VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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Developing a conceptual framework to assess the social-ecological resilience of the Canadian agroecosystem
No full textThere is a pressing need to develop a coherent and appropriate conceptualization of ‘resilience’ in the context of agricultural production as well as a tool for its practical assessment. Here I do both. I use a systematic and integrative approach to review and assess recent conceptualizations of ‘resilience’ and analytical frameworks. Following this review, I develop six conditions enabling resilience in agroecosystems, which inform the development of a conceptual framework and the selection of variables and indicators. Applying the conceptual framework to the Canadian agroecosystem in a general manner serves to identify opportunities for farmers and policy-makers to assess, discuss, and manage agroecosystem resilience. The high-level assessment demonstrates that important changes underway in the Canadian agroecosystem support resilience through re-organization, adaptation, and learning. However, the current focus on maximizing productivity and efficiency often leads to reduced diversity; increased connectivity; protection against disturbances; reliance on anthropogenic inputs; and missed opportunities for shared learning and experimentation. This focus on productivity may not support the long-term resilience of agroecosystem. Therefore, ensuring that agroecosystems can adjust to big and small disturbances in the future requires that we shift our thinking to recognize and support the complex adaptive nature of agroecosystems and adopt adaptive management approaches
Sustainable management of municipal solid waste : a zero waste strategy for the City of Surrey
No full textAs part of a broader agenda to cut costs, fulfil the needs of its projected population increases, and curb the impact of municipal solid waste on the environment and human well-being, the City of Surrey, BC, is pursuing the development of a zero waste strategy (ZWS). This study uses data collected through case studies, literature review, document and gap analysis, an online survey and a review of Surrey’s residential solid waste management systems compared to current industry practices towards developing a ZWS as proposed by the city. The findings suggest that due to waste management’s (WM) many influences, including supply chains, human behaviour, environmental, social and economic factors, a ZWS may be ineffective without residents, industry, and stakeholders’ collective participation in modifying their consumption, production and WM practices: a process, which includes public education on waste prevention and reduction strategies towards closing the loop for resource efficiency through sustainable production and consumption
The role of leisure in coping with acculturative stress among Chinese international students: an exploratory study
No full textChinese international students face numerous challenges and difficulties when they study in another country. These challenges can generate acculturative stress, which negatively affects the perception of health and well-being among Chinese international students. While there are many studies investigating acculturative stress and leisure of Chinese immigrants, and Chinese students in the United States, within the field of leisure studies little attention has been paid to Chinese international students in Canadian universities, such as Vancouver Island University (VIU). By addressing the issues of acculturative stress and leisure among Chinese international students at VIU, this research endeavoured to understand their special challenges and how they cope with acculturative stress through their leisure engagement. Guided by a qualitative methodology, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 Chinese international students attending VIU. Through an inductive thematic analysis of the data, six themes reflecting the experiences of Chinese international students were captured: (a) Experiencing challenges and barriers as an international student, (b) Experiencing sociocultural challenges as a “stranger”, (c) The experiences of emotional distress under acculturative stress, (d) Using leisure to manage stress and stress-induced emotions, (e) Leisure as a means to access and strengthen supportive relationships, (f) Leisure as a vehicle for integrating into the local community and culture. Based on the results, this study also provided suggestions for relevant stakeholders including education institutions, leisure service providers, and counsellors to better help Chinese international students navigate acculturative stress and enhance their well-being.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25877/WuM.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Enhancing capacity of the coalition of African, Caribbean, and Black nurses to support Black nurses in British Columbia to achieve greater psychological health in the workplace
No full textThis thesis, “Enhancing Capacity of the Coalition of African, Caribbean, and Black Nurses (CACBN) to Support Black Nurses in British Columbia to Achieve Greater Psychological Health in the Workplace” utilizes the methodological frameworks of the Action Research Engagement model, Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality, Participatory Action Research and Appreciative Inquiry to answer the following question: How can the CACBN support Black nurses to achieve greater psychological health in the workplace? The African, Caribbean, and Black nurse participants were predominantly from CACBNs membership, held various nursing designations, and came from different practice environments. Data collection methods included a survey, interviews, and reflective journaling. Several sub-themes emerged from five overarching themes: Relational Connection: “Fitting In”, Factors that Contribute to Safety in the Workplace, System Level Supports Needed from Health Care Organizations, CACBN Supports for ACBNs, and Impacts of COVID-19 on ACBNs. Study recommendations for health organizations include developing workplace anti-racism policies and providing career supports and leadership opportunities, while recommendations for CACBN include providing anti-Black racism education to health authorities and schools, offering mentorship, and creating safe spaces for dialogue
