Browsing by Author "Hurlbert, Margot"

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Open Access
Are Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Saskatchewan's Future?
(2020-11-02) Hurlbert, Margot; Eisler, Dale
Often, the best way to approach a policy challenge, especially one as fraught as climate change, is to start with a question. Or, in this case, three questions. It tends to focu the mind.
Open Access
Assessing the Effectiveness of Results-Based Reulations in Fostering Innovation and Social Learning: A Focus on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2019-12) Akpan, Jane Christopher; Hurlbert, Margot; McNutt, Kathleen; Rayner, Jeremy; Phommavong, Outhong; Street, Christopher
Results-Based Regulation (RBR) is a hybrid regulation that incorporates some features of a prescriptive regulation, outcome-based regulation, and co-regulation. Traditionally, the environmental activities in Saskatchewan were administered through prescriptive regulation. In 2015, RBR was introduced to substitute the prescriptive regulation. When RBR was introduced, some notable changes were made, and some expected outcomes were stipulated. The core changes that shaped this thesis include the introduction of ‘alternative solutions’ when complying with the regulation, reliance on qualified persons (QP) to certify alternative solutions, and a focus on results. The emphasis on results and the provision of alternative solutions were expected to give room for in-depth research and development, which may induce firms’ innovation activities. This thesis assessed if RBR had led to innovation, especially where a firm decides to follow an alternative solution in achieving the regulatory outcomes. To advance innovation, stakeholders’ interaction was deemed necessary. However, the level of interaction required for advancing innovation should be one that instigates a form of learning where assumptions are questioned, and alternative options considered, creating an avenue for social learning. Thus, the thesis assessed if innovation and social learning have been fostered by RBR? To achieve this objective, it employed a mixed-method approach; primary data were sourced between July and November 2018 through an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Fifty respondents completed the survey. To analyze the survey results, the researcher computed descriptive statistics, conducted a Chi-square test of independence and Spearman’s ranked correlation. For the interview, twenty-two stakeholders participated, and a thematic network analysis was employed to interpret the transcripts. After reviewing related literature and analyzing the survey and interview results, it was discovered that RBR had fostered some firms’ innovation activities. For social learning, some stakeholders’ interactions existed; however, the need to advance social learning through stakeholders’ collaboration was evident. Thus, the researcher recommended the formation of a collaborative risk management committee (CRMC) comprised of stakeholders within related environmental activities. The CRMC may deliberate on collaborative risk management processes (CRMP) with the objective of enhancing environmental protection, reducing non-compliance, advancing social learning and encouraging innovation. The research findings and recommendations may inform future policy decisions for regulating environmental resources in Saskatchewan and other jurisdictions that are currently implementing or proposing to implement the RBR.
Open Access
Battlefords Domestic Violence Treatment Option (BDVTO) Court: Examining the Standpoint of Female Victims
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2014-07) Michaels, Samantha Joanne; Hurlbert, Margot; Hampton, Mary; Greenberg, Hirsch; Juschka, Darlene
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious and complex social issue with potentially fatal consequences. Beginning in the 1990s, specialized domestic violence courts gained prevalence throughout several jurisdictions in Canada as a mechanism to address victims’ needs (i.e. safety, support, participation and empowerment) while, largely by the use of therapeutic jurisprudential tenets, increasing offender accountability. The Battlefords Domestic Violence Treatment Option (BDVTO) began holding bi-weekly docket court on April 10, 2003. This study presents the lived experiences of three female survivors who volunteered to share their standpoint, regarding their involvement with the BDVTO Court. Through the survivors’ detailed first-hand testimonies, obtained through qualitative, semi-structured interviews, this study explores whether the BDVTO Court is achieving its stipulated goal of meeting victims’ needs. A feminist standpoint theory was utilized as the epistemological position throughout the study. Aiming to give voice to females at the margins, this theoretical position informs the manner in which the interviews were conducted, the data analyzed, the findings presented, and how the recommendations and implications for further research were established. In order to determine whether the Court (process) is able to fulfill victims' needs, the preliminary inquiry required establishing the survivors' precise needs as they expressed them. Although many of the survivors' assertions were consistent with the literature, particularly regarding the need for support, information, participation, and so forth, none of these needs were more vital than safety. Through the survivors' lived experiences, it was found that the BDVTO Court cannot in isolation bring about optimal safety for female victims. Consequently, it is advanced in the final chapter that, in order to meet female survivors' needs, a multi-pronged strategy must be employed to reduce the occurrence of spousal violence and, when it does occur, better protect victims. While addressing the shortcomings in the application of the law as well as transforming the prevailing community attitudes and beliefs, this strategy intends to strengthen the various components of the Court.
