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Investigating Experienced Female USPORT Coaches’ Process of Creating Positive Team Culture
Full text linkThis study explores how experienced female USPORT head coaches define, create, and sustain positive team culture within Canadian university sport programs. While team culture is increasingly recognized as a key factor in team success and athlete development, little research has focused on how female coaches approach this process. Through a coach-centered lens, this research addresses a significant gap in the literature by highlighting the strategies, values, and leadership philosophies used by women coaches to foster environments rooted in trust, collaboration, and athlete well-being. This study uncovers how these coaches intentionally build inclusive and high-performing cultures while in collaboration with the athletes of their programs. Findings offer critical insight into the evolving role of the university coach and contribute to broader conversations about equity, athlete development, and the future of leadership in positive culture creation
Stories in the Spotlight: Examining Athlete Branding Strategies of Elite Women’s Football Players during the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Full text linkUsing Goffman’s (1959) self-presentation theory, this study examines how elite soccer
players used Instagram during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to influence public
perception amid the rising popularity of women’s sports. Within this framework, initial external
associations and achievements lay the foundation of an athlete’s brand, with Backstage and
Frontstage messages reinforcing favorable identity traits and fostering fan relationships. While
self-presentation once relied on broadcast segments, digital platforms now enable athletes to
highlight achievements, share personal insights, cultivate fanbases, and generate financial
opportunities such as sponsorships.
A qualitative content analysis identified six categories within Frontstage (promotion,
interaction, opinion expression, information sharing) and Backstage (behind-the-scenes, match
related) regions across four Instagram content types: Stories, Static Posts, Reels, and Captions.
This was followed by descriptive statistical analysis to examine distributional patterns.
Relationships between posting behavior and follower growth were also examined to explore
audience engagement dynamics. The sample included 35 athletes over 29 days (1,842 Stories;
663 Static Posts; 33 Reels; 311 Captions).
Frontstage strategies were used significantly more often than Backstage ones. Promotion,
match information, and opinion expression were the most common categories. Stories dominated
usage, combining spontaneity with strategic promotion and opinion expression. Static posts were
balanced across regions but emphasized match-related and promotional messaging. Reels were
infrequent and skewed toward self-promotion. Captions were predominantly Frontstage, led by
promotion and followed by match-related discussions. Finally, relationships between posting
frequency and follower growth indicated that volume alone did not explain audience gains.
Several athletes experienced substantial growth with relatively low posting totals, while others
posted frequently with limited proportional increases.
Taken together, results underscore the central role of Instagram in amplifying the visibility of
women’s sport. Through varied formats and messaging strategies, elite athletes bypass traditional
media, shape audience perceptions, and generate lasting value through engagement and
sponsorship. The findings reveal how athletes balance polished professionalism with personal
glimpses to reinforce brand identity and cultivate loyal fan communities
From Detection to Design: Struggles of an Educator in the Age of GenAI
Full text linkInvited presentation for the Retreat of the Department to deal with the Disruption caused by GenAI. The talk presented the challenges and some solutions that are being tried or might be useful for consideration.This presentation, titled "From Detection to Design: Struggles of an Educator in the Age of GenAI," delivered by Rahul Kumar at the University of Ottawa, examines how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping learning, authorship, and assessment. Drawing on empirical data from international studies (Kumar & McGray, 2024; 2025; Kumar, 2025) and the Canadian Perspectives on Academic Integrity (Kumar & Mindzak, 2024), it highlights the limitations of detection-based responses to AI-generated work. Referencing Sarah Eaton’s concept of postplagiarism (2023) and Krakauer’s framework of complementary versus competitive cognitive artifacts, Kumar argues for a shift from punitive approaches toward assessment designs that make AI a complementary partner in learning. The presentation calls on educators to distinguish between performance and learning, embedding AI in pedagogically sound ways that foster intellectual engagement rather than automate thinking
The Relationship Between ADHD-like Behaviors and Sensory Processing Profiles in Males and Females in a Non-Referred Population
Full text linkAbstract
This study investigated the relationship between ADHD-like behaviors and sensory processing
profiles in a non-referred sample of university students, with a focus on sex differences. A total
of 224 participants (125 females, 99 males; ages 17–25) completed the Conners’ Adult ADHD
Rating Scale (CAARS) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). Using Pearson
correlations and multiple regression analyses, we examined how four sensory processing
profiles—Low Registration, Sensation Seeking, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding—
predicted ADHD-like behaviors (Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity). Inattention was
significantly predicted by Low Registration and Sensory Sensitivity; Hyperactivity by Low
Registration and Sensation Seeking; and Impulsivity by all four sensory profiles. While overall
patterns were consistent across females and males, Inattention was significantly correlated with
Sensation Avoiding among females only. Furthermore, t-test results showed that females scored
higher than males on Sensory Sensitivity, Sensation Avoiding, Inattention, and Impulsivity.
