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Student Job Postings: Looking Through the Lens of Disability Justice
Get PDFThis report presents findings from research into accessible hiring and is supported by Emily Carr University through the NSERC EDI Institutional Capacity-Building Grant — "Beyond Inclusion: systems change for art and design research universities”.reportpublishe
‘Knocking at the door of humanity’: Using co-creation and community-based participatory research to foster citizenship for individuals with lived experience of dementia
No full textThe lived experience of dementia includes loss of identity due to the negative and pessimistic social narratives that are stigmatizing and socially isolating. In the community-based participatory research (CBPR) project Raising the Curtain on the Lived Experiences of Dementia, eleven individuals living with dementia participated as ‘peer collaborators’ in weekly co-creative workshops over two years. The purpose of this study was to investigate how peer collaborators described their involvement in Raising the Curtain in relation to their social participation and ability to effect social messages about dementia. Data gathered from the workshops, including transcripts (8) and one-on-one evaluation interviews (103), were used for analysis. Research findings revealed that the participants’ engagement as peer collaborators fostered their ability to enact resistance and social citizenship, including sharing lived experiences, combating the stigma of dementia, engendering inclusion and belonging, and promoting advocacy. Using CBPR to foster social citizenship suggests that meaningful and purposeful approaches to leisure are possible for individuals living with dementia.Final article publishedaging wellDementiacitizenshipcommunity-based participatory researchco-creationleisur
Yoga methods incorporated by social workers in their personal and professional practices and social work education
Get PDFThis study aims to examine the relationship between yoga, social work practice, and social work education and find the yoga methods incorporated by social workers in their personal and professional practice and social work education.
This review used PRISMA 2020 guidelines to identify, screen, and access the eligibility of available academic studies. In total, 6079 articles were identified. Ten articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected and reviewed. These ten selected articles were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program.
The findings showed that social workers incorporate yogic postures and mindfulness more often for personal well-being. They use breathing methods to support clients in their professional practice. Mindfulness is advocated and practiced more often than postures and breathing methods in the social work pedagogy and education.
The critical review of the selected articles showed six emerging themes concerning yoga and social work. Grounded in mindfulness-to-meaning theory and polyvagal theory as theoretical frameworks, this study discussed these six emerging themes.
This review is the first systematic review conducted exploring relationships between yoga and social work practice and social work pedagogy in the last ten years. Eight out of ten selected studies were authored by social work professionals and academics who are trained yoga teachers, showing that social workers who are already practicing yoga for personal well-being are the catalysts for transferring their direct experience to their professional practice. This systematic review also authenticates the need to incorporate yoga as a complementary therapeutic intervention in social work practice and social work pedagogy
Spring emergence and abundance of Nebria brevicollis in Burnaby, British Columbia
Get PDFNebria brevicollis is a recently introduced ground beetle from Europe that is rapidly expanding its range in British Columbia. Whether Nebria brevicollis can be considered an invasive species in British Columbia has yet to be determined. This research project takes a preliminary look at when in the winter/spring Nebria brevicollis becomes or is active as well as where it is abundant. Through the use of pitfall trapping at three different sites in Burnaby, British Columbia, general timings of emergence and trends in preferred habitats were observed. While more data is needed, early observations point to Nebria brevicollis' activity beginning in mid-February and is more abundant in disturbed and anthropogenic environments. These traits exhibited by Nebria brevicollis are characteristic of an invasive species. However, more research needs to be done to determine if Nebria brevicollis has deleterious effects on humans or native biota. Poster submission sponsored by Dr. Robert McGregor, EAES (Earth & Environmental Sciences) 2537. This poster was presented at the Douglas College Student Research Day 2022 on April 15, 2022.CarabidaeStudent Research Day Second Place AwardStudent Research Day Award WinnerStudent Research Day Poster (2022)invasive speciesBritish ColumbiaNebria brevicollisground beetles
Pain in the Bass: Diet and Distribution of Invasive Smallmouth Bass (micropterus Dolomieu) in Cultus Lake, British Columbia
