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Hydro-ecological riparian zones: An innovative approach combining environmental factors using LiDAR, satellite imagery, and GIS
No full textPosterRiparian ecosystems, vegetation bordering lakes and rivers, are essential in sustaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. These ecosystems also regulate water quality, water temperature, provide crucial shade, and reduce flooding. However, riparian zones face growing threats from land-use modifications, resulting in decline in water quality and fish population in British Columbia. This study seeks to improve the methods used to define riparian zones. Traditional approaches often rely on fixed-width buffers, overlooking the natural variability of the landscape. By leveraging advanced tools such as LiDAR, satellite imagery, and GIS, this research develops innovative methods to create flexible, variable-width riparian zones based on diverse environmental factors. The findings aim to offer valuable insights for protecting these critical ecosystems effectively.Master of Geographic Information System Application
Concussions (mTBI) produce difference experiences among autistic and non-autistic Individuals
No full textPosterResearch surrounding mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; concussion) and autism is severely lacking, especially for adults. However, this information is highly relevant for clinical recommendations and quality of life for this demographic of patients. This project is important to further the stream of concussion research because evaluation, recommendations, and treatment for concussion is currently based on research with non-autistic individuals. However, the current recommendations may not meet the emotional, cognitive, and/or physical needs of autistic individuals. Understanding the different outcomes for autistic individuals who experience concussions can help with screening, treatment, and support to help improve quality of life, autonomy, competency, and mental health among autistic concussion survivors
The future of leisure studies in six landscapes
No full textThis article was originally published as: Adie, B.A., Weighill, A., Dong, E., McGrath, R., Mair, H., & Mowatt, R.A. (2025). The future of leisure studies in six landscapes. Loisir et Société / Society and Leisure. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/07053436.2025.2474281What is the future of leisure studies? The answer is as undefined as the field’s past. Leisure studies have always lacked a true, unified governing body (e.g. no general assembly) that has established defined parameters, principles, key concepts, and a set of values that provide an ethic to and for activity. However, in happenstance, the field has produced a large volume of various forms of both popular and academic content, and most importantly the six represented professional associations of this discussion (World Leisure Organization, The Academy of Leisure Sciences, Leisure Studies Association, Canadian Association for Leisure Studies, Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies, and China-International Leisure Research Association). While ’what is the future of leisure studies?’ is not unequivocally answered, the presented discussion identifies potential next steps for the establishment of topical panels, a series of special issues, and stand-alone symposia.This research was supported in part by the Research Council of Finland Profi7 352788 and the University of Oulu
Not just fentanyl: Understanding the complexities of the unregulated opioid supply through results from a drug checking service in British Columbia, Canada
No full textThis article was originally published as: Gonzalez-Nieto, P., Wallace, B., Kielty, C., Gruntman, K., Robinson, D., Substance Staff, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Arredondo Sanchez Lira, A., Gill, C., & Hore, D. (2025). Not just fentanyl: Understanding the complexities of the unregulated opioid supply through results from a drug checking service in British Columbia, Canada. International Journal of Drug Policy, 138, Article 104751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104751This study examines illicit opioid samples submitted to a drug checking service in British Columbia, Canada. By employing a method capable of identifying and quantifying compounds at low concentrations, the analysis focused on identifying trends in notable compounds such as fentanyl, its analogues, and benzodiazepines. The findings aim to address gaps in supply monitoring and inform public health and drug policies.Substance Drug Checking is supported by operating grants from the BC Ministry of Mental Health & Addictions and the Vancouver Island Health Authority, with support from Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program under Grant: 1819-HQ-000042 and the Vancouver Foundation under Grant: F0120-5607
Insider Threat: How Social Bonds May Mitigate Dark Triad Personality Traits
No full text2025Our world, and much of what we do is digitally driven. Every day, people conduct their professional and personal business online. In the background of all this, the information transits and is controlled through various electronic signals, and cables and resides on or moves through computer servers. The impact that a single person could have, through access, controlling, re-directing, or manipulating this information and data is extraordinary. Survey responses from N=231 people were collected over a relatively short period of time between 21 July, 2023 and 19 September, 2023, with respondents slowing significantly through September. The focus of this research is to argue that while individuals exhibiting the dark triad traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy pose a significant insider threat risk, this can be effectively mitigated through the presence of strong social bonds such as attachment, commitment, involvement. This research explores, through the application of a number of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) experiments, the relationship between social bonds and the dark triad as predictors of insider threat risk. Data was collected through a mix of vignette use to assess insider threat risk combined with a survey that assessed the Short Dark Triad 3, along with an assessment of social bonds. Through using a number of ML and AI experiments such as logistic regression, gradient descent, random forest, decision tree, and support vector machines, it was demonstrated that these models are highly reliable in being able to assess the relationship. The findings did demonstrate that those with dark triad traits, but with a high degree of social bonds, were less likely to present as an insider threat risk. Conversely, those with dark triad traits but weak bonds did present an elevated risk toward committing an insider threat act. It must be noted that the small sample size may be a limiting factor given the models used and future research should be conducted with larger datasets to further assess and evaluate these findings. In support of this portfolio, the findings informed three research outputs. Specifically, (a) a journal manuscript that argues a connection between the dark triad and income, (b) a journal manuscript that argues how social bonds mitigate insider threat risk posed by the dark triad, and (c) an online journal article that looks at how the dark triad is linked to some leaders. Collectively, this research is significant in that it demonstrates quantitative research that shows that we can effectively detect insider threat risk through assessing the presence of dark triad traits measured against social bonds