Open Access
Blurring Divisions in a Fuzzy World: Climate Change, Nuclear Power, Public Engagement, and Energy Justice
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2020-08) Shasko, Larissa Loi; Hurlbert, Margot; Arbuthnott, Katherine; Hussein, Esam; Rayner, Jeremy; Farney, Jim
This study addresses the lack of trust, stakeholder conflict and binary ways of thinking that are creating barriers to the implementation of policy solutions to climate change. The divisive nature of the public debate over nuclear energy was explored through the inclusion of participants who held a diversity of opinions on the role of nuclear energy in climate change mitigation. This study uses a method of public engagement called deliberative mapping (Stirling and Davies 2004b) to bring citizens and specialists together to assess options for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in small, remote or off-grid communities, including assessment of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) as one option. Instead of oversimplifying complexities, multiple realities were brought together to expand understandings of what options are available and what the risks and benefits might be under different scenarios or according to different perspectives. Through qualitative analysis of the data collected, the theories of critical realism and queer ecology (Sandilands 2016) allowed for an investigation into binary constructions of knowledge that emerged in the study. Critical realism allows multiple ways of knowing to be combined, while queer ecology recognizes that the lines between society and nature must be necessarily blurred to ensure survival of all species, including the human species. Key findings from the study highlight that transforming energy systems to address climate change is dependent on transforming ourselves as humans as part of nature. Addressing climate change is not just about GHG reduction, it is also about understanding that human health and ecological health are linked. Fostering energy justice requires encouraging diversity in solutions. Leaving every available option on the table and allowing communities to decide for themselves is a less polarizing approach and enables the incorporation of local knowledge in those decisions. To foster procedural justice alongside distributional and recognition justice, the public policy debate needs to be opened up before it can be narrowed down. This includes opening up discussions on climate change to explore pathways to include community within our definition of nature and nature within our definition of community.
Open Access
Celebration Of Authorship Program 2021-2022
(University of Regina Library, 2022) Abbott, Sarah; Afolabi, Taiwo; Ashton, Emily; Bliss, Stacey; Bonner, William; Bradley, Crista; Brigham, Mark; Campbell, Ian; Campbell, Lori; Carter, Heather; Chadwick, Sydney; Chiefcalf, April; Clarke, Paul; Cliveti, Monica; Clune, Laurie; Demers, Jason; Donovan, Darcy; Eisler, Dale; Eaton, Emily; Elliott, Patricia W; Enoch, Simon; French, Lindsey; Gachek, James; Gardiner, Christopher Campbell; Berard-Gardiner, Shannon; Gebhard, Amanda; Grahame, Ann; Han, Yu (Jade); Hanson, Cindy; Hart, Mel; Hu, Shuchen; Hurlbert, Margot; Isiaka, Abiodun; Jaffe, JoAnn; King, Alex; Koops, Sheena; Kossick, Don; Long, Timothy; Maeers, Esther; Mair, Leslea; Mathes, Carmen Faye; Munro, Emelia; Naytowhow, Joseph; Phillips, Kaetlyn; Polster, Claire; Quark, Amy; Ramsay, Christine; Ricketts, Kathryn; Rasmussen, Ken; Reul, Barbara; Rennie, Morina; Rolli (Charles Anderson); Ruddy, Evie Johnny; Russell, Gale; Sardarli, Arzu; Saul, Gerald; Doke Sawatsky, Katie; Sellers, Cora; Snider, Amy; Stadnichuk, Cheryl; Stevens, Andrew; Stratton, Florence; Swan, Ida; Tomesh, Trevor; Trussler, Michael; Vélez, Maria; Wilson, Ken
For the first time in three years, we are thrilled to be again gathering in person to celebrate the published scholarly and creative work of our University of Regina community. Archer Library is proud to unveil the 2021-22 University of Regina Celebration of Authorship Program booklet. This downloadable publication highlights University of Regina authors/creators of books, edited proceedings, sound recordings, musical scores and film or video recordings published over the last year in any format (print or electronic). We encourage you to take a moment to view the program booklet and extend your congratulations to all of the University of Regina students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are being celebrated this year.
