26734 research outputs found
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Charred Chronicles: People’s Perceived Experiences of Landscape, Attachment, and Recovery After Wildfires
No full textWildfires intensified by climate change jeopardize not only physical infrastructure but also the emotional scaffolding that ties people to place. On 30 June 2021 the Lytton Creek Fire in British Columbia destroyed 90 percent of the village, displacing more than one thousand residents and leaving reconstruction in prolonged limbo. This dissertation investigates how such abrupt landscape loss reshapes place attachment, how survivors renegotiate belonging while processing trauma, and how they envisage a future under continuing hazard. Guided by heuristic phenomenology that foregrounds lived experience and reflexive engagement, the study recruited seventeen adult residents of Lytton, six of whom are Nlaka’pamux knowledge holders recognized for cultural leadership. Between April and August 2024 participants chose among in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant-generated photo elicitation, and optional drive-along audio tours, producing more than forty hours of recordings, one hundred twenty photographs, and extensive field notes. Verbatim transcripts were processed through a three-stage coding sequence (open, axial, selective) within Moustakas’ (1990) six-phase heuristic cycle, yielding nine individual narrative portraits, a composite synthesis, and thematic findings. Five interlocking themes emerged: 1. Loss and Disruption captures temporal disorientation and grief as landmarks, routines, and soundscapes vanished; 2. Attachment and Belonging shows that sensory memories such as the scent of sage after rain or river mist at dawn sustained identity even when material anchors were ash; 3. Trauma and Vulnerability reveals how the blaze reopened colonial wounds linked to residential schools and chronic under-investment, compounding psychological distress; 4. Frustration and Accountability documents systemic barriers involving toxic-debris disputes, costly archaeological assessments, and contested rail-line liabilities that eroded trust in formal recovery channels; and 5. Hope and Healing chronicles grassroots solidarities, cultural ceremony, and landscape stewardship projects that helped residents transform charred ground into a canvas for renewal. Collectively the findings portray place attachment as a dynamic, multisensory process that can both intensify and alleviate post-disaster trauma. The study’s findings underscore that post-disaster recovery policies and plans must pair physical rebuilding with the renewal of cultural memory, social cohesion, and community agency as rebuilt square footage alone cannot heal the sense of home
An Exploratory Case Study of the Enactment of Adaptive Leadership in Hiring Practices in Canadian Independent Schools
No full textThis exploratory case study investigates how leaders of Canadian independent schools approach the hiring of future-focused teachers through the lens of Complex Adaptive Leadership (CAL). In a context marked by rapid societal and educational change, traditional hiring practices may be inadequate for selecting educators equipped to prepare students for an unpredictable future. Guided by CAL theory—which emphasizes distributed leadership, adaptability, and innovation—this case study sought to understand the hiring approaches and practices used by adaptive school leaders. Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups involving heads of schools and hiring team members from nine independent schools across Canada. The findings reveal that adaptive leaders intentionally reshape hiring practices to respond to recruitment challenges, prioritize alignment with school culture and strategic goals, and increasingly adopt innovative and immersive hiring methods. Leaders also identified a core set of future-focused competencies including adaptability, creativity, interpersonal engagement, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. The study contributes to the under-researched field of teacher hiring in independent schools and offers implications for designing more progressive, adaptive, and strategic hiring practices in education
Voice-Augmented Virtual Reality Interface for Working with Complex 3D Models in Educational Environments
No full textWhile virtual reality applications offer hand controllers as a default mode of interaction with 3D objects in virtual environments, this approach presents a barrier for inclusion in virtual reality (VR) technology for a considerable portion of the population, including those with limited hand mobility or individuals who are new to the technology. This thesis introduces a voice-augmented virtual reality interface designed to enhance the experience of interacting with 3D models in virtual reality environments, specifically targeting serious games and learning environments. Leveraging natural language as the primary mode of interaction, this thesis presents a framework and a study that compares the voice-augmented system with a conventional hand controller version across seven fundamental 3D interaction tasks. The research explores a range of object interactions and offers a comprehensive voice-augmented VR educational interface. The system presents a more equitable alternative to controller-based interactions as demonstrated by a user study that compares the experiences of male and female participants engaging with the system
Natural Testing of LLMs
