Features session abstracts and examples of undergraduate student work presented during MacEwan University's Student Research Day.
Authors retain any and all existing copyright to works contributed to these proceedings.
Getting to the heart of gender disparity: with a focus on coronary heart disease
The Gender Health Gap is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Thus, a focus on the gender differences found in treatment and diagnosis of CHD/CAD will be conducted. A content analysis on medical professional's findings regarding the existence of these gender disparities will be conducted via videos uploaded to YouTube. Actively analyzing the broader themes within the expertise from a multitude of individuals will allow an answer to why we still see this 'gap' in terms of coronary heart disease at the level of diagnostic and treatment practices. The Results: a failure in early research studies including females in their clinical trials; leading to the overall lack of knowledge on female symptoms today. These findings allow more research on how to ensure equitable treatment in terms of diagnosing and treating CHD/CAD in Canada. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kalyani Thurairajah
Are nursing students really deep learners?
Surface and deep learning approaches significantly influence nursing students’ educational outcomes and clinical readiness. Surface learning emphasizes rote memorization, often leading to limited application in real-world settings. In contrast, deep learning fosters critical thinking, integration of knowledge, and practical skills essential for patient care. Recent studies (e.g., Dolmans et al., 2016; Khong & Tanner, 2024) highlight that active learning strategies and reflective practices enhance deep learning in nursing curricula. This abstract evaluates evidence-based approaches to promote deep learning, including problem-based learning and blended educational models, ensuring nursing students are equipped to meet complex healthcare demands. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Raj Narnaware
Harnessing generative AI (Gen AI) in healthcare: transformative implications for nursing education
The implication of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning human anatomy in medicine, allied health and nursing disciplines is highly debated but remains unclear. Our study aims to explore the extent and capacity that AI has been incorporated in the teaching and learning in nursing education compared to medicine and allied health disciplines. Qualitative analysis using databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, BNI, and Google Scholar related to AI use was conducted in our study. Our findings will explore current applications, identify research gaps, and highlight opportunities for advancing AI in nursing education. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Raj Narnaware
Copyright (c) 2025 Taij Mann, Kiara Ukrainetz, Sarah Burden
Enhancing Career Services engagement: understanding accessibility and awareness among third year students & above
Despite the comprehensive range of services offered by MacEwan University's Career Services, there is a notable gap in student awareness and utilization of these resources. This report aimed to develop and implement marketing strategies that will boost visibility and use among students, ensuring they are well-informed about the available services that can aid in their career development. The research also aimed to understand students’ needs from Career Services regarding flexibility, accessibility, and specific career support. The objective was to identify which services are beneficial to MacEwan students and determine the best ways to deliver them. The research design employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative component utilized a Google Form survey distributed through campus-wide emails and posters, resulting in 396 valid responses. Stratified sampling was used to ensure equal representation across five faculties, with 125 students selected using Excel’s RAND() function. The qualitative component involved guided interviews to gain deeper emotional and behavioral understanding. Major findings showed career planning and resume reviews were the most used services, while LinkedIn help and interview prep were under-utilized. Posters and the MacEwan Website were the most effective communication channels. Most students had 1–2 hours of free time in the afternoon. Recommendations include faculty partnerships, expanded on-campus advertising, faculty-specific targeting, increasing MacEwan website visibility, portal restructuring, aligning service hours with student availability, and correcting misconceptions. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fernando Angulo-Ruiz
Why buy? The impact of social media on young consumers’ perceived environmental responsibility
