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No. 01: Mitigating the Impacts of COVID-19 on Migrants and Food Security in the Global South
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities among migrants, particularly those involved in South-South migration, leading to heightened risks of poverty, food insecurity, and marginalization. The pandemic disrupted global migration patterns, hindered access to essential services, and severely impacted the livelihoods of millions of migrants. Governments in the Global South faced the dual challenge of mitigating these impacts while fostering inclusive recovery strategies. This policy brief provides recommendations for governments to address the immediate and long-term challenges posed by the pandemic on migration and food security, as well as planning for future pandemics. Key areas include enhancing social protection, ensuring healthcare access, safeguarding migrant livelihoods, supporting remittance flows, combating xenophobia, and strengthening regional and international cooperation
From the Invisible Man to Cozy Closets: Gender Diverse Student Narratives in Ontario Catholic Schools
No full textIn the province of Ontario, Catholic schools have public funding from the Ministry of Education and ecclesial oversight from the local Catholic diocese. Transgender students who attend these schools experience both governmental spaces and religious ones. The inherent secular and theological tensions responsive to Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, intersex, Asexual, and other queer-identities [2SLGBTQIA+] students are the overarching contexts of this study. While many Catholic school boards have completed publicly-facing acts of inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, such as raising the Pride Flag in June in recent years, there is a scarcity of literature responsive to how transgender students make meaning of available narratives in religious curriculum in their Catholic schools. While some Catholic educators suggest that utilizing the cross as inclusive symbol should suffice, I wondered if transgender students, who experience marginalization and disproportionately negative mental health outcomes, find this to be true. In this context-driven narrative analysis dissertation, I examine the religious curricular context of Ontario Catholic secondary schools to position the panoptic surveillance (Foucault) functioning in this context. I also consider how Butler’s concepts of performativity contribute to our understanding of the experiences of transgender students in Catholic secondary school spaces. Additionally, I use an intersectional and decolonial lens while I consider the impact of trauma, resilience and agency for transgender students in the Ontario Catholic educational sphere. I also outline positive theological spaces within Catholic doctrine itself for an inclusive approach to gender diversity. Thus, this dissertation is context driven, aimed at determining which narratives are available to transgender graduates within the complicated milieu of education in Ontario Catholic publicly funded schools. The purpose of this study was to explore the following question:
How do transgender graduates of Ontario Catholic schools make meaning of the narratives on gender present in their secondary school contexts?
Sub questions include: What are the narratives on gender that transgender students associate with their experiences in Catholic Secondary Schools? What are the implicit and explicit narratives on gender?
Methodologically, I contribute through collaborative efforts borrowing elements from participatory action research, including my former student and transgender activist James Dixon as I prepared the semi-structured interview questionnaire, analyzed the transcripts, and constructed themes from the data. Through narrative interviewing of seven transgender graduates from smaller cities and towns outside the Greater Toronto Area, we constructed six themes from the participants’ accounts of their experiences: (1) [In]Accessibility of Language, (2) The Visibility Paradox, (3) A ‘Good’ Person is a ‘Good’ Catholic, (4) Malleable Concrete Spaces, (5) Theological Tensions and Traps, and (6) Acts of Resistance. In the conclusion I suggest that this dissertation contributes to theoretical applications of queer theory in Ontario Catholic schools with an intersectional lens, responding most dominantly to religion, mental health, and rurality. I offer a hopeful counter-narrative within an intersectional theological frame to centre inclusion of gender-diversity as theologically plausible in Ontario Catholic schools.
Key words: 2SLGBTQIA+, Catholic, schools, Ontario, gender identity, gender expression, Catechism, narrative, theology, transgende
“It Was Like a Dream”: War Pilgrimages in the Canadian War Museum’s Collections
Get PDFThis article uses material culture and oral histories held by the Canadian War Museum to explore war-related pilgrimages undertaken by veterans and their loved ones. The artwork, scrapbooks, mementos and recorded interviews reveal how meaningful pilgrimages can be for their participants. These are emotional or spiritual journeys as much as they are temporal ones. A pilgrim travels to a liminal space where the past appears closer and the dead are not beyond the reach of the living, and is transformed by it.
