Megan Cotnam Kappel

Research Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities

Digital thriving is an emerging area of research focusing on cultivating a vibrant, empowering digital presence, ensuring equitable access to technology and improving digital literacies. In minority language settings, however, digital inequalities have a disproportionately negative impact on speakers in sectors such as education, employment and health care. This chair examines the root causes of these disparities and, working with a community of experts and stakeholders, helps reshape the digital landscape for the benefit of Franco-Ontarians.
Megan Cotnam-Kappel
Digital Thriving
“I’m a proud Franco-Ontarian. This aspect of my identity guides my research about digital challenges, practices, and possibilities for empowering minority language communities through education.”

Megan Cotnam-Kappel

— Research Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities

In University news and the media

Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel
Francophonie

Language, identity and digital equity among young Franco-Ontarians

From a very young age, Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel has been interested in what it means and what it takes to choose to live your life as a Francopho…
Megan Cotnam-Kappel
Research and innovation

New research chair to explore digital thriving in Franco-Ontarian communities

The Faculty of Education congratulates Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel, an expert in educational technology and minority-language education, for her app…
Looking glass on paper
Faculty of Education

Grants to drive innovation in education and interdisciplinary research

Congratulations to Faculty of Education researchers who have been awarded funding for projects addressing antiracism, bilingualism, cellphone bans, cl…
Young students wearing mask in front of a chalkboard
Education

Post-pandemic education: What have we learned?

It's been five years since the planet went into a near total shutdown. When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, …
legos
Research

Lego Foundation awards $2.7 million grant to our researchers for the creation of a Canadian Playful Schools network

Congratulations to Co-principal investigators, Andy Hargreaves and Trista Hollweck, and the entire CHENINE team including Amal Boultif, Megan Cotnam-K…
Student in a maker lab smiling at professor.
Education

Let’s play: Tinkering with tech and transforming education

What do 3-D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, robotics, and green screens have in common? You can find them all in the edstudiO, a unique, inn…

Events

September 25, 2024 | INNOVA Inauguration and launch of the new Research Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities | The Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS)

June 13, 2024 | Digital Horizons: Navigating Canadian Perspectives in Digital Literacy Research | Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE)

May 13 – 17, 2024 |  Enjeux liés à l'éducation de langue française en contexte minoritaire canadien; Voix des jeunes et éducation à la citoyenneté numérique éthique : Une approche sociocritique en contexte francophone minoritaire;Impacts et opportunités de l’intelligence artificielle pour la relève scientifique francophone au Québec et au Canada | ACFAS 

May 10, 2024 | La citoyenneté numérique éthique avec et pour les jeunes en contexte francophone minoritaire: Une approche ethnographique critique et participative | Centre de recherche interuniversitaire sur la formation et la profession enseignante (CRIFPE)

May 7, 2024 | Francophonie connectée: Défis et perspectives en littératie, citoyenneté et équité numérique| Le Réseau d'enseignement francophone à distance (REFAD)

February 2, 2024 | Citoyenneté et participation en ligne : enjeux et possibilités pour l’épanouissement numérique des communautés franco-ontariennes | Citoyenneté 3.0 L’aventure technopédagogique en milieu franco-ontarien – ECampus Ontario

Videos

La francophonie un objet à redéfinir
Francophone Ontario La participation en ligne en Ontario français - revue Éducation et francophonie
Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel
Equitable access eCampusOntario Citoyenneté 3.0 : L’aventure technopédagogique en milieu franco-ontarien
Affiche : Le numérique et les communautés linguistiques en milieu minoritaire rôles, impacts et enjeux
Digital inequalities La vie en ligne en français et les inégalités numériques : des réflexions du personnel enseignant en Ontario durant la pandémie de la Covid-19

Photo Gallery

Megan Cotnam-Kappel Delivering keynote address

REFAD Keynote Address

Professor Cotnam-Kappel delivered the keynote address 'La citoyenneté numérique éthique avec et pour les jeunes en contexte francophone minoritaire: Une approche ethnographique critique et participative' during the annual meeting of the Réseau d'enseignement francophone à distance du Canada (REFAD). The event was held May 6-8, 2024 at the Collège La Cité, in Ottawa.
Megan Cotnam-Kappel presenting in a circle of researchers

ACFAS 2024: Enjeux actuels de l’éducation

During the ACFAS 2024 conference held at the University of Ottawa May 13-17th, Professor Cotnam-Kappel presented research findings during colloquium #517, entitled 'Enjeux actuels de l’éducation de langue française au Canada.' This year`s event brought several thousand participants together from across the world, under the theme 'Mobilizing knowledge in French.'
Megan Cotnam-Kappel

ACFAS 2024: Petit déjeuner de la francophonie canadienne

Professor Cotnam-Kappel joined her peers for this ACFAS gathering focused on key issues facing Francophone minority communities across Canada.

Research Team and Projects

Catherine Lachaine

Catherine Lachaîne

PhD Student and Scientific Coordinator
Frank Ventrella

Frank Ventrella

PhD student and research assistant
Vivien Slezak

Vivien Slezak

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant
Karime Kamagate

Karime Kamagate

PhD Candidate
Nicolas Gourde

Nicolas Gourde

PhD Student and Research Assistant
Elie Ndala

Elie Ndala

PhD Candidate and Research Assistant

Publications and Social Media

Google Scholar

Indigenous Affirmation

We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded. We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home. We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future. 

Learn more about the Indigenous Affirmation