Environmental issues and consumerism are becoming critical to young people's lives and identities. This is a significant trend as they emerge as a vital segment in the consumer market. This seemingly contradictory connection can be better understood when considering social media's place in young people's lives. Social media is a powerful tool for consumers and companies, as it promotes products and perceptions. However, social media's role in shaping young people as shoppers is largely overlooked, especially in literature regarding sustainable shopping practices. Thus, this qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to investigate this topic through one focus group and 50 online survey responses. In it, many participants spoke about their struggle to balance a desire to make environmentally responsible choices with the pressures of social media, affordability, and lifestyle aspirations. They explained how these competing interests and obstacles create a complicated social landscape that young consumers must navigate. Thus, there was a call against the current system. Most respondents expressed heavy frustration about companies' roles in promoting overconsumption and continuing to overproduce, with little regard for the environment. This suggests that individuals feel negatively about environmental responsibility being cast onto consumers instead of corporations. However, participants still emphasize individual efforts to be environmentally conscious. Therefore, this study offers thoughtful and creative insights into how young people understand sustainability and their role in it. It also showcases young consumers' feelings and beliefs about how they can comfortably impact their environment, offering perspectives on healing relationships with companies and the environment. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kalyani Thurairajah
Interdisciplinary supports for student mental health: Pets Assisting With Student Success - PAWSS at MacEwan University
This research study is an evaluation of the Pets Assisting with Students' Success (PAWSS) program at MacEwan University. We need research on the effectiveness of low barrier, interdisciplinary campus services that help students such as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on campus (Ecclestone et al., 2023). However, there are no studies published specifically that explore the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in post-secondary education such as the PAWSS program. We used qualitative methods, and quantitative methods; specifically online surveys with student and staff participants after their PAWSS sessions. This qualitative phenomenological approach provided data on participants’ experiences and insights on their lived experiences. We identified themes and patterns in participants’ experiences during and after PAWSS sessions. Research participants voluntarily signed up and were provided with an informed consent form and the study has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. According to the research project findings, PAWSS program participants reported enhanced mental health, stronger social connections, reduced stress, and increased well being after engaging in sessions with dogs and cats. Participants also recommended broader advertising of the PAWSS program and increased availability of sessions across the campus. Furthermore, we are currently using measures for the levels of stress and mood before interacting with the PAWSS, and after attending sessions over 3 and 6 months (Spielberg et al., 1983; Cohen et al., 1983). The measures are The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-SF), and we will report the result in the poster. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anna Rissanen
An investigation into the correlation between social media usage and a low self-esteem score
The average time spent daily on social media is roughly 2 ½ hours; such an amount of exposure can cause detriment to an individual’s self-esteem (Chaffey, 2022). A correlation study is conducted to determine if there is an association between social media usage and low self-esteem scores. Participants anonymously self-reported both variables through a Google form that was distributed via convenience sampling. Self-esteem was measured through the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and time spent on networking sites was measured by daily and weekly usage. Microsoft Excel was used to construct a linear regression model and other statistical tests (ie, computing Pearson R-value). An insignificant association was found between the two variables; daily usage of Instagram and TikTok revealed a positive correlation strength of 0.205, while weekly use had a negative correlation strength of 0.172. It must be advised that there are several limitations in this study, thus the findings are in no way conclusive. Faculty Mentor: John Fedoruk
A stronger me: online resources dedicated to support victims of domestic violence
Why don’t they just leave? Roughly 24 people per minute experience a form of intimate partner violence in Canada. Despite this strikingly high statistic, domestic violence remains among the lowest of police-reported crimes, as victims often face barriers in accessing support from law enforcement due to psychological, economic, physical, sexual, or technology-facilitated abuse by their partners. Access to justice is a fundamental value in the Canadian justice system, yet it becomes a significant obstacle for victims of domestic abuse who seek to rebuild their lives after leaving their partners or as they attempt to leave (Government of Canada, n.d.). The primary focus of this project is to provide easily accessible online information to victims of domestic violence as they navigate the legal system in Alberta. My mission is to educate, encourage, and empower both survivors of domestic violence and those still navigating its challenges. Resources provided will discuss emergency protection orders, lawyers trained in trauma-informed response, shelters, and financial support. Additionally, resources will be listed to help friends and family members of domestic violence victims recognize signs of abuse and offer support. Recognizing that the effects of domestic violence extend beyond an abusive relationship, this website provides mental health support and online courses to empower survivors with knowledge and informed decision-making. Faculty Mentor: Ashley Stasiewich
