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Weaving Concepts and Competencies for Dialectical Leadership
No full text2025This first-person thesis explores the research question: How might practising dialectical thinking enhance my leadership practice? Using a first-person action research methodology, I employed reflexive journaling, semistructured interviews with feedback participants, and arts-based methods to examine the complex conditions I face as a leader and how I might develop my capacity for dialectical thinking. In adherence with Royal Roads University’s research requirements this study draws from my personal experiences, reflections, observations, and participant discussions. Key findings include balancing dichotomies and polarities expanded my sense of possibility, applying dialectical thinking heightened internal tensions, dialogue revealed new options amid uncertainty, transparency disrupts inequities and fosters trust, and practising dialectical thinking was difficult when under pressure. Based on these findings, my recommendations are to prepare for dialectical thinking through foundational competency and capacity building and learn the concepts associated with dialectical thinking through a scaffolded model
A Comparison of Biotic and Abiotic Components Between a Spring-Fed and a Predominantly Lake-Fed Creek on Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia
No full text2025This study compares biotic and abiotic components between a spring-fed and a predominantly lake-fed creek on Southern Vancouver Island. Colwood Creek flows through a subdivision, golf course, forest and along a highway. Hatley Creek is spring-fed and flows through forest. Sediment, Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), invertebrates, water quality and discharge were sampled over a one-year period. Sediment and plant samples were analysed using X-ray Fluorescence for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, and zinc. Results showed that the contamination level of heavy metals in Colwood Creek is low, though one site had sediment quality guideline exceedances for arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc concentrations are likely increased by anthropogenic activities, as higher concentrations were found at sites close to subdivisions and highways. Significant differences were found between locations for copper, nickel, lead and zinc in sediment, and zinc in skunk cabbage
Evaluating emergency care accessibility on Vancouver Island: A GIS-based approach
No full textThis research used a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network analysis methodology to formally assess spatial equity in emergency medical services on Vancouver Island. By leveraging publicly available data, the study constructed travel-time catchments for eleven existing Emergency Departments and thirty-four ambulance stations for 836,543 residents dispersed over 124 populated census subdivisions through the application of Closest Facility, Service Area, and Location Allocation analyses. The findings suggest that while new Emergency Departments can improve access, broader strategies such as urgent care centers, mobile clinics, air ambulances, and telehealth are needed for remote populations. This study demonstrates the value of GIS in guiding healthcare planning and balancing efficiency with equity
Enhancing Misinformation Response in Local Government Communication: A Systems Inquiry with the Alberta Municipal Communicators Association
No full text2025This thesis examined how the Alberta Municipal Communicators Association (AMC) can strengthen its members’ ability to identify and respond to misinformation in municipal contexts. Guided by Appreciative Inquiry and informed by systems thinking, the study used a mixed-methods approach that included an online survey (n=101) and focus groups with communication professionals. Key findings revealed limited access to formal training, inconsistent leadership support, psychological strain among practitioners, and underutilization of artificial intelligence tools. Participants emphasized the value of peer networks, adaptive support systems, and strategic alignment across municipalities. The study recommends enhanced training, leadership engagement, AI integration, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms to improve municipal misinformation resilience. By incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and prioritizing relational accountability, the findings contribute to trust-building and systemic learning within Alberta’s public sector communications. This research offers practical pathways for AMC to elevate member capacity while fostering more transparent and responsive governance
Exploring the Phenomenon of “Superficial Appreciation” in Tourism
No full text2025The research examines at how digital tourism encourages superficial appreciation, in which tourists prioritize visual elements over cultural or historical characteristics, motivated mostly by posts on social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook. The research combines Social Influence Theory (Kelman, 1958), the Tourist Gaze theory (Urry & Larsen, 2011), and Authenticity (Wang, 1999) principles to investigate the impact of visual framing by social media influencers on visitor experiences and activities. The study used qualitative approaches, including 16 semi-structured interviews, an analysis of 200 social media posts, and 100 hours of digital observation. According to research, posts that are solely focused on aesthetics lead to superficial interactions with heritage, which lead to commercialization and cultural significance degradation. Tourism stakeholders might profit from the research's practical techniques, which include ethical interactions with influencers, purposeful storytelling, hybrid digital tools, and new engagement metrics. The recommended techniques help to promote both genuine cultural representation and sustainable tourist practices. The study contributes vital insights to conversations about social media's impact on tourism and offers techniques for protecting cultural assets in our growing digital ecosystem, which is defined by visual and performative content.
