Research and Graduate Studies
The $1,000 awards are to recognize excellence in research done by individual undergraduate students as part of their degree programs for a challenging research project as part of a course, a self-directed research project, or as a research assistant working with a faculty researcher. The Research and Graduate Studies office administers the awards and hosts a celebratory reception to honour our excellent student researchers and their supervisors.
Each year, the UFV Research Office presents Undergraduate Research Excellence (URE) Awards to students who have conducted high-calibre research as part of the UFV Work Study program, as research assistants, or for an outstanding project as part of a course.
Departments/Schools are invited to submit nominations for their best research student for projects done in the past year.
Additional awards are available for the best:
A celebration event is held in Spring to acknowledge the students and their research supervisors.
The URE awards started as a one-time opportunity back in 2004 to disperse funds raised through a VW Beetle raffle. The event was so well received, UFV decided to make it an annual event! It has become the highlight event for the Research Office, which has dispersed over $270,000 to students through these awards over the last 15 years.
The Globe and Mail recognizes UFV's commitment to undergraduate research in their 2017 Canadian University Report:
"UFV students are encouraged to pursue their own research, even at the undergraduate level, to increase their chances of obtaining scholarships, awards and graduate-school positions. The university's Research, Engagement, and Graduate Studies office hosts an annual dinner to celebrate the research conducted by undergraduates; this year, UFV awarded more than $22,000 to 37 promising students."
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Faculty supervisor: Iris Lesser
Personal Note: Engaging in research throughout my undergraduate studies in Kinesiology has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my academic journey. With one year remaining in my degree, I am preparing to apply to physiotherapy programs and look forward to continuing my research and community engagement during this time. As an aspiring physiotherapist, I strive to embody the empathy, adaptability, and evidence-informed thinking required to support individuals through recovery and toward long-term wellness. Through a Faculty Student Research Grant, I collaborated with Archway Community Services’ Best for Babies Program to develop inclusive, community-based workshops for postpartum women. My involvement in both qualitative and quantitative research has deepened my understanding of the complex factors influencing physical activity and recovery, particularly in underserved populations. These experiences have enhanced my academic foundation and shaped my commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
Project Summary: This mixed-methods research project explored the relationship between physical activity, body image, and self-compassion in postpartum women. 35 participants completed surveys assessing physical activity levels, body image satisfaction, exercise self-efficacy, self-compassion, and weight retention. Additionally, 21 interviews examined how visual representations of postpartum bodies influenced participants’ motivation and self-perception. The results highlight how societal expectations to 'bounce back' to a pre-baby body may promote appearance-driven exercise behaviours rather than encouraging movement for health and well-being. To translate findings into practice, I led community workshops in partnership with Archway Community Services and CHASI, featuring safe, supportive movement guided by diverse, realistic imagery. This project highlights the need to shift postpartum physical activity messaging away from appearance and toward health and recovery.
Faculty supervisor: Nikki Yee
Personal Note: Hello, my name is Bryanna Hill. I am from the Mohawk First Nations of the Grand River 6 nations. I wrote this project during a class I took under Dr. Nikki Yee. Without this class I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to look deeper into my own experiences within the educational atmosphere as an Indigenous student. For that I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Yee for their guidance and support during this class.
Project Summary: “Breanna completed an auto-ethnographic research project entitled Navigating Cultural Exposure: Psychological Impacts of Indigenized Curriculum on Student Experience… In her inquiry project, Bryanna has examined her experiences in trying to understand her Indigenous identity and the ways she was impacted by programs and pedagogy intended to support this journey. She deeply values pullout programs and Indigenous content in the classroom but surfaces the ways these programs also made her a target for bullying or misunderstanding. As Bryanna writes “The implementation of Indigenized curricula in schools provides crucial opportunities for Indigenous students to connect with their cultural heritage, yet the persistence of racism, stereotype threat, and cultural dissonance can create significant psychological challenges that hinder identity development.” Bryanna notes that it is critical for teachers to use Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies in the classroom AND to be prepared to shield Indigenous students from harm that may come to them as a result of biases within the school.” - Dr. Nikki Yee, Nominating Faculty Supervisor
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Faculty supervisor: Kim Norman
Personal Note: I am currently in my fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Business and Communications. As I approach the completion of my undergraduate studies, I intend to pursue a Master of Arts in Counselling to further my academic and professional development, in addition to strengthening both personal and intellectual growth. Through my coursework and valuable research experiences, I have been able to challenge myself while refining my academic interests and establishing a clear pathway toward achieving my long-term goals in the field of counselling.
