Royal Roads University

Royal Roads University (RRU) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, like many institutions of higher learning, has made climate action a major focus for institutional activity. This study of Scope 3 air travel-related emissions at RRU was done to further the analytical work regarding the institution’s various emissions sources. A GHG analysis tool was used to examine air travel during the pre-COVID year 2019, focusing on faculty, marketing staff and the five executive members of the administrative cohort, as well as both domestic and international student travel. RRU had at that time ≈80 faculty, ≈600 non-teaching staff and administrators, ≈2500 FTE students. Results demonstrated that RRU employees travelled more than ≈ 4.2 million kilometres on business-related air trave In 2019, resulting in >1200 tCO2e of emissions. However, student air travel in 2019 dwarfed all other GHG categories, with domestic and international student travel accounting for roughly 28 million kilometres of air-related travel, resulting in ≈4600 tCO2e. Air travel overall generated roughly 85% of the total GHG emissions attributable to the university. Emissions from travel related to the university’s administration functions (including marketing and executive travel) are roughly equal to emissions related to the university’s academic function. Twelve employees (five executive and seven faculty, representing 2% of RRU staff) generate 25% of all the business-related air travel emissions. This study offers a window into the total air-related emissions of a small university, and demonstrates the enormous impact that international student travel has on an institution’s emissions footprint.

Child and Youth Advocacy Centres are a safe place where children, youth, and families who have experienced abuse can access supports in a single, integrated setting. A Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is a child-friendly facility in which law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical, and victim advocacy professionals work together to assess, investigate, intervene, and provide therapy and support for child survivors of sexual abuse and severe and complex cases of physical abuse and neglect. While these diverse professions are a hallmark of effective Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, how they merge to provide integrated, inter-professional services continues to be an obstacle. This research explored how a shared mental model framework could facilitate multidisciplinary team functioning in Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, open and closed card sorting were used to identify the task-, team-knowledge, and shared beliefs required for a shared mental model for the operating model to respond to child abuse at Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. The results of this research indicate that a shared mental model framework can be a starting point to identify areas of strength and improvement to facilitate multidisciplinary functioning. In this research, statements about the reasons and beliefs behind a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre approach were consistently shared. Three areas were identified as opportunities for Child and Youth Advocacy Centres to focus on and improve multidisciplinary service delivery: moving beyond shared beliefs, defining parameters of information sharing between multidisciplinary members, and clarity around tasks that are a shared responsibility.

Conservation communication tends to assume a knowledge gap between scientists and target audiences and focuses more on education rather than invitational forms of communication. Known as the knowledge deficit approach to science communication, this approach assumes a significant gap between the public and science-trained professionals and hopes to overcome that gap through communicating ‘better’ facts. Through the use of focus group data, this study examines whether a knowledge deficit exists between scientist, science-trained, and general public audience groups’ understanding of conservation concepts and evaluation and interpretation of conservation social media messages. We show that a significant knowledge deficit does not exist between these groups, and furthermore show between group overlap on key themes surrounding the presentation of social media messages. Altogether this suggests that adopting other styles of communication may enhance engagement with conservation issues.

Forty-seven samples collected from 23 creeks in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada, were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to assess how different land use activities affect physicochemical properties in surface water and metal concentrations in sediments. The concentrations of the heavy metals (Ag, As, Ba, Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) ranged from 2.53–4.11, 7.51–16.27, 98.06–674.21, 22.83–136.68, 2.72–9.10, 6.70–146, 14,516.76–62,755.68, 385.16–5126.12, 11.89–102.12, 5.02–161.83, 50.93–151.63, and 21.40–660.87 mg/kg, respectively, in the study area. High concentrations of some metals were recorded to be above the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Sediment Quality Guidelines, along with elevated contamination indices in some sampling sites. The pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) in surface water samples ranged from 5.50 to 8.27, 14.0 to 410.0 mg/L, and 19.0 to 903.0 µS/cm, respectively, with no discernible relationship between the surrounding land use. Principal component analyses revealed anthropogenic and natural processes enrich the sediments with metals. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed extremely contaminated sediment and a >64-fold increase due to high levels of Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn. The contamination factors fall in the following sequences: Cd > Ag > As > Pb > Zn > Mn > Cu > Ba > Cr > Ni > V > Fe. Creeks closer to highways with heavy vehicular activities reported significantly higher concentrations of metals. It is therefore important to adhere to the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation Model of the Government of British Columbia, which is vital for maintaining water and sediment quality, stream health, and productivity.

