VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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Applying a Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Embody and Demonstrate Reconciliation in the Recreation and Parks Sector
Get PDF2024This action-oriented research, conducted in partnership with the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) and alongside community services staff from Squamish First Nation, examined the question: How might BCRPA embody and demonstrate reconciliation in the recreation and parks sector? A Squamish First Nation Elder was consulted to ensure protocols were followed and the research adhered to all Royal Roads University research ethics requirements. A Two-Eyed Seeing approach was applied throughout the research to showcase both Indigenous and Western worldviews. Participants, who took part in the focus group, sharing circle, and semi-structured interviews, shared insights and personal experiences. The inquiry findings and recommendations identify the current state of reconciliation in recreation and parks services, the ideal state of reconciliation in recreation and parks services, tools and resources needed to support reconciliation in recreation and parks services, and challenges to overcome throughout this change process all within the Metro Vancouver region
Determining Conditions That Enable or Impede the Inclusion of Climate Justice in Municipal Adaptation Planning in Canada
Get PDF2023Abstract Governments are increasingly turning to adaptation planning to prepare for the onset of climate change. A climate justice framework in adaptation planning seeks equity by ensuring all parts of society receive the benefits required to address their vulnerabilities. This thesis examined the extent and quality of climate justice in municipal adaptation planning in Canada to identify the conditions that enable or impede climate justice. Levels of justice were measured in twelve municipal adaptation plans in Canada using an Adaptation Justice Index. Interviews with municipal planners explored the conditions that affect their ranking. Results found that capacity, engagement, leadership, process design, worldview, and continual learning are the insertion points at which justice can be included or excluded. Furthermore, integrating climate justice requires an iterative process of evolving values which influence and could continually improve the process structure
Comparison of muscle activity of the lower limbs while running on different treadmill models
No full textThis article was originally published as: Kaltenbach, C., Gollhofer, A., Nigg, B.M., & Asmussen, M.J. (2024). Comparison of muscle activity of the lower limbs while running on different treadmill models. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1341772Treadmill running is a common method of exercise and to study human locomotion. Research has examined the kinematics and kinetics of overground and treadmill running, but there has been less focus on the levels of muscle activity during treadmill running. We investigated if muscle activity is different while running overground compared to running on a variety of treadmills. A total of 11 healthy individuals ran at 3 speeds (2.6, 3.6, 4.5 m/s) under 4 different running conditions (3 treadmills, overground). The three treadmills included a typical home exercise treadmill, a midsize commercial research treadmill, and a large, instrumented research treadmill. Surface EMG of the tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were measured for each running condition. The integrated EMG was computed for each running condition for the stance and swing phase, as well as 100 ms before and after the heel-strike. Friedman analysis revealed significant effects during the stance phase for GM and RF at all speeds, such that muscle activation was lower on the treadmills relative to overground. During the stance phase at faster speeds, the muscle activity was higher for the TA and lower for the BF while running on the different treadmills compared to overground running. Before heel-strike, the TA was significantly less active during treadmill compared to overground running at 2.6 m/s and the RF showed significantly higher activity at 3.6 m/s and 4.5 m/s while running on the different treadmills. Summarizing, differences were mainly observed between the different treadmill conditions relative to overground running. Muscle activation differences between the different treadmill conditions were observed at faster running speeds for RF during the pre-heel-strike phase only. Different types of treadmills with different mechanical properties affects the muscle activity during stance phase as well as in preparation to heel-strike. Additionally, the muscle activity is greater during overground compared to treadmill running during the stance phase for the GM, BF, and RF.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. MA is funded by an NSERC Discovery Grant
Investigating literacy intervention strategies for primary students, including those with Autism: an action research study
No full textLiteracy is a crucial life skill, the development of which is arguably one of the most important outcomes of the education system. Despite the importance of developing proficient literacy skills, students with autism are at a particularly increased risk of difficulty in this area. There is a large body of research that outlines recommended practices for foundational literacy instruction for typically developing students, but the same body of research does not currently exist for students with autism. Through this action research study, I aimed to answer the question: How can I improve my understanding of the literacy development of primary students, including those with autism, and my implementation of individualized strategies to support the development of literacy skills for all students? Through the process of action research, three cycles emerged that focused on: collecting data to better understand the strengths and support needs of the students, implementing strategies to support phonemic awareness (blending) and decoding skills, and implementing strategies to support recognition of regular and irregular high-frequency words. A reflective journal, student interviews, and student assessments were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data that supported planning and evaluating the impact of adapted instruction on student learning. Two key findings emerged: understanding unique learner skill sets and literacy profiles is essential to implementing effective intervention and responsive, evidence-based literacy instruction can be effective in improving foundational literacy skills for primary students, including those with autism
Teacher knowledge of biophilic classrooms in relation to student well-being
No full textThe purpose of this study was to answer the research question: What do teachers currently know and need to know about biophilic classrooms in relation to student well-being? A look at the existing literature reveals that biophilic spaces can decrease stress levels, improve academics, improve behaviour, and therefore contribute to improvements in overall well-being. Using a mixed methods needs assessment framework, 41 teachers in Canada (primarily British