Keywords: , ,, Social Media, Cultural tourism, Tourist gaze, Instagrammabilit
Unlocking the past: equitable access to historical documents using generative AI tools
No full textThis project explores methods of improving access to historical documents for English Language Learners by supporting educators in differentiating with generative AI tools. The goal of the project was to improve student understanding of historical thinking through increasing access to historical documents by educators for English Language Learners. This is achieved by reviewing existing generative AI tools to assist classroom teachers in their differentiation of primary sources, as well as recommendations for possible growth opportunities in the field. A website has been created, found at (https://sites.google.com/view/unlocking-the-past-viu?usp=sharing) hosting comprehensive assessments of three generative AI tools in their ability to understand inputs and create differentiated versions of historical documents. A selection of differentiated resources is included in this study for educators as a reference to the potential of this technique. All resources are taken from the British Columbia Social Studies 10 curriculum and are available for educators as a reference alongside guidance on best practices when differentiating historical documents with AI for ELL students. Through a combination of literature analysis, testing and assessment of tools, and creation of sample products, this project provides Social Studies educators with the insights and best practices when using generative AI tools for historical document differentiation
From maps to impact: Envisioning a GIS-informed fire service for London, Ontario
No full textThis research investigates the performance of the London Fire Department (LFD) from 2016 to 2023, focusing on fire response times and structural fire incident rates using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study evaluates LFD’s compliance with NFPA 1710 benchmarks, which set standards for fire service response times, and examines the influence of socioeconomic factors on fire risks across 42 planning districts in London, Ontario
Strategies for Revitalizing the Humanitarian Workforce Program
Get PDF2025The Canadian Humanitarian Workforce (HWF) program, funded by Public Safety Canada, plays a vital role in national disaster response. However, barriers such as lack of awareness, time constraints, and inclusivity challenge hinder volunteer engagement. This study utilized mixed-methods research, including a survey of 120 participants and two focus groups, to explore these challenges. Survey findings revealed significant organizational inefficiencies, rigid policies, and financial burdens that exacerbate barriers of volunteer engagement. Focus group participants emphasized the need for improved outreach, inclusivity, and community collaboration. Recommendations include enhancing targeted outreach, offering flexible roles, increasing training accessibility, simplifying human resource policies, and developing tiered incentive structures. Additionally, a longitudinal evaluation is proposed to assess the program's long-term success beyond its current funding expiration in March 2026. These evidence-based strategies aim to sustain volunteer engagement, foster community resilience, and strengthen Canada's disaster response capacity
Farm Status: Exploring Relational Dimensions of Rural Values and Character on Southern Vancouver Island, Canada
Get PDF2025In Canada's Pacific Northwest, coastal high-value rural communities face acute, conflicting challenges relating to housing supply and affordability, loss of agricultural land, and environmental change. On Southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, grassroots organizations have formed around the ideas of preserving ‘rural character’ and maintaining ‘rural values’; concerns that can be defended fiercely when change is proposed. In this study I used mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to examine how Metchosin and North Saanich residents perceived ‘rural character’ and ‘rural values’. My objective was to examine the relationship between participants’ definitions and respective place attachments, worldview, and socioeconomic demographics. Results revealed that perceptions of rural values and character vary widely among residents within the same community—often to conflicting degrees—revealing the relational and situated nature of both how landscape is perceived as well as how it is defined and valued
The gardener and the well: the evolution of an educator's perspective of and reflections on inclusive educational philosophy and practice
No full textInclusion is an important topic both in the education system and in our society. What inclusion looks like and should look like in practice is widely debated among educators and non-educators alike. As a teacher, I have experienced the conflict between full-inclusion models and special education both internally and externally. This self-study uses an overarching gardening metaphor to discuss the implications of inclusive education in the classroom with teacher as gardener, guide, and facilitator of learning and growth. The gardener faces a challenge: they know that the well they source their water from is poisoned, and yet they must keep using and filtering that water to keep their plants alive. Using a transformative autoethnography methodology, this study explores the personal journey of understanding and developing a philosophy of inclusion as an Inclusive Education Teacher. Through critical self-reflective journaling practices and honest conversations with my critical friend, I examine my own guiding philosophies and beliefs about inclusion to critically identify biases, fears and limitations that negatively impact my philosophies and therefore my daily practice as an educator. This study examines research by scholars in both education and other related fields to honour diverse and cross-disciplinary perspectives, as inclusion is a topic that extends and interconnects far beyond the scope of education research. The findings of this study respond to the original research question by suggesting that neither full-inclusion models or special education programs are inherently conducive to truly inclusive education. It was concluded that rigid, dogmatic perspectives about the nature of inclusion may work against the goal of ensuring meaningful belonging and connection for all learners. In terms of the metaphor, the research found that the gardener must address the problem of the poisoned well and advocate for solutions, and they must also understand that the daily work of filtering is essential for the survival and health of the plants. The responsive gardener must both relentlessly reimagine the future and care for the needs present in the moment with the tools and resources they have now