Parental beliefs about children's language and music development: a pilot project
Parents have access to a wealth of information regarding child development; however, much of this information is conflicting, incorrect or misleading, or overwhelming in amount or complexity. We distributed a survey distributed to parents/guardians of children under five years of age (n = 27) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and surrounding areas. Descriptive and correlational analyses were used to address the following: (1) What knowledge and misconceptions do parents have regarding language development? (2) Is knowledge of language development associated with parental demographic variables? (3) What concerns do parents have about language development? Found that only 48% of parents sampled correctly identified the age range at which children tend to produce their first words, and only 53% correctly identified the age at which children begin producing two-word utterances. There were no significant correlations between any of the demographic variables tested and know ledge of milestones; however, correlational values indicate that this is likely due to the study being underpowered. However, this research informs the literature on areas in which parents have concerns regarding their child's language development, with the most common being their child not meeting speech milestones and having difficulty producing and understanding speech. This exploratory study offers insights into parental knowledge of language development, highlighting common misunderstandings and areas in language development in which parents have the most concern that can be addressed in future research. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathleen Corrigall
An examination of implicit theories of worry
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a relatively common mental disorder defined by chronic, excessive, and difficult to control worry. Moreover, individuals who worry excessively may think about their worry differently based on the implicit theories they hold, which in turn may influence their willingness to seek treatment. Implicit theories are heuristics held about personal attributes. Specifically, we will be focusing on growth mindsets (i.e., believing that a personal attribute is malleable) and fixed mindsets (i.e., believing that an attribute is unchangeable). Limited research has explored implicit theories in mental health, and no published studies have examined implicit theories of worry. We hypothesize that students who report more severe worry are more likely to hold a fixed mindset regarding their worry (i.e., more likely to report their worry is unchangeable). We also plan to examine if implicit theories are related to interest in various forms of treatment. Separately, we are going to test if reading the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) “Psychology Works” Fact Sheet about GAD will increase growth mindset, and therefore interest in treatment. In the study participants will complete a series of online self-report questionnaires before being randomly assigned to read either the CPA GAD Fact Sheet or CPA Insomnia Fact Sheet. Our goal is to recruit 300 participants. To date, 279 participants have participated. Our findings could provide a greater understanding of the role of implicit theories in worry and GAD, and may also have implications for the treatment of worry. Faculty Mentors: Dr. Alexander Penney & Dr. Michele Moscicki
A cross-cultural examination of the alchemical origins underlying medicinal uses of mercury across Eurasia
This study aims to investigate the different cultural perspectives that underline historical uses of mercury in medicine across Eurasia in the pre-industrial period. In attempts to compare and contrast the differences and similarities between these medicinal uses of mercury, this project reviews literature exploring the developmental origins of medicine from several general regions, including China, the Mediterranean, India, the Arabic world, and Western Europe. This investigation shows that Eurasian medicinal uses of mercury are closely related to alchemical philosophy and deeply intertwined with spirituality. The results of this study also show that uses and perceptions of mercury were highly similar across the continent, having been viewed as an element imbued with supernatural and transformational power, and likely developed due to centuries of academic and cultural exchange between these five major centres of civilization. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Treena Swanston
The intersection of religious control and gender inequality
The study connects two powerful systems–religion and the prison system through the lens of gender inequality to explain how these systems reflect and reproduce social inequalities, particularly for women and marginalized communities. Religion means different things to different people, and it plays a powerful role in shaping beliefs, values, social norms, and even political systems. While it can foster identity and unity, it has also been used to control, govern, and divide. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diane Symbaluk
Copyright (c) 2025 Kirpal Thind, Aviva Addo
The effect of task engagement on reward processing
