Projets novateurs réalisés

Does forest age affect wildlife habitat use in coastal temperate rainforests?

Forestry directly modifies wildlife habitat, but how can informed, science-based management decisions be made without an adequate understanding of how different species will be affected? In the Central Coast of British Columbia, decades of industrial forestry have converted many stands of old-growth forest to second growth, creating networks of roads and cut blocks of varied ages. Despite such widespread habitat modification, the impacts of forestry to wildlife of ecological and cultural importance on the Central Coast of British Columbia, and throughout Canada’s temperate rainforests, are not yet well known. One priority of land managers is to identify how habitat quality might differ for wildlife species important to them across forests of different age categories, ranging from newly harvested to millennial-old stands. Using data from wildlife cameras, we will determine how forest age structures might affect how wildlife has responded to habitat change, adding new evidence to support science-based resource management.

Science museums, controversies and public engagement: Brazilian and Canadian experiences

Through this research project I would like to explore the role of science museums in fostering engagement with science and technology, particularly, when controversial issues are at play (e.g. reproductive technologies, renewable energies, genetically modified food). It will focus on the ways in which museums exhibits communicate with visitors and, also, on the ways visitors create meanings during their visit. I am planning to study and to compare two controversial science exhibits, one in Canada and one in Brazil. I will collect data through interviews with museum staff and visitors, observation of visitors and documents related to the exhibit. Qualitative analysis will allowed me to build portraits of each case and, also, to compare them and to look for more generalizable insights. Regarding the outcomes, this project can help science museums to develop and enact educational and communication actions that will allow visitors to interact meaningfully with exhibits and with controversial scientific issues that can affect their lives and futures. It will be contributing to a significant aspect of scientific literacy.

Saskatchewan Roughriders Fan Community and Newcomers

This research seeks to explore the ways fans use shared ritual performances to accumulate and mobilize symbolic capital in ways that allow them to distinguish their own loyalty from those of other fans. The implications of these rituals on growing a fan base by adding new members from different backgrounds (specifically newcomers to Canada) will also be explore. This study aims to explore the novel context of Saskatchewan Roughrider fans. An extended case study will be conducted to examine fans who engage in collective rituals to gain symbolic capital within the fan community. Observational field studies and in-depth interviews will be used to collect data. The study has practical implications for the partner organization, and theoretical implications for consumer behaviour scholarship in the areas of consumer rituals, consumer culture theory, and sports marketing.

Real-time visual feedback in swimming – FORM Swim Goggles (2)

The partner sells smart swim goggles. The goggles measure several variables such as stroke, swim speed, and heart rate, and project the information into the goggle lens to provide real-time feedback to the swimmer. The challenge the partner faces is to scientifically validate the instrumentation and application of the goggles to assisting swimmers in optimizing their training. The results of this project will aim to add credibility to the activity metrics recorded and displayed in the FORM goggles. This project will also showcase the technological advancements made in swimming technology via the FORM goggles and propose a more efficient way of swim training. Additionally, this project will reveal areas of refinement to the FORM goggles especially in consideration of recreational swimmers. The results of this project will provide a tangible assessment of the FORM goggles capabilities and usability. This will be important information for investors and consumers and can result in increased funds to the company and increased Form Athletica Inc. memberships sold. There are numerous activity trackers used in swimming today, but few real-time trackers such as the FORM goggles. This project can thus provide a baseline to compare FORM goggles against alternative activity trackers for swimming.

Hydrogen Storage: Thermodynamics, Safety Measures, and Operations in Eastern Canada’s Salt Caverns

Triple Point Resources is in the feasibility stage of developing salt caverns in the Fischells salt dome for green energy hydrogen and compressed air energy storage. Ambient geothermal temperatures affects project economics as it dictates the maximum density or gas capacity for gas injection and extraction therefore being a link to the operational business case. The objective of this proposal is to conduct a reservoir study to predict temperature and pressure variations for hydrogen and compressed air storage at the Fischells Salt Dome.

The work will include site characterization through laboratory measurements of the rock’s thermal properties, followed by the development of a conceptual model for the Fischells salt caverns. Additionally, a thermo-physical model previously published by the intern will be utilized to simulate operational cycles to predict temperature and pressure variations and optimize business cases focusing on gas density and flow rates while adhering to rigorous operational and safety constraints.

Re-thinking food security and accessibility with and for 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada – a co-design approach to a customizable model of service

Food insecurity disproportionally affect people of the 2S/LGBTQI+ communities. Food insecurity is intersectional: people who belong to one or more marginalized groups, like 2S/LGBTQI+ are at greater risk of experiencing food insecurity. This project’s objectives are to more effectively understand and address the food security and accessibility needs of and with 2S/LGBTQI+ communities, across Canada by co-designing an innovative, customizable food security and accessibility service model with and for 2S/LGBTQI+ communities. This project involves various community partners and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. They will work together to co-design a a customizable food security service model that could then be adapted and use in various settings across Canada.

