Category: Research

Successful defense | Dr. Donna Swapp

Congratulations to Dr. Donna Swapp, who successfully defended her dissertation “School Principals’ Work in Grenada” on Monday, March 21, 2022 from Western University.

Supervisor: Dr. Katina Pollock, Western University
External: Dr. Kirk Anderson, Memorial University
Internal Examiners (Western University): Dr. Gus Riveros (Faculty of Education); Dr. Suzanne Majhanovich (Faculty of Education); Dr. Yasaman Rafat (Modern Languages & Cultures)
Chair of the defense (Western University): Dr. Betty Anne Younker (Faculty of Music)

Donna’s thesis has been nominated for the Cecile DePass Award for best doctoral thesis by a student from the Caribbean and for the the Canadian Association for the Studies of Educational Administration (CASEA) Thomas B. Greenfield Dissertation Award, presented to the author of the best doctoral dissertation in educational administration and leadership completed in a Canadian university during the previous year.

University of Regina and Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) sign equity, diversity, and inclusion research agreement

The Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) and University of Regina’s Faculty of Education are pleased to announce a new $93,450 research agreement, in which the Faculty of Education will conduct research and provide deliverables for Phase 2 of the CSBA’s anti-racism strategy.

“Systemic anti-racism is a fundamental priority for the CSBA and its member organizations,” states CSBA President Laurie French. “Review and revision of policies, including organizational structure and procedures, has enormous potential for permanent change to set direction and expectations for local school systems as a component of this work. We are pleased and impressed that improving equity, diversity, and inclusion is unanimously supported by the Board of Directors on behalf of their local school boards, and we are very grateful to be led and supported by the exceptional team at the University of Regina.”

The CSBA has completed Phase 1 of an anti-racism strategy which included self-assessments of the CSBA Board of Directors and a review of CSBA Policies. Phase 2 will include:

  • Developing a plan for implementing Phase 1 policy recommendations;
  • Developing equity, diversity and inclusion self-assessment documents for member associations and their respective school boards in communities across Canada;
  • Launching a national campaign to increase the diversity of locally elected school boards; and
  • Creating governance and trustee learning modules to increase awareness of the systemic racism in Canada that continues to disadvantage students and families who are Indigenous, Black or otherwise racialized.

“In response to the momentum around acknowledging and seeking to address systemic racism in Canadian society, the Faculty of Education — whose commitments are fundamentally grounded in the belief that schools can be incubators for truly just and pluralistic societies – is grateful to be able to partner with the Canadian School Boards Association,” says Dr. Jerome Cranston, Dean of the Faculty of Education and principal investigator for the research project.

The project will be supported by the newly formed Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration, & Development (CERCD), which was established, according to Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, Director of the CERCD, “to support educational researchers and research communities in conducting educational research and development projects that are meaningful to, and serve the needs of, diverse communities in local, provincial, national, and/or international contexts.”

The project is in alignment with the stated objectives of both the CSBA and the Faculty of Education. The CSBA states that it is “committed to promoting equal access opportunities for all students … by working to remove systemic barriers, address racism and adopt an intentional approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the work of provincial school board associations.” And the Faculty of Education “aspires to be a leader in innovative and anti-oppressive undergraduate and graduate research, scholarship, teaching, learning and service.” (Strategic Plan 2021 – 2026)

This project is being conducted from January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

For an interview with Dr. Jerome Cranston, please contact him directly by email: education.dean@uregina.ca

For an interview with CSBA, please contact executivedirector@cdnsba.org

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L’Université de Regina et l’Association canadienne des commissions/conseils scolaires (ACCCS) signent un accord de recherche sur l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion

L’Association canadienne des commissions/conseils scolaires (ACCCS) et la Faculté d’éducation de l’Université de Regina sont heureux d’annoncer un nouvel accord de recherche de 93 450 $, selon lequel la Faculté d’éducation effectuera des travaux de recherche et fournira des résultats tangibles dans le cadre de la phase 2 de la stratégie de lutte contre le racisme de l’ACCCS.

