2022 TCRC Celebration of Research Recognizes Student Success!
The 2022 Trent Community Research Centre Annual Celebration of Research was held virtually on Friday March 25th, 2022. Every year, the TCRC typically supports Trent students as they conduct community-based research across the region. The opportunity to do research that has an immediate, positive impact in their community often motivates students to do outstanding work.
Our 2022 Celebration of Research featured:
- Presentations from current student researchers;
- The opportunity to speak one to one with students to learn more about their projects;
- Our annual student award showcasing outstanding research contributions.
2022 TCRC Celebration of Research Celebrates Student Researchers!
Innovative Presentation: ORAL PRESENTATION
Presented to the student(s) who have demonstrated highly effective communication and presentation skills in the oral delivery of their presentation. Judges looked for high standards of design and information presentation, effective and imaginative delivery, and clear communication of research process and results.
Sponsor: County of Peterborough
2022 Winner: Amelia Metcalfe, International Development Studies, “Best Practices of Establishing a Community Hub in Peterborough / Nogojiwanong, ON”, HOST: The Mount Community Centre
Innovative Presentation: POSTER PRESENTATION
Presented to the student(s) who have demonstrated highly effective communication and presentation skills in the design of their research poster. Judges looked for high standards of poster design and information presentation, effective and imaginative use of space, and communication of research process and results.
Sponsor: Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee.
2022 Winner: Katarina Laakmann, Environment and Resource Studies, “50% LocalFood 2030 Economic Impact & Jobs Report” HOST: Transition Town Peterborough
Provost Award for Academic Achievement in a Community Setting
Awarded to the project that best demonstrates rigorous community-based research practices to produce results of particularly high academic merit.
Sponsor: Trent University Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic Dr. Michael Khan
2022 Winner: Holden Lowes, Biology, “Patterns of Heart Failure Readmissions during COVID-19 era”. HOST: Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Community Impact Award
Presented to the project that shows clear engagement with community needs and interests, and illustrates the principles of a community-first approach to research work, creating the potential for significant impact within the community.
Sponsors: CUPE Local 3908 and OPSEU Local 365
2022 Winner: Sabrina Wolanczyk, Forensic Science, “Police Worn Body Cameras in Peterborough” - HOST, Peterborough Police Service
2021-2022 Completed CBR Projects
#4937 Updating the History of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club
The aim of the project is to produce a history of lawn bowling in Peterborough, but which this project would focus on research and analysis on the years before 1940. The archives of the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club do not exist before 1930, but after that date are at the Trent Valley Archives. The object is to recreate an archives of lawn bowling in Peterborough in the years from its founding in 1901 to 1930. The major sources for filling out this archives are the runs of the three daily newspapers for part of the period and of the Peterborough Examiner for the entire period. The papers are digitized and accessible by searches. The expectation is that this will lead to questions flowing out of the stories, people and events that emerge from the newspaper searches. This should also link to archival collections and some historical writings on sports.
Student(s): Mitchell Parker
Department: Canadian Studies
Organization: Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club
#4944 50% Local Food 2030 Economic Impact & Jobs Report
The 50% Local Food 2030 Economic Impact & Jobs Report run by Transition Town Peterborough will be an approximately 30-page report published on the Transition Town Peterborough website. This report will build off a report done in 2013, this time including Institutional Food Consumption along with Household and Restaurant Food Consumption. The report will assess the impact of economic factors including jobs of transitioning to 50% local food in Peterborough in industrial, residential and restaurant sectors. This is essential to reaching a sort of food sovereignty in the Peterborough area and towards resiliency.
Transition Town Peterborough is based in Peterborough, ON but there are other Transition Towns across the country. Transition Town Peterborough uses Permaculture Design Practices and the 4 E’s as a framework. The 4 E’s are Energy, Economy, Environment, and Equity; using these values to guide the Economic Impact & Jobs Report will allow for a comprehensive and just report. The vision put forth by Transition Town Peterborough is one of resiliency in the face of climate change. The goal of being the most resilient community in Canada is to be achieved by 2030, and local food sovereignty is a very important piece of that.
This report will build upon a similar report done in 2013 that looked at a 25% shift to local food in Peterborough, but some mistakes were made. This report seeks to correct some information provided in the 2013 report along with additional information about the following years, estimates about the future and making an economic assessment.
Students(s):Katarina Laakmann
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organizations: Transition Town Peterborough Inc.
documents
#4965 Environmental Impact of Cyclocross Bike Racing in Local Parks
Purpose: Characterise and measure the impacts that cyclocross racing has on the environment. Specifically, examine the effects of running many racers through a closed course repeatedly.
Objective: The objective of this study is to understand which features of cyclocross cause the most damage during or in the months following the event. It will research ways to minimize the negative effects of cyclocross racing. The results and research will advise course design and course rehabilitation in a manual format so that cyclocross facilitators can minimize the negative environmental impact of their events.