Open Access
Celebration Of Authorship Program 2022-2023
(University of Regina Library, 2023) Abrams, Kelly J.; Afolabi, Taiwo; Ashton, Emily; Battis, Jes; Bazzul, Jesse; Buchko, Denée M.; Coupal, Chelsea; Crivea, Jocelyn; Dupeyron, Bruno; Eaton, Emily; Fay, Holly; Farney, Jim; Farrell, Issac; French, Lindsey; Fuchs, Jesse; Garneau, David; Gerbeza, Tea; Germani, Ian; Gibb, Ryland; Grimard, Céleste; Harnish, Garett; Hoang Trung, Kien; Horowitz, Risa; Hurlbert, Margot; Jeffery, Bonnie; King, Anna-Leah; Knight, Lindsay; Knuttila, Murray; Kyabaggu, Ramona; Lavallie, Carrie; Lloyd, Kiegan; Lonie, Kelsey; Lundahl, Bev; Lylyk, Stephen; Marsh, Charity; McNeil, Barbara; Moat, Olivia; Moasun, Festus Yaw; Nestor, Jack J.; Novik, Nuelle; Owusu, Raymond Karikari; Panchuk, Kristie; Petry, Roger; Petry, Yvonne; Phipps, Heather; Ratt, Solomon; Ricketts, Kathryn; Riegel, Christian; Robinson, Katherine M.; Rocke, Cathy; Rollo, Mike; Safinuk, Corey; Saul, Gerald; Schroeter, Sara; Schultz, Christie; Wanda, Seidlikoski Yurach; Sirke, Kara; Sterzuk, Andrea; Stewart, Michelle; Szabados, Béla; Tremblay, Arjun; Whippler, Ryan; White, Judy; Wihak, Mark; Zimmer, Jonathon
Archer Library is proud to unveil the 2022-23 University of Regina Celebration of Authorship Program booklet. This downloadable publication highlights University of Regina authors/creators of books, edited proceedings, sound recordings, musical scores and film or video recordings published over the last year in any format (print or electronic). We encourage you to take a moment to view the program booklet and extend your congratulations to all of the University of Regina students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are being celebrated this year.
Open Access
Climate Change: The policy options and implicaitons for Saskatchewan
(2017-11) Rayner, Jeremy; Hurlbert, Margot; Eisler, Dale; Marshall, Jim
The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy has issued an in-depth policy paper on climate change. It examines the policy instruments being used to reduce carbon emissions, and the projected economic impact of each on the province of Saskatchewan. The study sets out the geopolitical, social, economic, environmental and fiscal challenges that are central to the climate change policy debate. It also explores the legal arguments likely to frame an expected constitutional challenge by the Saskatchewan government of a federally imposed carbon price.
Open Access
Climate Change: Vulnerability and Adaptation, A Case Study of Men and Women Farmers in Eritrea
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2014-03) Tesfamariam, Yordanos; Hurlbert, Margot; Diaz, Harry (Polo); Stewart, Michelle; Juschka, Darlene; Schick, Carol
This study is based on qualitative research conducted by the writer using semi-structured interviews with key informants, including elderly male and female farmers. An analysis based on a theoretical framework of vulnerability and coping mechanisms was also conducted on the lived experience of farmers in Berik, in the Central Highlands, and Barentu/Sosona, in the lowlands of Gash Barka, related to climate change, including some practical recommendations they made to help them in their daily struggles for food security. Eritrea is a sub-Saharan African country suffering from food insecurity due to climate change. Subsistence-level rain-fed mixed crops and livestock comprised 95% of its agricultural products. Low rainfall and droughts adversely affect these products. Adaptation strategies are related to accessing natural resources, as well as political, economic, social, and cultural factors. Furthermore, climate change does not affect everyone in the same way. Female-headed farms, which comprise 30% in Eritrea, are affected differently than those headed by males and their adaptation strategies differ, especially in food production. Even though female-headed farms are important producers they do not have equal access to resources provided by the Ministry of Agriculture because they are not considered to be primary farmers. This situation is exacerbated by the limited availability and affordability of agricultural inputs such as land, fertilizer, seeds and labour. Four prevailing root factors emerged during this study. First was rain variability which impacted heavily on food security. Second were social/cultural views of women which prevented them from being regarded as equal primary farmers. Third was the indefinite national service, which removed farmers from their family farms, especially males. Fourth were state farms that sold products for foreign currency and used national service workers for labour, which conflicted with the needs of family farms.