These findings reinforce the view of ADHD as a continuum, showing that ADHD-like behaviors
are present even within a non-referred population and are linked to sensory processing
differences. This study highlights how sensory traits - such as differences in detecting and
regulating sensory input - shape our attention and behavior. Supporting the need for
personalized, context-sensitive approaches to understanding ADHD like behaviors that move
beyond categorical diagnoses.
Keywords: ADHD-like behaviors, sensory processing, sex differences, AASP, CAARS, emerging
adults
Menstrual Cycle Literacy in Varsity Female Athletes and Coaches
Full text linkPurpose: Menstrual Cycle Literacy (MCL), knowledge, perspectives, attitudes, and behaviours toward menstruation—is internationally low among athletes and coaches but has been underexplored in Canadian varsity sport. Given the menstrual cycle’s influence on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuroendocrine systems, it can affect performance, recovery, and well-being. Understanding MCL in this population may inform training and health strategies that optimize performance and overall health. This study assessed MCL among Canadian varsity female athletes and their coaches, examining differences by sex (coaches), sport type (team vs. individual), and academic background (health-science vs. non-health-science). Relationships between knowledge, perspectives/attitudes, and behaviours were also explored, and questionnaire reliability was evaluated.
Methods: The MCL questionnaire included demographics/training background, knowledge, perspectives/attitudes, behaviours, and a menstrual distress section. A subset (n = 13) completed the questionnaire twice for reliability testing. Analyses included 95% confidence intervals (CI), two-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson correlation, and Cohen’s weighted kappa (SPSS v.29; p<0.05).
Results: Seventy-two athletes and six coaches completed the full questionnaire. Athletes scored higher on total MCL (M = 159.79 ±10.67) than coaches (M = 147.67 ±12.19; 95% CI: -21.25 to -3.00), with significant differences in Perspectives and Attitudes (137.81 ±8.15 vs.128.50 ±10.10) and Behaviours (15.04 ±2.78 vs.12.50 ±3.15). No athlete–coach differences were found in Knowledge scores. Among coaches, female participants scored higher in Behaviours than males (14.25 ±2.06 vs. 9.00 ±0.00). Health-science athletes demonstrated significantly higher Knowledge (p = .005) and Behaviours (M = 16.04 ±3.04 vs. 14.44 ±2.45; p = .003) than non-health-science athletes, with a sport type × program interaction (p = .021). No significant differences were observed by sport type alone. Knowledge was weakly but significantly correlated with Perspectives and Attitudes (r = .353, p = .002) and Behaviours (r = .272, p = .016). Reliability testing showed almost perfect agreement in some items, with most demonstrating moderate to substantial agreement.