Scope: The project design and data collection will focus on the Peterborough Cycling Club cyclocross series, the races for which run primarily at Elmhirst Resort and Selwyn Beach Conservation Area. These races typically have fewer than 100 participants. The results of the Peterborough series will be extrapolated to larger-scale races, such as Ontario Cups, Nationals, and other Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) sanctioned events. These races have many hundreds of participants.
Student(s): Rosalyn Shepherd
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organizations: Shimano Canada
#4979 Transitional Housing for Individuals Post-Incarceration and it’s Effectiveness for Various Clients
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the current transitional housing post-incarceration model for various client populations, and to determine which methods are working and which ones are not through a literature review as well as surveys/ interviews of HSJCC members. The HSJCC works to provide services surrounding people who suffer from mental health, addictions, brain injuries and other neuro-developmental disorders who are involved with the legal or medical systems. The HKPR regional HSJCC specifically helps clients from Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, and Peterborough communities with communication for, and access to, health and criminal services, hosts training for these regions, identifies and addresses concerns with service delivery and access, and both works with these regions to identify issues and to determine the best way to allocate resources and services offered within them.
Student(s): Alyssa Kirley
Department: Forensic Science
Organizations: Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee
#4980 Assessing Queer Needs in Peterborough-Nogojiwanon
This project is for the 2SLGTBTQ+ community in Peterborough in order to better understand their needs and expectations from the community so organizations like the Trent Queer Collective can better provide for them. This project will also center the conversation around the collective we’re trying to provide for. The Trent Queer Collective was founded in 1987 and is made up of 7 members. This project is necessary in order to properly meet community needs.
Student(s): Romy Hansen
Department: Gender and Social Justice
Organization: Trent Queer Collective
#4989 Using the Sale of Peterborough’s Distribution Inc. to further examine the Privatization of Energy
In April 2020, The City of Peterborough finalized the sale of Peterborough’s Distribution Inc. (PDI) to Hydro One for $105 million dollars. The purpose of this research project is to contextualize Hydro One’s acquisition within greater political and economic trends. The sale of PDI was a highly contentious issue in the community, one study conducted by Environics found that 90% of citizens were against the sale of PDI. Broadly, the research will identify and analyze how/ if privatization has historically impacted the strength of democratic processes at the local level and Ontarians accessibility to formerly public goods. Locally, research will include connecting with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the Save PDI Coalition, City Councillors, The Mayors Office, The Ontario Energy Board, and Hydro One. Further responsibilities will include outlining the terms of the sale, reviewing public consultations, and the proposed plans for reinvestment of revenue accrued from the sale. Through analyzing the historical impacts of privatization, the research will be able (1) situate the acquisition within the larger trend of privatization (2) predict future implications of privatization.
Host organization background: OPIRG works to create and sustain student and community-based engagement through research, education, and action on social justice and environmental issues; challenging oppression in all its formal and using consensus-based decision making in a non-hierarchical and accessible setting.
Student(s): Gerald Hardy, Biget Ulutas
Department: Gender and Social Justice
Organization: Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
#5019 Post-Secondary Student-led Campus Food Models: Trent University
Trent University has a vibrant and diverse landscape of student-led food groups, that includes two market gardens, an apiary and a café. Additionally, there are a number of other groups on campus who offer programs that support food security and encourage culturally-accessible, diverse food spaces on campus. We are interested in knowing more about the current student-led food programs at Trent University, as well as the opportunities for greater collaboration among these food production groups. Collectively our organizations address many issues including that of student engagement, environmental sustainability, food access, and together we work to model good food production and consumption, field to table.
There are a number of models similar to that at Trent of student-led food collectives across Canada. By learning about best practices and other models, this will help us to work better together and to identify areas of future growth.
To keep the scope of this project manageable, we envision this being divided into several discreet projects. The first step is an environmental scan of the groups on campus, summarizing their goals and work. We are also interested in knowing more about similar food networks at other post-secondary institutions. Finally, we are interested in the gaps in the Trent student-led food network, and opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Student(s): Natasha Sheward
Department: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
Organization: Seasoned Spoon Café /Trent Vegetable Gardens
#5021: Sturgeon Point Character Analysis
The purpose of this project is to research the history of the cottage community of Sturgeon Point and perform a landscape analysis of its historic landscape, looking at how the built environment relates to the natural environment.
The project is part of an inventorying of heritage assets currently being undertaken in Economic Development which will inform long term heritage planning and development initiatives. The research will inform the development of a long-term planning framework to guide the growth of the area through a heritage lens. It will benefit the long term cultural and social health of the area by providing the background and historic information necessary to develop localized, specific planning guidelines which preserve and enhance the positive character of a unique historic cottage community.
Host organization background: The City of Kawartha Lakes is the municipal government for the amalgamated rural municipality formed of the former townships and villages of Victoria County. The City provides a full range of municipal services to local residents.
