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Architects, Climate Change, and Resilience: Bridging Gaps Between Research and Practice
Get PDF2024Intensifying climate change impacts puts cities at unprecedented risk, including their populations, ecosystems, and built environments. In the face of large-scale and enduring climate change impacts, resilience has rapidly emerged as a central priority for cities. Research indicates resilience thinking is relatively new among North American built environment professionals. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews to understand how Canadian architects engaged in green building or regenerative design conceptualize and apply resilience thinking in their practice. It then compared these findings with how resilience is conceptualized in scholarly literature and embedded in green building practice frameworks. The research findings identified resilience as an emerging concept, with the participants’ climate science and resilience literacy varying considerably. Further, there were notable gaps between the definitions of resilience in the reviewed scholarly literature and the green building practice frameworks. The study conclusions identified seven core attributes to advance resilience thinking and practice
Through the looking glass: an autoethnography of Autistic student and teacher school experience
No full textThis autoethnographic study explores the school experiences of an Autistic student and teacher in public school through a collection of reflective narratives. Disrupted and low school attendance and completion rates have been recognized as a disproportionate problem for Autistic students. In addition, Autistic students report lower rates of well-being, positive self-identity, and feelings of belonging at school. To better understand factors that impact Autistic students’ success rates and well-being at school, this autoethnographic inquiry explores my own experiences and challenges in public schools through reflective narratives as both Autistic student and educator. Themes impacting school experience include environmental barriers, judgement versus relationship, Autistic representation, and Autistic peer connections. Solutions and strategies to support Autistic academic, personal, and social well-being at school are also proposed
In Her Place: Addressing Women’s Equity Through Evidence-Based Planning Practice
Get PDF2024This research examines how urban planners can better understand and improve gender-based interventions and address the individual, institutional, and systemic biases that have contributed to women’s inequality in the urban environment through data-driven analysis and evaluation. Rooted in a pragmatic, social constructionist theoretical perspective, this research acknowledges that lived experience is intrinsically linked to both knowledge about and action relating to the socio-spatial environment. A portfolio of three, interrelated scholarly works – woven together by themes of evidence-based decision-making, systems thinking, and personal and professional reflexivity – demonstrates a multilevel approach to addressing women’s equity through planning practice. The portfolio components include: (1) a published, co-authored journal article describing how a systematic review methodology can be modified to support informed decision-making in planning practice; (2) a sole-authored journal article exploring the role of, and relationships between, multilevel, gender-based planning instruments within an overarching theory of change; and (3) an academic book proposal providing evidence of the disparate impacts of gender-based planning interventions on a diverse population and providing recommendations for addressing individual and systemic bias in planning practice. By devoting attention – and intention – to understanding the roles and impacts of planning instruments, institutional structures, and personal biases on women’s equity, this portfolio of epistemic objects guides planning practitioners as they weigh planning decisions, address organizational path dependencies, confront personal, institutional, and systemic biases, and ensure that women’s inequity does not continue to be manifested and embedded in spatial patterns and decisions. Supplementary materials have been provided to augment the findings outlined in this synthesis paper. A complete catalogue of the Canadian gender-based planning instruments found through this research has been compiled into a summary table. The table includes the city and province of each intervention, year, instrument name, instrument type, stage of activity (e.g., planning, engagement, operational, monitoring and evaluation, etc.), Council and operational supports, and participation in the UNESCO Inclusive Municipalities program. The supplementary materials also include an intervention matrix, which summarizes the priority area, categorical objective, aspect targeted (e.g., policy, leadership, accountability, etc.), intersectional characteristics identified, instrument type, target audience, stage of activity, and indicators identified for each women’s equity objective statement found in the research
Development of phenomenology-inspired phronetic social science (PIPSS) and its application in the study of workplace conflict: Doctoral dissertation synthesis