Conclusion: MCL was low among athletes and coaches, with coaches showing particularly limited literacy. Differences by academic background highlight the influence of formal education. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance MCL, supporting female athlete health and performance in Canadian varsity sport
A Case Study of Child and Youth Advocacy in Ontario
Full text linkIn 2019, the Province of Ontario underwent a drastic change regarding child and youth advocacy. The Progressive Conservative Government announced they would close the Ontario Office of the Provincial Child and Youth Advocate and shift some of its functions to the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario in a new Children and Youth Unit. Although research exists on child and youth advocacy in Canada, relatively little attention has been paid to this change. In this study I sought to address a knowledge gap by investigating how child and youth advocacy has shifted in Ontario and what implications this change has had on the lives of children. This research employed a descriptive case study methodology using one-on-one interviews with nine participants in child and youth advocacy in Ontario, including previous employees of the Provincial Advocate’s Office, Children’s Aid Society employees, lived experts, and other child advocates. Additionally, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, Restoring Trust, Transparency and Accountability, 2018, and reports from the former Advocate’s office and the current Ombudsman’s Office were analyzed in conjunction with the interviews, using a reflexive thematic analysis. Childism was utilized as the guiding theoretical framework. The key thematic findings from this study demonstrated that child and youth advocacy has important requirements to ensure it is being conducted in a meaningful way; there have been some significant changes in how child and youth advocacy is conducted within the province of Ontario that have had negative effects on the lives of children, but some things have remained the same; as well as there were multiple recommendations made by the participants on how to improve children’s experiences with advocacy, such as ensuring advocacy is reinstated in legislation. The implications of this study demonstrate that having a formal appointed provincial child advocate, or legislated advocacy, is critical to ensure child and youth advocacy is taking place at the provincial level. Additionally, findings suggest the need for outreach being conducted at the Ombudsman’s Office to be expanded to encompass much more than just children’s rights pertaining to care. Outreach should include places like schools, and discuss the rights prescribed to children within the UNCRC
Exploring The Interplay of Sensory Sensitivity, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Anxiety: The Role of Individual Differences
Full text linkAnxiety is a complex experience shaped by biopsychosocial factors that influence how individuals perceive and respond to stressors. There are several internal and external risk factors that increase a person’s susceptibility to anxiety. These factors include sensory and cognitive systems through which a person processes stressors using both bottom-up and top-down mechanisms. In addition, individual differences such as age, sex and temperament influence both a person’s vulnerability to anxiety and their capacity to adapt to stress. This dissertation comprises three studies examining how core risk factors contribute to anxiety. In the first study I examined how sensory sensitivity (SS) predicts anxiety, with Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) as a mediating mechanism and biological sex as a moderating factor in typically developing emerging adults aged 17-26 years (N = 284, M = 19.9 years of age, SD = +/- 1.9; 51.3% female). Results showed that SS predicted anxiety, with IU partially mediating this relationship. Additionally, sex moderated the IU - anxiety relationship, with females showing nearly three times higher anxiety compared to males when IU was high. In the second study I investigated how individual differences in temperament (Negative Affect, NA, and Effortful Control, EC) influence the path from IU to anxiety, using a smaller sample of emerging adults (N = 74, M = 20.4 years of age, SD = +/- 2.14, 50% female). The results indicated that both NA and a subset of EF, specifically the Attentional Control (AC) subscale were full mediators of the IU - anxiety relationship. In the third study, as part of a larger study, I examined the SS - Anxiety model with IU as a mediator (same as with the first study), in children and youth aged 8 to 17 years (N = 80, M = 11.10, SD = +/- 2.49, 53.7 % female). Compared to the first and second studies, in the third study, a different set of questionnaires was used to assess Anxiety, IU and SS, also incorporating both self-report and parent report measures. Further, IU links SS to anxiety, even when assessed using different questionnaires and when using either self or, the case of children, parent report, supporting IU as a transdiagnostic mechanism. The results supported and replicated the first study, with SS being a significant predictor of anxiety, and the SS - Anxiety relationships being partially mediated by IU in this age group. Both child and parent models supported this relationship. For these analyses, the clinical status of children (referred, non-referred) did not change the mediation models. Overall, the results support the dimensional and transdiagnostic risk factors of anxiety. Specifically, high SS is a consistent risk factor for heightened anxiety across ages. The findings are discussed in the context of theoretical and research frameworks, including Developmental Psychopathology (DP) and Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), and the practical application of Triple Vulnerability Model. Investigating combined anxiety risks such as SS and IU is crucial for identifying children, youth, and emerging adults most vulnerable to mental health challenges
Partial GSK3 knockdown improves muscle performance in mdx mice: investigating the cellular mechanisms