Student(s): Jade Gorman, Gwenyth Bourgeois
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organizations: The City of Kawartha Lakes
# 5022 Teaching Assistants and Student Disclosures: Supporting All Parties
The purpose of this project is to gather data from Teaching Assistants and those in similar positions at Trent University about how prepared they feel to respond to students who come forward with disclosures of sexual violence, and to determine what will make them feel more prepared. After analyzing the data from Teaching Assistants at Trent, recommendations can be made about how to ensure Teaching Assistants at Trent can feel more prepared and confident in responding to students who disclose experiences of sexual violence.
Consent at Trent is an organization which provides programs and resources to students and staff at Trent University regarding sexual violence. The organization also provides support for students who have experienced sexual harm themselves or know someone who has. Consent at Trent also provides support for staff who may receive student disclosures of sexual violence. This project is necessary, because Teaching Assistants at Trent University are influential in the experiences of students academically and become channels of support for students outside of their studies, and there is a sense that to date, they have not been fully utilizing the existing resources. Therefore, with Teaching Assistants being a major support system for students at Trent University it is important that they feel prepared to help students who come forward with disclosures of sexual violence.
Student(s): Hailey Power
Department: Sociology
Organization: Consent At Trent
#5024 Exploring the Effectiveness of Neural Network Therapy®
This year in FRSC4890Y I am conducting a community-based research project for the host organization, Canadian Family Health Counselling. This organization located in the East City of Peterborough, Ontario, is comprised of registered psychotherapists, counsellors, and Emotional Health Practitioners who tend to psychological needs regarding mental illnesses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, anger issues, depression, and grief/despair. They provide help to individuals, families and/or couples whether they be part of the youth community or are a mature adult. While this organization works to assist the local Peterborough community, it also works with international clients with the intention of making a universal impact.
This organization was founded in 1997 by Kim Sargent who also is responsible for the clinical director role. This team possesses a mandate of pushing the boundaries of the emotional health care field through an education lens. By educating the community and individuals in need of assistance, alternative methods to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be learned, practiced, and emotional health can be greatly improved. This organization focuses its attention holistic treatment that differentiates itself from traditional talk therapy. This is where the term, Neural Network Therapy® came to be. Neural Network Therapy® is the blend between counselling techniques and neuroscience advancements. Studies eventually corrected the once thought notion that neurons had a threshold of time to live, that once dead, there was no regeneration of new ones to replace the loss. As more research is published in the field of neuroscience, more truths are being told as to how the brain works. This realization was vital as it identified that neural networks in the brain can be developed and altered to form new pathways and rebuild brain circuits. A neural network is essentially a habit that is constructed in the brain. They relate to emotional health because the habits produce specific emotions.
Neural Network Therapy® works at replacing negative habits that are engrained in an individual’s brain and therefore stuck producing the same unwanted emotion repetitively. By learning and practicing core exercises and activities provided in Canadian Family Health Counselling’s Neural Network Therapy® Practice Guide, individuals are able to overwrite old neural networks and create new ones that are associated with an appreciated, positive emotion. By continuing this treatment, the improved networks will become habitual, and the individual’s disorder can be treated so that they can live an improved life. This therapy aims to provide lasting results. Rather than recounting the same negative memory over and over and reinforcing an unwanted neural pathway like in talk therapy, the negative memory’s neural network will be replaced with a positive one so that the individual can move forward. Finally, not only is this therapy a long term and sustainable solution, but it can also be completed much quicker than traditional psychotherapy which can range from 3-7 years.
The purpose of this research project is to determine if Neural Network Therapy® is effective for the clients of Canadian Family Health Counselling. The organization solely provides this method of therapy, and therefore wants a clear determination of its effect. It will be considered effective if it can create positive behavior, mood, and lifestyle changes for the client at hand. These positive changes can be seen as progressive steps to a preferred Energy of Emotion. These Energy of Emotions start with the feeling of despair (the least desirable) and move to shame, then guilt, followed by fear, then anger, which is followed by frustration, and finally it ends with the most desirable feeling, appreciation. The therapy will gradually work to alter these undesirable energies into a desirable energy and sense of well-being. The effectiveness will also be in terms of longevity, whether the client that underwent this therapy has recurring issues with the initial disorder, or if the therapy effect lasts and therefore the good habits can be maintained. In terms of time, the project will also identify the length of time this method takes to be deemed useful in comparison to popular CBT methods. If a positive result is achieved more efficiently for a client, it will likely be appreciated more thoroughly. If through this research it is determined that Neural Network Therapy® does work and it does benefit the clients through its ability to teach them better, positive habit formation, then it can be deemed a useful emotional care health tool.