Project Summary: This research explores how Abbotsford’s conservative political and religious landscape influences LGBTQ2S+ individuals and their ability to express their identities. Known as British Columbia’s “Bible Belt,” the city is shaped by strong Christian and Sikh communities and a tradition of conservative governance. In such an environment, many LGBTQ2S+ residents may feel pressure to hide their identities due to concerns about discrimination, social rejection, or workplace consequences. The research highlights how societal attitudes, cultural norms, and heteronormative expectations contribute to this dynamic. The findings indicate that conservative and religious values often align with resistance to LGBTQ2S+ rights, leading to subtle forms of exclusion, internalized stigma, and emotional distress. Despite these challenges, positive steps are being taken within the community. Abbotsford’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy and support from groups like Archway Community Services and the University of the Fraser Valley represent important efforts to foster inclusion. These initiatives focus on education, policy updates, and creating safe, supportive spaces. Moving forward, meaningful collaboration between the city’s conservative foundations and LGBTQ2S+ advocacy is key to building a more inclusive future.
Faculty supervisor: Kevin Burk
Personal Note: The opportunity to be a research assistant and later on conduct my own research has been a truly valuable experience. Research has provided me with a deeper understanding on critical thinking, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and how to conduct research. It has strengthened my ability to be a more effective and efficient practitioner in the field of Criminal Justice. My research focus for my Honours thesis greatly aligns with my future aspirations of working in the realm of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). I look forward to being able to transfer the skills and knowledge that I have acquired through research to law school in the fall. Following, I aspire to pursue a Masters and Doctor of Philosophy so that I can influence change on a larger scale and improve criminal justice outcomes for victims of IPV.
Project Summary: This study explored the relationship between gender and police attitudes towards IPV. It was found that officer gender does influence perceptions of the dynamics of IPV, but both genders generally hold similar attitudes regarding the seriousness and appropriate response to IPV. However, male officers are slightly more likely than their female counterpart to hold traditional attitudes towards IPV and report frustration with responding to calls for service. In general, officers are able to recognize the elements of power and control and possess an awareness of the pattern of violence that victims can be caught in. However, it is important to recognize that officer attitudes may still be influenced by biases, presumptions, and external or internal factors, such as years of experience, organizational culture, and more. Given that the response to IPV tends to be inconsistent, as evident through the low reporting rates, this study signals a need to enhance training programs and IPV response protocols, implement a trauma-informed approach, and conduct more research to better understand police response and criminal justice outcomes for victims.
Faculty supervisor: Michael Batu
Personal Note: I recently completed my Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics at UFV. Conducting independent research under the supervision of Dr. Michael Batu became one of the most meaningful experiences of my academic journey. This project allowed me to bring together everything I’ve learned throughout my degree—from theoretical knowledge to analytical skills—and apply it to a real-world issue. I am deeply grateful for Dr. Batu’s mentorship and the opportunity UFV gave me to pursue this research. While I am still exploring what path to take next, I hope to stay engaged in research and development where I can continue learning and contribute meaningfully to society.
Project Summary: Japan is facing the pressing concerns of the growing number of vacant dwellings, or Akiya, which have reached record levels. This research investigates the demographic, socioeconomic, and housing market factors that influence housing vacancy rates across Japan’s 47 prefectures. To provide a more targeted understanding of Japan’s vacant housing crisis, it distinguishes between total vacant dwellings and restricted vacant dwellings—those considered abandoned or unsuitable for use. The research applies a log-log multiple regression model refined through stepwise regression to address multicollinearity and enhance reliability. Key findings reveal that death rate, household size, and new housing starts significantly impact both total and restricted vacancy rates. Prefectural income, however, only influences total vacancy rates, suggesting it is more closely tied to housing mobility than abandonment. Geographically, vacancy rates tend to be higher in rural areas, particularly in western Japan, while major urban centres show relatively lower rates. The results highlight the need for targeted, regionally sensitive policies to address vacancy challenges and better align housing supply with demographic realities.