Many aspects of human behaviour are shaped by reward processing, including decision making and motivation. Electroencephalography (EEG) has identified a neural signal called the reward positivity (RewP), which represents the brain’s interpretation of reward outcomes. The aim of this study is to see whether the RewP is affected by task engagement. Participants will complete the ‘doors task’, a decision-making task where selecting one of two doors may result in a monetary reward. In one condition (the standard version), rewards will be equally probable (50/50), while in the other, one door will have an increased likelihood of reward, introducing a detectable pattern. We hypothesize that participants will become more engaged in the patterned condition, and that the RewP will be larger when they recognize and exploit this pattern. This would show that the standard ‘doors task’ used to measure RewP lacks engagement and does not allow for learning, potentially limiting its effectiveness. These findings would have implications for researchers using the RewP as a biomarker for depression, ultimately improving the accuracy and applicability of EEG-based assessments in clinical settings. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cameron Hassall
Joan of Arc: a study in virginal power and female autonomy
This work examined the life of Joan of Arc a visionary and military leader from fifteenth-century France through contemporary records and later post-humous interpretations by admirers and detractors alike to determine if Joan was able to achieve autonomy in her brief career and if so by what methods. Using these resources it argues that Joan was clearly able to achieve an unprecedented level of political and military autonomy for a common woman in fifteenth-century Europe by using the holy notions of virginity and divine connection that has allowed many mystics and visionaries to ascend beyond their stations throughout history. Furthermore it considers the gendered notions of clothing that were clearly at play as many considered Joan to be ‘dressing as a man’ and changing her identity to achieve her goals an argument that this paper disagrees with based on the evidence. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sean Hannan
The Earth speaks: cultural trauma and climate change narratives in media
This honours project argues that climate change represents a form of cultural trauma for human societies and our relationship with the Earth as an active agent. While ecological crises are often framed through scientific or political lenses, this research emphasizes their profound social and cultural dimensions. Drawing from cultural trauma theory, disaster sociology, and environmental thought on the Anthropocene, the project examines how narratives construct meaning around environmental harm, responsibility, and the evolving relationship between humans and the Earth. Central to this work is recognizing the Earth not as a passive backdrop to human action, but as a sentient, responsive force that both absorbs and reacts to human-driven harm. The project maps how the Earth is cast as victim, villain, antagonist, or protagonist within climate stories through narrative analysis of literature, activism, and media. Focusing on narratives from the Global North, it interrogates how dominant discourses reflect and shape collective meaning-making around the environmental crisis. Ultimately, the project offers a new way of interpreting the climate crisis: as a prolonged cultural trauma that demands social reckoning and a reimagining of humanity’s place within a living, remembering world. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Stepnisky
During the Winter Semester of 2025, I completed an internship at the Royal Alberta Museum in the Military and Political History Department. I catalogued and researched several artifacts for the museum’s records. This presentation highlights the systems I used—both within the museum and online through platforms such as Newspapers.com and the Internet Archive—the insights I gained from working in a museum environment, and the artifacts I studied. My research focused on the historical and cultural significance of these items, both within Alberta and in broader Canadian and international contexts. The artifacts I examined include several World War I centennial remembrance coins and a World War II battle dress worn by a soldier who served overseas in England. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Aidan Forth
In her comic series, Hiver Nucléaire, Cab presents a warning of what dangers and hardships will come if humanity fails to protect the environment and each other. Using this warning I sought to imagine a vision of a future where community and ecological stewardship are at the forefront of society. This idea forms the basis of my creative writing project La Ville de L’Avenir. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Marla Epp
Evaluating the impact of virtual reality training simulations in nursing education
As part of their education, nursing students are required to learn how to operate a variety of complex medical equipment which is often only accessible in classroom or laboratory settings. Students are required to master operational skills, but are not able to access the equipment they need to practice. To address this issue we created a virtual reality IV pump training simulator so that students are able to practice anywhere, for as long as they need in order to master the skill. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential effectiveness and impact of the VR simulation by determining student satisfaction with this method of practice and their perceptions of the effectiveness of VR for their learning. Research questions: Do students view the VR training simulation as an effective alternative to a physical IV pump for training purposes? Are there any barriers that might limit students’ ability to access or use the VR simulation? How do students perceive the VR simulation in terms of effectiveness for learning? Our VR prototype was tested with current nursing students. This presentation will discuss the development, study results, and room for improvement. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sam Qorbani