Student(s): Michaela Riopelle
Department: Forensic Science
Organization: Canadian Family Health Counselling
#5025 Benefits of Early Prevention and Intervention
Dalhousie Youth Support Services (DYSS) is a non-profit organization that aims to help youth in Peterborough in conflict with the law through the provision of various programs. All of the programs offered by DYSS are structured around the basis of inspiring youth to want to change their lifestyle through the teaching of values and development of skills that will enable future success. DYSS emphasizes the importance of strong relationships between the staff and youth, utilizing these bonds to tailor the programs to each individual’s needs.
DYSS offers four core programs. All of these pertain to youths that have already committed offenses causing them to come into conflict with the law and aim to provide an alternative to custody as well as support those that are being released from custody and reintegrated back into society. The Enhanced Learning Program that is the title of their school program, and is structured around the correlation between lack of education and criminal involvement. Specifically, it recognizes that school attendance and performance is often not a priority for youths that are susceptible to becoming involved with law enforcement. Thus, this program provides an alternative approach to traditional schooling that focuses on increasing school attendance, and subsequently ensuring these youth receive an education, as a means of deterring juvenile delinquent behavior that would ensue involvement with the criminal justice system.
Schools have increasingly adopted zero-tolerance approaches to dealing with student misbehaviour, punishing even minor offenses with suspensions and expulsions. From this, the concept of the school to prison pipeline has arisen, contending that students subject to these harsh punishments are destined for a life of criminal involvement, essentially being pushed out of the school system and into the incarceration system. As studied within the literature, the primary argument behind this is that, due to the interruptions to their education as a result of suspensions and expulsions, these students are more likely to drop out of school, become more exposed to negative influences, and, thus, engage in antisocial behavior.
Therefore, the purpose of this project is to research the approaches and successes of similar programs to demonstrate that at-risk youth participating in these school-focussed early prevention and intervention programs are more likely to stay in school and, thus, less likely to engage, or further engage, in antisocial behavior that would cause them to come into conflict with the law. Research of the approaches and associated successes of similar programs would allow DYSS to further improve their current program. Additionally, through using this research to demonstrate the need for programs such as this, DYSS could acquire more funding that would enable the expansion of their program as well as allow more youths to participate.
Student(s): Katelyn Hawrylak
Department: Forensic Science
Organizations: Dalhousie Youth Support Services
#5026 Program Evaluation System for Dalhousie Youth Support Services
Dalhousie Youth Support Services is a non-profit organization that provides services to youth in the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County who are in conflict with the justice system DYSS is fully funded by the Province of Ontario and operates under the supervision of a community-led Board of Directors. Following the passing and implementation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003, DYSS launched the Attendance Centre program that serves as an alternative to custody for youth that do not pose a risk to the community. With the growth of the organization, the program offering has expanded to four core programs: Reintegration & Community Support, Extra-Judicial Measures, Extra Judicial Sanctions, and the Attendance Centre. These innovative programs are evidence-based, highly structured, and focus on specific needs such as anger management, school, employment, and life skills. By addressing the offending behavior and promoting positive social behaviors, youth can be motivated towards change and inspired to make better choices.
The purpose of this project is to provide Dalhousie Youth Support Services with a recommendation as to which program evaluation method/process would be best suited for them to evaluate the effectiveness of their own programs. Currently, DYSS does not have a formal evaluation process which can be attributed in part to underfunding and lack of resources that can be solely dedicated to this kind of time-consuming research. It is important for DYSS to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs in order to receive funding, apply for grants, and demonstrate to the community the importance of their work.
Student(s): Drew Gordon
Department: Forensic Science
Organization: Dalhousie Youth Support Services
#5031 – Exploring a Seasoned Spoon Café Location at Sadleir House
The Sadleir House is a student-owned and student run community space located near downtown Peterborough. The Sadleir house provides office spaces for clubs and groups that are affiliated with Trent university and for community organizations. The organization contains bookable rooms that are free for Trent students, as well as contains a variety of spaces for students to study and socialize. The house also hosts fun community and student events.
The Seasoned Spoon The Seasoned Spoon Café is a not-for-profit food service located on Trent university’s Peterborough campus. The café serves affordable and healthy vegetarian meals that are made with locally sourced and organic ingredients. Their menu is also designed to meet a variety of dietary needs. The seasoned spoon café works to help foster education and activism of food issues through workshops, volunteer, and paid work experience, as well as events and community meals.
The Project: The purpose of this project is to research background information around the possible addition of a second Seasoned Spoon Café within the Sadleir House. The addition of a Seasoned Spoon into the Sadleir House will make both organizations more inclusive to the Peterborough community and more of a vibrant welcoming space. It will help the Seasoned Spoon extend their mission of providing sustainable and ethically sourced vegetarian meals to the downtown Peterborough community, as well as will potentially increase the number of students and community members that use and benefit from the Sadleir house. The aim of this project is to begin the process of determining what needs to be done for the Sadleir House to support the addition of a Seasoned Spoon café, what the target market is, and what approaches can be made to attract the target market to the Sadleir house. Knowing the answers to these questions will greatly benefit the ability to further work toward making a Seasoned Spoon within the Sadleir House a reality in the future.