Faculty supervisor: Michelle LaFlamme
Personal Note: B.A.: Psychology/Sociology, SFU/UCFV 1997 | Theatre, UFV (distinction) 2017 |
English (Honours), UFV 2027
John's goal is to take as many English courses as he can. So, he will be around for a few more years. He does not have any overwhelming desire towards any particular literary time period as he finds that they are all engaging. Nevertheless, he was very surprised how Tay John, Howard O’Hagan’s 1939 mountain man novel set in The Rocky Mountains of the 1880’s, captivated his attention in Dr. Michelle LaFlamme’s English 362 course: Literature of British Columbia.
Project Summary: Howard O’Hagan utilizes Christian theology as part of Tay John’s cosmology. However, he challenges his reader’s expectations by restructuring biblical patterns throughout the novel as biblical strands are uniquely twisted to weave a world where anticipated patterns unravel. For example, we encounter Tay John as an unwilling saviour who walks away from his destiny, unlike Jesus who walked towards His destiny. Typologies like John the Baptist, Moses and Jesus are constantly being thwarted. By employing Judeo-Christian representations to guide his readers through the relatively unknown territory of British Columbia’s wilderness in the 1880’s, O’Hagan’s departures from biblical narratives confound reader’s expectations. His use of prophecy and typologies foreshadow events and create tension by invoking familiar biblical allusions, which set up the reader to expect a particular outcome, yet O’Hagan subverts, revises, and disrupts conventions found in the Bible, which creates doubleness and irony for the reader.
Faculty supervisor: Sebastian Huebel
Personal Note: My name is Rachel Thevan, and I am a fourth-year History student. My interest in History began in high school, where I enjoyed writing and academic discussion that allowed me to explore complex ideas. That love for academic writing continued to grow as I pursued my undergraduate studies. Studying history has helped me develop critical thinking, strong writing skills, and a deeper understanding of the human experience, all of which I hope to carry into a future legal career.
Project Summary: This research explores the ways in which youth were used as ideological "agents" and perpetrators of violence under two 20th century totalitarian regimes: the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and the Maoist regime during China’s Cultural Revolution. While historical narratives often portray children solely as victims of war and political conflict, this project challenges that view by investigating how authoritarian governments intentionally weaponized youth through propaganda, education, and the breakdown of traditional family structures. The study draws on James Waller’s theory of moral disengagement to explore how these regimes instilled obedience, dehumanization, and ideological conformity among young people. It also analyzes the psychological and social tactics by which adolescents were not only radicalized but encouraged to commit acts of betrayal, cruelty, and even murder, often against their own families or communities. Through a comparative analysis of primary sources (survivor testimonies), and scholarly work, the essay brings attention to the parallels between the two regimes and the long-term effects of early ideological indoctrination. It argues that by reframing violence as virtue and dissent as betrayal, these regimes successfully exploited the impressionability of adolescence to advance their revolutionary goals. Overall, the project sheds light on how systems of power manipulate youth identity and moral development, thus raising questions about education, loyalty, and the psychological impact of authoritarian control.
Faculty supervisor: Simon Lambek
Personal Note: This paper is based in political theory for Dr. Lambek's seminar on crises in democratic institutions. This class allowed me to research democracy through a feminist lens, particularly focusing on care ethics, a subject for which I am very passionate. Feminist theory regarding governmental institutions and societal expectations is not necessarily under researched but is certainly under valued as a tool for informing government decisions. My aim with this paper, and hopefully going forward with my academic career, is to make apparent that valuing care giving, a woman dominated area of both paid and unpaid labour, is the first step to valuing social services, health care, and other government funded programs that nurture human life. I plan on continuing my studies with a focus on research in this area.
Project Summary: Democratic regimes, as commonly understood, function as extensions of neoliberal, patriarchal, and oligarchical systems where a minority of elite groups and individuals hold a disproportionate amount of society’s power, wealth, and access to essential resources. This manifests as a failure to prioritize the basic welfare of all citizens and denies potential for equality within democracies. A true democracy is one characterized by collective deliberation, rational decision-making, and a regard for all individuals as inherently equal. Within the current system which undermines individual value and instead values human beings, particularly women, for their instrumental value, a true democracy cannot be effectively realized. Only with the radical restructuring of society through the assertion that caregiving is essential to policy making, and a drastic increase of women in positions of political power, can this be achieved. This societal transformation must fundamentally center around the intrinsic value of human life, and the ethics of caregiving. Ultimately, care and the nurturing of human life must be placed in the foundations of social and political institutions to foster authentic equality and thus, a true democratic system of governance.