« La lutte contre le racisme systémique est une priorité fondamentale pour l’ACCCS et ses organismes membres », d’affirmer Laurie French, présidente de l’ACCCS. « L’examen et la révision des politiques, y compris la structure et les procédures organisationnelles, offrent un énorme potentiel de changement permanent qui fixe une orientation et des attentes pour les systèmes scolaires locaux comme composante de ce travail. Nous sommes enchantés et impressionnés du fait que le conseil d’administration, au nom des commissions/conseils scolaires locaux, appuie à l’unanimité l’amélioration de l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion, et sommes très reconnaissants de la direction et du soutien apportés par l’équipe exceptionnelle de l’Université de Regina. »

L’ACCCS a terminé la phase 1 d’une stratégie de lutte contre le racisme qui comportait des autoévaluations du conseil d’administration de l’Association ainsi qu’un examen de ses politiques. La phase 2 comprendra :

  • L’élaboration d’un plan de mise en œuvre des recommandations stratégiques de la phase 1;
  • L’élaboration de documents d’autoévaluation de l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion à l’intention des associations membres et de leurs commissions/conseils scolaires respectifs dans les communautés partout au Canada;
  • Le lancement d’une campagne nationale visant à accroître la diversité des commissions/conseils scolaires élus à l’échelle locale; et
  • La création de modules d’apprentissage sur la gouvernance à l’intention des commissaires et des conseillers scolaires en vue d’accroître la sensibilisation au racisme systémique au Canada qui continue de désavantager les élèves et les familles autochtones, de race noire ou de minorités raciales.

« En réponse à l’élan autour de la reconnaissance du racisme systémique au sein de la société canadienne et du désir de l’éliminer, la Faculté d’éducation – dont les engagements sont fondamentalement ancrés dans la conviction que les écoles peuvent servir de pépinières de sociétés véritablement justes et pluralistes – est heureuse de pouvoir établir un partenariat avec l’Association canadienne des commissions/conseils scolaires », d’affirmer le Dr Jerome Cranston, doyen de la Faculté d’éducation et chercheur principal du projet de recherche.

Le projet sera appuyé par le nouveau Centre for Educational Research, Collaboration, & Development (CERCD), qui, selon la Dre Andrea Sterzuk, Directrice du CERCD, a été créé « pour soutenir les chercheurs en éducation et les communautés de recherche dans la réalisation de recherches en éducation et de projets de développement qui sont importants pour les communautés diversifiées et qui répondent à leurs besoins dans des contextes locaux, provinciaux, nationaux et/ou internationaux. »

Le projet est conforme aux objectifs énoncés de l’ACCCS et de la Faculté d’éducation. L’ACCCS souligne qu’elle s’est « engagée à promouvoir l’égalité des chances pour tous les élèves … en déployant des efforts pour lever les obstacles systémiques, éliminer le racisme et adopter une approche délibérée à l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion dans le travail des associations provinciales de commissions/conseils scolaires. » Pour sa part, la Faculté d’éducation « vise à être un chef de file en matière de recherche, d’érudition, d’enseignement, d’apprentissage et de service novateurs et anti-oppression aux cycles premier et supérieurs. » (Plan stratégique 2021-2026 [traduction libre])

Le projet se déroule à partir du 1er janvier 2022 jusqu’au 30 juin 2023.

Pour une entrevue avec le Dr Jerome Cranston, prière de lui écrire directement par courriel : education.dean@uregina.ca

Pour une entrevue avec l’ACCCS, prière d’écrire à executivedirector@cdnsba.org

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About the University of Regina
The University of Regina—with campuses located on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota and Nakoda nations and the homeland of the Métis—is a comprehensive, mid-sized university that traces its roots back to the creation of Regina College in 1911. Today, more than 16,000 students study within the University’s 10 faculties, 25 academic departments/schools, 18 research centres and institutes, and three federated colleges (Campion College, First Nations University of Canada, and Luther College). The University of Regina has an established reputation for excellence and innovative programs that lead to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

About the Canadian School Boards Association
The Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) represents members from member associations serving close to four million elementary and secondary school students throughout Canada. Through its support of the public school systems, the CSBA supports excellence in school board governance and is committed to providing tools, leadership, professional development, and communication opportunities to trustees and commissioners across Canada as well as advocating for them on shared, national issues.

New book reconceptualizing science education

New Book! Congratulations to Dr. Jesse Bazzul and co-editors on their new open-access book titled, Reimagining Science Education in the Anthropocene” with chapters by #UREdu‘s Dr. Xia Ji, “‘Trees Don’t Sing!…Eagle Feather Has no Power!’—Be Wary of the Potential Numbing Effects of School Science”; Miranda Field, “Decolonizing Healing Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing”; and Dr. Jesse Bazzul (co-author), “A Feral Atlas for the Anthropocene: An Interview with Anna L. Tsing.”

