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.

Advancing Francophone research in Canada and beyond

As Chairholder, Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel leads her research team in using collaborative approaches to build digital capacity and online empowerment for young people, education professionals and members of minority language communities. Although the focus is on French-speaking Ontario, the chair works to create global impact through international collaborations and the exchange of diverse perspectives.

The Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities is one of ten in the Collège des chaires de recherche sur le monde francophone,whose objectives are to “uphold and strengthen the tradition of excellence in research on the Francophonie in Ontario, in Canada and around the world.”

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

Faculty of Education
Megan Cotnam-Kappel
Faculty of Education

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…
Faculty of Education
legos
Faculty of Education

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…
Faculty of Education
Student in a maker lab smiling at professor.
Faculty of 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 edustudiO, a unique, in…

Events

Videos

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

Publications and Social Media

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.