Faculty supervisor: Sven van de Wetering
Personal Note: Navigating university as a parent presented me with unique challenges, which I would not have overcome without the support of both the amazing faculty and students here at UFV. I am especially grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Sven van de Wetering, whose guidance was instrumental in to academic success. The journey through my BA and Honours Psychology has developed my curiosty in a variety of social-problems that I now desire to research in the futute, particularly in the area of environmentalism and group dynamics and am hoping to some day contribute meaningfully to the understanding of these topics.
Project Summary: My project investigated how socio-political dynamics, particularly framing strategies, ideological affiliations, and political knowledge, influence attitudes toward environmental policy. Previous research suggests that political affiliation significantly predicts voting behaviour, creating barriers to environmental action consensus, this study explored how framing complex issues using specific value sets may shape public perception. Additionally, I sought to evaluate the differential influence of both operational (values based) and symbolic (group identity) ideology on engagement with environmental policy, as well as how different degrees of political knowledge may relate to extremity of attitudes towards these policies.
My research was guided by the following questions: How do framing strategies impact approval ratings among individuals with distinct ideological affiliations? What role do operational ideology and symbolic ideology play in shaping attitudes toward environmental policy? How does political knowledge moderate the relationship between framing and policy approval? The project had six hypotheses exploring the impact of environmental, patriotic, and economic framing on policy support; the differential responses of liberals, conservatives to environmental framing; the predictive power of symbolic versus operational ideologies on policy attitudes; and whether higher political knowledge was associated with more extreme attitudes.
Faculty supervisor: Michael Corman
Personal Note: Though this reflexive research was about turning inward, those involved in my educational journey were pivotal for making this project possible. I am exceptionally grateful for those around me who supported me in recognizing my pedagogical values and am especially thankful to those who inspired me to have a voice in the realm of teaching and learning. To my supervisor and mentor, Mike, your educational philosophies have inspired me beyond what words can express, and I cannot thank you enough for your consistent guidance and support. As someone aspiring to become an educator, my experience at UFV—and the privilege of learning from many inspiring professors—has been profoundly influential.
Project Summary: Institutional ethnography (IE) is a sociology that demonstrates how peoples’ everyday lives are organized; by showing how things work, IE can produce knowledge that makes it possible to realize practical social change. Despite offering such promise, IE is exceptionally complex and learning IE as a method of inquiry is often discussed in the context of graduate school. In this autoethnographic study, I systematically investigate my experience with learning IE – one that felt seemingly impossible as an undergraduate student who entered the realm of IE literature that was geared towards graduate students. DBy drawing upon IE’s foundation of people as experts of their own lives, I dive into the particulars of learning IE by situating my experience with making sense of IE as an opportunity to produce knowledge about how the IE learning landscape can be more inclusive of undergraduate students. More specifically, I illuminate institutional barriers and supports that shaped my journey with understanding IE; in doing so, I offer insight into both the importance and pedagogical possibilities of making IE more accessible to undergraduate students.
Faculty supervisor: Karen Natho
Personal Note: Participating in undergraduate research through the School of Kinesiology has provided me with invaluable hands-on experience in both qualitative and quantitative community-based research. My involvement in a peer-led hiking study for older adults and a Boccia program for individuals with physical disabilities has deepened my understanding of inclusive program design and health promotion. These experiences have strengthened my skills in research design and methods, while also reinforcing my passion for creating accessible, person-centered physical activity opportunities. Working directly with diverse populations has broadened my perspective and affirmed my long-term interest in rehabilitation sciences and promoting life-long physical activity. I am excited to carry these insights into graduate studies, where I hope to continue bridging research with real-world application. Being selected for this award is an honour, and I am grateful to my supervisors, mentors, and participants for their support in helping me grow as a student and researcher.
Project Summary: This study explored how Kinesiology undergraduate student volunteers facilitated quality participation (QP) in a six-week community-based Boccia program for individuals with physical disabilities. Grounded in the Canadian Disability Participation Project’s QP framework, the program focused on six core building blocks: autonomy, belongingness, challenge, engagement, meaning, and mastery. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining weekly audio reflections, Likert scale ratings, and semi-structured interviews to assess volunteers’ observations, strategies, and learning. Volunteers reported that autonomy and belongingness were essential to fostering QP, while mastery was seen as an outcome of QP rather than a prerequisite. Findings emphasized the value of person-centered programming, goal setting, and intentional planning in creating inclusive physical activity spaces. Insights gained from this research have practical implications for future training, program design, and sustainability of community-based exercise initiatives for people with disabilities.