Get PDFInvasive species are widely recognized as the second greatest threat to biodiversity loss. With rapid international trade, unpredictable human activity, and a lack of preventative action, these introduced species are spreading more each year. Invasive predatory fish can have devastating consequences on native species and are near impossible to eradicate from a water body without the use of chemicals. As a result, effective measures for fish suppression needs to be creative, sustainable, and well-planned. Since their illegal introduction in 2017, small mouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have proliferated in Cultus Lake, British Columbia and impacts on two species-at-risk, Cultus Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and Cultus pygmy sculpin (Cottus aleuticus) are unknown. By completing a diet analysis and monitoring bass movement, we documented their impacts and laid the groundwork for a sustainable suppression plan. For the diet analysis, bass (n = 204) were sampled in spring/summer 2020-2021 in Cultus Lake. DNA barcoding (n = 145) and a visual analysis (n = 204) of diet was completed. Diet composition, factors influencing the predation of species-at-risk, and dietary shifts were analyzed using R. DNA analysis identified 32 more taxa at the family level than morphological analysis. Multiple logistic regression showed that bass were more likely to predate on salmon within the spawning grounds, and over 90% of bass had sculpinin their diets. Diet composition did not shift as bass size changed, demonstrating a strong predation on fish from 100 mm to > 300 mm total length. Then, to monitor bass movement, 43 bass were tagged with acoustic transmitters, and a receiver array was constructed in the lake. The bass were tracked for 16 months, and snorkel surveys supplemented the movement data. Bass are spawning in a 1 km stretch along the north shore of Cultus Lake, starting in early May until mid-June. They remain above the thermocline throughout the summer until water temperature drops, and they migrate offshore to deeper water for a less active winter period, eventually resurfacing in April for spawning. The ideal timing for suppression is during this congregated spawning period when adult male bass remain on the nests in 0.5 – 2.5 m of water for 6 weeks. We recommend trialing spearfishing and nest destruction in a controlled setting to suppress the population for the following reasons (1) bass are congregated in a 1 km stretch, and nests are not deeper than 2.5 m (an easy depth for snorkeling) (2) after snorkel surveys in 2021, we know that male bass guarding the nests do not move until snorkelers are closer than 1 – 2 m (3) adult spawning males are large enough for spearfishing (4) nests with eggs/fry can then be destroyed via burial, electrofishing, or natural predation from white suckers. We also recommend continuing outreach programs to aid in a preventative approach to further reduce the spread of invasive species.British ColumbiaInvasiveMicropterus dolomieuAcoustic TelemetrySpecies-at-RiskDie
Dynamics of integrodifference and reaction-diffusion equations in heterogeneous media
Get PDFIn this work, we study two different models that appear in population dynamics. The first problem is concerned with an integral equation that models discrete time dynamics of a population in a patchy landscape. The patches in the domain are reflected through the discontinuity of the kernel of the integral operator at a finite number of points in the whole domain. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a stationary state under certain assumptions on the principal eigenvalue of the linearized integral operator and the growth term as well. We also derive criteria under which the population undergoes extinction (in which case the stationary solution is 0 everywhere). In the second problem we consider a reaction-diffusion model with a drift term in a bounded domain. Given a time T, we prove the existence and uniqueness of an initial datum that maximizes the total mass [equation] in the presence of an advection term. In a population dynamics context, this optimal initial datum can be understood as the best distribution of the initial population that leads to a maximal the total population at a prefixed time T. We also compare the total masses at a time T in two cases: depending on whether an advection term is present in the medium or not. We prove that the presence of a large enough advection enhances the total mass
Impairment in moral reasoning and criminal culpability : offenders with autism spectrum disorder and offenders with psychopathy
Get PDFPsychopathy and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are developmental disorders characterized by early-onset neural deficits and impairments in affect processing. Deficits in empathy and affect processing can result in impaired ability to reason morally. These findings raise crucial moral, legal, and practical issues concerning the degree of criminal culpability that should be borne by offenders with these disorders. Under the principle of proportionality and in keeping with the central values codified in the Canadian Criminal Code, this paper argues for assigning limited criminal culpability or not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCRMD) designations to offenders with ASD or psychopathy. However, at the same time, the state should have the right to take measures to isolate offenders who pose a significant threat to our society, provided that the measures only restrict offenders? liberty when necessary and provide humane treatment instead of being punitive and furthering the stigmatization of psychological disorders
The feasibility of using restorative justice as diversion for sexual assault cases in B.C.