Open Access
Community ecology of migratory bats in a northern sky island
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2024-06) Green, Dana Maureen; Brigham, R. Mark; Baerwald, Erin; Somers, Chris; Buttigieg, Josef; Hurlbert, Margot; Fraser, Erin
Animal migrations are often motivated by the opportunity to exploit seasonal abundances of resources, a phenomenon particularly pronounced for species migrating to higher latitudes where seasonality is more extreme. Bats are the only mammalian order to have evolved flight, and three North American migratory bats are the long-distance migrating hoary (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver-haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and the regionally migrating little-brown Myotis bats (Myotis lucifugus). I describe a highly seasonal community of migratory bats in a northern “sky island” within the Cypress Hills of southern Saskatchewan, Canada, focusing on abundance trends, foraging behavior, niche ecology, and ecophysiology. By collecting data spanning 20 years, my first chapter describes that while long-distance migrating bats are experiencing population declines, the Cypress Hills currently has locally increasing abundances of hoary and silver-haired bats, likely driven by increased roosting habitat. Further in my second chapter, I found that three species of bat separate their ecological niches, allowing for current co-existence, but that silver-haired bats may experience competition with either the hoary or little-brown myotis. My final chapter describes the inter- and intra-specific differences of fur cortisol, a regulatory hormone often associated with stress. Notably, silver-haired bats exhibit elevated fur cortisol levels, but only in juveniles, suggesting it was transferred through their mothers milk while pups grew fur. Thus, female silver-haired bats likely have interactions within their environment causing increased cortisol circulation. Collectively based on my results, I postulate that long-distance migratory bats are disproportionally attracted to the Cypress Hills, and the local population of silver-haired bats may be experiencing increased inter- and intra- competition, resulting in heightened cortisol levels. Although each of the three bat species are seasonally abundant within the Cypress Hills, they are all currently experiencing population declines across their ranges. The environmental conditions hoary, silver-haired, and little-brown myotis bats face consist of highly seasonal resources in a relatively small area of land, while also experiencing habitat loss and increased risk during their annual migrations. My work highlights the importance of both long-term studies and datasets, and lays the foundation to continue to study the summer ecology of at risk species.
Open Access
Deliberation and Debate - Carbon Pricing in Saskatchewan
(Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, 2017-02-01) Chris, Ragan; Eisler, Dale; Hurlbert, Margot
Open Access
Energy literacy in the Canadian elementary classroom
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2025-02) Mosscrop, Larkin Elizabeth; Hurlbert, Margot; Coates, Ken; Longo, Justin; Bazzul, Jesse; Novog, Dave
This dissertation presents a body of research that addresses the policy issue of the effectiveness and role of curriculum in building energy literacy. Energy literacy, which encompasses broad content knowledge as well as affective and behavioural characteristics, will empower students to make responsible and appropriate energy-related choices, and embrace changes in the way they use and produce energy. Students who are energy literate will be more capable of engaging in thoughtful energy-related decisions as they become adults, informing policies and energy projects moving forward. A framework to assess if the elementary science curricula across Canada would meet the required elements to establish energy literacy in elementary school students was developed. This framework suggests that many of the curricula do not support energy literacy but rather focus on content knowledge. The science curriculum assessment identified all aspects of energy expected to be understood by the end of grade 8. This assessment was used to formulate the student survey, and the in-class focus group. Students showed general energy literacy during the focus group discussions in addition to significant learning and interest in energy after the discussion. Grade 6 students showed surprisingly high degrees of understanding and application when compared to the middle-school students. Teachers were interviewed to evaluate their use of curriculum in the classroom, teaching practices, and understanding of science literacy. Teaching science was raised as a way to increase engagement and accessibility for those who struggle in other areas in school. Science through self-directed project-based learning does not require the same level of literacy or numeracy for engagement. However, this focus on inquiry-based learning was bound by the teacher having enough engagement to answer questions and involve students emphasizing the need for professional development for new or complex topics. The ever-increasing demands on teachers to integrate social issues (e.g., environmental and climate justice) to science education is particularly relevant when considering that energy literacy has three core pillars including affect or the values and beliefs one has. This is particularly important with an increasingly polarized world, where students are bombarded with polarized media and face teachers who have their own implicit and explicit biases. Education must focus on facts while still providing a strong foundation of scientific skills that enable students to develop their own beliefs about science. The curriculum is not structured in such a way as it too has many implicit biases, such as defining energy as either renewable or nonrenewable. These findings support the complex relationship between knowledge, affect, and behaviour, underscoring the importance of using educational strategies that focus not only on cognitive development but engage the whole student in the learning process while still maintaining balance and focus on scientific outcomes. The results also provide evidence for using educational pedagogies that incorporate projects and inquiry-based models to connect the content to student lives outside of school. The results of this study do provide some insight as to the utility of curriculum as a policy tool, that is that curriculum is only one part of a complex system and curriculum reform alone is unlikely to equate to changes in the classroom. Overall, the results of this study support the need for wider implementation of science professional development, including project-based energy education and the creation of resources that can be easily and freely accessed by teachers. Key words: education, energy literacy, science literacy, pedagogy
Open Access
Evaluating the effectiveness of analogies in an infographic on low-dose radiation
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2024-05) Sahagun, Francisco Javier; Hurlbert, Margot; Longo, Justin; Dalzell, Matthew