Get PDF2024This synthesis paper is one of four components submitted in fulfilment of the Doctor of Social Sciences degree; the other three components are attached in the appendices: the required article, the elective article, and a link to the elective video. This dissertation investigates the change in the lived experience of workplace conflict after the study participants were asked to reflect on the boundary situations of mortality, and freedom and responsibility (Yalom, 1980), and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new qualitative, mixed-methods methodology, phenomenology-inspired phronetic social science (PIPSS) was developed to facilitate the investigation. PIPSS is based on van Manen’s (2014) phenomenology and Flyvbjerg’s (2001/2014) phronetic social science. The required article discusses the methodology, and the elective article presents the study findings. In the study’s second interview, participants’ expression of their pre-reflective, lived experience of workplace conflict included 50% fewer expressions of van Manen’s (2014) existentials and no expression of existentials related to how one might experience cognition or the mind. The author recommends further research be conducted before the results of this research inform the professional practice of managing workplace conflict. Literature is reviewed throughout sections of the portfolio components to support the discussions of the methodology, results, and recommendations. Lastly, although passages from the required and elective articles have been included in this dissertation synthesis, readers may refer to the articles for greater detail
Analyzing Student Readiness for Online Learning in Higher Education
Get PDF2024This case study seeks to investigate students’ readiness in an online learning environment and examine how well Royal Roads University’s (RRU) pedagogical model aligns with their intended educational outcomes. By providing an anonymous platform for students to share their perspectives, the study addresses the gap in understanding the relationship between students and their academic institutions. Focusing specifically on RRU, the research has the potential to serve as a model for other Canadian universities seeking to improve their online educational offerings. Currently, there is limited research on the intricate dynamics between students and their academic institutions in the context of online learning. This case study delves into RRU’s pedagogical model and its effectiveness in supporting students’ readiness for online learning in higher education. The findings of this case study can provide valuable guidance for other Canadian universities, helping them adopt similar pedagogical models that cater better to the needs of their diverse student populations, faculty, and staff. Understanding the factors that contribute to student readiness in online learning allows institutions to customize their approaches, resulting in a more engaging, effective, and supportive learning environment.
By conducting a comprehensive analysis of RRU’s pedagogical model and its impact on student readiness, this case study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on online learning in higher education and its implications for educational institutions. The results will offer valuable insights to educators, administrators, and policymakers seeking to enhance the quality of online education and will improve the overall student experience. Keywords: Online learning, student readiness, pedagogical model, higher education, case study, Royal Roads University, student perspectives, educational outcomes
Kelp dynamics and environmental drivers in the southern Salish Sea, British Columbia, Canada
No full textThis article was originally published as: Mora-Sota, A., Schroeder, S., Gendall, L., Wachmann, A., Narayan, G.R., Read, S., Pearsall, I., Rubidge, E., Lessard, J., Martell, K., Wills, P., & Costa, M. (2024). Kelp dynamics and environmental drivers in the southern Salish Sea, British Columbia, Canada. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1323448The impacts of local-scale temperatures and winds on bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) vary along a coastal gradient, while also being influenced by corresponding global-scale oceanic conditions. Around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, BC, Canada, bull kelp floating canopies were mapped using high-resolution imagery from 2005 to 2022, whereas the largest kelp bed of the area was mapped with medium-resolution imagery spanning from 1972 to 2022. In order to understand spatial patterns of kelp resilience, the abiotic characteristics were used to organize the coastline into four clusters, ranging from the coldest and most exposed coast to a more sheltered and warmer location. Additionally, local-scale sea surface temperatures, winds, and marine heatwaves were categorized by global-scale temporal conditions defined by the positive/negative oceanic oscillations of the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). Comparing spatial and temporal categories, we observed that years with positive ONI and PDO, in particular the 2014–2019 period, concentrated most of the marine heatwaves and the spring temperature peaks. However, there are some indications of an underlying long-term trend. During the period 2020–2022, when ONI and PDO were negative, summer temperatures kept increasing and wind displayed a higher frequency of extreme events. Mapped kelp showed different trends to these stressors: the coldest and most exposed area showed a constant presence of kelp during the entire period, even dating back to 1972. Warmer and semi-sheltered coasts increased in kelp percentage cover after the positive ONI+PDO period of 2014–2019, and the coasts facing the Strait of Georgia displayed a lower kelp percentage cover than the other clusters. In summary, bull kelp was resilient in the study area, but for different reasons: colder and more exposed coasts had the most favorable conditions for kelp, but warmer and more sheltered coastal kelp beds may have benefited from wind-wave forcing.Funds were available from the Pacific Salmon Foundation through a Mitacs
Accelerate grant awarded to AM-S and technician salary to process
