly, and I find that intersection endlessly engaging,” shares Carl Michael Galang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the MDTRC. With a PhD in Social Cognitive Neuroscience and postdoctoral training in Germany, Galang brings a deep experimental and cognitive neuroscience background to the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University, working with Milena Head and Khaled Hassanein. Since the rise of large language models, many of his long-standing research interests—agency, empathy, and mental state attribution—have taken on new urgency as society grapples with how we understand and relate to AI. Curious to learn more about the expertise we have in-house at the MDTRC? Read this Q&A to discover how we’re bridging cognitive psychology and NeuroIS to better understand human–AI interaction. Stay tuned for the rest of our MDTRC Expert Series! #AIresearch #Research #MDTRC #Design #ResearchMethods #NeuroIS #Cognition

We are excited to announce that Seasons Retirement Communities, St. Catharines, will be collaborating with iMatr Canada Inc. and the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), in the DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University, to offer a unique, one-of-a-kind program for our residents. The program is also supported by the Digital Society Lab and the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, with financial support provided through the envisAGE program. Stay tuned for more details! #stcatharines #niagara #ontario #onpoli #canpoli #cdnpoli #burlON #hamilton #oakville #civicengagement #research #agingresearch

“I quietly observe with great curiosity and awe—whether it’s my students, my peers, or even my own family. They probably don’t know that they are a constant source of insight and inspiration,” shares Milena Head, Director of the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC), reflecting on her fascination with the many ways people interact with technology. To kick off our MDTRC Expert series, Head shares insights into her endless intrigue with both the bright and dark sides of digital innovation, and how her work is driven by a desire to better understand technology’s impact on people—so that we can ultimately design digital experiences that better support users. Want to learn more about the real people and inspiration behind our research? Read this Q&A to learn more about the wide range of interests on our team, and how that diversity helps shape the research we do at the MDTRC. Stay tuned for the rest of our MDTRC expert series!

Canada’s aging population faces growing digital barriers—but new research and community efforts show that relevant, accessible and empowering training can help bridge the divide.     The recent Digital Skills Training and Older Adults Townhall, co-hosted by Brian Detlor and Irina Ghilic, Ph.D., brought together researchers, community organizations, industry leaders and policy makers united in their mission to improve digital literacy for older adults.    Read the full article to learn key insights directly from leaders Brian Detlor, Janice Greenberg, Katina Papulkas, Nadia Jamil and Irina Ghilic, Ph.D., whose work is reshaping how digital skills training is delivered across Canada.    We extend our sincere thanks to the incredible lineup of speakers and community partner representatives whose presentations, initiatives and lived experiences enriched the Townhall:  Alison Howard (ABC Life Literacy Canada)  Janice Greenberg (Connected Canadians) Katina Papulkas (Dell Technologies)  Nadia Jamil (MIRA | Dixon Hall)  Lia Tsotsos (Sheridan Centre for Elder Research)  Chris Bint (Tech Coaches)  André Côté (The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University)  Linda Fawcus (Gluu Society)  Arushan Arulnamby, MPH (TMU National Institute on Ageing)  Nan Davies (Toronto Public Library)    Finally, this event was made possible through the support of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging | Dixon Hall Centre and the EMPOWrD major program of research. DeGroote School of Business - McMaster University #agingresearch #digitalliteracy https://lnkd.in/gQmCigFj