Student(s): Abigail Morton
Department: School of Business
Orgnization: Peter Robinson Community & Student Association (PRCSA) - Sadlier House
#5044 An Exploration of the Barriers to Employment as Experienced by those with Barriers and Disabilities in Peterborough
Clean Slate Enterprises is a recently created non-profit organization located in Peterborough with a vision to provide training and create more work opportunities for individuals that face barriers in employment in hopes of encouraging reintegration and rehabilitation. Clean Slate focuses on providing employment and an inclusive community for former detainees and those with disabilities that cause challenges in securing employment. They strive to find answers and solutions from individuals who have experienced these barriers in the past or those who are currently experiencing them. Recently, the organization has proposed an idea to create a mattress recycling service in Peterborough to create jobs locally for marginalized individuals. Clean Slate sets out to solve social, economic, and environmental issues within the community which is incorporated in their mattress recycling initiative.
The purpose of this project is to understand the barriers faced by marginalized individuals from the perspectives of those in the community that have lived experiences. Once these challenges are identified solutions and recommendations can be proposed. This project is crucial when justifying future funding proposals and informing stakeholders of the need for creating more inclusive job opportunities and training programs in the community. This funding can be invested back into the community to create a more inclusive and adapting workforce.
Student(s): Samantha Laycock
Department: Forensic Science
Organization: Clean Slate Enterprises
#5045 Pet Care Enterprises
his project works with a passionate group of people that want to make more opportunities for advancement through their social enterprise. This project has two key components that are being reviewed which is dog walking and natural dog food. In the past two years, with more and more people working from home there has been a significant increase in the amount of pets that people acquired and now that people are not at home as much these animals are not able to receive the same commitment they were used to as people return to in person activities. This project strives to eliminate poverty and inequalities while developing good health through sustainable economic growth within the local Peterborough community.
The purpose of this project is to understand the market and competition that currently exists in Peterborough to see how a social enterprise of this nature would do in this region. The initial plan is to start a dog walking business in Peterborough that has room in the future to develop into a larger business that has a holistic approach including the production of organic pet food.
There will be an examination of the different businesses that are currently in place in Peterborough to understand the market that they are entering into as well as looking at if it is possible to achieve the plans they have for their business. There will also be an additional survey that will be prepared to be sent out after with questions on both topics to gather more information following the project.
Student(s):Tasmin West
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organizations: Company of Conversation Changers
#5046 Identifying Best Practices for a Resource Approach to Complex Client Populations Within HKPR
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of Situation Tables in the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (HKPR) area. Although these Tables occur to identify individuals at risk within the community and assist them, there are ultimately people that fly below the radar of this system unrecognized, yet still need assistance. The aim of this study is to improve the efficacy of Situation Tables by recognizing current limitations and successes, identifying how the mentioned individuals are presently being supported, and the role played by agencies and service providers within the community. The agency leading this project is the HKPR Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee (HSJCC). Their target population consists of individuals that have encountered the Justice System, focusing on matters such as decriminalization and deinstitutionalization. Another mandate of this group is to alleviate the stigma surrounding those with addiction and mental health concerns, all within the Peterborough, Kawartha, Haliburton, and Northumberland areas. This project is necessary because as mentioned, there are people in our community neglected by these Tables as they do not meet the given acutely elevated risk threshold. They may be unable to properly seek assistance or participate in support efforts themselves.
Evaluating the effectiveness of Situation Tables could lead to more people in the community being supported in issues such as addiction, health care, mental health concerns and injustice. The HKPR HSJCC engaged in a project previous to this one in 2017, in which a student similar to myself focused on three different Tables in the area, seeking common trends within them. These trends included which risks were most identified, and which public services were most assistive in addressing these risks. This study serves as a steppingstone to my own, as it provides background information on the Situation Tables in need of evaluation, suggesting the successes and challenges present at the time of this project. I will look to see what has improved in our community since 2017, what still needs improvement, and what new challenges individuals are facing.
Student(s): Anna Kozbor
Department: Forensic Science
Organization:Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee
#5048 Police Worn Body Cameras in Peterborough
The purpose of this project is to better understand the publics’ opinion on the Peterborough Police Service implementing body-worn cameras in the community. The concept was brought to fruition as many other police services across the country have begun to research the topic. There are a variety of views on the concept as of now and the goal is to further understand how both civilians and police officers would feel with this new instalment in police services.
As per the Peterborough Police website, their mission is to ‘promote the safety of citizens and the protection of property, through an appropriate balance of law enforcement and problem solving and crime-prevention initiatives’. Core values include respect and civility, courage and leadership, impartiality and transparency, and empathy and fairness. The target population encompasses all of Peterborough’s community members. The Peterborough Police service serves the City of Peterborough, the Ward of Lakefield in Selwyn township and Township of Cavan Monaghan. Lastly, the organizations mandate is to provide services in areas such as crime prevention, victim assistance, emergency response, administration, infrastructure, public order and maintenance.
