research

close up of opened letter showing a notice of eviction in big, bold letters

Research on personal use evictions highlights association between rent control and rising eviction rates

December 6, 2024 by Danny Nesvaderani

According to recent research conducted by Dr. Danielle Kerrigan with the Department of Geography at Simon Fraser University, the rate of personal use evictions across Canada is skyrocketing. Personal-use evictions are a type of eviction where a landlord’s reason for the eviction is due to their intention to use the rented space for themselves or a family member.

CJSF reached out to Danielle Kerrigan for further insight on her research. During our conversation, we learned that the rates of personal use evictions were rising predominantly in provinces with stricter rent control regulations.

Dr. Tristan Pearce smiles as he stands in the left corner of the frame during a visit to the Canadian Arctic. In a snow covered landscape, he is positioned near the edge of a drop off that affords a view of a river stretching towards a setting sun. The landscape is lit up behind his silhouette. Pearce is dressed warmly in a toque and parka, and is equipped with a rifle. Photo Credit - Tristan Pearce

Dr. Tristan Pearce, a UNBC Climate Change researcher, reappointed as Tier 2 Canada Research Chair

December 4, 2024 by Ian Gregg

In a conversation with CFURadio, UNBC’s Dr. Tristan Pearce breaks down what the Federal Tri-Council is, why taxpayer dollars fund it to the tune of 1.5 million dollars in this case, and how a geographer ended up being re-appointed as a Tier 2 Research Chair in the area of social sciences.

As for why his research matters and what motivates him, Pearce sees the Arctic region where he specializes, as an “early warning system for changes in climate.” He continues “it just makes sense that if we’re interested in what we could potentially face ourselves here in Prince George or elsewhere, you look North, you get the lessons learned, and then hopefully you can take some of those lessons and have an early opportunity to make some adjustments if needed.”

Pearce is hopeful that this renewal will also help to build pathways for local academics on every level to better pursue this area of research.

UNBC’s Dr. Luna K C is pictured facilitating a workshop during a round table discussion. She is seated in the middle of the frame at a round table behind a blue water bottle. She wears her hair down over a diamond print red & white blazer, with gold rimmed spectacles. She looks to a participant speaking to her left. Photo Credit - Dr. Luna K C

UNBC professor wins DND grant to create women’s cyber self-defence toolkit with local contributors

November 28, 2024 by Ian Gregg

Dr. Luna K C, Assistant Professor of Global International Studies at UNBC, is developing a women’s cyber self-defense toolkit with $50,000 in funding from the Department of National Defence (DND). This initiative addresses online gender-based violence, a critical issue often overlooked. Many victims don’t know where to seek help, and some perpetrators fail to grasp the harm they cause has real life consequences. Victims often resort to deleting their online presence, but Dr. K C warns, “Keeping women and girls away from these platforms will only disempower them.”

Instead, she advocates protecting women’s online presence by developing associated resources, while addressing harassment. This effort offers opportunities for locals to participate in providing input to inform the development of the toolkit as Dr. K C is hosting a number of workshops in our community. The research for the toolkit also includes input from national experts and aims to create practical strategies to address this issue.

Three people sit around a table on stage in a lecture hall. Belongings Matter is projected on the screen behind them in big letters

“Belongings Matter” research project puts the focus on the personal belongings of unhoused populations

November 26, 2024 by Danny Nesvaderani

Belongings Matter is a Canada-wide research project that aims to document and explain the systematic confiscation and devaluation of houseless people’s belongings. As part of the Annual Warren Gill Lecture Series, Nick Blomley, a professor of Geography at Simon Fraser University, presented some of the findings from the research project.

Nick Blomley was joined in conversation with research partner and Associate Professor at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia Alexandra Flynn, and Connie Long, an Indigenous advocate for vulnerable communities with lived experience who organizes in Chilliwack and Abbotsford.

The lecture and following discussion highlighted the ways in which legal and cultural concepts of land ownership and private property contribute to the marginalization of unhoused populations and their belongings.

After the lecture, CJSF was able to interview Nick Blomley and further discuss some of the main takeaways from Belongings Matter.

A young woman with dark hair standing against a backdrop of shrubs and greenery.

St. Thomas University Psychology professor first to receive NSERC research grant in school’s history

October 15, 2024 by Johnny James

A psychology professor is the first professor from St. Thomas University to receive the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant to fund her research on multi-sensory perception.

Dr. Doris Chow has spent the last ten years studying how our senses play off one another and how that can be used to enhance practices in areas like education and technological development.

CHSR News sat down with the native of Hong Kong to discuss her findings to date, how this grant will propel her research efforts and what it means for the university and its students.

Two female professors and researchers standing side by side.

“Patients’ Den” brings the thrill of television’s “Dragons’ Den” to healthcare research

October 10, 2024 by Jai Sadler

The Patients’ Den has returned to the Lily Lake Pavilion in Saint John. The patient engagement event went on hiatus during Covid times and returned on October 8.

With the goal of including patients in the process of healthcare research, Patients’ Den brings together a panel of patient partners to hear pitches from healthcare researchers to identify which projects should receive top priority for funding.

Dr. Alison Luke, a Research Associate with the Centre for Research in Integrated Care at UNB Saint John, and Dr. Shelley Doucet, the Centre’s Director and Jarislowsky Chair in Interprofessional Patient-Centred Care, share details of the event and explain its impact.

A gravel lot filled with concrete cubes being used for research purposes.

UNB Alumni launches research into eco-friendly concrete

October 9, 2024 by Johnny James

UNB Alumni Ashlee Hossack was one of nine new faculty members and early career researchers who presented their newly launched research programs at the University of New Brunswick’s annual Research Celebration Week.

Hossack graduated with a Ph.D in Civil Engineering in 2015 and was as a consulting engineer for 9 years before returning to UNB as an assistant professor in the same program she graduated from.

Her research studies the use of alternatives to replace part of the cement content in the production of concrete, the world’s second most used building material and aims at reducing the overall environmental impact of the world’s second most used building material.

Listen to find out more about the process of her research.

A woman with long black hair wearing a black blazer, and a blue shirt stands in front of a wall with Indigenous art carved and painted on it.

UNBC Professor completes whirlwind lecture tour across Canada shedding light on ableism

December 13, 2023 by Ian Gregg

Dr. Rheanna Robinnson brings multiple angles to her work exploring traditional roles of people who may have been labelled “disabled” in western culture.

She’s an Associate Professor of First Nations Studies at UNBC, member of Manitoba Metis Federation, leader of the Accessibility Ambassadors Initiative (AAI), and manages a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Now returned from invitations to lecture at a number of forums this Fall 2023 semester in Surrey, Winnipeg, Waterloo, Toronto, and including a date here in Prince George, Robinson is worn out after completing 2023’s circuit, but encouraged by the interest.

Robinson expresses that indigenous ways of knowing have much to teach us about inclusivity and equity. For example the word “disability” doesn’t have a direct translation in the Indigenous languages she’s studied.

People were & are engaged within various communities despite what may otherwise be described as ableist circumstances. She emphasizes, “disability in and of itself is very much a colonial and socially constructed identity.”