Competitive Effects of Honey Bee (Apis melifera) Hives on Morphology and Morphology-Based Abundance of Bumble Bees (Apidae: Bombus) in an Urban Prairie Landscape (City of Red Deer, Alberta)
No full text2025This thesis aimed to establish whether there were measurable effects of managed honey bees (Apis melifera) on bumble bee (Bombus) populations in the City of Red Deer, with an intent to aid wild bee conservation in the area as well as decision-making regarding possible legislation of honey bee keeping within the city. A growing body of research has documented the negative effects of managed honey bees on wild bee populations has been accumulating in many regions over several decades, while others are yet undocumented. Competition for floral resources between introduced honey bees and native bumble bees are expected to have the greatest impact on bumble bees of similar morphologies to honey bees, including body size and tongue length. Two pairs of sites (located near to- and far from honey bee hives) were compared for effects on bumble bee body size and abundance relative to tongue length. Contrary to expectations, short-tongued bumble bees (where tongue-length is similar to honey bees) were more abundant in sites near to honey bees and long-tongue bumble bees were less abundant, which does not support our hypothesis. Rather, it suggests a novel disproportionate impact of honey bees on long-tongued bumble bees. The data indicate that current hobby (honey)beekeeping in this municipality is negatively influencing the abundance of bumble bee groups. Discovery of an endangered species (Bombus bohemicus) and a threatened species (Bombus terricola) added to the value of this study. Recommendations for city policy to protect these species, other bumble bees, and wild bees overall, are that honey bee keeping within City limits be limited and regulated, or, preferably, outright prohibited. This project contributes to better understanding of overall bumble bee populations relating to Red Deer’s landscape and may serve as part of a baseline for future research
The impact of prevailing teacher shortage in British Columbia on school management practices of principals
No full textThe present study investigated K to 12 principal’s perspectives in British Columbia over the problem of teacher shortage, the purpose of the present study was to consider the problems faced by the K to 12 Principals in schools due to the teacher shortage. The research question for the present study was as followed: What do K to 12 school principals in British Columbia report as the difficulties experienced due to the prevailing teacher shortage; and what school management practices followed to overcome such barriers to quality education enhancing student wellbeing? By January 2025 all ten participants attended individual MS Teams interviews with the researcher. Before the interview, each participant was asked for consent for the audio recording of the MS Teams session. All ten participants in the present study consented to the audio recording of the interview. Qualitative data were collected. In the following weeks, each participant was emailed the transcription of their interview responses for approval or edits, before the researcher began the data analysis. The qualitative data collected from the interviews were analyzed soon after all the participants approved the transcriptions. The following five themes were identified across the transcriptions of the ten participants: (a) Impact of Teacher Shortages on the Educational Environment, (b) Challenges Faced by School Leaders in Managing Teacher Shortages, (c) Strategies for Coping with Teacher Shortages, (d) Impact on the Well-being of School Leaders, and (e) Potential Policy Changes to Address Teacher Shortages
Conservation Awareness and Public Knowledge of the Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) on Vancouver Island, Canada
No full text2026The Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) are an endangered population of Orcinus orca, with only 74 individuals remaining. This study examined public knowledge, awareness, and conservation actions regarding SRKWs among 483 residents of Vancouver Island, Canada. Guided by Value‑Belief‑Norm and Place Attachment frameworks, it was predicted that length of residence would be positively associated with SRKW knowledge and awareness, as longer‑term residents are more likely to develop emotional and cognitive bonds with local ecosystems. Results supported this prediction: longer‑term residents distinguished ecotypes, identified SRKWs, and recognized their spatial distribution more accurately. Stressors such as salmon depletion and pollution were widely acknowledged across all residency groups, yet extinction risk was less recognized, revealing the limits of awareness alone. Findings emphasize that, although residents express concern and a willingness to adopt pro‑conservation behaviors, effective recovery requires communication strategies that integrate values, norms, and efficacy beliefs to foster meaningful conservation outcomes for SRKWs
Inclusive Education in Saskatchewan's K-12 Schools: Perspectives of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
No full text2026This thesis explores the perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on inclusive education within Saskatchewan’s K-12 education system. Grounded in critical disability theory and employing a narrative inquiry approach, this research centres the voices of people with lived experience to examine how inclusion is perceived and experienced. Ten adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities were interviewed, offering nuanced insights into the promises and limitations of inclusive education for Saskatchewan’s students, along with sharing experiences from their own K-12 educational journeys and linking these to their current perspectives. All participants expressed strong support for inclusive education as a framework, although some also reflected on the perceived benefits of segregated education in specific contexts. However, these reflections ultimately reinforced the need to improve inclusive practices rather than maintain segregated models. The findings highlight the importance of developing inclusive education systems that are fully resourced, responsive to diverse needs, and attentive to the centrality of disabled voices in shaping educational policy and practice
Evaluating Alberta’s Fall Index Netting Protocol for Assessing Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Populations
No full text2025To assess the validity of Fall Index Netting (FIN) for monitoring Northern Pike (Esox lucius) populations, we tested five hypotheses relating FIN catches to independently measured abundance and sizes of Northern Pike, including testing the economic effectiveness of FIN monitoring. These tests used fisheries survey data on 133 lakes collected between 2000 and 2020. Mark-recapture studies and angler surveys were paired with FIN surveys done in the same year. We found that 1) FIN catch rates were related to Northern Pike population density, 2) FIN catchability was unrelated to Northern Pike density, 3) FIN catch size distributions were predictably related to Northern Pike sizes, 4) FIN catch rates were related to angler catch rates, and 5) FIN monitoring was economically efficient. Continued assessments of this monitoring technique are necessary to enhance statistical accuracy, improve stakeholder trust, and continue to provide environmental benefits for fish stocks, fisheries managers, and stakeholders. Keywords: Northern Pike, Index Net, Catchability, Size Vulnerability, Relative Abundanc