Authentic allies : fostering male allyship within STEM
No full textWomen in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) remain underrepresented. Recruitment initiatives have shown an increase in women entering the field; however, harnessing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) efforts are ongoing to address systemic barriers to retaining and promoting women in STEM. Using action research methodology, my study focused on how WISE Planet (the sponsor) can foster male allyship within STEM. Male and female research participants who currently work or have worked in STEM within Calgary, Alberta, provided insight into their work experience. I collected data through an anonymous online survey and dialogic methods of a virtual focus group or virtual interviews with photo elicitation to explore the concept of male allyship within STEM. My research received approval from the Royal Roads University Ethics Review Board and the University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board. My study’s key findings are that male allies are needed; however, male allyship is not well understood and requires a learning mentality. I recommend that WISE Planet implement an experiential year led by a dedicated male allyship group focused on identifying and recruiting genuine allies, developing a male allyship framework and toolkit, and implementing gender-interactive activities
Climate change mitigation and adaptation through suburban sustainable landscape : a case study of the city of Colwood
No full textThis case study explores sustainable landscape features and solutions to the impacts of climate change in the City of Colwood, a suburban area on Vancouver Island in Canada. It does so by addressing this research question: What landscape features could be incorporated into a suburban landscape to enhance its ability to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change? The main goal of the case study is to define relevant sustainable suburban landscape features that will potentially help the City of Colwood mitigate and/or adapt to climate change. A qualitative approach has been taken to data collection from a variety of primary and secondary resources—reports, government publications, articles, and case studies from other jurisdictions. These documents have been used to identify landscapes that can address climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. The study’s results on sustainable landscapes in suburban areas could contribute to revisions in laws and policies on sustainable urban landscapes and to future plans and developments in this area.
Key words: climate change, mitigation, adaptation, sustainability, regenerative thinking, landscape ecology, urban landscapes, suburban landscapes, sustainable landscapes, City of Colwood
Starting a Hul’q’umi’num’ kindergarten immersion program
No full textLike many other First Nations languages in British Columbia, the ancestral language of the Quw’utsun people, my people, is on the verge of becoming extinct. The cultural genocide that was the residential school system continues to supress language and cultural practices within our homes and communities. If action is not taken immediately to revitalize the hul’q’umi’num’ language, Elders and their knowledge of language and Quw’utsun culture will be officially stolen, along with our cultural identity. As a result, I have become a language warrior, challenging systemic racism, and breaking a toxic cycle that was forced upon our people. I am learning the sacred language of my ancestors and I support hul’q’umi’num’ language revitalization efforts through a new language immersion program for the Quw'utsun people. The purpose of my Master of Education research was to explore what has been learned from First Nations language immersion programs in British Columbia. I was guided by the question: what does a new First Nations language immersion school need to know to support their early learners? I interviewed the Renee Sampson head teacher and Immersion Program Coordinator of ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School and myself, as the Kindergarten teacher of Quw'utsun Smuneem Elementary School. The findings from this research show that immersion programs are an essential part of language revitalization. Elders and language champions from the community have been drivers of First Nations language immersion programs in BC, however community support, strong educational leadership, and funding are essential to the success and sustainability of these programs. While community support is there, limited resources are available to fund language revitalization initiatives for all First Nations communities, risking language extinction as the few Elders that are fluent leave us for the ancestors.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25979/Hall.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Youth and Public Transit: A Knowledge Synthesis of Recent Publications (SSHRC Forum Presentation)
No full textHistorically, youth (13-25) have been one of the most active user groups of public transit in Canada, accounting for one-third of ridership nation-wide, and up to two-thirds in cities such as Moose Jaw, SK and Red Deer, AB (Canadian Urban Transit Association, 2004). Despite their high usage of public transportation, youth as a specific category of riders have received an underwhelming amount of focus by academics and transit authorities. This presentation to the Mobility and Public Transit Knowledge Mobilization Forum - hosted by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Infrastructure Canada - synthesizes the last ten years of evidence, policy, and pilot projects related to youth as a public transportation user group in order to provide an up-to-date summary of the state of knowledge in this area. The final section of this work consists of an evidence-based agenda for future research and policy, with an eye toward enhancing the equity of access to transit systems for youth riders.SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grants – Mobility and Public Transit (2020), Grant #872-2020-100
