FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KAMLOOPS–Four TRU researchers received more than $365,000 through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grants program, announced today by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced an investment of $141 million nationwide to support nearly 3,000 of Canada’s most talented scholars, including early-career researchers. The program supports research in its initial stages, and funding is provided for short-term research projects of up to two years.
“I’m thrilled by the calibre of the research proposals put forward by our faculty,” said Brett Fairbairn, TRU president. “To have these proposals funded, through what is a highly-competitive, peer-review process, speaks well of the quality of our faculty and our institution.”
“The SSHRC Insight Development Program has been especially generous to TRU this year, supporting the remarkable work of four scholars in nursing, economics, computer science and law,” said Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, associate vice-president, Research and Graduate Studies. “This research will have a demonstrable impact on communities, both local and national, and we’re exceedingly proud of the research done by all of our faculty and students.”
Projects awarded funding
Dr. Andrew Park, Computing Science, “Developing an interactive framework and crime analytics for public safety using the City of Vancouver as a model.” Park, who is collaborating with the Vancouver Police Department’s Dr. Valerie Spicer, and Trinity Western University’s Dr. Herbert Tsang, will develop a web-based tool to explore crime patterns and trends, allowing policy-makers to make evidence-based decisions.
Dr. Bonnie Fournier, Nursing, “What can we learn from rural youth? A community-based participatory research project.” Working with youth in Kimberley and Armstrong, B.C., Fournier will “hold space,” for youth, allowing them to identify what their needs are, and to support them to express themselves to address service gaps in their communities.
Dr. Matti Haverila, Economics, “Development of an online brand community model: The role of product, participant and country of origin.” Haverila will conduct focus groups, interviews and deliver web-based questionnaires throughout the U.S. and Canada to better understand how to leverage new technology to increase brand engagement and loyalty.
Katie Sykes, Law, “Access to justice through public-centred design: The Civil Resolution Tribunal as a case study.” Canada’s first online tribunal was established in 2016 and has handled more than 6,000 cases. Sykes will survey and interview those who have used the system with the hopes of finding out if — and how — it is helping to improve access to justice in BC.
Contact:
Danna Bach, Communications Officer
Research and Graduate Studies, Thompson Rivers University
250-371-5676 | dbach@tru.ca
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