Faculty supervisor: Shelley Canning
Personal Note: It has been a privilege and pleasure to be involved in research at the University of the Fraser Valley. I had no experience with research before getting involved, but I am so glad I said yes. I truly value the opportunities I've had in research to create knowledge and effect change in issues that matter to me. I want to thank Dr. Shelley Canning for the mentor that she's been to me over these years. She has shaped my view of nursing and inspired me to be a nurse that truly cares for people. Not only that, but she has been a steady friend amidst the ups and downs of nursing school. I also want to thank the Office of Research and Graduate Studies at UFV for the honour of receiving this award, and for their support throughout the years.
Project Summary: The principles of health promotion and prevention have become increasingly relevant in the care of older adults as chronic illnesses take their toll. Unfortunately, considering the constraints in the healthcare system, providers find themselves inundated with acute clinical issues and a lack of resources to engage in health promotion and prevention. Older adults facing chronic conditions can be dismissed by healthcare providers as being overly complicated or beyond recovery. I conducted a research study exploring nurse practitioner’s experiences in providing this type of care to older adults with chronic illnesses. I drew on Interpretive Description in interviewing 10 nurse practitioners to better understand their practice experiences related to health promotion and prevention, including specific barriers and facilitators, and the interview transcripts were analyzed using an iterative interpretive approach. Of note the findings point to the enduring desire among nurse practitioners to engage older adults in health promotion despite facing many barriers. Finally, the findings inform recommendations to improve practice and promote inclusivity for all ages to receive health promotion and prevention education.
Faculty supervisor: David Dobson
Personal Note: I am a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student majoring in Marketing at the School of Business. As part of my academic journey at UFV, I had the opportunity to explore the topic presented in our research paper titled Factors Influencing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Canada. This research project gave me the chance to explore a real-life issue that’s important to public health, marketing, and the well-being of communities. Throughout the process, I was able to connect classroom knowledge with applied research skills, which gave me a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour, data analysis, and the role of strategic communication in influencing lifestyle choices. This project has helped me recognize how business professionals and researchers play a vital role in driving thoughtful solutions and innovations that positively impact society. I am grateful to Professor David Dobson for his guidance throughout this journey.
Project Summary: Our research focused on identifying the key drivers and barriers affecting how adults in Canada consume fruits and vegetables. We explored the roles of price sensitivity, convenience, social influences, and marketing message framing. We found that positive message framing—particularly highlighting immediate benefits like improved energy and concentration—was the most effective strategy. Additionally, affordability and convenience were critical concerns, especially for low-income consumers, while social and cultural influences played a major role in shaping dietary habits. These outcomes highlight the broader implications of our work in promoting public health and informing more effective marketing campaigns and policy initiatives. Our study shows how applied research can lead to real, useful insights and help people make better decisions. Through this project, we learned how clear messaging and a focus on what consumers need can encourage healthier eating habits. This experience allowed me to see how academic learning applies to real-world challenges, and I am proud to have contributed to a project with meaningful impact.
Faculty supervisor: Amir Shabani
Personal Note: This project was my first deep dive into research that felt both technically challenging and personally meaningful. I started with almost no labeled data and very little guidance on how to recognize subtle differences in emotion through speech. With support from Dr. Amir Shabani and my co-author Ishwak Sharda, I built models to detect not just what someone is feeling, but how intensely they feel it. I learned that research is rarely a straight path. There are false starts, unexpected insights, and moments where persistence matters more than having the perfect answer. What stayed with me most was the process of engaging deeply with a difficult problem and seeing it through. That is the kind of challenge I want to keep exploring.
Project Summary: This project explores how machines can better recognize not just basic emotions, but also the intensity with which those emotions are expressed in speech. Most existing speech emotion recognition (SER) systems rely on limited datasets that include broad emotional categories such as happy or sad, and often overlook the subtle variations that make emotional understanding more accurate and human-like. Our work addresses this gap by developing a fine-grained SER (FGSER) system that classifies five emotions—anger, sadness, happiness, disgust, and fear—across three intensity levels: low, medium, and high. To overcome the challenge of limited labeled data, we used a semi-supervised learning approach. This allowed us to combine a small set of labeled examples with a larger pool of unlabeled data. We designed two models for different use cases. We also applied data augmentation methods, including noise injection and pitch shifting, to improve generalization and robustness.