Science 10 redesign: teaching and assessing curricular competencies
No full textBetween 2015-2018, the British Columbia Ministry of Education implemented a revised curriculum centered on the development and assessment of student competencies. While the new curriculum was in line with global initiatives and grounded in educational research, many teachers did not fully embrace the new curriculum. The slow adoption of new curriculum is not unique to B.C. teachers, as most reforms in education are met with some level of resistance from classroom teachers due to barriers (e.g., lack of training/resources/time) or personal reasons for resistance (e.g., change is not necessary, lack of teacher voice in reform). As a high school science teacher, I was slow to embrace the new curriculum because I felt that I had not received enough quality training to effectively change my teaching and assessment practices. As a result, I chose to focus my Master of Education project on redesigning my Science 10 course to align with the revised B.C. curriculum. My Science 10 Redesign occurred over two iterations of the course. During the first iteration (Fall 2021 semester), I began shifting the focus of my course from content acquisition to building and assessing Curricular Competencies. During the second iteration (Spring 2022 semester), I focused on ‘inquirizing’ the learning activities, aligning my assessments, and weaving in Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing. Through reflection and subsequent redesign, I have updated my practice, created resources to share with other Science 10 teachers, and developed a redesign process that I hope is useful for other teachers.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26075/Paterson.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
A cohort-based case report: The impact of ketamine-assisted therapy embedded in a community of practice framework for healthcare providers with PTSD and depression
No full textThis article was originally published as: Dames, S., Kryskow, P., & Watler, C. (2022). A cohort-based case report: The impact of ketamine-assisted therapy embedded in a community of practice framework for healthcare providers with PTSD and depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.803279Amid an international pandemic and a worsening mental health crisis, ketamine-assisted therapy is emerging as a promising solution for those deemed “treatment resistant.” Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are on the rise, with accelerating direct (e.g., burden of suffering) and indirect (e.g., disability/role impairment and impact on family) costs. Psychedelic-assisted therapies show significant promise in the treatment of a number of clinically challenging conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life distress. Ketamine is currently the only safe, effective and legal widely available psychedelic-like medicine. To address the echo pandemic of health care provider distress, a multi-disciplinary team was charged with developing a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy program, delivered in a community of practice (CoP) group model and evaluated in a quality improvement framework. Program evaluation occurred through mixed methods. Quantitative mental health assessments included the PHQ-9 for depression, the PCL-5 for PTSD, GAD-7 for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and B-IPF for work/life functionality. Participant narrative feedback was collected to evaluate outcomes and for quality improvement purposes. Mean mental health scores were collected across three cohorts, totaling 94 patients. The mean aggregate scores of participants meeting the mental health assessment cut-off criteria (screening positive) were analyzed to assess clinical significance. Mean aggregate results comparing baseline vs. outcome measures (measured within 1–2 weeks after completion of the 12-week program) were clinically significant, demonstrating significant improvements in depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and work/life functionality. In summary, 91% saw improvements in generalized anxiety, 79% saw improvements in depression, 86% of those who screened positive for PTSD now screen negative, and 92% had significant life/work functionality improvements. Qualitative feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with several unsolicited self-reports of transformation. Participant and team feedback enables the program to continue improving with each iteration. Results speak to the effectiveness of ketamine for psychedelic-assisted therapy, supported by a CoP framework. Outcomes are relevant for mental health programming, education and healthcare policy.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25308/Dames2022.pdf?sequence=3This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. It was originally published as: Dames, S., Kryskow, P., & Watler, C. (2022). A cohort-based case report: The impact of ketamine-assisted therapy embedded in a community of practice framework for healthcare providers with PTSD and depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.803279The project was supported by Vancouver Island University, a
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Knowledge Synthesis
grant, a British Columbia Ministry of Health COVID-19
Research grant, the Regional Initiatives Fund, in-kind support
from Island Health, the British Columbia Nurses Union, First
Nations Health Authority, and philanthropic funds