L’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap : regard sur la philanthropie en action

Depuis quelques années le nombre de personnes en situation d’incapacité augmente au Canada, tout en voyant la nature de leurs incapacités se complexifier. L’étude à réaliser examinera en profondeur la philanthropie en action au Canada dans le contexte de l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap. Elle entendra comprendre comment les fondations philanthropiques interviennent, quels impacts elles ont eu jusqu’à présent, et comment elles peuvent renforcer leur contribution à la promotion de l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap. Suite à cette recherche, nous concevrons des outils en vue de permettre aux fondations d’identifier ce qui relève, dans leurs dons et subventions, de l’enjeu lié à la vulnérabilité d’incapacité. Notre partenaire, Humanité & Inclusion Canada, bénéficiera des connaissances produites pour développer un argumentaire en faveur de l’intégration de la vulnérabilité des personnes en situation d’incapacité dans les programmes des fondations.

Digital Education in Indian Educational Systems (junior years)

Indian public school language policy follows a three plus/minus one model, with state languages as the medium of instruction and English plus another Indian language taught. Private schools mainly use English, along with the official language of the respective state and an additional Indian language. Initially proposed as the national language of the country, Hindi faced protests from various language-speaking communities, prompting the formation of Indian states based on common languages, thus resulting in 22 Indian languages being granted official status. Additionally, in contrast to Canada’s multicultural approach within its bilingual framework, India views language and culture as inseparable. This implies that each state in India has its own unique cultural and linguistic characteristics, reflected in their respective curricula. Incorporating multilingual lessons may improve educational attitudes and decrease dropout rates. This study aims to explore the feasibility of introducing Binogi, a digital resource, in India. It investigates the prerequisites for aligning the resource with the curriculum, ensuring accessibility in culturally relevant languages, and considering digital availability.

Game theoretic modeling of joint forest management in India

The project involves conducting of field experiments to derive social preferences and discount rates of the individuals in Indian villages. Government of India had launched the joint forest management (JFM) program in 1990, whereby local community is involved in the forest management. The program has not been uniformly successful across the country. The idea of the research is that people in villagers have different social preference and discount rates, and the variation in the success of JFM can be explained by the variation in the social preferences and discount rates among the individuals. The research proposes to develop a game theoretic model of JFM, incorporating the social preferences and discount rates of the individuals, and characterize the equilibrium outcome of JFM program in the villages. The research also proposes to develop agent-based model for capturing the emergent properties of the interactions among the individuals and predicting the JFM outcomes.

Restoring landscape heterogeneity to be resilient to wildfire: a simulation approach in dry forests of BC.

This project focuses on enhancing wildfire resilience in the southern Okanagan Highlands of British Columbia to reduce the risk and severity of wildfires. By combining fire spread and carbon budget models, we will evaluate different forest management strategies to lower fuel loads and greenhouse gas emissions. Partnering with Forsite Consultants Ltd. will help us apply our research practically and refine our methods. Community involvement ensures our strategies align with local needs and values. The project will provide Forsite Consultants Ltd. with innovative insights and practical solutions for wildfire risk management, contributing to healthier, more resilient forests and communities.

Gouvernance, démocratie participative et économie sociale et solidaire

L’organisation partenaire du projet se dénomme le TIESS (Territoires Innovants en Économie Sociale et Solidaire). Le TIESS est une OBNL dont la mission consiste à contribuer au développement territorial par le transfert de connaissances en outillant les organismes d’économie sociale et solidaire afin qu’ils puissent faire face aux enjeux de société de façon innovante et transformer leurs pratiques. A cette fin, le TIESS a pour enjeu de contribuer à la
recherche et développement et nourrir le débat public. Le défi qui se pose actuellement concerne l’inclusion des organisations ESS, oeuvrant aux transitions socio-écologiques, dans le tissu municipal de la ville. Autrement dit, comment les initiatives émergeant par le bas peuvent-être reconnues et développer de manière institutionnelle à travers des mécanismes de co-construction et co-gouvernance par les élus et les fonctionnaires de la ville. Ce défi est prégnant présentement, à l’aune notamment des élections municipales à venir pour la ville de Montréal.

East Hastings Corridor Community Economic Development

The East Hastings corridor, from Hamilton to Heatley, lacks a clear understanding of the unmet needs of its primarily low-income and equity-denied residents and community-serving organizations. As health services expand in the area, identifying potential small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to fill commercial unit gaps becomes crucial, especially concerning opportunities for work, shopping, and socializing. This research is vital to guide Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association (HxBIA) (and other organizations such as Activate DTES, Community Impact Real Estate Society (CIRES), and Exchange Inner City) in supporting essential businesses and allocating City of Vancouver funding effectively. It aims to raise awareness of Community Economic Development conditions and opportunities in the area through the following objectives:
1. Identify unmet needs of local residents and organizations.
2. Determine viable SMEs to fill commercial gaps.
3. Assess the impact of these gaps on residents’ livelihoods and community interactions.
Data will be collected through surveys, interviews, and existing studies. Needs will be assessed, and market analysis will identify potential SMEs. Finally, an impact assessment will evaluate socio-economic effects, leading to actionable recommendations for stakeholders. By systematically addressing these objectives, this research will provide crucial insights to support a thriving and inclusive East Hastings corridor economy.