Full text linkDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle wasting disease caused by an X-linked mutation to the dystrophin gene that primarily affects boys. The absence of functional dystrophin protein leads to muscle wasting and weakness that progressively worsens over time with affected boys typically being wheelchair-bound by their teenage years, living a shortened lifespan of 30-40 years. Today, most treatment plans are focused on improving quality of life and preserving muscle strength for as long as possible, with glucocorticoids being the current standard of care. While effective in delaying the loss of ambulation, the side effects associated with these medications often lead to drug discontinuation. Our lab has recently shown that knocking down the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) improved muscle strength and fatigue resistance in a preclinical model for DMD, the mdx mouse. However, the exact cellular mechanisms leading to these benefits remain unknown and is the purpose of the present thesis. To this end, male muscle-specific GSK3 knockdown mice (C57BL/6J background) were bred with female homozygous D2 mdx mice to produce 1) mdx mice with partial (30-40%) muscle-specific GSK3 knockdown (mdx/GSK3KD) and 2) mdx mice with GSK3 intact (flox control). To determine how GSK3 knockdown improves muscle strength and endurance, muscle glycogen content, fibre type composition, calcium handling, histopathology, and oxidative stress was assessed in extensor digitorum longus muscle at 4-6 weeks and 10-14 weeks of age, with glycogen content also being measured in the soleus as well. RNASeq analysis was conducted in gastrocnemius muscles obtained from mdx and mdx/GSK3KD mice. We saw an increase in glycogen content in both the EDL and soleus, an increase in the proportion of oxidative fibre types, along with a reduction in histopathology, and oxidative stress in the mdx/GSK3KD mice, with no change to maximal SERCA activity. RNASeq analysis corroborated findings of lowered fibrosis with significant downregulated genes associated with the extracellular matrix and collagen-containing extracellular matrix gene ontology pathways. In conclusion, this thesis provided a deeper understanding of the mechanisms leading to the improvement in muscle health in mdx/GSK3KD mice, adding further evidence in support of targeting GSK3 for DMD
Biophysical Insights into Lipid Oxidation Effects on Membrane Self-Organization and Enzymatic Catalysis Under Extreme Conditions
Full text linkThis thesis comprises two projects. Firstly, it investigates the influence of lipid oxidation
on plasma membrane self-organization using phospholipid monolayers as model mem-
branes. Lipid oxidation was induced by 2,2’-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride
(AAPH), and observations from the Langmuir trough technique revealed a consistent
increase in relative molecular area for oxidized unsaturated lipids. Additionally, the sta-
bility plots remained unchanged, although shifted towards larger molecular areas, sug-
gesting a direct correlation between lipid peroxidation and alterations in the interaction
forces between lipid molecules within the monolayer. Furthermore, the study highlights
the protective role of antioxidants mainly α-tocopherol (Vitamin E) in mitigating lipid
peroxidation-induced damage, as evidenced by a reduction in absorbance in the presence
of α-tocopherol, observed through TBARS assay. By integrating these results with the
observations from the Langmuir Trough technique, we gain a comprehensive understand-
ing of the interplay between lipid oxidation, membrane organization, and the protective
role of antioxidants. Secondly, this thesis explores the efficacy of Novozym 435 (NOV
(435)), an immobilized form of Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB), as a catalyst in
the transesterification reaction of para-nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP) and glycerol under
extreme temperature conditions. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS)
and spectrophotometric analyses demonstrated the successful formation of high-value
products, namely para-nitrophenol (pNP) and glyceryl palmitate, even at elevated tem-
peratures. These findings enhance our understanding of membrane biology dynamics,
enzyme functionality, and reaction kinetics, offering insights for industrial applications
in sustainable synthesis processes
Police-reported impaired driving after recreational cannabis legalization in Canada
Full text linkThis article was published open access.Introduction: When Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, it also enhanced enforcement against impaired driving. This observational study analyzed how police-reported impaired driving rates evolved following those two policy changes.
Methods: The study analyzed province-level annual counts of driving impaired by alcohol, drugs (including but not limited to cannabis), or both, during 2009-2023. The data were published in 2024 and analyzed in 2025. Interrupted time series regressions tested for changes in annual impairment rates per million population age 16+ after 2018. Further regressions tested whether the changes were associated with legal cannabis sales, cannabis use prevalence, police drug recognition expert employment, or COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Results: During 2009-2018, alcohol-related impaired driving rates were decreasing while those involving drugs were increasing. During 2019-2023, police reported 65 (95% CI: 36, 93) extra drug-impaired incidents per million population annually, or 42% more than the 2009-2018 trend had projected. Police also reported 280 (95% CI: 134, 425) extra alcohol-impaired incidents per million population annually, or 17% more than projected. New offenses covering mixed alcohol and drug impairment or unspecified-substance impairment added more incidents. Drug-impaired incidents were positively associated with drug expert employment, pandemic restrictions, and licensed cannabis sales (p < .05). Alcohol-impaired incidents were positively associated with drug expert employment but negatively with pandemic restrictions (p < .05).
Conclusions: Canada’s police-reported impaired driving rates increased after 2018 for alcohol and more so for drugs. The changes seemed associated more with enhanced enforcement and pandemic disruptions, rather than with legal cannabis sales or overall cannabis use