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Doping in Aesthetic Sports: A Body-Focused Perspective
Full text linkAn aesthetic sport is one which is differentially focused on physical appearance during performance, often invoking a specific emphasis on the thinness of athletes’ bodies (Sundgot-Borgen, 1994). Research on the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) (i.e., doping) in the context of aesthetic sports is currently lacking. This paper proposes that the unique focus placed on physical appearance lends itself to the differential manifestation of doping behaviours in these sports. Given that research on doping in non-aesthetic athletes is much more prevalent than in aesthetic athletes, this paper synthesizes the former with research on body-related psychopathology (e.g., disordered eating) in aesthetic athletes. Due to the conflation between performance and appearance (i.e., thinness) in aesthetic sports, it is proposed that doping is inherently linked to the desire to “improve” physical appearance during performance. This may lead aesthetic athletes to utilize weight loss drugs to a greater degree than other athletic populations. The current paper calls for further research on the interaction between body-related psychopathology and doping in aesthetic athletes to better protect this population from the potential consequences of both phenomena.
Keywords— Doping, Aesthetic, Sports, Performance-enhancing Drugs, Appearance-enhancing Drugs, Body Image
THE EVOLVE PROGRAM: A PSYCHO-SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR TARGETED VIOLENCE
Full text linkOn November 19, 2024, Dr. Michael King presented The Evolve Program: A Psycho-Social Intervention Program for Targeted Violence for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The key points discussed were the positive impact that providing psychosocial support had on reducing extremist beliefs in participants, the importance of building a trusting relationship with participants, and that the program is available for free to anyone needing assistance in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.
Received: 12-29-2024
Revised: 01-27-202
THE CANADA-UNITED STATES OPEN BORDER PARADOX
Full text linkOn November 18th, 2024, Dr. Christian Leuprecht presented The Canada-United States Open Border Paradox for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The key points discussed were cross-border cooperation, the importance of Canada playing a proactive role in its border security, and emerging challenges with the changing nature of borders.
Received: 12-27-2024
Revised: 01-30-202
PUBLIC GOODS, SOCIAL EXTERNALITIES, AND POLITICAL POLARIZATION
Full text linkOn November 19, 2024, Dr. Simon Levin presented Public Goods, Social Externalities, and Political Polarization for this year’s West Coast Security Conference. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives. The key points discussed included erosion of public goods, complex adaptive systems, and political polarization and its impact.
Received: 12-22-2024
Revised: 01-24-202
The Fight Over the Colorado River: How Nevada’s Water Conservation Policies Can Inform Basin-Wide Management Efforts
Full text linkThis paper examines what other states in the Colorado River Basin can learn from Nevada’s water conservation efforts and policies to improve the overall conservation of the Colorado River and strengthen water allocations by analyzing Nevada’s water conservation efforts compared to other states in the Basin. The state of Nevada has been a leader in water conservation for decades despite having the smallest water allocation in the Colorado River basin. Nevada continues to surpass expectations with its comprehensive water conservation plan while the other six states in the Basin that lack similar plans could learn a lot from Nevada and use Nevada’s efforts as a baseline for future conservation strategy. Nevada has paved the way for the future of the Colorado River by covering all types of water use in policies and efforts, using a range of policy mechanisms, and utilizing stakeholder input during policy creation. With the last Basin guidelines published in 2007 and set to expire in 2026, there is a huge opportunity now to design a more adaptive and Basin-wide plan that incorporates climate science, equitable water distribution, and the voices of all affected community members
Towards Indigenous Literary Nationalisms: Interpreting Monkey Beach and The Marrow Thieves
Full text linkThis paper was originally written for Deanna Reder’s English/Indigenous Studies 360 course Popular Writing by Indigenous Authors. The assignment asked students to write a compare and contrast essay on the novels Monkey Beach by Haisla-Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson and The Marrow Thieves by Métis author Cherie Dimaline, drawing on at least one academic article for analysis. The paper uses MLA citation style.