The aim of this research is to address misconceptions about Low Dose Radiation (LDR) by using analogies. The nuclear industry has shown that trust is asymmetrical, meaning it is easily lost and hard to regain. This was evident in Saskatchewan, where a public inquiry in 2008 revealed a significant lack of trust. Conversely, Saskatchewan possesses one of the largest uranium reserves globally, offering a carbon-neutral energy source. Additionally, it is increasingly cost-effective in the context of carbon pricing, making it an appealing option to fulfill the province’s energy and carbon objectives while ensuring energy security. The choice of analogies is based on their proven effectiveness as a teaching tool over time. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a brief training program, delivered through infographics, on the public’s perception of LDR. The effectiveness of this infographic was assessed by comparing it with another that presented LDR information differently, focusing on protocols and safety regulations in hospitals and nuclear power plants. Additionally, the training included an infographic that outlined basic benefits of LDR, such as its use in diagnosis and therapy, and highlighted scientific sources. The methodology employed involved focus groups, which were conducted in three provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Respondents were divided into three focus groups, with approximately eight individuals per infographic. With two infographics in total, this amounted to about 48 participants per province, culminating in a total sample size of 150 people across the three provinces. A Small Modular Reactor, known as an SMR, represents a compact version of traditional nuclear reactors and is engineered for simplified and adaptable installation due to its reduced size and power output. For the data analysis 4 outcome variables were created to make an SPSS binary logistic regression to assess the possibilities to generate positive LDR perceptions; the possibilities to generate positive LDR perceptions and/or concluding that LDR outweigh the risk; the possibilities to generate positive LDR perceptions and/or having positive SMR support; and the 4th variable was the generation of positive SMR support after accessing the infographic. For the qualitative analysis the responses of the open-ended questions pre-infographic, and the learning and concerns post-infographic were reviewed. This research indicates that females may have a more positive attitude towards LDR when presented with Infographic 2, which details protocols and safety rules in hospitals and nuclear power plants. Conversely, males may feel more secure when exposed to Infographic 1, which utilized analogies. Notably, in Saskatchewan, Infographic 1 effectively garnered positive support for SMRs among females. Age consistently emerged as an independent variable that negatively affected the outcome variables most of the time. Meanwhile, income and education levels had a minimal impact on these outcomes. Keywords: LDR positive perceptions, LDR misperceptions, positive SMR support, climate change solution, trust in scientists, benefits from LDR, teaching protocols and rules, teaching analogies.
Open Access
An Examination of the Impacts of the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act on Community-Based Organizations
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2016-07-29) Hiatt, Daniel; Dupeyron, Bruno; Beland, Daniel; Hurlbert, Margot; Marshall, Jim
In Canada (AG) v. Bedford (Bedford Ruling), the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) ruled that three of the provisions included in Canada’s Criminal Code, ones that criminalized certain acts related to prostitution, violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter). The SCC determined that the Government of Canada (GoC) needed to make some fundamental legislative changes in order to bring Canada’s prostitution laws into harmony with the Charter. If the GoC failed to make legislative changes within one calendar year, the provisions in question would have been stricken from the record. The GoC successfully made legislative changes within the designated timeline by passing The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA). Little research exists that shows the impacts of the PCEPA on the Community-Based Organizations (CBO) who were actively involved with the consultation phases of both the Bedford ruling and the development of the PCEPA. This thesis seeks to fill this gap by offering a qualitative exploration of how the operations of sex worker-focused CBOs were impacted by the implementation of the PCEPA. To accomplish this, the researcher used qualitative research methods to explore whether or not participants’ day-to-day operations, funding streams, and delivered programs and services changed to conform to the PCEPA. The conclusion is reached that the PCEPA is a problematic response to the SCC’s ruling, one which potentially made the assisting sex workers more difficult for CBOs. The PCEPA has undermined the field of Canadian sex work advocacy, eroded the forms of capital available to CBOs, and created an environment of anxiety, and legal uncertainty.
Open Access
Exploring Social Learning in Yorkton Following the 2010, 2014 and 2016 Floods
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2021-06) Salman, Alida; Hurlbert, Margot; Dupeyron, Bruno; Warren, James; Mou, Haizhen; Dolter, Brett
The objective of this study is to explore whether social learning has occurred in Yorkton following the flood events that the City experienced in 2010, 2014 and 2016. The study also aims to understand the factors that impacted social learning’s occurrence, its interrelation with the window of opportunity, and the outcomes that it produced. The data for this study came from 15 semi-structured interviews and 110 newspaper articles on the flood events and the infrastructure upgrades. The data showed that the flood experience and the interactions and communications between the City, the Council and the public have produced social learning. However, this learning has been mainly single-loop learning, with some indicators exhibiting double loop learning. While the data revealed no explicit barriers to social learning, the perception that the public cannot contribute to stormwater management issues may have inhibited the degree of social learning that was achieved in Yorkton. In addition, the 2010 flood opened a window of opportunity for change, allowing the City and the Council to introduce a number of expensive upgrades. The subsequent floods contributed to keeping the window open. Furthermore, the data showed that social learning and the window of opportunity are interrelated. As a result of social learning and the policy window that opened after the flood, Yorkton is now more prepared to deal with future events, both in terms of prevention as well as emergency response. However, it was found that social learning is diminishing as a result of the passage of time and the false sense of safety that the infrastructure upgrades created. The diminishing of social learning has policy implications for Yorkton as the city has not yet implemented all the proposed upgrades.