Exploring Inclusive Personas for Sustainable UX Design
We wanted to explore how Social Sustainability could be incorporated in User Research in the UX Design field. For this, we chose to dive deeper into what inclusivity could look like in "Personas". When personas have a user base, *inclusive personas* look at the commonly unique needs of users in that user base, so that as much as possible, no one is left out. In the process, we used the Categories of Inclusion (Cognitive Differences, Ethnic backgrounds, Physical Capacity, etc.), the Pyramid of Diversity (ranging from No Difficulties to Severe Difficulties), as well as the Persona Spectrum of Scenarios (Permanent, Temporary and Situational) for inspiration. Some of the challenges encountered were: time, research methods, information architecture and visualization, as well as accessibility to user tests. This was a great opportunity for us and it definitely felt like a starting point that opened up more doors about what inclusion could look like in user research in UX Design, and what level of granularity is useful at that stage so that we can make products more accessible to users. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Isabelle Sperano
Copyright (c) 2025 Ingrid Felfly, Danielle Macdow-York, Angeline Santos
A Myth Greater Than Zeus: Popular Perceptions and Scholarly Realities About the French Revolutionary Levée En Masse
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the Levée en Masse, or more accurately, its depiction in history. For years, the Levee has been used as a tool of propaganda and a supporting part of Marxist history on the French Revolution, creating a myth or legend of the Levée en Masse as a spontaneous and patriotic event where the men of France rushed to the republic's defence. However, this has changed as historians both inside and outside France have challenged the myth of the Levée, and by the late 1980s, this myth was only perpetuated by a dwindling number of Marxists. The issue is that this perception of the Levée en Masse has been defeated in academia; the myths of the Levée remain in the popular perception of history thanks to two hundred years of Marxist literature and French Propaganda. This presentation aims to identify and debunk the nationalist legend of the Levée en Masse that has distorted the Popular perception of this pivotal and complex historical event. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kelly Summers
Interdisciplinary Supports for Student Mental Health: Pets Assisting With Student Success - PAWSS at MacEwan University
Student mental health is a critical concern in academic environments, where the pressures of academic life can significantly impact well-being. This study investigates the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in alleviating mental health challenges. Collaborating with the Pet Assisting With Student Success (PAWSS) program at MacEwan University, we aimed to understand how interactions with therapy animals could benefit students. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, we gathered data on student experiences with the PAWSS program through Qualtrics. Through the survey, we explored the way in which the program influenced students' daily lives and their ease of accessing these therapeutic interactions and considered improvements that could be made to make the program more accessible to students. Participants consistently reported reductions in anxiety and stress after engaging with the PAWSS events or encountering therapy animals in hallways. Our poster includes common themes about students’ experiences with the PAWSS program, which are visually reflective through NVivo. Our findings highlight the profound positive impact of animal-assisted therapy on student stress levels and overall mental health. The human-animal bond fostered through the PAWSS program not only provides immediate relief but also cultivates a supportive campus environment. This research underscores the value of interdisciplinary approaches to mental health support and the transformative potential of integrating animal-assisted therapy into university settings. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anna Rissanen
Copyright (c) 2025 Payden Bialowas, Abby Oloriz
Creation of Controls for the Identification of the Nuclear Localization Sequence of Flowering Locus C in Arabidopsis Thaliana
This project aims to create two controls for use in later honours projects identifying the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of the MADS transcription factor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana. First, I aimed to create a line of Arabidopsis expressing GFP using Agrobacterium GV3101 via the floral dip method. This will be used to show GFP fluorescence that is not specifically localized to the nucleus. Second, I worked on the removal of an internal BsaI site from FLC using site-directed mutagenesis to create an FLC:GFP fusion plasmid. This plasmid will be used to show that FLC localizes to the nucleus. Active nuclear import is required for large proteins, like MADS transcription factors, to translocate, which is needed for these proteins to perform their function in the correct location. Import is facilitated by the interaction of an importin and NLS, a specific amino acid sequence, of the cargo protein. Previously, research has characterized NLSs in other proteins as well as other domains of FLC. However, the NLS of FLC has not yet been identified. By contributing to the characterization of FLC’s NLS, I have contributed to the understanding of nuclear localization mechanisms. In extension, the continuation of this work will contribute to the knowledge of protein dimerization, transcriptional regulation, and plant development. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Melissa Hills
