VIURRSpace (Royal Roads University and Vancouver Island University)
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Enhancing partnership and strengthening leadership within the early learning and child care sector in rural British Columbia
No full textThis action research study sought to improve community participation and leadership in the communities of Golden and Area A, in eastern BC, which are part of the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) sector, responsible to the BC Ministry of Education. A relational approach was necessary to strengthen the frontline leadership within the patchwork of systems making up the ELCC sector, and involved varying disciplines, including early childhood educators, parents, teachers, and community-based service providers. Participants engaged in four community engagement workshops focusing partnerships, and how an engagement framework might support sustained relationships and strengthen leadership. Building a sense of belonging among the ELCC sector emerged as a key building block to strong partnerships, reinforcing the relationships among five themes: creating safe spaces for learning and engagement; connectedness to self and the families the partnership serves; space and time to deepen relationships and build confidence; opportunities for meaningful engagement; changing the organizational/system culture to equalize and professionalize the ELCC field
Characterizing photochemical ageing processes of microplastic materials using multivariate analysis of infrared spectra
No full textThis is an accepted manuscript of an article that was originally published as: Zvekic, M., Richards, L.C., Tong, C.C., & Krogh, E.T. (2022). Characterizing photochemical ageing processes of microplastic materials using multivariate analysis of infrared spectra. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 24(1), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EM00392EMicroplastics in the environment are an emerging concern due to impacts on human and environmental health. In addition to direct effects on biota, microplastics influence the fate and distribution of trace organic contaminants through sorption and transport. Environmental weathering may influence the rate and extent of chemical sorption. Changes in the surface characteristics of four common plastics including low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were followed under the influence of both artificial light (UV-B) and natural sunlight for up to six months. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra were collected at regular intervals. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the full dataset of UV-B weathered samples (n >500 spectra) simultaneously discriminated plastic type and extent of photochemical weathering. The magnitude of PCA scores correlated with exposure time and the loadings were consistent with surface chemistry changes including photooxidation. Projecting sunlight and UV-C exposed samples onto this PCA model demonstrated that similar chemical changes occurred, albeit at different rates. The results were compared to the carbonyl index (CI) with similar weathering trends indicating PP weathered at a faster initial rate than LDPE and HDPE. We propose that a multivariate approach is more widely applicable than CI as illustrated by PS, which lacked a stable reference peak. Kinetic analysis of the time series indicated that outdoor weathering occurred 5–12 times slower than the artificial exposure used here, depending on the plastic and the light source employed. The results provide unique insights into weathering processes and the photochemical age of naturally weathered plastics.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26423/Krogh2022ESPI.pdf?sequence=3Research was supported through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (Discovery Grant 2016-06454 ETK; USRA MZ) and the VIU REACH Award (MZ).Post-print versio
Relationship to place as catalyst for positive change
No full textThe purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals who self-identify as having a long-term relationship to park spaces within the Capital Region of South Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This study was guided by the main research question: how might an individual’s deeper relationship to place become a catalyst for positive change? Participants who engage in a variety of activities within park spaces were interviewed and interview data was analyzed, with five major themes emerging: First, the value of habit in creating patterns of meaning and transformation in one’s life. Second, the value of longitudinal relationships with a place through the medium of a meaningful experience/activity. Third, the value of early exposure to the natural world and the fundamental ways of being and knowing this fosters. Fourth, the value of noticing: how micro through macro observations reflect changes in both the landscape and self. And finally, the revelatory effect of time in nature and how this transforms the substance of self in its wake. These findings provide grounding for further synthesis as I seek to render legible the structures and dynamics of relationship to place within a bounded geography and pattern context. This work aims to contribute to the vast body of literature on place theory and our societal response to the climate crisis, both epistemologically and ontologically
Heritage conservation planning in Saint John, New Brunswick: The importance of heritage conservation and looking to a future with social justice
No full textCanada has a long history of Heritage conservation across all levels of government and through the use of many different tools. Canada is also a multicultural diverse nation, but often it has focused on one dominant narrative in heritage, often centered on the affluent and rich or colonial powers. Heritage is not just built aesthetic style, but the intangible evolution of our relationships with space. Heritage is part of our identity and fosters a sense of community; without the full story we are lesser. We need to ask ourselves, who and how is heritage designated in our system, whose heritage has this conserved, and as we move forward, how can we bring a social justice lens to our planning. Using a case study of Saint John, New Brunswick, the oldest incorporated city in Canada with a large amount of conserved heritage, we can start to see who has been involved in designating and conserving heritage. Interviews with people involved will also help to bring into focus perceptions of who decides what is heritage worthy and how they think we could improve heritage planning. We are trying to improve our planning system so that in the future, our heritage conservation better reflects our diversity as Canadians
Elements needed for successful social enterprises
No full textResearch shows that non-profit organizations are essential to the fabric of society in social, political, and economic ways (Tink & Kingsley, 2021) and contribute to the betterment of the people they serve (Guo & Saxton, 2014). However, due to social and political changes, funding for non-profit organizations has been continually decreasing, despite an increasing demand (Dees & Elias, 1998; Tan & Yoo, 2015; Tink & Kingsley, 2021). Due to this pressure, non-profit organizations have been forced to find new ways to secure funding. One option is to establish a social enterprise, an organisation that embraces commercial philanthropic activities (Dees, 1998) in order to generate revenue while meeting the needs of the community (Di Zhang & Swanson, 2013; Stecker, 2014). Extensive research has been conducted on social enterprise
and non-profit organizations; however, very little research has been conducted on what elements need to be present within a non-profit organization to establish a social enterprise that will be primed for success. This research used the case study method to explore the elements important to establishing a successful social enterprise. Six participants were interviewed to explore what elements were present in their non-profit organizations and what elements might currently and ideally lead their social enterprises to be successful. In addition, there is a review of how supportive Alberta is towards these types of organizations. Themes arising from these semi-structured interviews, their practical applications, and their implications for future research are explored
What do teachers need to know about executive functioning skills and supporting students?