This paper examines the transdisciplinary collaboration between health practitioners, Indigenous community members, and doctoral researchers to democratize knowledge transfer enhancing social justice outcomes in the context of hepatitis C awareness with Indigenous communities in Alberta, Canada. Utilizing the impactful intersection between media and healthcare disciplines, two social science researchers built on each other’s qualitative research projects using relational engagement and participatory action research to co-create a DocuStory film and accompanying impact campaign. Diverse expertise and varied life experiences contribute unique perspectives transferring insights informing knowledge translation. Communication scholars, media producers, and academics are exploring the social function of documentaries and how they can be used to generate change. This innovative collaboration draws on the strength and creativity of transdisciplinary relationships providing opportunity for social justice praxis at the intersections of culture, theory, health, and media. This successful approach is relevant for numerous health topics and inspires transdisciplinary collaboration and media innovation in health promotion.

A harmful untended consequence of the protective public health orders issued during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was an increase in gender-based violence (GBV). This study examined the response of federal, provincial, and territorial governments in Canada to GBV during the peak of the pandemic (between February 2020 and October 2021) through a review of relevant media releases. These documents were then assessed for evidence of effective crisis leadership and compared to established international guidance for addressing GBV in disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. Five major themes emerged from the media review with respect to government communications and actions. First, governments announced funding to organizations working in the domestic violence sector to help support their ability to adapt their services during the pandemic. Second, media releases described efforts undertaken by governments to expand several different types of support services for victims of GBV. Third, governments promoted awareness of the ongoing problem of GBV, as well as its increase during the pandemic. Fourth, government communications acknowledged heightened risk for some populations, including Indigenous women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex populations, and those at risk of human trafficking. Fifth, legislative and policy changes were announced by some governments during the pandemic. An analysis of the timing of communications suggests that only the federal government and one third of provinces and territories took early action to address the increase in GBV during the pandemic, which is consistent with international guidance that calls for the use of the precautionary principle. Most of the governments responded to the GBV crisis late or not at all. Although the analysis of media releases alone is insufficient to establish the scope of government actions taken to address GBV during the pandemic, public communication related to ongoing threats is an expected crisis communication competency. This study offers recommendations for practice, which might help address gender inequity in disasters.

In this paper, we invite readers to engage with different possibilities for relating to the world and to food by imagining and enacting future food systems rooted in relational ontologies and interrupting the ontological dominance of settler-colonial food systems. We outline a framework that supports individuals, communities, and organizations to unlearn and disinvest from a Eurocentric agrifood paradigm that requires violence and oppression, and employs neoliberal, racist, patriarchal, capitalist logics. The framework is intended to provide language and concepts that may support food system actors to engage with critiques of colonialism, and their own complicities in maintaining contemporary food systems and structures. We advance promising pathways to creating relational communities of respect, care, accountability, and reciprocity These pathways are vital to healing intergenerational trauma, embodying reciprocal forms of mutual aid, unlearning dominant ontological and epistemological foundations, and imagining and enacting alternative food system configurations and relationships to food, nature, and other-than human beings in pursuit of just food futures and food sovereignties.

Scenario planning is a potentially effective method for supporting long-term planning for sustainable and resilient food systems; however, scenario exercises are often limited by too much focus on a single preferred future, not accounting for uncertainty in global trajectories and future conditions. This study engaged local food system actors in Revelstoke (Canada) in a workshop that explored a qualitative, scenario-based approach to long-term food systems planning in the face of uncertain futures. The study involved applying different global narratives to identify future local scenario alternatives that respond to the socioeconomic, environmental, and political pressures in these narratives. This study identifies two trajectories and sets of possible future conditions (i.e., Scenario 1 and Scenario 2) that differ from one another in the following areas: (1) health and wellbeing, (2) connectivity and scale, (3) human–environment interactions, and (4) economies and the nature of work. Additionally, the strengths and weaknesses of the qualitative scenario method developed and used in this study were identified, including considerations related to the application of the method, participant selection, the nature of the data, and the assessment (or lack thereof) of the likelihoods of future events. The insights from such a scenario-planning approach can be used to stimulate thinking about what actions and interventions are useful for making progress toward local wellbeing, sustainability, and resilience in the face of global challenges and exogenous shocks.

This article describes the challenges and issues associated with providing meaningful individualized support for youth who have experienced homelessness through the lens of a not-for-profit supportive employment and housing program provider based in a tourist town in Canada. This article challenges common atomistic approaches to individual support that fail to recognize the importance of the community in which they are provided and tend to underplay the vital role of relationality. Drawing on findings from a qualitatively-driven participatory action research multi-year project, this article describes a qualitative meta-analysis of findings from one organization that articulate the human needs required for optimal functioning, through the lens of Siksika wisdom, Cross’s relational worldview model, and Blackstock’s Breath of Life theory. The research findings emphasized the importance of the intersection of community, relationality, and communications to support program and participant success.