Get PDFThere is overwhelming evidence that the Criminal Justice System is failing to serve most victims of sexual assault in British Columbia. 994 out of every 1000 survivors of sexual assault in Canada either choose not to report the incident to police, or have their charges dropped by the system prior to a verdict. This paper analyzes the evidence as to why these two things occur, and asks, what can the B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS) do to better serve at least some of these survivors? The recommendation is for the BCPS to significantly increase its use of, and support for, restorative justice as a victim-centered alternative justice mechanism, which can be better suited to meeting victims’ justice needs in certain cases. The details of how such a system might work are outlined, and the feasibility of implementing it is assessed on a practical level. The paper concludes that there is sufficient existing capacity within restorative justice organizations, as well as robust stakeholder networks, political momentum, legal mechanisms, and survivor demand to move forward with a process to implement the recommendations made here
Chromium transformations during aging in contaminated soils
Get PDFExtensive industrial activities have led to Cr contamination in the environment, which poses threats to ecosystems and human health. Currently, very little is known regarding the Cr accumulation in soils during aging. The purpose of this dissertation was (i) to enhance our understanding of Cr transformations occurring over a long period of time; (ii) to investigate the reduction of toxic Cr(VI) to non-toxic Cr(III) by soil microorganisms for developing bioremediation strategies for Cr-contaminated sites. Soil samples were collected from a longterm (> 30 years) tannery waste contaminated area in Shuitou (China) for this research. Chemical extraction methods showed the Cr(III) form was dominant (> 96.7% of total Cr) in these aged Cr-contaminated soils, with toxic Cr(VI) up to 144 mg kg-1. Of the total Cr(VI) present, immobile Cr(VI) represented > 90%. Synchrotron-based X-ray near edge structure spectroscopy demonstrated Cr species present were CrFeO3, CrOOH, and CaCrO4. The occurrence of immobile Cr(VI) species in long-term contaminated soils was further verified by a spiking experiment over 240-day aerobic incubation. Available Cr(VI) in soils continually decreased
during aging, with immobile Cr(VI) increasing by 4.5 – 31% and immobile Cr(III) increasing by 68 – 95% of total spiked Cr(VI). These findings reveal that Cr(VI) reduction and immobilization were occurring concurrently in soils. Cr(VI) reduction occurs in soils with low pH and high organic carbon content via both chemical and biological processes, while Cr(VI) immobilization occurs in soils with cations (such as Ca2+) and Fe oxides. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the microbial community composition in the soils and a batch solution experiment was employed to determine the Cr(VI) reduction capacity by soil microbial consortia. The results demonstrated the accumulation of high levels of Cr in a soil (e.g., 3141 mg kg-1 in S3-2) led to the increased abundance of Cr resistant and reducing microorganisms: Proteobacteria (69.9%) at phylum level, Betaproteobacteria (39.1%) at class level, and Massilia (12.6%) and Bacilli (0.57%) at genus level. Batch experiment results showed the addition of 1.0 g Cr-contaminated soils reduced 10 – 20 mg L-1 Cr(VI) in 20 mL of K2Cr2O7 solution at the condition of 30 oC at pH 7.8 – 8.0 within 7 days anaerobically and aerobically, when supplied with 0.2 g L-1 of Na-acetate as carbon and electron sources. The amount of Cr(VI) removed was highest (29.0 mg L-1) at 40 mg Cr(VI) L-1 in the presence of soil S3-2. Therefore, prospective application of mixed microbial consortia from high Cr-contaminated soils for bioremediation of Cr(VI)-polluted environments could be expected