Research Publications
Download Academica Group's research and reports.
Academica Research Publications
Download copies of Academica’s public research briefs, reports, and expert guides.
Bridging Canada’s Productivity Gap with Professional, Continuing, and Online Education (2026)
Canada has the highest degree completion rate in the OECD, but economic productivity is lagging while more and more degree-holders are finding themselves underemployed or unemployed. This white paper from Academica Group explores how Professional, Continuing and Online Education units can help Canada bridge this productivity gap, drive economic growth and improve quality of life.
Course Selection & Registration Student Study (2025)
In 2025, Academica Group conducted a quick poll of students across Canada to get a sense of several aspects of course registration, including how they research their courses, the timing of registration, and whether they got the courses they wanted into.
Student Affairs & Services Benchmarking and Planning Survey (2025)
Academica Group Consultant Jason Hunter discusses the outcomes of a recent survey of Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) across Canada to understand how policy shifts and other factors have impacted student affairs and services departments in terms of budgets, operations, and strategic planning. This report outlines the findings of that survey.
Issues, Impacts, & Institutional Responses (2025)
Academica Consultant Ben Cecil consulted with nearly 700 members of the postsecondary sector through a series of surveys and interviews. Through these engagements, postsecondary professionals shared their perspective on the issues affecting the sector and further detail on how their institution is responding to these matters.
Digital Learning Survey (2024)
Academica conducted a survey to better understand perspectives on digital and virtual teaching among Canadian postsecondary students. This survey is aligned with and contains questions adapted from the Canadian Digital Learning Research Association’s annual surveys.
Strategic Enrolment Intelligence (2010)
The Strategic Enrolment Intelligence textbook examines the discipline of enrolment management in Canadian postsecondary education.
Research Across Canadian PSE
Explore some of the studies that we conducted with or on behalf of other organizations across Canada.
Funding Higher Ed: Financial Aid & Scholarships (2025)
Co-published with Suzanne Tyson of Points for School, Chris Wilkins of SchoolFinder Group, and Necia Martins of Wilfrid Laurier University. This study explores student perspectives on affordability and financial aid & awards.
Course Syllabi Distribution: Policies and Practices (2025)
Published by BCCAT. Drawing on the perspectives of postsecondary faculty, staff, and students, this report examines inclusive, student-centred approaches for course syllabi timing and content.
Mapping the Terrain: A Synthesis of Recent Research and Future Directions (2024)
Published by CEWIL. This report delves into the current landscape of work-integrated learning across Canada, offering valuable insights, trends, and recommendations for the future.
Ethno-Racial Disparities in Vertical Transfer Intent among ON College Applicants (2023)
Published by ONCAT. This study includes an analysis of ethno-racial disparities in vertical transfer (e.g., college-to-university) intent among Ontario college applicants using Academica’s UCAS.
Gen Z Media Report (2023)
Co-published with Glacier. This report shares the perspectives of more than 1,000 high school students in Canada on postsecondary marketing and branding.
LEARN: Micro-Credentialing in Northern Alberta (2021)
Published by the Labour Education Applied Research North (LEARN). This study identifies the need to develop a common definition, outcomes, assessments and quality assurance processes for micro-credentialing.
The Impact of Incentives, Communications and Task Demand on Postsecondary Student Participation in Online Research (2017)
Published by HEQCO. This study examined the effects of different incentives, communication strategies, and task demands on student participation in online research to better inform HEQCO’s ongoing work.
Taking the Pulse of Work-Integrated Learning in Canada
Published by BHER. This report explores the scope of work-integrated learning available at post-secondary institutions in Canada, participation in work-related programs, and best practices in the design and implementation of WIL programs.
Transitions in Postsecondary Education (2016)
Published by HEQCO. Through a survey of more than 1,600 postsecondary students on Academica’s student panel, this study explores the experiences of current students and recent graduates on their transitions into, through, and out of PSE
Multiple Case Study Evaluation of Postsecondary Bridging Programs for Internationally Educated Health Professionals (2015)
Published by HEQCO. This study examined seven bridging programs and identified the common challenges of finding quality clinical placements for students and stable, long-term funding.
WIL in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Pathways of Recent College and University Graduates (2014)
Published by HEQCO. In the third and final phase of a multi-year study of this work-integrated learning (WIL) study, we followed up with WIL and non-WIL students 18 months after graduation to examine their educational and employment outcomes.
The University of Waterloo and WIL: Three Perspectives (2013)
Published by HEQCO. The report uses findings from three surveys to explore the perspectives of graduating college and university students, faculty, and Ontario employers on work-integrated learning.
WIL in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector: The Experience of Ontario Graduates (2013)
Published by HEQCO. This report is based on findings from a survey of graduating students at 13 Ontario colleges and universities, and was conducted as part of a multi-year series of studies commissioned by HEQCO.
WIL and Postsecondary Graduates: The Perspective of Ontario Employers (2012)
Published by HEQCO. This report is part of a multiphase study on WIL and its impact on students, faculty and employers. This report explores employer motivations and barriers to participating in WIL programs.
Faculty Experiences with and Perceptions of WIL in the Ontario Postsecondary Sector (2012)
Published by HEQCO. In this study, faculty across 13 institutions were surveyed as they play a critical role in designing, supporting and implementing WIL opportunities.
WIL in Ontario’s Postsecondary Sector (2011)
Published by HEQCO. This exploratory study examined institution and community partner/employer satisfaction with WIL programs, identifying the need for more focus on learning outcomes and the distinct learning needs of different groups.
From Postsecondary Application to the Labour Market (2010)
Published by HEQCO. This study looked at the pathways of PSE applicants and their employment experiences during and after their education.