Pluralistic Mating Strategies: Examining Sexual Orientation with CNM, Jealousy, Sex Drive, and Sociosexuality
Studies on jealousy show robust and replicable gender differences in the experience of jealousy toward infidelity, though how bisexuality or CNM affects this remains to be explored. In this study, sexual orientation was explored with sociosexuality, openness to consensual non-monogamy (CNM), and sexual desire, along with predictors of jealousy and openness to CNM. Participants (n=764) from MacEwan University, the Pride Centre of Edmonton, and online groups completed surveys on Qualtrics. Data was analyzed in JASP using correlational, linear regression, and MANOVA models. (H1) Ambiphilics had more permissive sociosexuality and greater openness to CNM than both androphilics and gynephilics, and more solitary sexual desire than androphilics. (H2) Openness to CNM was predicted with the regression equation: Openness to CNM = 22.17 + 0.370*(sociosexuality) +0.269*(solitary sexual desire) -0.095*(dyadic sexual desire). (H3) Sexual jealousy was predicted using the regression equation: Sexual jealousy = 3.295 -0.169*(orientation). Gynephilics had greater sexual jealousy than androphilics and ambiphilics. Sexual jealousy did not differ significantly between ambiphilics and androphilics. People with pluralistic sexual orientation and openness to CNM differ in their mating strategies when compared to monosexual and monogamous people. These findings suggest that bisexual and non-monogamous individuals use differential mating strategies that may increase their mating opportunities. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Lynne Honey
Deadly Roads for Frogs and Toads: A Spatial Study of Amphibian Road Mortalities and Culvert Locations in Elk Island National Park
Road mortalities involving amphibians and reptiles are an unfortunate consequence of linear disturbances across landscapes. With the expansion of populated areas and the need to access remote locations via vehicle, roads are required, but their impact is greater than just their physical footprint. Mitigation efforts, such as the installation of culverts, are one option of reducing road mortalities among amphibian and reptile populations. Amphibians and reptiles are by far the group with the highest mortality rate due to vehicle impacts. Elk Island National Park, located east of Edmonton, Alberta, offers an excellent opportunity to look at the correlation between road mortality incidences and culvert locations. The main parkway receives hundreds of thousands of vehicle visitors annually, and, with culverts already installed throughout the road network, the analysis of the mortality frequency and location of adjacent culverts should be evident. By examining the spatial relationship between road mortality incidences and culvert access we hope to find a workable solution for amphibian populations. Faculty Mentor: John Fedoruk
Copyright (c) 2025 Michelle Nelms, Ramona Maraj, Mary McConnell, Michelle Hoang
Exploring Social Isolation Among Black Parents Who Have Children with Autism: Research Proposal
According to Dis/ability critical race studies (DisCrit), inequalities based on disability do not exist separately from those in other domains of life, such as race. Instead, they intersect, building upon our identity in ways that amplify one's discrimination and the discrimination of those with disabled adjacent identities (e.g., parents) (Annamma et al., 2013; Pearson et al., 2023). This literature allowed me to marry my interests in race and health to explore the (social) implications that autism has in the parenting community. As such, through my partnership with Autism Edmonton, I explored how inequalities (i.e., ableism and racism) present within Canada exist in a multitude of ways that impact the lived experiences of those with disabled adjacent identities, specifically Black parents of children with autism. This presentation summarizes a research proposal that was developed for Autism Edmonton as a community partner for a fourth-year independent study course. Which explores the subjective experience of parenthood and how it becomes impacted by social factors such as race and disability. In order to study this topic, we propose future research that uses phenomenology and vignettes to center the voices of Black parents of children with autism (Creswell, 2014; Creswell, 2018; Starks & Trinidad, 2018). This will give researchers and community organizations such as Autism Edmonton a deep understanding of the experiences of Black parents of children with autism. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kalyani Thurairajah
Falling Down the Rabbit Hole: An Introspective Self-Portrait