Part of the Palgrave Studies in Education and the Environment book series (PSEE)

Editors Maria F. G. Wallace; Jesse Bazzul; Marc Higgins; Sara Tolbert

This book:
“Reconceptualizes science education in ways that center the concerns and interests of marginalized people.”

“Encourages multimodality in expression, including the use of pictures, graphics, multimedia, and different genres of writing.”

Download at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-79622-8

Faculty Spotlight – Dr. Cristyne Hébert

Faculty Spotlight! We’re shining the spotlight on faculty members this fall so you can get to know some of the faces around the Faculty of Education.

Meet Dr. Cristyne Hébert, Associate Professor in the areas of assessment, education research, and digital literacies since July 2018.

Dr. Hébert is passionate about stress-free, learning-focused and equitable assessment. She says, “I am a strong believer that assessment practices should not be punitive. I do not deduct late marks, and students are given the opportunity in all of my classes to revise and resubmit assignments. My hope is that this approach both reduces stress and creates a more learning-focused and equitable classroom for my students, and that they carry some of these practices into their future classrooms.”

Why should students consider taking courses in assessment? Because, “it’s important that new teachers think critically about their assessment practices, moving away from some of those traditional approaches that we know don’t support all learners. Teacher education gives future teachers the space to really practice and try on something new,” says Dr. Hébert.

Digital literacies are another area of study that Dr. Hébert considers important for students: “We live in such a digitally mediated world. As educators, we need to know more than just what to do with technological tools. Developing a deep understanding of how media shapes lived experiences, and how power operates (often covertly) within systems to limit access and participation is of fundamental importance.”

Dr. Hébert’s current research involves both assessment and digital literacies. She recently (2020) received a SSHRC Insight Development Grant for her study on multimodal learning and assessment practices in the province. As part of a larger SEED grant-funded project, Dr. Hébert says, “I am currently analyzing provincial school divisions’ assessment policies, focusing on modernizing provincial assessment.”  Dr. Hébert has a few other research projects underway, “working with both in-service and preservice teachers to look at how maker education might be enacted in the classroom.”

As advice for Education students, Dr. Hébert says, “Visit your professors during office hours. We set aside this time to meet with students to answer questions or talk through any course content or assignments, and are happy to see you there.”

If you are interested in taking a course with Dr. Hébert, she regularly teaches ECS401 (online): “This course takes a backward-design approach to assessment, narrowing in on curricular outcomes. Students gain experience with formative assessment, assessment tools, peer and self assessment, triangulation, and differentiation. My two favourite elements of the course are the assessment videos we watch, created by practicing teachers in the province, and the Rick Rant assignment, where students produce a three minute argumentative ‘paper.'” And she teaches EC&I 832 (online): “This course takes a critical look at digital citizenship and media literacies, focusing on how we might empower (rather than protect) young media users. Some themes we address include algorithms, technology and surveillance, memes and visual literacies, propaganda and fake news, and policing on line spaces. My favourite element of this course is the weekly collaborative work students produce, via Google Docs, applying their learning to analyze media.”

New book: L’enseignement des traités en français

Congratulations to the Editors (alum) Lace Brogden (StFX) Andrea Sterzuk (UofR Education) and James Daschuk (UofR) on a new book L’enseignement des traités en français & to #UREdu faculty, students & alum chapter authors: Heather Phipps, Anna-Leah King, Michael Cappello, Claire Kreuger, Carrie Vany, Naomi Fortier-Fréçon, Leia Laing, Margo Campbell, and Sylvia Smith.

“Conçu pour appuyer l’enseignement des traités, cet ouvrage, orienté vers les enseignants en formation initiale et continue, met en valeur des approches pédagogiques et des apports théoriques ancrés dans le vouloir de veiller à la décolonisation. Ainsi, ce livre cherche à expliciter en quoi les pédagogues sont agents de changements et encourage l’adoption d’une approche proactive et anti-oppressive dans une pédagogie au service de l’appel à l’action no 62 de la Commission de vérité et de réconciliation du Canada (2015). Ainsi, les chapitres du livre adoptent une approche réfléchie, ayant pour but de préconiser une philosophie de l’enseignement qui dessert la population estudiantine, autant autochtone que non autochtone…” Read more https://www.pulaval.com/produit/l-enseignement-des-traites-en-francais

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation – Funding Award

Dr. Nathalie Reid

Congratulations to Dr. Nathalie Reid, Director of the Child Trauma Research Centre at the University of Regina, on receiving a Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Research Connection Grant of $7,500 to study “Neuroscience, Play, Art, and Narrative (PAN) Woven Resilience-Enhancement Toolkits for Children.”

