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Practical approaches: decolonizing academic integrity
No full textLooking through a critical transformative lens at the current practices and policies in post-secondary institutions regarding academic integrity and the perceptions of academic integrity in these practices, there emerged an understanding of the ways in which these practices and policies at times contribute to negative academic integrity outcomes in these same institutions. Specifically, this study examines how the current punitive and legalistic perception of academic integrity within colonialist and capitalist structures can lead to inequitable outcomes and harm for both learners and educators and offers a means to begin to address these issues of inequity. The literature review describes the historical context of academic integrity in Canada and takes a critical look at this history, followed by literature on the decolonization of academic integrity and the possible benefits offered by taking decolonized and restorative practice approaches to academic integrity. These approaches were explored as possible avenues or solutions put forward to avoid perpetuating harms that exist in current practices and will be summarized in this project, featuring research-based recommendations for faculty, administrators, and institutional leadership on how to apply decolonization methods and changes to various levels of the academy. This project and its resources fill a current gap in research by emphasizing and making this knowledge accessible, actionable, and adaptable
Paramedic Flourishing at Work: A Way Forward
No full text2024The field of paramedicine is a complex and unique work environment. The paramedic profession is ever evolving to the needs of the community, facing increased challenges compounded by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health care system. Paramedics are exposed to acute and chronic occupational stressors, traditionally studied with a deficit-based approach to well-being. This study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to explore paramedic well-being with a strengths-based lens. At a single urban paramedic service, this study followed the thread of flourishing through a quantitative survey to semi-structured interviews utilizing narrative inquiry with an appreciative focus. The integration of these findings resulted in the emergence of aggregate dimensions that were interwoven and operating across many contexts simultaneously. There were five important senses associated with paramedic flourishing at work: sense of role identity congruence, sense of self, sense of coherence, sense of opportunity, and sense of connection. Future research utilizing a salutogenic strength-based lens is necessary to further explore the concepts of paramedic well-being to learn from those that are actively thriving and replicate their flourishing
Plastic Characterization in Sediment Along the Bow River Near Calgary, Alberta
No full text2024Macro- and microplastics are a pervasive anthropogenic pollutant in aquatic environments. My exploratory research quantified and characterized macro- and microplastic contamination in shoreline sediments along the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta, and identified trends in their abundance and distribution. Sediment samples were collected from eight sites along banks of the Bow River. At each site, 1 kg of wet sediment was obtained then filtered, dried, and mixed into 100 g dry-weight subsamples. Natural debris were removed using hydrogen peroxide, and microplastics were extracted from sediment using NaCl density flotation. Macroplastics were collected along a 10 m transect deployed parallel to the shoreline at the same eight sites. Microplastics were detected in all samples. A total of 93 microplastics were detected, with an average of 11.6 pieces/100 g sample. The most frequent microplastic shape (type) was fiber (n=52), followed by fragment (n=26), foam (n=14), and round (n=1). A two-tailed t-test (p-value <0.01) and linear regression (r2 value of 0.68) showed a statistically significant difference in microplastic concentrations downstream compared to upstream sites. For macroplastics, a total of 826 individual pieces of macroplastic debris were collected from all sites. Most pieces were identified as single-use plastics. A two-tailed t-test (p-value of 0.24) and linear regression (r2 value of 0.32) suggested a weak relationship between macroplastic concentrations downstream compared to upstream
The impact of volunteer tourism on quality education: a case study of Akokoa, Ghana
No full textCriticisms of volunteer tourism often highlight its commodification and neoliberal framing, which can undermine sustainable livelihood outcomes in host communities. This study investigates the collaborative roles of key stakeholders, including Projects Abroad, the Akokoa community, international volunteers, and two social enterprises (Projects Abroad Foundation and Tore Eikelands), in a small rural farming community in Ghana's Eastern Region. Using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework for Volunteer Tourism (Eddins & Cottrell, 2014), this qualitative case study examines how volunteer tourism impacts access to quality elementary education. Reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 stakeholders reveals the initiative’s success in expanding educational opportunities, benefitting over 300 previously out-of-school children. The findings highlight volunteer tourism’s potential to address systemic educational inequities while fostering cross-cultural exchange and community resilience. However, challenges such as dependency on external support, limited local participation in decision-making, and concerns about long-term sustainability persist. These findings underscore the need for locally driven strategies to complement international volunteering-led efforts. By aligning volunteer projects with local livelihood priorities and sustainability goals, this study contributes to the broader understanding of volunteer tourism as a tool for advancing quality education and sustainable livelihood outcomes in underserved communities
Supporting implementation of augmentative and alternative communication in inclusive classrooms