The purpose of this arts-based learning project is to link personal perception of self to theories and ethics studied throughout the Child and Youth Care Program. Within the self-reflective project the topics explored include: relational ontology, paradigms and life positionings, theoretical frameworks, and finally ethical frameworks. In participating, self-discovery and professional praxis were the focal points of the project. Part of this reflection relates to the characteristics of a relational Child and Youth Care approach; Being, Interpreting, and Doing (BID). Reflecting on how child and youth care practitioners function in supporting roles within the community. The project connects all aspects of course content, personal and professional experiences, interwoven into a metaphorical representation of self. There’s many layers represented when viewing my art piece. The process in doing this required the willingness to allow oneself to succumb to vulnerability in order to intentionally understand oneself. Connecting many metaphors throughout my lifespan which highlights my understanding of self through multiple lenses relating to the child and youth care practice. Faculty Mentors: Rebecca Stiller & Dr. Gerard Bellefeuille
An Analysis of Electroencephalogram (EEG) with Machine Learning
Our capstone project was done in collaboration with Dr. Cameron Hassall from the Psychology department at MacEwan University. Our data was based on one of Dr. Hassall’s papers on “Task-level value affects trial-level reward processing” (Hassal, C, 2022), where he wanted to determine if the Anterior Cingulate Cortex was responsible or involved in decision making. To determine this, a task sequence was carried out 427 times using 12 participants over a 52 minute period. While the participants completed these tasks, brain activity was being measured using an electroencephalogram (EEG). For our project, the goal was to train a machine learning model to accurately classify an EEG event after training on past events. In greater detail, we focus on the brain signal when the participant hit the left or right button in response to the stimulus which are colored shapes. Faculty Mentor: Dr. Dana Cobzas
Copyright (c) 2025 Isra Jime, Jesse Emery, Nhi Phan
Indigenous Resurgence and Futurism in Literature
In the realm of Canadian literature, the general question emerging asks “Is Indigenous literature considered Canadian literature?” To reframe the question, should Indigenous literature stand as its own category and how do Indigenous stories demonstrate history and culture within the framework of Indigenous resurgence? While Indigenous literature includes various genres and styles, I argue it is separate from Canadian literature as a whole. If Indigenous works remain under the category of Canadian literature, then another colonial constraint is placed on the native voice. Indigenous literature should be thought of as uniquely heterogeneous as there are a multitude of different cultures, languages, and practices which apply to their literary works. However, my focus will be on the regeneration and resurgence of the Indigenous voice through literature. Michi Sagiig Nishnaabeg author Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and Metis writer Chelsea Vowel challenge the depiction of narrative and storytelling by bringing indigenous stories to life in their works in a non-traditional way (with regards to Canadian literature). Simpson’s short story “Big Water” and Vowel’s comic “Kitaskinaw 2350” illustrate resurgence in literature demonstrated through the futurism of Indigenous culture alongside settler society. Faculty Mentor: Dr. L. Camille van der Marel
Radical Third Spaces: How Independent Bookstores Contribute to Culture
This study focuses on comparing the book culture of Glass Bookshop in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. Unobtrusive observation of the stores' websites, book club and in-store pop-up events, and in-store browsing habits at Glass Bookshop and Lighthouse Bookshop contributed to the data collected. Analysis of the stores' websites and events were one-time occurrences. In-store observations at Glass Bookshop and Lighthouse Bookshop occurred three times a week for two weeks. Data was analyzed using a qualitative approach. It was found that Glass Bookshop's minimalistic aesthetic was reflected through all its mediums. Lighthouse Bookshop's slightly busy aesthetic was reflected in the warmth surrounding its event and store aesthetic. A survey was distributed to both store's staff and customers, but the results are not discussed. Faculty Mentors: Dr. Lucille Mazo & Dr. Leslie Vermeer
Wildflowers of the North Saskatchewan River Valley: Making Natural Pigments for Painting Using Rock Minerals
This project of painting with rock minerals was initiated by an interest in caring for the environment, painting in a more environmentally friendly way, and learning how ancient cultures used to paint. The work on display showcases some of the native wildflowers that grow in the area of the North Saskatchewan River where the rocks were picked. Nature provided two elements for this composition: the rock pigments (material) and the native flowers of the North Saskatchewan River Valley (subject). The natural pigments for this painting were extracted from rocks by the process of pulverization. The rocks were ground by hand into fine powder, which was combined with a natural binder to make the paints. Carolina is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Mexico, currently living and creating in Treaty Six territory. She is in her first year of the Studio Arts program at MacEwan University. She works in painting, metals, photography, and digital art. She loves nature and everything outdoors. She received funding from the Student Undergraduate Research Fund from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications at MacEwan University for the purpose of developing this project. Faculty Mentor: Kerri-Lynn Reeves
Copyright (c) 2025 Carolina Gonzalez-Escamilla