Congratulations to Dr. Eunice Eunhee Jang on being named a Connaught Innovation Award recipient!
A huge congratulations goes out to Dr. Eunice Eunhee Jang on being named one of eighteen University of Toronto Connaught Innovation Award recipients!
The Connaught Innovation Awards provide one-time seed funding to help accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies with high potential to have a positive impact on society. They are backed by the Connaught Fund – the largest internal university research funding program in Canada.
We sat down with Dr. Jang and got to learn a little more about her research and journey to OISE below.
Tell us a little bit about your journey and what led you to OISE?
I began my academic journey studying education and psychology during my undergraduate years, where I developed a strong interest in how assessment can empower learning rather than simply evaluate it. During my graduate studies, I focused on language assessment and educational measurement, which deepened my passion for research that bridges theory and practice. OISE's unique combination of research excellence, commitment to social impact, and innovation in education made it a natural fit for me. I was drawn to the opportunity to work alongside leading scholars and to contribute to a community that values interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex educational challenges.
What does being named a Connaught Innovation Award Recipient mean to you?
Receiving the Connaught Innovation Award is both an incredible honor and a meaningful validation of the work our team has been doing. It recognizes not only the innovative potential of our research but also the importance of designing educational tools that are equitable, accessible, and impactful. To me, it reinforces the idea that research can — and should — make a tangible difference in the real world.
It is especially meaningful because I am the only awardee from the field of education this year; the other 17 awardees come predominantly from medicine and engineering. Being recognized alongside outstanding researchers from those fields highlights the importance of innovation in education and affirms that educational research can be just as transformative and forward-looking.
Tell us a little bit about your research?
My research focuses on developing diagnostic assessment systems that support personalized learning, particularly for multilingual learners and students from diverse backgrounds. I was inspired by the persistent gaps I observed between what assessments measure and what students are truly capable of, especially when language and cultural differences are involved. At the IDELA Lab (Innovative Dynamics in Educational Language Assessment), we explore how technologies such as AI can be thoughtfully integrated to make assessments more adaptive, responsive, and fair. The goal is not only to measure where students are but to actively support their growth in ways that are meaningful to them.
What is your favourite thing to do on the weekends?
It can be tough to be an academic, as our work often stretches into odd hours — and weekends are no exception. I’m actively trying to set better boundaries to protect my personal time and health. Playing competitive tennis has been a great outlet for me, both physically and mentally. It forces me to step away from work and stay active. You may also find me at a movie theatre — my partner and I enjoy watching new films on the big screen rather than at home on Netflix.
What is your favourite food/restaurant?
Anything from the ocean — raw or cooked — is my favorite. I grew up in a small village near the ocean in Korea, where we ate seafood for almost every meal. It’s deeply connected to my memories of home and family. Even today, seafood always feels both comforting and energizing. I enjoy exploring different seafood restaurants in the city, but nothing quite compares to the simple, fresh meals from my childhood.
What is your next goal?
Professionally, my next goal is to expand the reach of our diagnostic assessment platform to more educational settings, both locally and internationally. I’m also passionate about mentoring the next generation of researchers and hope to build even more collaborative opportunities through the IDELA Lab. On a personal level, I would love to travel to new places — not only for the landscapes but also to learn more about their innovative approaches to education and social systems.