The project is necessary to evaluate whether cameras are being implemented because of increasing tensions or as new piece of recording technology that could prove useful for investigative purposes. The tumultuous relationship between communities and their fellow officers has resulted in a lack of trust as well as propelling the defund the police conversation. It is evident that we are at a critical turning point and thus, changes need to be made to ensure safety for all patrons and officers. In order to better understand how this implementation will potentially affect the community, I will work towards gaining opinions from as many community members as possible. This will all be done in the hopes of re-establishing a positive relationship between police officers and the community.
Student(s): Sabrina Wolanczyk
Department: Forensic Science
Organization: Peterborough Police Service
#5049 Evaluating the Community Service Officer in School Program
The purpose of the project is to investigate the community service officer in schools’ program to determine if there are any adjustments that can be made to the program to better support the youth of today. This project is going to be carried out by creating surveys for parents, teachers, and school administrators to determine the current view on the community service officer then the data from the surveys will be analyzed and a report will be formulated with suggestions on how to improve the program. This project is necessary because the world is changing, this includes the view of police is also changing and with a lot of other cities pulling community service officers out of schools it is important for Peterborough Police to have the research to determine what improvements will improve the program best for Peterborough students.
Student(s): Hope Smith
Department: Forensic Science
Organization: Peterborough Police Service
#5050 Voices From Windy Pine- A Soundscape of Past & Present
The purpose of this project is to extract segments from primary source documents and create an archival record of Windy Pine’s use in the form of a polyphonic soundscape product. The final product should include both spoken word readings from the primary source guest book entries as well as authentic field recordings from the property itself. The project may leave open the possibility for further projects focussing on different seasons, and as such, this project may focus entirely on autumn. This work will include selection of excerpts from primary sources, organization of voice actors, procurement of field recordings and editing, mixing, and mastering of final product.
Student(s): William Skye Vasey, Malerie Paterson
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organizations: Windy Pine Conference Centre – School for the Study of Canada
#5051 Best Practices of Establishing a Community Hub in Peterborough, ON
This project is meant to clarify the meaning of a community hub, in the context of Ontario, including best practices, programs and services, and population coverage. Findings will be used to determine if the Mount Community Centre (TMCC) in Peterborough ON currently qualifies as a community hub, and if not, how it can go about becoming one using this information as an outline. The project was in part inspired by the fact that the Mount has been recognized as a “community hub” by a handful of provincial reports during the Kathleen Wynne administration.
The Mount Community Centre is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2013 when the Peterborough Poverty Reduction Network (PPRN) purchased the Mount St. Joseph’s as a property located on Monaghan Road in downtown Peterborough. As a newly established community organization, The Mount was mandated to be a grassroots response to the ongoing and increasing issues of poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity via their stewardship of their one-of-a-kind property. The Mount’s vision is to create “A welcoming place that changes lives by creating opportunity and community needs.” Their target population is those who lack access to affordable housing, food security and sovereignty, and other vulnerable populations such as people who are elderly and/or disabled through their services and community partnerships such as Shared Dreams for Independent Living, Kawartha Land Trust.
Student(s): Amelia Metcalfe and Therese Salumu
Departments: International Development Studies
Organizations: The Mount Community Centre
#5053 – Patterns of Heart Failure Readmissions During the COVID-19 Era
Patients who suffer from heart failure have one of the highest rates of hospital readmission for various reasons. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have been forced to adapt (such as remote appointments). This project will attempt to find patterns in readmission due to healthcare restrictions as a result of Covid-19. Ultimately, the goal is to identify any patterns and/or consistencies in the reasoning for readmission before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to implement more high-impact interventions, thus reducing readmission post heart failure. Peterborough Regional Health Center serves Peterborough and all surrounding areas with the goal of providing the best quality of care to every patient. With the oldest population demographically in Canada, Peterborough and surrounding areas also have an above-average prevalence of congestive heart failure. On average, nearly 25% of patients who experience heart failure are readmitted 30 days after discharge. By pinpointing the problem with this phenomenon, healthcare providers at places such as PRHC may begin working towards more effective and efficient care, maximizing patient health and quality of life.
Student(s): William Holden Lowes
Department: Biology
Organization: Peterborough Regional Health Centre
5054 The Ethical and Equitable Application of the Local COVID-19 Vaccination Sequencing (Order) Roll-Out
The purpose of this research project is to assess Peterborough Public Health’s sequencing of Phase-1 of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and to draw out lessons learned to inform emergency planning for future pandemics.
