Visiting IUOE Local 825: Learning From the Field (in –12°C!)

Today I had the opportunity to visit IUOE Local 825 with my undergraduate students Andrew Couto, Franco Giovannetti, and Krish Patel, and it was one of those days that perfectly captured why field-based, applied research matters.

Together with Chris Lalevee and Therese Edwards, we conducted focus groups to evaluate a new digital tool we’ve been developing to make mental health resources more accessible to construction workers. The goal of the tool is simple but important: provide workers with a way to engage with mental health resources that feels anonymous, practical, and grounded in their real needs.

The conversations we had were incredibly informative. Workers shared honest feedback about what resonates, what doesn’t, and what actually builds trust when it comes to mental health support. These insights are already shaping how we think about the next iteration of the tool—from language choices to how resources are framed and delivered. It was a powerful reminder that the most meaningful design decisions come directly from the people who will use the system.

And all of this happened in –12°C weather ❄️🥶—a very real reminder of the conditions many construction workers face daily. Huge respect to everyone doing this work in the cold.

Beyond the focus groups, we also got to spend time around the training facilities and (unsurprisingly) couldn’t resist playing with some impressive machines. I am deeply grateful to IUOE Local 825 for their openness, time, and willingness to engage with this work. Experiences like this reinforce how powerful it can be when research, education, and industry come together in the field.

We are excited to keep building, refining, and rolling out this tool in the coming months. More to come soon!