Columbia) participated in a survey and 7 participated in an interview. The survey and interview asked teachers to discuss their current knowledge and implementation of biophilic classrooms, their knowledge on how a physical classroom space can affect students, what barriers may be faced when implementing this design, and what teachers need to be successful in implementing biophilic classrooms into schools. While most participants had a basic understanding of the effects of biophilic spaces on student well-being, there is a distinct gap between what is known and what is currently being implemented. This study provides some knowledge on the existing conditions in the classroom and next steps for how we can bridge this gap and encourage more teachers to consider biophilia when designing their classroom space to better support student well-being
Leading against the odds: women with disabilities
No full textIn this, the 21st Century, people from all walks of life should have the opportunity to work at a decent paying job, with options for career advancement. Sadly, this is not the case. Women lag behind men with respect to well-paying jobs, equity and advancement. And women with disabilities face even greater challenges, despite years of equity and employment programming aimed at changing the status quo. Clearly what we have been doing to advance women with disabilities has not been working to any degree of success. We must search for answers and provide viable options so that these women can live meaningful and fulfilling lives. This paper examined a success story of a woman with disabilities rising to the top of Senior Leadership, the barriers the author faced, as well as factors that made this possible. Using autoethnography as the research approach, this study included the analysis of the lived experiences of the author and critical conversations with colleagues to better understand the context of navigating the pursuit of leadership as a woman with disabilities. The intended outcome of this study was to learn from her experiences, as well as those of her colleagues, by analyzing data and research looking for commonalities and dissentions in order to bring forward recommendations for change. This study found that a significant number of systemic elements, often designed to support women with disabilities, resulted in increased challenges and barriers. Further understanding of lived experiences is needed for better system reform
A community of practice approach for school-based developmental social work in South Africa: Reflections of social workers
No full textThis article reports on social worker reflections on the benefits and barriers of a multisectoral
community of practice to improve child well-being for beneficiaries of the Child Support Grant
in poor urban communities in Johannesburg, South Africa. The findings could inform cash plus
school based social work policies and practice.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27481/SchmidISW2023.pdf?sequence=3We gratefully acknowledge funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for the community of
practice study for Social Systems Strengthening to improve child well-being outcomes
Factors of ecological resilience in global temperate estuaries : a systematic review
No full textEstuaries in temperate regions represent the confluence or transition of three major biomes: terrestrial ecosystems, freshwater outflows, and nearshore habitats and they face a variety of external stressors. To help mitigate the impacts of external stressors on temperate estuaries, this systematic literature review identified and synthesized the spatial and temporal scales of ecological functions, the main stressors, and factors supporting resilience in estuaries. Dominant stressors were water quality threats, coastal modification, and hydrology changes. Temporal and spatial scales of stressors varied, with anthropogenic stressors generally occupying larger spatial scales and shorter temporal scales than natural processes. Functional redundancy, habitat complexity, and healthy food webs were identified as indicators of resilience at multiple scales. My research identifies tools available for measuring resilience to guide localized management of external stressors in temperate estuaries. Importantly, management actions should consider ecological functional integrity as a critical measure of the success of those actions
Effective planning for a changing climate: Municipal climate change adaptation in British Columbia
No full textCommunities are faced with a wide variety of demands and challenges, and the urgency associated with climate change impacts adds a significant additional constraint on community resilience. This research aims to contribute increased understanding of the factors leading communities to acting and overcoming barriers to begin to address the pressing need to adapt to climate change. A survey and correlation analysis provide insight into the ways that mid-sized municipalities in British Columbia are addressing adaptation through planning and the research also uncovers connections between the factors that influence the implementation of projects that address climate adaptation. The research illustrates the importance of leadership at multiple scales, including political, senior management, and the leadership from internal climate champions. The many barriers communities face while attempting to plan for climate impacts is also illustrated, and with this the highly variable levels of action on adaptation policy development and implementation across the province.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/27398/LundstenThesis.pdf?sequence=3Thesis 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
Indigenous Knowledge of Human–Polar Bear Coexistence in Churchill, Manitoba
No full text2023Polar bears (wapusk; nanuq; sas; loor blaan; Ursus maritimus) and people have shared northern coastlines for time immemorial, yet concerns about polar bears coming into communities is increasing. As the Arctic warms and sea ice habitat declines due to climate warming, coexistence strategies between people and polar bears have become increasingly important. This study uses community-based participatory research; coproduction of knowledge; hands back, hands forward; and storytelling to documents Indigenous knowledge of human–polar bear coexistence with Swampy Cree, Sayisi Dene, Caribou Inuit, and Métis people of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. By coupling deductive time-based themes with inductive thematic analysis, this research documents Indigenous knowledge and provides recommendations as future visions for human–polar bear coexistence in Churchill, Manitoba: protect tourism as an important industry and economy, support proactive management and less invasive research, elevate Indigenous knowledge, improve education and safety awareness, and cultivate a culture of coexistence