3132 research outputs found
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The Future of Work: Exploring the Future of Work in Canada and How Human Connections Are Made Through Workplace Design (Non-Accessible Version)
Full text linkThe role of work in our lives are changing. The landscape of work is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements, shifting societal norms, and the aftermath of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper delves into the changing nature of workspaces in Canada and the implications for leadership and organizational culture. Through a qualitative research approach incorporating interviews and literature review, this MRP explores how the role of work in our lives is transforming, challenging the traditional notions of office-based employment. The research project examines the tensions between the desire for flexibility and the need for productivity, as well as the evolving role of physical office spaces in facilitating connection and innovation. Drawing on insights from thought leaders and practitioners, recommendations are proposed for leaders at all levels of organizations to navigate this era of change effectively, allowing organizations to create environments that support employee well-being, innovation, and long-term success in the evolving landscape of work
Katha Haru: Autoethnographic Stories of Cultural Identity, Body Positivity and Self-Empowerment Told Through Kinetic Garments
Full text linkIn this thesis, I embark deeply on a personal journey, exploring how kinetic garments challenge and intersect with prevailing body image norms. Growing up in Nepal, a country where societal and gender norms are distinctly defined, I experienced first-hand the profound impact of these norms on personal identity and self-esteem. My transition to living in Western countries further deepened my understanding of these complex cultural dynamics. This thesis is an exploration of my evolution, both as an individual and in my interaction with society, through the lens of fashion and kinetic garments.
Central to my thesis are three research questions: (1) Can kinetic garments assist in questioning prevailing body image norms? (2) Can garments that change shape enhance self-confidence? (3) And in what ways do kinetic garments reshape experiences of societal standards of body image? These questions guide the exploration of my personal experiences and the broader cultural implications of kinetic garments.
This autoethnographic thesis is a blend of a personal narrative and an academic inquiry, offering insights into the transformative power of fashion as a form of personal fashion, and identity, positioning kinetic garments as innovative instruments for fostering self-confidence and challenging societal norms.
Through this thesis, I aim to illuminate the potential of kinetic garments to serve as a vehicle for personal and societal change. By intertwining my personal experiences with research-creation, I seek to demonstrate how fashion, particularly kinetic garments, can be a powerful medium for self-expression and societal critique. This exploration delves into the ways in which these garments, with their ability to change shape and adapt to different sizes, can challenge, and redefine traditional notions of beauty and body image. In doing so, they offer a path towards greater self-acceptance and a reimagining of societal standards.
This research illuminates the transformative power of kinetic garments in challenging deep-seated societal norms related to body image, offering a novel pathway for personal empowerment and promoting body positivity. By weaving personal narratives through an autoethnographic methodology, it provides a nuanced exploration of how these innovative garments can serve as a medium for expressing and redefining cultural identity. These dynamic fashion pieces not only offer new ways to express individuality but also act as a unique platform to confront and reframe entrenched societal attitudes towards body image. Moreover, they emerge as significant catalysts for enhancing my self-confidence, enabling me to redefine my relationship with my body and societal expectations. The significance of this research extends beyond its academic contributions, inspiring a re-evaluation of the role of fashion in our lives and encouraging a dialogue about how clothing can transcend its functional role to become a means of challenging and transforming societal norms. By delving into the intersection of personal experience, cultural context, and the innovative realm of kinetic garments, this thesis adds a valuable perspective to the ongoing conversation about body image, self-confidence, and the transformative power of fashion, advocating for a broader, more inclusive understanding of beauty and self-expression
Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ - Where They Have a Good and Beautiful Life
Full text linkIn urban settings, while nature is ever-present in subtle ways, it frequently goes unnoticed, a consequence of perceived undervaluation. As an interdisciplinary artist focusing on Ecological Anthropology, my work involves semi-abstract paintings and installation navigating the intricate intersections in urban wilderness, employing the human body as a metaphorical passage to approach the complexities of this often-dismissed landscape. Drawing from my embodied experiences as a female artist engaging with diminishing natural spaces, my inquiry is into the concept of health and sustainable coexistence amidst ever-changing urban landscapes. This exploration is conducted from philosophical, ecological, and phenomenological perspectives to comprehend the broader implications of such encounters and resistances. In my research-creation, the chosen materials, techniques, and processes embrace Chinese artistic traditions and Daoist ideas, while adapting to contemporary ecological discourse in the West through sustainable practices. This MFA thesis evokes an entangled imagination, focusing on the interplay between bodies and landscapes, commenting on bodily engagement with both constructed and natural contexts. This approach illuminates how our perception and cognition are shaped and altered, fostering an understanding and envision of harmonious coexistence in our rapidly urbanizing reality
A Tale of Three Dwarfs: Cluster-based Star Formation Histories of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies
Full text linkContinuity of Care across age transitions: Understanding the systemic barriers in healthcare service sector for adolescents and young adults (AYA) transitioning from paediatric to adult health care system