By incorporating only high-confidence predictions into the original dataset, we were able to expand the training data and improve model performance. This work contributes to the development of emotionally aware systems, especially in areas like social robotics and conversational AI, where understanding how strongly someone feels an emotion is just as important as identifying the emotion itself.
Faculty supervisor: Renee Prasad
Personal Note: I'm honoured to receive the URE award for the Agriculture department. What started as a little project under Dr. Rose Morrison in my first year at UFV has led me to study multiple aspects of vertical farming with the support Dr. Renee Prasad and even selling my own vertically grown produce at UFV's first farmers market. This passion for agriculture has also garnered me a research assistant position working for the university under Dr. Alesandros Glaros as we continue to investigate the vertical agriculture industry in British Columbia. I am very thankful for the support these great instructors have given me over my academic career.
Project Summary: This project was centered around identifying an optimized growing medium for microgreens grown in a vertical setting. I chose to study an organic soil based growing medium and compare it to a synthetic based medium produced by a local company based out of Abbotsford. Microgreens can grow without fertilizer, meaning that the growing medium has a strong influence on productivity and performance.
By comparing yields among multiple replicates and noting observations I was able to determine the pros and cons for both mediums while identifying what types of growers may prefer one over the other.
Commercial growers and agripreneurs could see higher yields with an organic soil-based medium that can be repurposed for other farm uses such as compost. However, the home-grower or hobbyist could see that the ease of use and simplicity of the synthetic medium may suit their needs better.
Faculty supervisor: Linus Chiang
Personal Note: This project was completed with the help of Avery LeComte, Megan Mulder, Khuong Ho and Wen Zhou.
Project Summary: This project focuses on the synthesis and characterization of homobimetallic dicopper complexes. The synthezised complexes that were focused on in this project were a copper methoxide and a copper chloride complex. The target ligand, H₄L, contains two metal binding pockets bridged by a pyradizine functional group that is envisaged to separately coordinate two copper ions, while also incorporating the well-established redox active aminophenol ligand. This project discusses the coordination chemistry of H₄L, its characterization, and efforts towards varying the substituents in the intermetallic space of the complexes. Ultimately, the copper methoxide and chloride complexes were synthesized and structurally characterized by solid state X-ray diffraction. The electronic structure of both complexes were investigated using electrochemistry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry.
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Sam Woor, Dr. Maria Schaarschmidt, Dr. Olav Lian
Personal Note: I am a current Bachelor of Science student majoring in Physical Geography, a passion of which I discovered during my first semester at UFV. Over the last two semesters, I have worked as a student research assistant in the Luminescence Dating Laboratory. This experience has allowed me to not only strengthen my knowledge and skillset of optical dating methods, but to also conduct research in a relevant field, an opportunity I am extremely grateful for. After graduation, I plan to pursue further education and work toward obtaining my Professional Geoscientist certification.
Project Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of using infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating of potassium-rich feldspars (KF) to provide ages of alluvial fan sediments in the Thompson River Valley. By determining the age of these sediments, conclusions regarding the timing and nature of adjustments made in the post-glacial landscape can be reached. In previously conducted studies in the region, more commonly utilized luminescence dating methods have been shown to be inadequate, creating the need for a different approach. For this research, a sample was collected from an alluvial fan containing an independent control. KF grains were extracted and analyzed using IRSL dating at two different temperatures which yielded deposition ages of 8,800 and 8,100 years ago. These ages were determined to be in chronostratigraphic agreement with the independent control and accepted. Therefore, it was determined that IRSL dating of KF can be used to provide accurate ages of alluvial fans in the Thompson River Valley.
Faculty supervisor: Mariano Mapili
Personal Note: I am a fourth year geography honours major and communications minor student in the Bachelor of Arts program. My time at UFV has been spent studying geoscience, human geography, and practical communication strategies. In addition, I am involved in various avenues of research related to environmental monitoring. After graduation from UFV next year, I look to enrol in a master's program focused on natural hazard assessment and associated community preparedness. From here, I hope to start a career working in Canada at the municipal or provincial level of government, either in natural hazards research or disaster management.