Students(s): Sebastien Nicolle and Morgan Carl
Departments: International Development Studies (IDST 4220Y)
Organization: Peterborough Public Health
#5058 Wildflower Diversity and Wildlife 2021
This project will investigate if fencerows and hedgerows are beneficial, cost effective and maximize production to farmers and to the conservation of wildlife that live on agricultural lands. This project will also find gaps in previous studies on hedgerows and fencerows and provide the ALUS agency with a technical report. The technical report will investigate these gaps and provide further knowledge on how hedgerows and fencerows contribute to the conservation of wildlife in agricultural lands as well as how their presence maximizes farmers production and profitability that have not yet been explored.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is Ontario’s largest non-profit fish and wildlife conservation organization. They work with their various partners to promote healthy fisheries and advocate for protective hunting heritage and sound management for wildlife in Ontario. Their mission is to ensure hunting and fishing heritage is protected while increasing opportunities to do them. Additionally, they encourage participation that is safe and responsible while advocating for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources in Ontario. OFAH vision for Ontario’s future is a healthier wildlife, lakes, forests, and fish as well as increased opportunities for individuals who share a passion for conservation hunting and fishing. The Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is a program partnered with OFAH located in Peterborough Ontario that collaborates with ranchers and farmers maintain healthy ecosystems and increase biodiversity but identifying sensitive environments. Additionally, ALUS assists farmers in recognizing stewardship opportunities to support them.
This project is necessary because it’s findings can help farmers and ranchers of Peterborough understand how investing in fencerows and hedgerows can not only maximize their production better but will help the conservation and protection of wildlife on agricultural land. This project will also demonstrate how the addition of hedgerow and fencerows on farmlands, also save farmers money. To summarize, this project will provide ALUS will valuable information that will help them identify gaps between managing environmentally sensitive agricultural land in Peterborough. Additionally, providing farmers with a supportive data that will encourage them to invest in hedges and fences to not only conserve wildlife but to save money.
Student(s): Tedra John
Department: Biology
Organization: Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) / Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)
#5060 Cultivating Health Through Belonging
Food centres us and connects us with each other, it builds community and creates a plethora of experience. It is a big part of life, and a source of happiness and contentment to everyone despite their backgrounds. As we know, the food we consume has a great affect on our general health, including the mind and body. So, this project will allow us to study and understand the correlation between loneliness and health of a community, while exploring topics such as belonging, social isolation etc. This is an important study as it helps us have a deeper understanding ding on how the ‘idea of belonging’ to a community corresponds to the health of a person. Other factors such as age, race/ethnicity and gender also have intersections to the loneliness aspect of health and food insecurity. In this project, I will be doing a literature-review on how cultivating good health through belonging of a community transpires, including all its pathways. I will also aim to focus on how this varies between different communities and marginalized groups, such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Refugees, etc. I will aim to find studies based in Canada, specially in areas that are in/or surrounding the Peterborough region. I hope that the findings from this literature review benefit the Nourish Project organization, in ways which they can use the supporting results and incorporate them within their programs.
Student: Sreeja Jonnalagadda
Department: Biology
Organization: Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Peterborough
#5061 Environmental Health Curriculum
The purpose of this project is to build links between the Ontario Pedagogy and Ontario Curriculum to the Environmental Health Curriculum, developed by the Near North EnviroEducation Centre (NNEEC), so high quality environmental and outdoor education can be integrated into classes in the Near North District School Board (NNDSB). This will be done via a review, adaptation and evaluation of the pilot delivery of curriculum developed by staff at the NNEEC. The existing Environmental Health Curriculum will be refined into age-appropriate lessons for grades 6 to 8 (ages 10-12) before the NNEEC pilot tests the curriculum with classes in the Sundridge Centennial Public School (SCPS). Teachers of SCPS grades 6 to 8 classes and NNEEC educators will serve as the study group for this research because they will be pilot testing the curriculum. SCPS has confirmed their support of this project by email and will provide a formal letter during the week of October 11-15 in that regard. The research project responsibilities will be adaptation of the curriculum to enhance links with the established school curriculum and evaluation of its pilot testing.
Pilot testing is already planned and is taking place under the authority of the leadership at the NNEEC and via their relationships with the SCPS and the NNDSB. Field trips will be hosted by NNEEC where NNEEC educators and SCPS teachers will collaborate to solidify lessons with memorable, practical experiences (e.g., gardening in the NNEEC learning garden). Environmental health is a complex topic that links to many Ontario Curriculum subjects. NNEEC aims to be a source of ongoing support to the NNSDB educators and aims to discover what that support needs to include to make the curriculum delivery a success. All educators involved in the pilot test of these lessons will be asked to answer a pre- and post-pilot test evaluation form that will help guide the pre- and postpilot testing adaptation of the lessons and help determine the ongoing support NNEEC will ultimately offer to teachers. Once the post-evaluation feedback from this research project is incorporated into the lessons, the curriculum will be promoted more broadly in the NNDSB and beyond as part of the broader initiative by NNEEC.