In 2020, Dr. Reid was also a recipient of a SHRF Research Connections Grant of $10,000 for the project “Creating a Digital Connections Hub to Support Children in Care in Saskatchewan During COVID-19 and Beyond.”

Inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis/Michif Education

We are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Gabriel Dumont Research Chair in Métis/Michif Education within the Faculty of Education, University of Regina.

Dr. Melanie Brice has been appointed to the inaugural Gabriel Dumont Chair in Métis/Michif Education for a 5-year term. Dr. Brice has been working with the University of Regina Faculty of Education since 2018 as an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Education, Language & Literacy Education, and Educational Core Studies. Dr. Brice a Michif (Métis) born in Meadow Lake and raised at Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan has a strong understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, languages and literacies, perspectives, educational experiences, and cross-cultural education issues.

The Gabriel Dumont Chair in Métis/Michif Education will increase research and teaching capacity in Métis/Michif Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina and enhance academic engagement with Gabriel Dumont Institute’s (GDI’s) Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP).

As Chair, Dr. Brice will focus on the research that seeks to understand and expand the scholarship of teaching and learning by building capacity in Métis and Michif education. The research program will focus on research, learning, knowledge-keeping, language and cultural revitalization, reconciliation, and inclusion with and by the Métis through formal education systems.

According to the Statistics Canada 2016 census, with a rising population of 51.2%, the Métis were the fastest growing population in Canada between 2006 and 2016. However, less than two percent of Métis people speak the Michif language, making the Michif language one of the most vulnerable Indigenous languages in Canada.

With the establishment of this new Chair, the first in a Faculty of Education in Canada, and many other endeavours toward Truth and Reconciliation, the Faculty continues to demonstrate a concerted and sustained commitment to teaching and research that is engaging faculty, students, and other education stakeholders in gaining a deeper understanding of our shared histories and a reconciliatory approach to a more just future. (Photo credit: Sweetmoon Photography)

Teacher-Researcher Profile

An interview with Dr. Brandon Needham, Principal of Melville Comprehensive School (MCS) and 2020 CBC Future 40 Winner, who successfully defended his dissertation, “Critical Action Research: How One School Community Lives out the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action,” on February 16, 2021. Co-supervisors were Dr. Twyla Salm and Dr. Jennifer Tupper. Committee members were Dr. Michael Cappello, Dr. Anna-Leah King, and Dr. Amber Fletcher. External examiner was Dr. Nicholas Ng-A-Fook (University of Ottawa).

Why did you choose to do your graduate degree at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina?

I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Bachelor of Education – major in physical education and minor in history, and a Master’s degree in curriculum studies from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S). I chose the University of Regina (U of R) for my doctoral work based on the reputation of the school, specifically, the notable research being conducted in the area of treaty and Indigenous education. My supervisor, and former U of R Dean of Education, Dr. Jennifer Tupper’s seminal work in treaty education became the basis to explore areas of reconciliation education.

The University of Regina was also one of the only doctoral programs not requiring a one-year residency for doctoral students, which allowed me to study and continue my job as an in-school administrator. This was very important for me, as I was not able to take an education leave from my school division to pursue a doctorate. The flexibility in the graduate programs at the U of R makes academia more accessible to those educators who still want to remain connected to a K-12 context and for that I was grateful.

What were the circumstances that led you to your research topic for your dissertation?

Having enrolled in the winter term of 2015, just as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report and the subsequent release of the Calls to Action occurred, this topic seemed timely. Prior to choosing this topic, I had conducted a research project with Dr. Michael Cottrell from the U of S on the implementation of treaty education through treaty catalyst teachers. My doctoral work was an evolution of this earlier work, which sought to investigate the challenges and opportunities in teaching students about the Indian Residential School (IRS) project.

What need were you identifying?

