As National Engineering Month (NEM) Ontario continues, we are featuring leaders within Ontario’s engineering community who are making a difference. This month, we spoke with Effie Argyropoulos, Project Lead at Digital Public Square, to learn more about their innovative approach to creating safer digital spaces and tackling pressing societal challenges through the Level Up program.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your organization? What inspires you, and how does your mission align with NEM?
I’m one of the project leads at Digital Public Square, a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that takes on programs nationally in Canada. Historically, our focus has been more international, working in the democracy and human rights space to counter misinformation online. Over time, we recognized that our model for misconception revision was applicable to a range of public health issues as well.
Digital spaces have become major sources of information and social connection, offering support services for people seeking social impact. However, these spaces increasingly feel less safe and trustworthy, with the rise of misinformation and the commodification of attention and data accelerating faster than we can keep track of.
Our organization aims to build digital experiences that prioritize people over products. We focus on providing well-researched information, using accessible language, and prioritizing privacy while creating engaging and respectful experiences for our audiences. In the case of our most recent work, these guiding principles allow platform participants to engage anonymously with reliable information and decrease barriers to participation that might be rooted in discrimination or stigma.
NEM’s goals of advancing the engineering profession, sparking interest in the next generation of engineers, and celebrating the roles engineers play in society align with our work through our Level Up opioid awareness program. Running for two years and funded by Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program, this initiative raises awareness about the increased risk of opioid-related harms faced by people working in labor-intensive industries — industries often supported by engineers. Through prevention and education, we hope to elevate awareness and inspire firms to support not just the engineering practice but also the workers executing the projects.
Innovation is key to the future. How is Digital Public Square and Level Up embracing new technologies, trends, or disciplines to stay ahead?
That’s a great question. We’ve been focused on understanding how people in these contexts engage meaningfully with information. We ran a randomized control trial to explore whether audiences retained more information through interactive tools like Level Up, or through infographics on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, compared to traditional information pages from employers or colleagues. What we found was that bite-sized, accessible information — similar to how people engage with content on Instagram — led to greater knowledge retention and increased intent to use or share the information.
Level Up is a prevention-focused initiative designed to raise general awareness about the severity of the opioid and toxic drug supply crisis and empower people to recognize early warning signs, either for themselves or others. To meet people where they are, we built a directory of harm reduction and withdrawal management services. This tool is the first of its kind in Canada, congregating these services in one place and displaying them on a geo-location map. Currently, it covers Ontario, Alberta, and BC, which account for 84% of opioid-related harms in Canada. Our hope is to expand this across the country.
Could you share any initiatives or projects that reflect your commitment to building a healthier future?
Absolutely. The Level Up program is at the heart of our commitment to building a healthier future. From a sustainability perspective, when we look at labor-intensive industries, we see a growing housing crisis and a desperate need for skilled labor. Workers in these industries are often pushing themselves harder, beyond the point of mental or physical exhaustion. This increases the risk of injury, and unfortunately, opioid use can sometimes begin as a means to cope with that pain.
By raising awareness at both the worker and employer levels, we aim to promote a culture where health and safety are prioritized. Engaging engineering firms, construction companies, and development companies in these conversations is crucial to maintaining a sustainable workforce. We believe that by tackling these issues early, we can help prevent more complex problems down the road and build healthier futures for everyone involved.
How does your organization support learning, development, or mentorship in the engineering industry or larger community?
That’s a great question. Through our work, we’ve developed an employer toolkit that organizations in this space can use as a framework to roll out the Level Up program to their staff. This can help raise awareness more widely and promote learning at a macro level. At the individual level, Level Up acts as an educational tool, helping people recognize the signs that someone might be struggling with opioid use and providing guidance on how to approach these difficult conversations.
What inspires your team to make an impact through the work that you do? Could you share a story about a project you’re proud of?
The journey of Level Up itself is something we’re incredibly proud of. Initially, we launched a version of the program that people engaged with, but as we collected feedback, we realized it didn’t fully resonate with our target audience. So, we rebuilt it from the ground up, involving people with lived experience from the beginning. The result is a tool that’s the first of its kind in Canada, and we’ve received such positive reactions from harm reduction communities and beyond. Seeing the real-world impact of this work continues to inspire our team every day.
Do you have any advice or encouragement for those considering working in this space?
I’d encourage people to look beyond the specifics of their careers and recognize the broader impact of their work. Engineers, for example, may feel their roles are very niche, but their work contributes to people’s livelihoods — from the homes they live in – to the infrastructure they rely on. Understanding that connection can give even more meaning to the great work they do.
What excites you most about being part of National Engineering Month?
I love connecting with people from diverse fields. Public health is everywhere — not just in vaccines and infections but in everyday activities like commuting and leisure. Engaging with engineers gives me a better understanding of their work and how it intersects with public health, creating a more dynamic workforce and stronger relationships.
With 31 days in March, there are 31 reasons to get involved with National Engineering Month and infinite opportunities to further Ontario’s engineering community. Attend events online and in person March 1-31. Visit www.nemontario.ca/events to learn more.