Cet article utilise la matérielle ethnographique et les histoires orales détenues par le Musée canadien de la guerre pour explorer les pèlerinages liés à la guerre entrepris par les anciens combattants et leurs proches. Les oeuvres d’art, les albums de coupures, les souvenirs et les entretiens enregistrés révèlent à quel point les pèlerinages peuvent être significatifs pour leurs participants. Ils s’agissent de voyages émotionnels ou spirituels autant que temporels. Un pèlerin voyage vers un espace liminal où le passé semble plus proche et où les morts ne sont pas hors de portée des vivants et est transformés par eux
Exploring Cultural, Health, and Technology Intersections: A Focus on Migrant Experiences
Get PDFDespite the plethora of theories and frameworks addressing culture, health, and technology adoption, there remains a notable absence of a unifying theory that comprehensively encompasses all three aspects, particularly concerning newcomers. The Health Belief Model, for example, underscores individual perceptions and attitudes toward health yet fails to consider the intricate interplay between cultural factors and technology adoption among immigrant populations. The Healthy Immigrant Effect, which posits that immigrants often exhibit better health outcomes than native-born individuals, does not mention the role of technology on health outcomes. Acculturation theories, while shedding light on the adaptation process, often fall short of explaining how cultural nuances shape health behaviors and the embrace of technological advancements. The Technology Adoption Model, primarily developed in Western contexts, may not adequately capture the unique cultural considerations influencing immigrants\u27 engagement with health-related technologies. Other models, though insightful, face the same shortcomings. Hence, there is a compelling need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive framework that offers a more holistic understanding of the intersection of culture, health, and technology adoption for newcomers and immigrants
A comparative in vitro investigation of rainbow trout vig-3 and human ISG15
No full textThe aquaculture industry is a big part of the global economy, supplying food and supporting many livelihoods, yet it faces formidable challenges from diverse aquatic pathogens, especially viruses. Effective antiviral treatments are lacking for both humans and economically significant farmed fish like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). When viruses invade host cells, pattern recognition receptors detect viral components, initiating intracellular signaling and type I interferon (IFN-I) production. IFN-I triggers interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that establish an antiviral state in infected and nearby cells, curbing viral spread. In rainbow trout, a particularly understudied ISG is viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV)-induced gene 3 (vig-3), analogous to ISG15 in humans and other fish species. This thesis investigates vig-3 and ISG15 from two perspectives: in rainbow trout and in humans, alongside novel immune stimulants. Firstly, vig-3’s expression patterns and cellular localization in response to a dsRNA molecule, polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid acid (poly IC), and infection with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) and VHSV in rainbow trout were elucidated. Vig-3 exhibited ISGylation and significant induction upon stimulation with IFN-I, poly IC, and viral infection at the mRNA transcript and protein levels. Secondly, a novel phytoglycogen-based nanoparticle (Nanodendrix; NDx) was assessed as a potential immune activator of IFN-I, vig-3, and inflammatory agents, and as an antiviral prophylactic in rainbow trout cell lines. NDx combined with poly IC induced substantial IFN-I and vig-3 levels and provided protection against IPNV. Thirdly, ISG15’s expression patterns were examined when treated with poly IC and its efficacy as an antiviral treatment in human lung cells infected with human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), or vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was explored. ISG15 was produced intracellularly and extracellularly when treated with poly IC, and recombinant ISG15 protected against VSV infection. Lastly, NDx formulations were evaluated for their ability to induce immune genes, including ISG15 at the transcript level, and as potential antivirals in human lung cells. NDx formulations induced significant ISG15 levels and mitigated coronavirus replication. This research enhances our understanding of innate immune responses in rainbow trout and humans, potentially informing the development of antiviral therapies for both species in the future
Queer Liberation in Young Adult Fantasy: An Analysis of Rainbow Islands
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore how the theme of queer liberation can be represented in young adult fantasy novels. I conducted an in-depth analysis of the novel Rainbow Islands (Devin Harnois) utilizing the lenses of queer, transgender, intersectional, and narrative theory. In the novel Rainbow Islands, Harnois presents a utopia in which queer people are able to counter their oppressive realities by building systems of community that support one another; yet, the novel ends up replicating systems of oppression. Thus, Rainbow Islands offers a complex opportunity for analysis when considering the theme of queer liberation and how queerness is represented within young adult fantasy novels
Exploring The Impacts of Urban Mixed Nation Gathering Places on Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Wellbeing
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the impact of urban Indigenous mixed nation gathering places on the wellbeing of urban Indigenous individuals. This was done through qualitative conversational interviews with seven urban Indigenous community members; four of the participants were from the Laurier Indigenous Student Center while the remaining three participants were from Crow Shield Lodge. This study addressed how these spaces affect wellbeing, the specific mechanisms that impact wellbeing, and how individuals navigate setting with diverse nations and teachings. Four key themes were identified: Colonialism/Colonial Impacts, Identity, Community, and Health and Wellbeing. Findings reveal that these gathering places are highly important to urban Indigenous people as they have the effect of increasing community members sense of Indigenous identity and wellbeing. These results will be provided to both the Laurier Indigenous Student Center and Crow Shield Lodge with the hopes that it will inform planning and decision making in a way that will benefit urban Indigenous community members
Laurier Biology Departmental Seminars Poster Colouring Book (Vol 2)
Get PDFWelcome to Volume 2 of the Wilfrid Laurier University Department of Biology seminar series poster collection! When I was compiling a colouring book based on academic seminar posters last year, I had no idea how well it would be received. As of this writing, Volume 1 has been downloaded almost 1000 times (!): https://scholars.wlu.ca/biol_faculty/94/, and was featured in a great article by Cheyenne Bholla: https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/04/27/laurier-biology-profs-science-posters-have-been-turned-into-a-downloadable-colouring-book.html.