In my time as a classroom teacher and an in-school administrator, I have identified hesitancy from students and staff to engage fully in the teaching and learning of treaty education, and other Indigenous topics found in the curriculum. This was initially the case for me, too, as I began my teaching career. Having grown up in a town void of experiences with Indigenous peoples, I had to (un)learn many of the things I had come to know about Indigenous peoples. Through my various educational experiences, I gained a more nuanced understanding of myself as a White settler and the privilege that accompanies that position. Wanting to create meaningful change in my school community towards the goals of the TRC, this project offered the opportunity to invite others to consider their privileged positions. Much of the research conducted to this point had been with teacher-candidates; I felt that conducting the research project in my school may serve to help clarify the complexities of reconciliatory work in K-12 contexts.

Briefly outline your research question and findings.

The study was informed by the following research question: “What actions can a school community take to engage in the TRC Calls to Action to become a site where truth and reconciliation become possible?”

The findings of the study have been encapsulated in the following way: By living out the Calls to Action in our school community we learned to:

Begin with ourselves

  • Locate oneself in the context of settler-colonialism by confronting the various ways we have and continue to be shaped by it.
  • Understand the context of where the work is happening, seeking to understand the community we wish to transform.
  • Build capacity in ourselves so as to engage respectfully in difficult conversations we encountered on our journey of reconciliation.
  • Practice critical reflection and understand that the journey toward reconciliation is on-going and evolves with time.

Walk alongside Indigenous peoples on this journey

  • Bear witness to truth-telling (survivor stories and other Indigenous counter-stories).
  • Build and foster respectful relationships with Indigenous community members.
  • Create a support network (Indigenous organizations, community groups, academic institutions) to assist in the journey.

Engage in disruptive work

  • Work collectively and collaboratively to transform the teaching and learning of the residential school project, treaty education, Indigenous sovereignty, and ongoing colonial violence.
  • Encourage and influence those around us to include and infuse Indigenous perspectives, values, and cultural understanding into daily practice.
  • Transform the spaces and places in the school to reflect the historical significance of Indigenous peoples.
    Recognize the potential of schools and individuals in schools to be vehicles for reconciliatory actions.

What was memorable, a highlight about doing this research?

A highlight of doing this research project was having been fortunate enough to share this journey with the colleagues who participated in the study. Our group met several times over the course of the school year in the hope to live out the TRC Calls to Action in our school, which led to many meaningful conversations about the influence we have as teachers to make reconciliation more than aspirational.

What kinds of feedback have you received from others?

I have received very positive feedback from others. I have had an opportunity to share my findings through virtual conferences, with only positive comments coming from those sessions.

Were there any unexpected moments of grace coming out of your studies during a pandemic?

I would say an unexpected moment of grace that came out of this pandemic was shown by my supervisor, Dr. Tupper. She was extremely supportive and understanding of the challenges I faced as a graduate student, principal, and father of four children.

What are your hopes for how your work is taken up by others?

My hope is that this work is taken up in ways that continue to invite others to consider their positionality in our settler-colonial system and how they might use their privilege to explore the shared history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. More work is needed in how students take up and experience reconciliation education and it is my hope that this project can illuminate some of those possibilities.

While a student, Brandon Needham was named one of CBC’s 2020 Future Forty winners. Read the interview by clicking on the image

 

 

 

 

 

 

GA Award recipients

Congratulations to #UREdu Dr. Fatima Pirbhai-Illich and Dr. Fran Martin (UExeter) on being recognized by the Geographical Association with a Journal article award for Excellence in Leading Geography for their article, “Fundamental British Values: Geography’s Contribution to Understanding Difference” in Primary Geography.

The eCelebration took place April 8, 2021 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV-wM07mMwc

 

Jim Pattison Children’s Research Grant recipient

Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose with the Wellness Wheel team is recipient of $49,982 from the Jim Pattison Children’s Research Grant program.

Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, to provide a culturally secure space for knowledge exchange, mobilization, and co-creation, Dr. Mamata Pandey (SK Health Authority) and Dr. JoLee Sasakamoose (U of R) will be leading the study entitled “Okawimaw Kanosimowin (Mother’s Bundle): A Peer-Driven Approach to Improve Indigenous Maternal and Birth Outcomes.”

According to the Wellness Wheel Facebook Page, the researchers aim “to train Indigenous peers to advocate and assist Indigenous mothers through pregnancy, labour and delivery to postpartum stages. Another goal of the study is to create a mothers care bundle consisting of individual support links and services, essential mother and baby products and traditional medicines in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team.”