Student(s): Kristen Callow
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organization: City of Kawartha Lakes
#5062 D.E.I Index
The purpose of this project is to understand and study the best possible ways to create a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) survey which would then provide the City of Peterborough with an index that can help promote inclusion within its ranks. This project contributes to the City’s aims to address concerns around discrimination, racism, and opportunity creation. To address these concerns a DEI Index provides a guide to monitor changes and inform action.
Student(s): Sahar Afroz
Department: International Development Studies
Organization: City of Peterborough
#5072 Developing a Framework for the Reduction of Organizational Water and Associated Energy Use
GreenUP is Peterborough region’s leading organization focused on climate action, environmental education, and community resilience. A non-profit charitable organization, our mission is to inspire and empower environmentally healthy and sustainable action. Green Economy Peterborough helps business members make reductions in emissions, water, and waste, and engage in other sustainable practice through coaching, educational opportunities, peer networking, and events. Green Economy Peterborough is proud to be one of 8 Green Economy hubs in the network supported by Green Economy Canada.
This project will lay the groundwork for a process that will help organizations in Peterborough and the Kawarthas assess their water impact, set reduction targets, and implement action plans to reduce water and associated energy use. Green Economy Peterborough aims to implement such a water framework in 2022, and that this will result in a measurable reduction in water use and improved stormwater diversion among member businesses. By sharing the actions and stories of adopters broadly in our community, we hope that this framework and the resulting actions will postively impact our environment, and help us to meet the climate action and mitigation goals of our regional municipalities.
Student(s): Kira Nixon
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organization: GreenUP
#5077 Ashburnham Memorial Park Research Project
Ashburnham Memorial Park (AMP) is located in East City, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong, adjacent to the Peterborough Liftlock National Historic Site. AMP was donated to the City of Peterborough in 1937 by the Ashburnham Women’s Patriotic League to honour the individuals from the Peterborough area who died in World War 1. It is approximately 50 acres in size, featuring a mixed forest, meadows, an embedded neighbourhood park, unofficial trails, and a Heritage Pavilion. The Peterborough Museum and Archives and Kaawaate East City Public School are both located within AMP as well as a size able paved area at the top of the hill, an observation platform, and a war memorial. The east side of the park runs along the Trent Severn Waterway canal.
The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group (AMSG) was founded in June 2021 to advocate for positive short- and long-term infrastructure changes to AMP. Our goal is to increase safety, stewardship and respect for the historic and environmental aspects of the park while decreasing the known harmful and negative behaviours that occur within the park. AMSG is comprised of citizen volunteers who meet monthly to discuss issues and ideas for AMP and to liaise with the two Ashburnham Ward City Councillors. To date, AMSG has presented to the Arenas, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Museum and Archives Advisory Committee, and the Police Services Board, who have been receptive to the goals of our group, and willing to work with us towards positive change within AMP.
Working with the Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group (AMSG), conduct a gap analysis, identifying the known and existing information about Ashburnham Memorial Park (e.g., history, geology, ecology, economy, current park uses and user groups), and identifying gaps for future research (including gaps in policy for the park, further information that would be useful, such as an updated species inventory, etc.).
Student(s): Kristi Waddell, Lily Cloutier and Samantha Hebert
Department: Environmental and Resource Science
Organization: Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group
#5079 Memory Project and the Newcomers’ Narrative
The purpose of this project is to understand the newcomers’ narrative in how they understand their place within Peterborough, ON Canada, and how they have shaped Peterborough into the city it is today. In this project, I will work with the New Canadian Centre and conduct semi-structured interviews with newcomers in Peterborough. After conducting these interviews, I will create interview profiles that will contribute to oral histories that have been recorded in the past. The oral histories will help to provide an understanding of how newcomers understand their communities. Continuing the process of oral history collection helps to maintain the voices of the newcomers in Peterborough to ensure that their stories are not lost. This project will contribute to the New Canadian Centre’s ongoing project of Oral Histories.
In 1979, the Peterborough Newcomer Language Orientation (PNLOC) committee was founded to sponsor refugees who were fleeing Vietnam. PNLOC recognized the challenges and needs of newcomers surpassed the capacity of the PNLOC and established the New Canadian Centre in 1987. The New Canadian Centre provides many services to immigrants, refugees, and other newcomers in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland. The NCC has grown considerably over the years enabling them to further address the needs of newcomers.
Student(s): Serena Karevich
Department: International Development Studies
Organization: New Canadians Centre
#5083 Social Determinants of Health and Dominant Narratives
The project seeks to explore whether patterns of dominant narrative that are deeply embedded in the public discourse when considering how to address food insecurity can also be observed when looking at another determinant of health such as homelessness. These patterns hinder any significant progress on finding how to best communicate the types of solutions that can actually address food insecurity. Gaining a stronger understanding of the barriers that hinder progress around the social determinants of health will support Nourish's ability to engage the public at large in changing the conversation about food insecurity and better framing the discourse to support effective solutions.
Student(s): Emily Screech
Department: Sociology
Organization: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton / Nourish