So, I guess it’s time for a sequel, featuring some more of my favourite designs! This time round I’ve included several sets of posters – often drawn years apart – that are thematically linked. Mark Twain is credited with the saying: “History doesn\u27t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” – and the same can be true for Biology (seminar posters)
ADDING WOMEN TO THE CONVERSATION ON SAFE CONSUMPTION SITES: A QUALITATIVE INTERVIEW STUDY WITH POOR AND MARGINALIZED WOMEN WHO USE ILLICIT SUBSTANCES
Get PDFWomen’s erasure from discourses pertaining to substance use and safe consumption sites (SCSs) means harm reduction efforts are developed through the male lens. This research seeks to discover why women do (or do not) access SCSs so as to determine if and how SCSs address the unique gendered needs of women who use illicit substances. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 women-identified individuals who use illicit substances. Participants were recruited from a non-profit organization that offers harm reduction, but is not itself a SCS in order to capture a full range of perspectives on the SCS in their community. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using a grounded theory approach. The analytic insights were divided into two overarching themes. I examine the structural factors which sustain gender inequity - including the feminization of poverty, violence against women, and structural stigma – and heavily impact the daily experiences of poor and marginalized women who use illicit substances, so as to grasp a thorough understanding of the broader gendered issues encompassing the lives of women who use illicit substances. These insights provided context to analyze the SCS to determine if women’s needs were being met. Several policies impede women’s access to SCSs as well as diminish the site’s appeal, such as the hours of operation, prohibiting inhalation and assisted injections, and a lack of peer workers. Findings from this research indicate that women-identified people desire policy and program changes that provide a more inclusive space to better meet their gendered needs. Until a widely accessible safe supply is available, SCSs remain the foremost solution to the opioid crisis and thus must strive to meet the needs of women who use illicit substances
“Bright spots” and Effectively Communicating the Ecological and Social Outcomes of Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada
Get PDFHealthy and resilient protected and conserved areas are the foundation of biodiversity conservation, improve livelihoods, and drive sustainable development. Protected lands and seascapes radiate life sustaining ecosystem services and provide important places for nature connection, rejuvenation, and inspiration. Although escalating human pressures and climate change-related risks continue to place many protected and conserved areas under increasing threat, “conservation bright spots” have emerged as a key communications strategy to illustrate where and how biodiversity and the social benefits it provides is performing relatively well. Given the crucial need to educate the public about biodiversity-related issues and amplify solution-centric approaches to support ambitious targets to protect 30 percent of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine area by 2030, the ‘bright spots lens’ is a useful way to learn about and share conservation success information. Because bright spots in conservation are context-specific, with unique goals and values systems, they are defined and applied differently within conservation scholarship literature and in public discourse. There is limited research assessing how conservation bright spots are perceived, defined, and applied in the protected and conserved areas space. To address this scholarly knowledge gap, expert practitioners and researchers in Canada were surveyed to understand the ways in which they characterize bright spots in their work, with special focus on conservation objectives and the communication of outcomes related to protected and conserved areas. Results reveal that while positive biodiversity values underpin bright spot emergence, outcome-factors and themes reference human-nature relationships, Indigenous leadership, knowledge sharing, inspiration and storytelling, and recognition of special conservation milestones along the way. The survey results also captured implications for protected and conserved areas when conservation success knowledge and information is communicated, such as through “success stories” or the profiling of “conservation bright spot” case studies. I conclude by providing recommendations on how protected and conserved area organizations can more effectively mainstream bright spots in education, interpretation, and outreach activities, with a focus on elevating “success” with meaningful narratives and stories. These recommendations can be used to support the effective communication of protected and conserved area goals and objectives and related successes in planning and management. The results can also be used to support the monitoring of progress towards the achievement of the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF) (see specifically Targets 3 and 21) as well as biodiversity’s contributions to sustainable development more broadly. While this survey focused on the Canadian context, the results can help managers and decision-makers globally to consider, more holistically, the ways in which “bright spots” can be used to boost awareness and strengthen communication and education efforts related to the benefits of biodiversity and the conservation thereof