Despite the growing concern for food safety and environmental conservation, empirical studies on public awareness and perception concerning heavy metal poisoning are limited. This study examines the awareness, perceptions, and factors influencing awareness of heavy metal contamination in rice (Oryza sativa L.) among farmers and consumers in Ghana. Using data collected by multistage sampling from 275 rice farmers and 185 consumers in three municipalities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, the study employed perception indices and ordered logit regression models in the analyses. Results indicate significant demographic differences between farmers and consumers, with low and moderate awareness of heavy metal contamination issues among farmers and consumers, respectively. Both groups expressed strong concern about the existence of heavy metals in agrochemicals, including bioaccumulation, long‐term health risks, and environmental pollution. Factors influencing awareness levels for farmers included age, education, credit access, participation in farmer‐based organizations, rice consumption frequency, extent of agrochemical usage, and training in handling agrochemicals. For the consumers, major factors influencing awareness levels were age, education, rice preference, consumption frequency, and household size. The study recommends the implementation of comprehensive educational programs, enhancing access to resources for farmers, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to address the challenges of heavy metal contamination in rice production and consumption. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to improve food safety and sustainability in the rice sector in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Globally, elevated environmental mercury levels have been linked to artisanal and small-scale gold mining; however, investigations into mining communities often overlook other potential sources and their contributions to soil mercury accumulation. This study explored the positive matrix factorization receptor model to identify other possible sources of mercury contamination in two major mining communities (Kenyasi and Obuasi) and a commercial city (Sunyani) in Ghana. The mercury concentrations across the three study areas showed no significant differences (p = 0.257 at the 95% confidence level). The positive matrix factorization model identified mining as the major contributor to mercury accumulation in Obuasi and Kenyasi, with other activities, such as farming, also contributing substantially. The generation and burning of hazardous waste in the Sunyani municipality due to increased commercial activities have contributed significantly to mercury contamination. Although the hazard quotient indicated no adverse health effects in the study areas (HQ < 1), the pollution and ecological risk indices showed that Obuasi was significantly enriched with mercury, with considerable levels found in Kenyasi and Sunyani. The results from this study will serve as a good database for environmental studies on mercury particularly in Kenyasi and Sunyani, where there has not been any extensive research on mercury contamination.

This case can be used in a graduate assurance or financial reporting class or an undergraduate capstone course. It incorporates more traditional financial reporting and auditing issues with current topics, including Indigenous perspectives, sustainability considerations, and data visualization. The student, in the role of an auditor of a small but growing organization with progressive goals, is asked by the partner to analyze the audit and financial reporting issues. The client is also considering entering a new agreement with a local First Nation and has asked for the firm's advice on the strategic fit.

Recent research has revealed the significant role of perceived cultural differences, or cultural novelty, in shaping the intercultural experiences of diverse individuals. Yet, our understanding of how cultural novelty influences the relationship between language and cultural adjustment remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the moderating effect of cultural novelty on the relationship between foreign-language proficiency and cultural adjustment. Survey data from 1,092 international students in five countries were analyzed using mediation and moderated mediation analyses. The moderating effect of cultural novelty was confirmed, specifically in the host-language context, where higher cultural novelty significantly weakened the relationship between host-language proficiency and socializing with domestic students. Moreover, this research illuminates the influence of the lingocultural context on cultural adjustment. This study has important implications for higher education institutions. It demonstrates how cultural novelty can impact the ability of foreign-language proficiency to enhance student adjustment and the overall educational experience.

It is generally accepted that wicked problems cannot be addressed by a single organization and require multiorganizational arrangements across governmental jurisdictions and sectoral boundaries. Health leaders increasingly are being called upon to lead collaborative initiatives. However, doing so is fraught with complexity. This article draws on relevant organizational literature and an empirical study focused on public sector collaboration for the purpose of fostering climate resilience in the health system to put forward four guidelines for collaborative leaders.

Polar bears are coming into northern communities more frequently, and human-polar bear conflict is increasing. However, in the community of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, people live alongside polar bears with high tolerance and reciprocal respect. Through this case study, we explored human-polar bear coexistence in the community through Indigenous voices, documented social-ecological change, and mobilized recommendations as future visions to inform inclusive management and research strategies: elevate Indigenous knowledge, support proactive management and less invasive research, cultivate a culture of coexistence, improve education and safety awareness, and protect polar bears to support tourism. We used community-based participatory research, coproduction of knowledge, hands back, hands forward, and storytelling, mixing methods from the social sciences and Indigenous ways of knowing. Our study revealed coexistence can be a tool to bridge social and ecological knowledge, examine and facilitate wildlife conservation, and promote well-being through applied research on global issues at the local level.