Open Access
Exploring the Effects of Time and Money Pressures on Environmentally Responsible Behavior within a Group Resource Conservation Context
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2013-10) Scerbe, Andrea; Arbuthnott, Katherine; Smythe, William; Oriet, Chris; Hurlbert, Margot
Resources we use every day such as air and water are public resources so we are all active participants in the commons. A commons dilemma is a situation in which an individual has a choice between boosting personal gain and prolonging the common resource for the good of the commons and all who share it. Commons dilemma research is thus extremely relevant to the well-being of the natural environment. Participating in socially and ecologically responsible behavior involves costs. Individuals are often confronted with inconveniences when it comes to choosing to act in an environmentally-friendly manner. The present study examines the effect of time and money cost on cooperation decisions in traditional and reverse commons dilemmas. The reverse commons dilemma features a polluting scenario, and is designed to examine how individuals respond to limited disposal rather than resource withdrawal. Previous research using a different paradigm has shown that money and time cost might not be valued in quite the same way. The results of the present study indicated an interaction between cost type (money vs. time) and dilemma type (traditional vs. reverse commons dilemma): The most cooperation was observed for time cost in the reverse commons dilemma task. These findings suggest that individuals may be more willing to devote time than money in keeping a resource un-polluted. Keywords: commons dilemma, reverse commons dilemma, time, money
Open Access
Inclusive internal governance policies to support women’s representation: A case study of three mid-sized municipalities in Canada
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2023-03) Sheichuk, Anastasiia; Farney, Jim; Hurlbert, Margot; Berdahl, Loleen; Fletcher, Amber; Tucker, Sean
This thesis explores the recent phenomenon of inclusive internal governance policies (IIGPs) for municipal councils. Prior research urges the adoptions of IIGPs as they may help mitigate one of the biggest barriers to women’s representation – the negative political environment on municipal councils (Federation of Canadian Municipalities [FCM], 2018; Seasonova, 2022; Seiferling, 2016). IIGPs are needed to act as safeguards enabling a safer, more respectful and inclusive council workspace environment. Municipalities only recently started to adopt IIGPs, therefore, there has not been much research about these policies. The objective of this research is to expand the knowledge of IIGPs and to analyze the patterns of how IIGPs are developed. Three mid-sized cities in different parts of Canada were chosen as case studies – Yellowknife, NWT; Kamloops, BC; and Moncton, NB. There were two stages of data collection: a documentary review of research literature, policy documents, and newspapers; and 10 semi-structured interviews with former and current mayors, councillors, city staffers, and committee members. The collected data was analyzed using the inductive outcome explaining process-tracing methodology and multiple streams theory. This research collected detailed information about different types of IIGPs, discovering several new IIGPs (e.g., online meetings, gender-neutral language use, and online parental and caregiver leave). The IIGPs were summarized into a four-category system. By studying the journey of each case, from the first to the latest IIGP developed, I traced the process that led to the creation of these IIGPs. The biggest drivers of IIGP creation were the turnover of people with different lived experiences (younger people, women, and people knowledgeable about social issues), COVID-19, public scandals, and provincial or territorial government mandates. Through data collection, I amassed important new knowledge about the little-studied area of IIGPs for council. The research results help expand the literature on methods to increase women’s political representation. The collected data will be used by municipal organizations like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to create resources for municipalities on the best practices for the development of IIGPs.