No full textLarge Language Models (LLMs) have rapidly become essential tools in many applications, from content generation to automated decision-making. However, as these powerful systems become more common in our daily lives, a key question arises: how can we trust their answers when they operate as black boxes? This work tackles this important challenge by looking at LLM reliability from two angles. We begin with a concerning finding, current methods for detecting bias in LLMs fail badly when faced with tricky inputs. Traditional safety measures, designed to prevent biased responses, break down when users ask questions in clever, disguised ways. To expose these weaknesses, we used concepts from metamorphic testing to mutate input texts, revealing hidden biases that would otherwise stay undetected. Our approach uncovered significantly more biases compared to existing tools across multiple LLMs. More importantly, we showed that fine-tuning LLMs on these mutated inputs greatly improves their ability to resist bias. However, finding bias is only part of the problem. The second part of our work addresses another key concern: how confident LLMs are in classification tasks? We introduce Perceived Confidence Scoring (PCS), a method that uses metamorphic testing principles to measure how reliable LLMs are in classification tasks. By checking consistency across similar but slightly different versions of the same input, PCS gives us insight into model confidence that was previously invisible. To help users apply this method, we built the PCS annotation toolkit for practical use in real-world applications. These two approaches work hand in hand to make LLMs more reliable and trustworthy. Our bias detection method helps identify and mitigate hidden problems, while our confidence scoring technique helps users understand when to trust model predictions. By providing both detection tools and practical toolkits, we offer a comprehensive solution for building better AI systems that people can depend on with greater confidence
Evaluating the Re: Building Families Program: Strengthening Family Functioning and Well-Being in Emergency First Responder Households
No full textEmergency first responders (EFRs) face chronic operational stress due to repeated exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs). While considerable research has examined the individual mental health consequences of EFR work, less is known about how operational stress impacts families, particularly the spouses of EFRs. A growing body of literature highlights the adverse effects of operational stress on relational dynamics and decline in well-being in spouses, yet little support is dedicated to them. This study evaluates the Re: Building Families (RBF) program, a six-week psychoeducational and peer support program designed for EFR spouses. Guided by Family Systems Theory, the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, the Functional Disconnection and Reconnection (FD/FR) Model, and Role Conflict Theory, the study investigates changes in family functioning, family satisfaction, and psychological quality of life (QOL) across three timepoints (pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up). Quantitative data collected from 133 participants were analyzed using linear mixed models (LMMs). Results indicated significant improvements in overall family functioning, particularly in the domains of affective responsiveness and behavioural control. While family satisfaction and psychological QOL did not change significantly over time, both were strong predictors of family functioning. Notably, family satisfaction moderated improvements in behavioural control, underscoring its role as a protective factor. These findings highlight that psychoeducational supports can positively influence relational dynamics in EFR households. Implications for theory, clinical practice, and program design are discussed, with an emphasis on expanding family-centered support programs that acknowledge the systemic transmission of operational stress and vicarious trauma in EFR families
Phytoplankton ecology in a demonstration boreal oil sands pit lake
No full textMicrobial communities in Base Mine Lake (BML), an oil sands pit lake reclamation site in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, were examined with emphasis on phytoplankton. BML is a pilot reclamation site for fluid tailings within a boreal plains ecoregion. Essential for reclamation success is establishment of phytoplankton communities capable of supporting typical boreal lake food webs. Notable challenges include high salinity, turbidity, and oil-associated organics such as naphthenic acids, which can be acutely toxic to phytoplankton depending on concentration and species. Phytoplankton community composition in BML was compared to nearby freshwater reservoir and tailings storage sites using rRNA gene sequencing. Food web dynamics were explored through stable isotope probing, in which carbon-13 Chlorella dry biomass was incubated with BML water over time to identify eukaryotic and bacterial consumers via rRNA gene sequencing. BML harboured phytoplankton community members and seasonal patterns characteristic of boreal lakes with diverse phyla including Cyanobacteriota, Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Heterokontophyta, Dinoflagellata, Euglenophyta, and Haptophyta. Community composition and diversity were intermediate between BML and freshwater and tailings control sites. Seasonal patterns were identified for genera including Cryptomonas (Cryptophyta), Choricystis (Chlorophyta), and Euglena (Euglenophyta). Stable isotope probing revealed bacterial consumers of Chlorella vulgaris from the phyla Actinomycetota, Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, Myxococcota, Planctomycetota, and Verrucomicrobiota. Eukaryotic consumers included those belonging to phyla Amoebozoa, Arthropoda (Daphnia), Cercozoa, Ciliophora, Cryptomycota, and Ochrophyta (family Chrysophyceae). Many identified organisms are typical freshwater lake food web members and/or known hydrocarbon degraders
Creating a Design Practice Framework to Better Integrate the Informal Economy in Nigeria
No full textThe objective of this research is to develop a strategic framework that better integrates the Informal Economy (IE) into urban economic development initiatives administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and within the Nigerian context. Given the mandate of the FIRS to advance social responsibility objectives within Nigeria, there is an opportunity to generate a new version of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to incorporate the IE in its execution and create a framework to integrate elements of participatory design that captures the voice and interests of local communities into such economic initiatives. This will require the development of a process that allows for understanding local issues and perspectives, the need to better identify opportunities at an appropriate scale, and then achieve maximum success with the participation of the local IE community in improving their livelihood. In carrying out this research, the design science research methodology was augmented with community-based participatory research to incorporate relevant contributions and inputs from