No full textThis needs assessment research study posed the question, “What do teachers know and need to know about effective implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) iPad apps in inclusive classrooms?” An online survey tool was used to collect participant demographics, AAC knowledge and experience, and teacher thoughts or concerns related to AAC implementation. Teacher knowledge varied but about half of teachers who had taught a student who used AAC felt they knew the basics for using and supporting AAC. Most teachers were interested in receiving training if they knew they would have a student using AAC in their class, especially for improving their own efficiency with the device and incorporating the device in the classroom in a universal way. Prioritized recommendations included training, effective collaboration, individualized teacher support, and increased access to iPad communication apps
Serving inequality: exploring gender-based disparities in Victoria James’s Wine Girl
No full textWinning essay - English Department Competition 2024-2025Winning essay - ENGL 12
Cultivating Hope: Cocreating a Positive Future on the Frontlines of Healthcare for Port Hardy Hospital
Get PDF2024This action-oriented inquiry explored how healthcare workers could create a positive environment on the frontlines of care and contend with the ideological concept of systemic demoralization. Through in-depth appreciative inquiry-based interviews, six frontline healthcare workers shared their hopes, experiences, and ideas for the future of healthcare in the rural and isolated town of Port Hardy. This inquiry adhered to Royal Roads University requirements and received organizational approval via an operational review. The findings indicate that while frontline healthcare workers are experiencing empathetic distress, organizational changes can improve their experiences and create a more positive environment. The recommendations put forward support these changes and are the result of participants’ recommendations and are supported by local and senior leadership
How Examining Environmental Policy, Community-Based Data, and Federal Government Actions Can Inform a More Just and Sustainable Environmental Governance in Canada
Get PDF2024As environmental sustainability and environmental injustice are increasingly the topics of national and international politics, whether they be reflected in current events, media platforms, or in the arts, progressive environmental governance reforms in Canada appear to be moving in the right direction. However, upon examining an exemplar population experiencing some of the highest outputs of industrial emissions – the Aamjiwnaang First Nation (AFN) – the literature points to a systemic insufficiency with the role of government entities and agents in co-managing industry and civil society interests. My dissertation by portfolio’s purpose is thus to answer the complex question of how a policy paper, a conceptual paper, and an opinion-editorial article can inform a more just and sustainable environmental governance for the AFN in Canada. The first portfolio product remarks that, while the Supreme Court Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) ruling has legitimized a new regulatory framework for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to address adverse climate change outcomes impacting the nation, GHGs are but one of three types of pollutants that cumulatively threaten the health, lives, and culture of the AFN. The second product examines how existing community-based research can best inform the conceptualization and implementation of Bill C-226, to progress environmental justice and sustainability for the AFN living in Chemical Valley. The last output assesses the effectiveness of GGPPA-related environmental governance practices, by looking at one key dimension of environmental justice and sustainability. Cross-portfolio conclusions drawn emphasize a greater need for government-wide systems-based thought and action, when conceptualizing and operationalizing environmental laws in a way that enables and not hinders, an effective, clear, equitable, and practical environmental governance. Integrating procedural and outcome justice components in environmental governance considerations, along with Indigenous inspired approaches, can offer some necessary insight into how examining environmental policy, community-based data, and federal government actions can inform a more just and sustainable environmental governance in Canada
"What happens to one, happens to us all": Towards Indigenous emergency management planning in a good way
Get PDFA 2022 report published by the Auditor General of Canada indicated that Indigenous Services Canada was not providing the support necessary to First Nations communities to appropriately address emergencies. Emergencies and disasters are happening more frequently and at a greater intensity and First Nations are being disproportionately impacted. This research explores the current Emergency Management Planning landscape in British Columbia (BC) relating to First Nations at a multiple jurisdiction legislative level. The goal is to identify gaps and suggest an appropriate way forward to improve BC First Nations experiences when disaster strikes. Findings reveal that First Nations Voices are needed to provide a holistic and culturally aware approach to Emergency Management Planning and a literature review concluded that the existing approach is flawed. Three recommendations are proposed to address this shortfall.Thesis/major project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University
Soil Metal Distribution in Parks and Playgrounds in Select Municipalities in Metro Vancouver
Get PDF2024This study was conducted to identify the soil metal profile in parks and playgrounds in select municipalities in Metro Vancouver that have been rapidly developing during the past few years. Sixty-eight soil samples were analyzed for metals including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, U, V, and Zn by X-Ray Florescence and assessed against the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) soil quality guidelines (SQG) for residential/parkland use. In vitro bioaccessibility analyses were also conducted to determine the human health risk associated with ingestion of metals present in the soil samples. Metal concentrations and the bioaccessibility results suggested that the human health risk associated with accidental ingestion of contaminated soils at parks and playgrounds where samples were collected was minimal. For Ba, which exceeded the CCME SQG, with moderate bioaccessibility, may suggest a potential risk to human health