Project Summary: The organic matter (OM) content within soil horizons is one of the key properties vital towards soil development and sustainability. It has been attributed to enhanced soil structure, increased microbial activity, greater water infiltration, and other relationships with soil parameters. Forested environments in any stage of development harbour nonhomogeneous soils with OM levels that reflect their location, elevation, and age. Based on the combination of its prominence and variability, OM can be considered an indicative proxy for soil and broader environmental health. The vast forests surrounding the shores of Sxótsaqel (Chilliwack Lake) are not only spatially impressive, but also host varying elevations and are differentiated via anthropogenic logging. As such, they act to make regional OM content dynamic to a high degree. The Indigenous significance of the lake as the Ts'elxwéyeqw Tribe’s ancestorial home further adds importance to bridge the gap and inspire collaboration with Indigenous peoples. Together, efforts to understand soil health would act to preserve the environment and support a healthier ecological underpinning at Sxótsaqel and beyond.
Faculty supervisor: Nikki Yee
Personal Note: I am a first-generation Canadian and the proud daughter of Fijian parents. I recently completed my baccalaureate in history and will be pursuing a second baccalaureate in education at UBC this fall, with the goal of teaching at the secondary level. My coursework with Dr. Yee shed new light on education by considering the experience of both educators and learners. This enabled me to bridge academic research with an examination of my firsthand experiences, providing an honest and humanizing portrayal of the issues caused by racism in education. This project helped me understand my own educational journey and equipped me with a framework that I intend to carry into my upcoming role as an educator.
Project Summary: The purpose of this research was to explore the harm that conscious and subconscious racial bias from educators causes to students and contemplate avenues towards harm reduction. This query found that racism in education is rooted in colonialism, creating persistent inequalities for students of colour and other marginalized groups. Members of these communities are disproportionately subjected to unfair treatment which negatively affect students' mental health, self-worth, and developmental potential. Children are able to perceive discrimination from an early age, fostering distrust towards educators and the society they represent. This study found that racial bias disrupts experiential holistic learning in students, hindering critical growth and learning processes that help students navigate the world. My research draws from academic literature and my firsthand experiences to provide a raw example of the harms racial bias can cause to a racialized student’s development and worldview by reflecting on the racism I experienced from a teacher and the consequences it has had on my personal development.
Faculty supervisor: Rita Dhungel
Personal Note: I reside in Abbotsford, B.C. on the traditional territories of the Sumas First Nation and the Matsqui First Nation. I have studied at UFV for seven years now, having received my Certificate, Diploma, and now my Bachelors of Social Work Degree. I have had the privilege of meeting many professors, peers, and colleagues throughout my studies here at UFV, and I am eternally grateful for the connections I have made in my academic journey. As I bring my Undergraduate Degree to a closing, I would like to acknowledge the impact that both Professor Dhungel, and Professor Dueck have had in shaping me as a social worker. Without them, I would have never accomplished the research I have before you today.
Project Summary: This project started as a class assignment between myself, Jasdev Sandhu, and Kelsey Friesen. We discovered three oppressive barriers that play a key role in discouraging South Asian immigrant women from leaving abusive relationships here in Canada. The first is rooted in cultural/social constraints, encompassing family honour/stigma, cultural expectations of endurance, and the impact of patriarchy in various South Asian cultures. The second is the systemic and institutional hindrance. This includes an immigrant’s experience with distrusting formal systems, the inaccessibility to culturally competent services, and the inefficiencies in the judicial system. The third was the economic and structural vulnerabilities these women are subjected to. This includes their economic dependency on their abuser, the isolation/language barriers that prevent them from accessing resources, and finally, the immigration status/deportation fears. This review highlights the implications for the field of social work in relation to the issue, and identifies numerous reformations and innovations to help bridge the gap for the South Asian immigrant women here in Canada. My colleagues and our supervisor Rita Dhungel were all instrumental in getting this project the recognition it deserves. We hope to bring advocacy and awareness to this issue, and pursue formal publication with our findings.
"(Research has) been a really sweet way to optimize my time at school. Looking back, I’m so grateful that I did this. It has truly been a highlight to work under Shelley (Canning). She has been a wonderful mentor and has impacted me and my nursing practice immensely."