digital images. Funds were also available from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Alliance grant awarded to MC (Ref. number: ALLRP 566735 - 21)
Green Space and Trees In Langford: Community Perceptions, Environmental Awareness, and Conservation
Get PDF2024Urban green spaces (UGS) and trees play a pivotal role in addressing contemporary challenges across environmental, social, and economic dimensions in cities. The rapid growth of Langford, British Columbia, driven by an accelerated increase in population over recent years, poses significant challenges for the preservation of urban green spaces and trees. I conducted a literature review to research the benefits of trees and UGS in cities and, based on the identified benefits, created a survey to examine Langford residents' perceptions of UGS and trees, including the benefits they provide for the city as well as their preferences regarding management policies. The results suggest that residents are aware of the ecosystem services provided by trees and UGS. Additionally, the results showed an inclination to preserve and protect urban green areas in Langford. A holistic management approach involving informed leadership and robust community participation is essential for translating knowledge about ecosystem services into practice. Furthermore, the results of this research suggest improvements in decision-making processes by including mechanisms to gather and evaluate stakeholders' perspectives and moving from planning and goal setting to actual implementation in the city. By adopting such approaches, Langford can enhance its UGS management practices and promote sustainable urban development
Governance of Alberta's Climate Leadership Plan
Get PDF2024The Canadian province of Alberta is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, producing 256 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, or 38% of Canada’s national emissions. As a carbon-intensive natural resource extractive economy, Alberta implemented numerous low-carbon policies in 2015, only to see many of those policies repealed in 2019 following a change in government. This research examines what social, political, and economic factors impacted governance of climate policy in Alberta from 2015 until the change in government in 2019. Analysing 344 press releases and 12 interviews with public servants and other stakeholders, this research uses Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan as a case study to better understand the drivers and pressures facing sub-national governments as they develop and implement climate policy. Key policy insights
● Several strong structures of governance were established early in the policy cycle, only to have those structures rolled away later on. Winding down of climate policy governance structures in Alberta coincided with an aggressive campaign to expand fossil fuel infrastructure.
● The main motivation for climate policy implementation in Alberta from 2015 to 2019 was social licence for continued fossil fuel development.
● Barriers to policy development and implementation included the speed of policy development; the number and diversity of vested interests of industry and environmental stakeholders; institutional tensions, differing bureaucratic cultures and conflicting mandates and within separate government ministries; and the use of the carbon tax as a wedge political issue
Affect and (Un)Certainty: Exploring the Non-Representational in Ethnographic Depiction
No full text2024The experimental 19-minute film is a type of realistic documentary and ethnographic depiction of Vancouver B.C. The film aims to explore how sound shapes affect in film and involves not employing two very effective and reliable cinematic techniques: the close-up of a face and the use of music. Through walking, an actor and filmmaker subject their bodies to encounters with other bodies (mostly non-human) in the environment in search of visual and sonic intensities. The experiment is with an “objective” or realistic presentation and combines techniques of ethnographic filmmaking with techniques of acoustic-ecology’s tradition of soundscape composition. All the images, sounds, and electromagnetic frequencies were recorded in Vancouver B.C. between July and November of 2023. The invisible is made perceptible, the imaginary and real are indistinguishable and everything represented is recognizable and real in image and sound
A Paradigm Shift To Utilizing Uncomfortable Conversations
Get PDF2024This first-person action-oriented thesis explored the primary question: “How can I increase my dialogic skills and abilities in uncomfortable conversations to help maintain and build relationships through open dialogue?” To explore boundaries and judgments within myself and with others, I framed the research in critical heuristics systems and a theory of boundary critique. I also applied an appreciative lens throughout inquiry questions and discussions with participants. Data came from self-reflective journaling sessions, one-on-one interviews with well-known subject matter experts, as well as reflective, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations with feedback partners. The research adhered to the Royal Roads University Research Ethics Policy. Findings showed that I had skills and competencies in uncomfortable conversations and showed how I can improve through continued learning. Five findings, five conclusions, and four recommendations came from this thesis. An appreciative lens is critical. Some recommendations may be of value to other practitioners and organizations.Keywords: uncomfortable conversations, boundary critique, critical heuristics systems, personal mastery, unconscious bias, diversity, equity, inclusion, dialogue, systems thinking, confidence, digital journaling