Full text linkContinuity of care (CoC) is a well-recognized principle of the primary care discipline critical for Adolescents and Young adults (AYAs) with complex care needs transitioning from paediatric to adult care in Ontario Healthcare system.The objective of this study was to investigate the care practices employed by family physicians and general practitioners when providing continuous care across levels of care. This study sought to develop an understanding of healthcare practitioners experience of providing age transitional care for the AYAs. Five participants with a background in family practice and sub-speciality care in Ontario were recruited for this study. Data analysis was conducted through open inductive coding applied to transcripts from interviews. Themes related to Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) continuity transition journeys were identified as (1) Systemic Barriers to Care, (2) Local and regional care provision, and (3) Characteristics of care practices. Brenda Dervin’s Sense Making Methodology was fundamental for the study inquiry to understand critical incidents experienced by the practitioners when providing continuous care for AYA’s
Sound and Soul: Exploring Music Collecting and Identity
Full text linkThis curatorial thesis positions music collecting in relation to gift-giving, identity, and personal perception. Collecting is used to examine what people keep, how it relates to their self- construction, and what effect material passed down from others has on their identity. The exhibition, Collected Identity, comprises seven artists' audio compositions that navigate family, love, heartbreak, and self-assurance through the exploration of music collections. Gift-giving is a multi-faceted tradition that imbues reciprocity and obligation into every collection—and is present despite the recent shift from physical to digital collecting practices. By commissioning audio works that use collected music, the exhibition demonstrates how influence can be exerted upon the self. The result is a conceptually-driven project that underscores music collections as both personal and cultural repositories of reflection and identification
Pareidolia: Seeing Things In Things
Full text linkMy thesis surrounds the witnessing and amplifying of pareidolias that I encounter in my everyday life, and how they are personified and materialized in attempt to further connect with my surroundings and achieve a sense of groundedness. I reflect on how pareidolias have helped me navigate my own physical and mental health struggles (including my recent epilepsy diagnosis, anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia) and how they have transformed the way I interact with my environment; both through the act of looking and the act of making
Colour and Cultural Identity: Global Infographic of Female Wedding Attire
Full text linkThis project examines the symbolic use of colour in wedding attire across 200 countries and territories, using an art-based inquiry to create a cohesive map visually representing cultural colour associations. As a globally shared yet culturally distinct event, weddings provide a unique vantage point for exploring identity, tradition, and symbolism. By focusing on wedding attire, this research uncovers patterns, such as the dominance of white in Western societies and much of Latin America, red’s deep symbolism in Asia, the prevalence of gold in North Africa and the Middle East, and vibrant colours in sub-Saharan Africa.
A total of 2,748 images were sourced exclusively through Google Image Search. While practical, this method introduced challenges, including the underrepresentation of smaller or marginalized communities, regional gaps in larger, diverse nations like India and Russia, and difficulties representing small island territories. Images were meticulously edited to remove extraneous details and compiled using visual tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
The resulting infographic reveals how history, geographic diversity, and cultural evolution shape the colour and symbolism of wedding attire. It also highlights areas for future research, such as a parallel study on men’s wedding attire, the impact of multi-day ceremonies, alternative mapping solutions, and the need for alternative data collection methods, including crowd-sourced imagery and ethnographic collaboration.
Ultimately, this project amalgamates art and research, offering a visually compelling and culturally significant artifact that invites reflection on the shared human experience of weddings and the universal yet varied ways colour communicates identity and tradition
The Investigation of Augmented Reality Marketing Tool Creation and Adaptability in Retail
Full text linkThis research paper investigates the potential integration of Augmented Reality (AR) into marketing strategies for small businesses, with a focus on how AR games can influence customer purchase journey. The research examines the concept of flow within AR experiences, emphasizing playfulness and perceived enjoyment as key factors in influencing consumer behaviour. The research work employs Research though Design (RtD) methodology to first create three prototype and use self-evaluation as a key method to evaluate the prototypes. This research paper demonstrates the prototype development and evaluates the prototype development process, investigating the practical application of AR for engaging retail customers. It also highlights the potential for AR to revolutionize retail environments. The research paper discusses the ethical implications of AR technology, including the discussion on the authority to augment spaces and the manipulation of consumer behavior. This research paper underscores the commercial potential and persuasive power of AR games in the retail sector, advocating for ethical practices in their deployment
HR Transformation in the Ontario University Sector: Approaches, Barriers, and Methods to Sustain Change
Full text linkOrganizational transformation is a complex but often unavoidable process. With many Human Resources (HR) functions attempting to transition from being primarily administrative towards becoming strategic organizational partners, challenges and barriers inevitably arise. Using HR departments within Ontario universities as a case study, this research investigates common drivers for transformation, typical challenges, and strategies to sustain change. The qualitative data, gathered through a series of semi-structured interviews, highlights the potential of utilizing human-centred design (HCD) to facilitate HR transformations and implement the associated change management tactics. Findings suggest that some HR departments in Ontario universities currently incorporate HCD elements in their transformations (though often unintentionally) and that the university environment, with its collaborative nature, is well-suited for HCD approaches. This research concludes that a more intentional application of HCD practices can benefit HR transformation in Ontario universities and promote sustained change that centres the needs of employees