Open Access
The Influence of Knowledge Acquisition on Attitudes Towards Radiation and Nuclear Technologies Among Non-Experts in Saskatchewan
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2020-03) Robinson, Shawn RIley; McNutt, Kathleen; Rayner, Jeremy; Hurlbert, Margot; Hussein, Esam; Root, John
The information deficit model attempts to explain the difference in attitudes that are held between experts and the lay public towards the use and application of matters of science. This model suggests that a paucity of scientific understanding and knowledge can lead to skepticism regarding a particular matter of science, and rejection of its use in a societal context. For example, in the case of radiation, non-experts view nuclear power plants and nuclear waste as riskier than do scientific experts on radiation, while the opposite is true when radiation is being applied in a medical context. The information deficit model is critiqued by opponents who point out that by focusing on the difference in knowledge between experts and non-experts, other elements that shape attitudes are not considered (such as ideology, political affiliations, religion, and valuebased identities). Direct testing of the information deficit model through application of an experimental approach is a gap in the existing literature. This research addressed this gap by performing a test of the information deficit model used a controlled experimental method. Random digit dialing was used to query 500 residents of Saskatchewan on their attitudes and knowledge about radiation. Subsequently, 80 of those individuals were separated into an education group (n = 43) and control group (n = 37). The education group received an education booklet and viewed educational videos on radiation. Both groups were then queried again on their attitudes and knowledge on radiation using the same questionnaire. A regression model of the responses from all 500 participants indicated a significant relationship between knowledge about radiation and attitudes towards radiation. Within the experimental treatment, the education group saw a significant increase in radiation knowledge along with an increase in overall radiation attitudes and specific radiation attitudes pertaining to nuclear power and societal approaches to radiation. This resulted in a lower risk assessment for some aspects of radiation among the education group, including nuclear power plants. When medical radiation was considered, the education group had a significantly higher attitude following the educational intervention when initial attitudes were low, and a significantly lower postintervention attitude when the initial attitude was the highest possible score. In a similar vein, CT scans were rated as riskier by education participants than the control group following the intervention. Pearson’s correlation indicated that, within the education group, the change in knowledge scores was correlated with a change in radiation attitude scores, with the exception of medical radiation. While not precluding the role of other factors, the results here indicate a role for knowledge in the formation of attitudes towards radiation. This understanding allows for a more robust prediction towards how the general public may participate in public policy processes, such as deliberative engagement.
Open Access
Knowledge Mobilization: Local Community Engagement, Sustainability, and Adaptive Governance
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2019-05) Lozhkina, Anna; McNutt, Kathleen; Hurlbert, Margot; Fletcher, Amber; Sutter, Glenn; Strickert, Graham
The thesis is devoted to studying ecomuseums’ role in advancing sustainability practices in communities, as well as the role of communities and ecomuseums in gathering and preserving knowledge about local heritage. The value proposition of the research is to recognize the ecomuseums’ social, cultural, and economic potential in Saskatchewan, as well as propose policy recommendations to improve their role for the provincial development. As partnerships formed by communities, academic institutions, and ecomuseums influence and facilitate local decision-making, it is also essential to focus on the practices of adaptive governance to implement sustainability initiatives and contribute to local knowledge mobilization. The key research question considers if and how community social learning can be advanced through ecomuseums within the system of adaptive governance. This project offers several key contributions to both the literature and society by using a community-based approach that addresses major aspects of heritage-based community development: How to facilitate ecomuseums as bridging organizations advancing sustainability, including if and how ecomuseums from the Ecomuseum Network in Saskatchewan contribute to sustainability and social learning. My general objective is to examine people’s perceptions about social learning processes and provide suggestions to the local ecomuseums, community members, and local government about policies and practices that can advance these processes and systems of adaptive governance involving the ecomuseums. Using the methods of community-based participatory research (semi-structured in-depth interviews, document analysis, observation) the proposed thesis identifies people’s perceptions about social learning and knowledge mobilization and the potential of the ecomuseums to advance adaptive governance. The conducted interviews and document analysis have enabled me to study sustainability initiatives, as well as realize the role of ecomuseums and communities in preserving local heritage and disseminating knowledge about it. Moreover, relationships with local schools and academic institutions contribute to knowledge mobilization. Analyzing community participation in decision-making has been beneficial to realize the importance of human resources and government support to sustain programs. Based on the constructivist paradigm, I focused on community-based participatory research, where the connection between social participation and knowledge generation is rarely examined. That is why exploring how knowledge production and mobilization transforms into community-driven social learning seems topical. Furthermore, this study of knowledge is essential for capturing the constructivist posture, as it is value-driven and generated through people’s on-going interaction. Participating ecomuseums included the White Butte Ecomuseum, Civic Museum of Regina, Calling Lakes Ecomuseum, North Central Ecomuseum, and Prairie Wind and Silver Sage Ecomuseum. I conducted 10 interviews: 6 with board and community members from the ecomuseums and 4 with public servants and policy analysts at the Ministry of Agriculture to gather their perceptions about sustainability and adaptive governance. I identified practices that can advance the development of the local adaptive governance system, and acquired perceptions about sustainability initiatives and social learning as they relate to adaptive governance, social development, environmental protection, and cultural heritage. Based on the findings, I propose formalized educational strategies to facilitate more active knowledge mobilization and social learning. As the participants stressed the importance of social media, the communities’ representation and active participation, I also recommend a communication strategy to facilitate governance and foster community engagement, public dialogue, face-to-face meetings, and brand and image campaigns to enhance the ecomuseums’ credibility. To improve the adaptive governance, it seemed essential to develop value-based strategies supporting the UN goals of sustainable development, as well as partnerships, communication and educational opportunities for the communities.
