Orpheus VR – Exploring Intersections of Narrative and Sound in Virtual Reality

OrpheusVR is a new operatic experience that immerses audiences in a virtual, mythical world and allows them to have agency over the outcome of the narrative as well as the music and orchestration that drive the storytelling. The experience uses interactive sound to enable creative gameplay that will guide audiences through a fresh new take […]

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Assessing the Sustainability of Snowmobiling Trails across Ontario

The proposed research seeks to understand how marginal winter conditions have impacted Ontario snowmobile trails in the past in order to make inferences about the future. The project will combine historic climate data (1989-2019), operational indicators (trail opening/closing, permit sales), and Regional Climate Model (RCM) outputs for the Province of Ontario to explore the implications […]

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Development and application of a field method that evaluates propulsive force generation and transfer in Canoe Kayak Sprint

Canoe Kayak Sprint is a highly technical sport, where small changes in athlete stroke technique and/or boat movement can have large implications on race performance. Due to the complexity of these movements it has been difficult in the past to obtain equipment that is precise enough to measure kayak sprint technique accurately. With continual advancements […]

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Storytelling for Justice: Documentary, Semi-Documentary, and Fictional Media

We explore the creation of accurate representations of social issues in factual and fictional media; and the relative effectiveness of different media representation modes and types, to support and improve Partner Eagle Vision’s effectiveness as a media producer. Our objective in collaborating is to link the researcher and intern’s expertise in qualitative research with Eagle […]

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Measuring the Contribution of Equipment to Performance: Using portable inskateinstrumentation to optimize skate boot/blade set up, training andperformance in world class speed skaters.

Evolution of the on-ice sport equipment, namely skate boots and blades, has been primarily driven by the users; however, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the link between skate boot/blade design and set up as it translates to optimal on ice skating technique and performance. We are proposing a new academic-industrialsport research collaboration […]

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Improving avalanche forecasts in data-sparse areas with physical snowpack modelling – Year two

Assessing dangerous avalanche conditions requires a reliable stream of weather and snowpack data, which can be difficult and expensive to collect in many remote areas of Canada. Snowpack conditions can be simulated in these areas by coupling weather forecast models with physical snowpack models, however, this method has had limited adoption by avalanche forecasters. The […]

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Examining backcountry recreationists’ understanding and use of the avalanche danger scale: insights from qualitative interviews and responses to an online survey

Danger scales use a combination of colours, words, and severity levels to efficiently communicate basic hazard information to a target audience. Avalanche warning services around the world use a colour-coded, five-level danger scale to communicate the severity of snow avalanche conditions to recreational backcountry users. While past research has primarily focused on helping forecasters produce […]

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Field Review: Covid-19, Arts and Wellness in BC

The relationship between the arts and wellness has been well established in research. This research project evaluates whether residents of British Columbia look to the arts to improve their wellbeing before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research will inform the creation of new programs and policies in support of arts and wellness initiatives in […]

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Direct[Message]: Understanding Mediated Engagement in the Arts for Marginalized Older Adults in Hamilton, Guelph, and London, Ontario

The Mitacs Intern will support the Direct[Message] project to develop and undertake online arts workshops for older adults to reduce social isolation resulting from COVID-19 and develop an understanding of the needs and wants of older adults who experience barriers to participation in the arts. The Intern will interview participants to gain knowledge about their […]

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Leveraging a social learning space for disability sport to mitigate the impact of Covid-19

The project aims to understand and support Canadian wheelchair curling leaders (i.e., coaches, athletes, and sport administrators) to return to sport and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Bringing coaches together virtually and educating them to provide athlete support remotely can have a positive effect on the sport landscape post-pandemic. The intern will identify the […]

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The Impact of Sustained Time in Human Care on the Migratory Behaviour of the Endangered Loggerhead Shrike

Our research will assess the degree to which variation in migratory behavior in Loggerhead Shrike is altered due to sustained periods of captivity. Information will be obtained from a captive population of Loggerhead Shrike. Behaviour of captive birds will be recorded on video cameras and analyzed to determine the level of migratoriness displayed by differently […]

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