In this paper, I argue that Indigenous literary nationalism, a method of Indigenous literary criticism which seeks to understand Indigenous literatures through their own cultural contexts, is applicable to understanding both culturally specific and pan-Indigenous instances of Indigenous literature. Using Eden Robinson’s Monkey Beach and Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves as examples of the former and latter categories respectively, I conclude that Indigenous literary nationalism may be rethought more appropriately as Indigenous literary nationalisms, at once incorporating culturally specific Indigenous contexts while making room for pan-Indigenous potentialities
Cultivating Contemplation: Public and Private Landscapes for Mental Health, Well-being and Joy: Interview with Julie Moir Messervy
No full textThis interview explores the work and philosophy of Julie Moir Messervy, an internationally recognized landscape designer whose approach bridges contemplative design traditions with modern technology. Drawing from her training in Japanese garden design and architectural theory, Messervy has developed a design language based on spatial archetypes that resonates with innate human experiences of landscape. Messervy discusses her evolution from traditional landscape design to developing digital tools that democratize access to quality landscape design. Her work demonstrates how thoughtfully designed landscapes can serve as healing spaces, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when access to nature became essential for psychological resilience. The conversation highlights the integration of timeless design principles with innovative technologies to create contemplative landscapes that foster well-being, joy, and connection to nature
War’s End? Realist, Liberal and Constructivist Perspectives on the Decline-of-War Thesis
Full text linkThis paper was originally written for Dr. Aaron Hoffman’s POL 141 course International Relations. The assignment asked students to evaluate the “decline-of-war thesis” from the perspectives of realist, liberal and constructivist theories. The paper uses Chicago Author-Date citation style.
Within the field of International Relations, there is a lively debate over whether interstate war is on the decline. Many scholars, most notably Steven Pinker, claim that wars between states have decreased in number since the end of WWII. Others remain skeptical of this “decline-of-war thesis,” with some rejecting it altogether. Realism, liberalism and constructivism—three well-known theories in International Relations—serve as insightful frameworks with which to analyze such a debate. Hence, this paper evaluates the decline-of-war thesis using these paradigms. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative data from secondary sources, the author argues that realism rejects the aforementioned thesis on the grounds that war is an inherent part of the international system since states constantly seek to become all-powerful hegemons. While, contrary to the realist approach, constructivism and liberalism both subscribe to the above thesis, they do so for different reasons. For liberals, interstate war is waning because multilateral institutions (MIs) have led to the establishment of peace-enabling “security communities.” Constructivists, on the other hand, view the decline of war as stemming from a change in how nations and people perceive warfare. In this analysis, common criticisms levelled against each of the three theories, alongside responses by their proponents, are considered. The essay concludes with an examination of the work’s implications
The Intersection of Neurodivergence, Race and Diagnostic Barriers in British Columbia: A Personal Reflective Journey
Full text linkIn British Columbia, disparities in seeking an autism diagnosis stem from a range of challenges, including financial barriers and systemic racism. Through an intersectional lens, this essay critiques the medical model of disability and Western narratives to expose ongoing inequities in diagnostic practices, particularly for marginalized groups. I argue that meaningful change requires integrating Indigenous worldviews of disability and neurodivergence. This approach would address the harm caused by late or misdiagnoses by improving access and creating a more inclusive, culturally sensitive diagnostic practice
The Blind Leads the Blind: Denying Systemic Discrimination in Discussions of Implicit Bias
Full text linkThis paper was originally written for Dr. Alyssa Croft’s PSYC 300W course Critical Analysis of Issues in Psychology. The assignment asked students to critically analyze a scholarly trade book about the psychology of success. In the style of a book report, the term paper explored how well the trade book represents the research it cites. Students then compared two new empirical articles – one supporting and one refuting the book’s argument – before explaining which article was more convincing. The assignment concludes with the student’s overall opinion of the book. The paper uses APA citation style.
Banaji and Greenwald (2013) claim that implicit biases – automatic, prejudiced associations – are consciously inaccessible and responsible for modern discrimination. However, the supposed inaccessibility of implicit bias removes blame for resulting discriminatory actions. The authors argue that implicit bias results from simple pattern recognition – denying centuries of deliberate, systemic discrimination. In this paper, I compare the methods of two articles on implicit bias awareness. The first article portrays implicit bias as unconscious, using explicit bias measures about consciously held beliefs. The article posits that lower explicit bias scores imply low awareness of implicit bias. However, conscious disapproval of implicit bias does not suggest obliviousness. Conversely, the opposing article directly measures awareness by asking participants to predict their implicit bias scores. Highly accurate predictions presented implicit bias as accessible to conscious awareness. The opposing article’s compelling findings and robust methods refute Banaji and Greenwald’s (2013) unconscious claim, reinstating responsibility onto oppressors for implicit discrimination