Open Access
"Ours is a history of adapting": An analysis of adaptive capacity to climate change in rural and small-town Saskatchewan
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2023-11) Campbell Gale, Holly Katherine; Fletcher, Amber; Reed, Maureen; Hurlbert, Margot; Diaz, Harry (Polo); McMartin, Dena; Desmarais, Annette Aurélie
Climate scientists project that the Canadian Prairies will undergo increasing effects of climate change in the future, and indeed have already observed significant impacts. Scientists have projected rising temperatures, changing growing seasons, an increase in variability, and more extreme and frequent disasters such as fires, floods, and droughts throughout the next several decades. While not all communities in the Canadian Prairies are equally exposed to the impacts of climate change, social scientists have noted that vulnerability of communities to climate change is not determined by exposure alone. Vulnerability is conceptualized as a function of a community’s exposure to a climate hazard, in combination with the social elements that shape the severity of the hazard. The impacts of these disasters are compounded by socioeconomic circumstances. In the rural and small-town Prairies, farming and resource extraction and development (e.g., oil, gas, and mining) are key economies. Given this dependence on natural resources, disruption of the natural environment can create economic precarities. Rising temperatures, increasing unpredictability in the growing season, and more frequent weather disasters require adjustments in farming practices, and these challenges are compounded by pre-existing socioeconomic circumstances that Canadian Prairie farmers have been facing for decades, such as expanding global markets resulting in financial precarities and reducing the number of food producers. These socioeconomic shifts, compounded with climate change impacts, have created conditions of vulnerability for many communities in the Prairies. Given these realities, communities must adapt to address the impacts of climate change and global economic patterns. With the projected rise in climate variability, unpredictability, and weather disasters, attention to adaptive capacity will be required if Prairie communities are to continue to support peoples’ livelihoods and well-being. This research investigates the social dimensions that shape adaptive capacity in rural and small-town Saskatchewan, specifically examining the impacts of socioeconomic conditions, the operation of resources such as social and human capital, and the ways these resources can work together to foster adaptive capacity to climate change. This study draws from interviews and participant observation in a central region of Saskatchewan to investigate the realities of adaptive capacity in areas with various levels of exposure to climate hazards. Forty-four interviews were conducted with participants in the town of Hafford, the surrounding Rural Municipality (RM) of Redberry (No. 435), the town of Radisson, village of Borden, and surrounding RM of Great Bend (No. 405). This thesis follows a manuscript-based format, with the three central chapters (Chapters 2, 3, and 4) each constituting a standalone article manuscript. Chapter 2 discusses the role of neoliberalization in shaping the realities of consolidated farming in rural and smalltown communities, and the influence of these economic and political patterns on population, social infrastructure, and ultimately adaptive capacity. Chapter 3 investigates the role of bonding and bridging social capital in shaping adaptive capacity, finding that bonding social capital might inhibit bridging social capital and consequently the ability to adapt. Finally, Chapter 4 analyzes how local governments can use social capital to mobilize the human capital often present in Prairie communities towards effective flood management, drawing from experiences of a flood that took place in 2013. These three chapters constitute the basis of this thesis, and all contribute to significant findings on how adaptive capacity operates in rural and small-town communities in Saskatchewan.
Open Access
Pesticide Utilization Practices, Exposure and Vulnerability of the Cocoa Farming Community of Ikwuano in Abia State, Nigeria
(Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina, 2016-04) Onyejieke, Martins Samuel; Diaz, Harry; Magnan, André; Hurlbert, Margot
The pesticide utilization practices, exposure and vulnerability of farmers to pesticide hazards were investigated in the Ikwuano community of Abia state in Nigeria. The social vulnerability theory, as developed by Wisner et al., (2003), was adopted as the theoretical framework, with an emphasis on the Pressure and Release (PAR) and Access Models (AM). A qualitative research approach was used which included interviews and focus group discussions. The study indicated that the awareness of pesticide hazards needs to be raised for farmers and the government. Farmers still use banned pesticides and they are seriously affected by these chemicals. It was also observed that the farming community lacks access to important resources such as education, training facilities, information and hospitals. These resources would have helped them to cope, adapt and recover from the impacts of pesticide hazards. The research also revealed that institutional limitations, such as government neglect, ineffective pesticide regulations and a lack of efficient agro-extension services are the contextual causes of the farmers’ vulnerabilities to pesticide hazards. These limitations consistently put ‘pressure’ on the farmers, while the Nigerian government has done little or nothing to ‘release’ this pressure. There should be more effective pesticide regulations and control in order to prevent the use and misuse of banned pesticides by farmers. In addition, the existing agro-extension services should be strengthened and made more effective in reaching out to farmers in rural areas, providing them with training and information on the safe handling and usage of pesticides.