the IE. The action plan was to identify opportunities where the IE can be incorporated into the current CSR process of the FIRS. To inform this ambition, a thorough literature review was carried out, coupled with investigating participatory interventions on sustainable community projects implemented by cities in developing countries in a bid to tackle the challenges being experienced by the IE. Interviews with key informants who have a deep working relationship with the IE and professionals well-versed in community development projects were conducted to set up parameters that would inform a participatory approach when executing a community project. Ideas and concepts generated from these activities were evaluated through the lens of auto-ethnographic observations within my work with the FIRS to ensure feasibility, workability, and compliance with extant laws and policies. Recognizing the limitations of conventional top-down CSR strategies, this study proposes a shift towards an inclusive, bottom-up approach that actively involves informal workers in project design, planning and implementation. Using a hypothetical case study, the research examines how aligning CSR efforts with local needs, community assets, and community participation can enhance sustainability, efficiency, and trust. New project activities such as pre-project groundwork, needs assessments, social procurement, and participatory monitoring and evaluation were introduced to further advance participatory approach while other processes were adjusted to integrate the voice, opinions and contributions of the informal economy. The proposed framework was further validated by relevant key informants and auto-ethnographic reflections within my practice. Ultimately, this thesis offers a practical and adaptable model for CSR that can support inclusive community development, empower informal workers, and strengthen institutional relationships with marginalized communities
Digital Tools and Climate Change Education: Exploring the Role of Digital Games
No full textThis study investigated the transformative potential of digital technologies, with a focus on digital games, to enrich climate change education (CCE) and foster climate literacy. It explored how visual, auditory, and interactive elements foster climate literacy, alongside considerations of gender dynamics and accessibility. A multimodal discourse analysis methodology within a constructivist framework was adopted to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the subject matter. By critically examining the role of digital games in CCE, this research delved into their design, narrative, and interactive elements through multimodal discourse analysis, highlighting how these features may contribute to effective learning experiences. Findings showed that games hold the potential to engage learners effectively but lack inclusivity, particularly in critical gender representation. This research revealed that digital games, when designed with appropriate difficulty and reward structures and rooted in real-world simulations, can significantly contribute to CCE. By providing educators with interactive tools, these games may enhance student engagement, accessibility, and deepen their understanding of climate change (CC), highlighting the potential of this innovative approach to transform environmental education. This research also offers actionable insights for educators, game developers, and policymakers to enhance the integration of digital games into educational frameworks. This work was driven by a commitment to advancing knowledge within the field of educational technology and its intersection with climate change education, with the intent to contribute meaningfully to the academic community
Two Partial Actinopterygian Neocrania (Occipital Ossifications) from Blue Beach, Nova Scotia
No full textThe earliest Carboniferous Period (Tournaisian stage) is a crucial interval in actinopterygian evolution, but the actinopterygian fossil record for this stage is dominated by flattened specimens referred to inconsistently defined summary taxa. The locality of Blue Beach in Nova Scotia preserves Tournaisian-aged strata of the Horton Bluff Formation and offers a critical window into the actinopterygian fauna. Significantly, actinopterygian specimens from this locality are often preserved in three dimensions, so even partially complete or fragmentary material provides valuable data on actinopterygian morphology and evolutionary dynamics. Here, we describe two partial actinopterygian neocrania from Blue Beach. We review actinopterygian neocranium morphology and the dorsal arterial system to provide a comparative basis identifying these new specimens. We find one neocranium (NSM 017.GF.017.007) is most like early-diverging actinopterygians from the Devonian period; the other (NSM 017.GF.017.004) is most similar to later-diverging Carboniferous actinopterygians. This result underscores the diversity of the actinopterygian fauna preserved in the Horton Bluff Formation and suggests that this fauna was mosaic in composition and non-continuous with derived European actinopterygian faunas. Furthermore, this result contributes to an emerging picture of a gradual transition between Devonian and Carboniferous actinopterygian faunas.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC
Chatbotting about energy transition and related concepts (energy poverty, energy security, energy insecurity, energy equality, energy inequality, energy inequity, energy equity, energy justice, and energy democracy) through a disability studies and ability studies lens: A teaching and a gap analysis tool
No full textThis document is myself chatbotting with Chat GPT, Kimi2 and Claude AI about the topic of energy transition and related concepts (energy poverty, energy security, energy insecurity, energy equality, energy inequality, energy inequity, energy equity, energy justice, and energy democracy) through a disability studies and ability studies lens using prompts covering disabled people/people with disabilities, disability studies, disability justice and ability judgment based justice. For energy transition I also asked to answer the prompts only with academic, peer reviewed sources. For some prompts I used two versions in Chat GPT, one with the memory function off and the other with the memory function on. Kimi and Claude AI don't have the memory function