No full textExecutive functioning (EF) refers to a set of cognitive skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and inhibitory control. Individuals use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. Difficulties with EF can make it hard to focus, follow directions, and handle emotions. These skills are crucial for learning and development. Thus, educators need to recognize the impact that EF challenges can have on students and find ways to provide adequate supports and interventions. The goal of this applied project is to provide educators with information and tools to improve their students' EF skills and to use the resources and materials school-wide to support EF development for all learners.https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25796/Toor.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=
Geospatial assessment of trace-level benzophenone-3 in a fish-bearing river using direct mass spectrometry
No full textThis is a peer-reviewed accepted manuscript version of an article that was published as: Vandergrift, G.W., Lattanzio-Battle, W., Rodgers, T.R., Atkinson, J.B., Krogh, E.T., & Gill, C.G. (2022). Geospatial assessment of trace-level benzophenone-3 in a fish-bearing river using direct mass spectrometry. ACS ES&T Water, 2(2), 262-267. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.1c00205Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone) is present in many sunscreens/cosmetics due to its UV-filtering properties, and has consequently been observed in recreational waters. There are growing concerns about endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms and broader impacts in freshwater and marine systems. Therefore, there is value in cost-effective, sensitive techniques that allow for high-density, spatiotemporal data to protect environmental health and inform public policy. Condensed phase membrane introduction mass spectrometry coupled to liquid electron ionization with in situ chemical ionization (CP-MIMS-LEI/CI) is a novel direct tandem mass spectrometry technique that fulfills these criteria, and was applied to direct measurements of benzophenone-3 in environmental water samples without any sample preparation. We report results that are sensitive (20 ng/L detection limit), reproducible (11% interday variability), and comparable to LC-MS/MS for environmental samples (n=4; 12-24% different). CP-MIMS-LEI/CI was applied to samples (n=33) from the Cowichan River and Cowichan Lake (British Columbia, Canada), an important fish-bearing system significant to First Nations culture, salmonid production, and recreation. The quantitative analysis afforded by CP-MIMS-LEI/CI enabled geospatial benzophenone-3 analysis, identifying elevated concentrations (>180 ng/L) associated with local recreational activity. LC-MS/MS measurements for samples from two locations suggest a correlation between the number of swimmers and benzophenone-3 concentrations (R2 = 0.88, 0.94).https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/26447/KroghGillESTWater2022.pdf?sequence=3Includes supporting information.Funding for environmental sample collection was provided by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, RBC Foundation, and BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Research was supported through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada funding RGPIN-2016-05380 (CGG).Post-print versio
A place where all things are spoken : making the Vernon BC Stake Relief Society a place for her voice
No full textThis qualitative, action-oriented research project aimed to examine women's leadership capacity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The research question guiding this inquiry was: How might women in the Vernon BC Stake Relief Society enthusiastically take up their roles as leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ? Using a systemic action research (SAR) methodology—paired with the principles of appreciative inquiry—members of the Vernon BC Stake Relief Society engaged in a series of online, anonymous, and asynchronous discussions. Data collected from three distinct/disjoined collaborative circles and a World Café-like event indicated that learning about and understanding the history of women in the Church, cultivating collaborative principle-based reasoning, and collectively crafting an inclusive and judgement-free environment—where women have each other’s backs—can positively enhance women’s leadership sentiment and scope within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Royal Roads University’s research and ethics policy guided the design and implementation of this study from start to finish
Changing parents’ perceptions of the skilled trades : overcoming stigmatization
No full textUsing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, I conducted six in-depth, one-to-one interviews of culinary arts students to study the change in parents’ perceptions of the skilled trades, specifically, the chef profession. The aim of the study was to discover what communications prompted parents to overcome the stigma of the skilled trades in order to change other parents’ minds. By changing the perceptions and stigma that are associated with the skilled trades, we can provide additional career options and opportunities for youth, while helping to narrow the skills gap and addressing labour shortages. The findings showed that parents held expectations for their children around education, career and values that were unconsciously based on maintaining or gaining status. When the children did not follow these expectations, parents used fear tactics, such as messages and statements to create self-doubt, negative stereotypes, and low wages to enforce stigma. Despite these stigmatized actions parents used against them, their children were able to change parents’ minds through multi-faceted communications that included stigma management, awareness of the Red Seal accreditation, and demonstration of their chef skills. The thesis deconstructs the journeys adult children experienced from parental expectations, stigmatization, and changes in perception. The thesis also provides recommendations for parents, educators, government, and the skilled trades industry