Discovering research as a space for creativity and connection

Third-year Honours Bachelor of Experiential Design student Samira Elbehairy initially saw research as something largely abstract that lived in papers and data sets rather than in lived experience. However, when she joined Generator at Sheridan’s Centre for Elder Research (CER) to support Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design professor James March as a research assistant at Sheridan’s SenseLab, her perspective quickly shifted in a way she had not anticipated.

Funded by a Generator Growth Grant, an internal award for faculty members to pursue their research passions, Sheridan’s SenseLab is a research space focused on multisensory experiences. As a part of the initiative, Elbehairy explored the relationship between scent, autobiographical memory and emotional state.

Her involvement began with observing and supporting the foundational elements of the study, including participant interactions and data collection processes. Over time, she became more actively engaged in the structure of the research itself, learning how studies are designed, how variables are considered and how qualitative and quantitative data are gathered in a controlled yet meaningful way. What initially felt like unfamiliar territory slowly became an environment where she could ask questions, make connections and understand the reasoning behind each step.

A notable turning point for Elbehairy’s perspective on research came when she saw how it translated abstract ideas into lived, human experiences. Watching participants respond to scent-based prompts and describe vivid personal memories revealed just how deeply sensory experiences are tied to emotion and identity. It was no longer just about data points or outcomes, but about uncovering patterns in how people remember, feel and interpret their own lives. As an Experiential Design student, this was especially meaningful as it connected design with psychology, emotion and human experience, exemplifying how sensory experiences can be intentionally incorporated for more meaningful engagement.

As her involvement in SenseLab continued, Elbehairy developed a fundamentally different view of research than the one she held at the beginning. What she once assumed would be uninteresting or rigid had instead become a space of discovery, creativity and connection. She came to understand research not only as a method for generating knowledge but also as a way of exploring human experience in a structured yet deeply meaningful way.

“I now see research not as something separate from creativity, but as something that sustains and strengthens it.”

– Experiential Design student Samira Elbehairy

“Before participating in SenseLab, I viewed research as one of the most frustrating parts of a project. To me, it felt like the long and tedious phase you had to get through before arriving at the exciting part of designing and creating. However, I realized that inspiration and ideation can eventually run dry when they are only fueled by your own thoughts. What keeps ideas flowing is curiosity and research,” said Elbehairy . “This shift in perspective will help me both academically and professionally because I now see research not as something separate from creativity, but as something that sustains and strengthens it.”

Reflecting on her journey, Elbehairy encourages other students to explore research activities during their time at Sheridan. “It is one thing to learn about research methods and processes in a classroom setting but applying that knowledge in a real-world environment creates an entirely different kind of learning experience. Research is a great way to continue your educational journey while discovering interests and skills you may not even realize you have.”

Interested in learning more about how to get involved as a student in research, innovation and entrepreneurship at Sheridan? Visit sheridancollege.ca/generator.