From the ability to contribute to the growing research on climate change policy to approaches around housing the homeless in rural Nova Scotia, eight StFX students had a chance this summer to dig deep into research topics they’re passionate about as the recipients of the RBC Foundation Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Award.
StFX students Carly MacDonald, Josie Mallett, Mallory Long, Mitchell Moxon, Peter MacGregor, Maëlle Weber, Tehya Blake and Rae MacLean each received $7,500 to conduct research for up to 16 weeks this summer.
The RBC awards are aligned with StFX’s Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and support student research projects that explore public policy and governance issues related to women’s studies and leadership, economics, trade and finance, Canada-US relations, global affairs, environmental issues and policy, Indigenous affairs and governance, underserved communities, social policy and government, and multiculturalism and linguistic diversity.
“Receiving this funding from RBC has meant a great deal to me for multiple reasons,” says Mitchell Moxon, a fourth year honours sociology student from Fletchers Lake, NS, whose research centered around historical and contemporary approaches to housing the homeless in rural Nova Scotia. He is supervised by Dr. Joel Garrod.
“Primarily, it has allowed me to forgo my immediate reliance on working in retail employment and has given me the ability me to dedicate as much time as possible towards my academic pursuit. Secondarily, and on a more personal level, having been approved for this grant is a lasting reminder that I am capable of doing things that others view as worthwhile,” he says.
Mr. Moxon says the major benefit of this experience is the ability to dedicate an extra four months towards his honours thesis. “Conducting research in a much less rushed manner than I'm used to has taught me how to be more critical of the work I come across, I can be more picky and really dive into the nuances of what others have said on a given topic.”
ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT
Carly MacDonald, a fourth year economics student from Antigonish, NS supervised by Dr. Patrick Withey, who focused on capturing the economic impacts and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through policies that increase electric vehicle penetration in Nova Scotia, says she feels very fortunate to have this research experience, especially as an undergrad.
“It’s extremely motivating working alongside faculty with years of experience in their respective fields. This is my second summer as a student researcher. Having this opportunity again will definitely be one of the highlights of my degree here at StFX,” she says.
“I have learned how to think critically about environmental concerns and apply them to a modelling framework. I was fortunate to have other students working on similar projects which gave an added benefit of learning from one another as we progressed through our work. Summer research is a fantastic experience. There is so much to gain from working alongside faculty and students who share a common interest.”
VALUABLE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE
Josie Mallett, a fourth year environmental earth sciences student from Musquodoboit Harbour, NS supervised by Dr. Andrew MacDougall, conducted research on the viability of coral reefs in a net-zero CO2 emissions scenario. “I looked to see if corals have a chance of revival in the future when carbon emissions cease. I used climate data provided from global sources and I modelled the data using computer programs to look and see if future conditions will be viable for coral restoration. So far, the research looks quite hopeful!” she says.
Ms. Mallett says this opportunity means she gets to pursue research in an area of her choosing while gaining valuable skills in areas such as critical thinking and data analysis. Not only is this opportunity a means of applying her university knowledge to a real-life problem, but she also says it will carry into her future academic career when she continues to graduate studies. Another benefit, she says, was working alongside her supervisor and two PhD students. “I got first-hand experience from these amazing people in a field that I have been passionate about my entire life.”
MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE
Mallory Long of Ottawa, ON, a fourth year student completing joint honours in economics and math, used an integrated Temoa-CGE model this summer to explore possible pathways that Nova Scotia can take to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. “I modelled various policies such as a carbon tax, phasing out coal and other non-renewable resources, increasing renewable energy generation, and implementing negative emissions technologies. I estimated the economic and environmental impacts of these policies and created an array of policy combinations to meet Nova Scotia’s emission targets,” she says.
“Doing economics research this summer was an amazing opportunity! I built on my research from last summer and learned more new skills. I also got to contribute to the growing research on climate change policy, which is becoming increasingly important.”
Ms. Long, who is supervised by Dr. Patrick Withey, says she expanded her knowledge on environmental economics and learned more about economic modelling. “It was also a great way to do meaningful work in a field that I’m passionate about.”
VALIDATING EXPERIENCE
“It was so validating to receive the opportunity to conduct this research. Not only did I feel validated in an academic sense, but I was thrilled to know that other people felt like this topic was worth further exploration,” says Rae MacLean, a second year education student originally from Gander, Newfoundland who conducted research concerning the policies that schools have across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to protect and support their non-binary and other gender diverse educators.
“I chose those two provinces because I have been considering whether I would want to return home to teach. I saw and heard how 2SLGBTQIA+ teachers were treated by students and parents alike during my time at school in Newfoundland, so I wanted to compare the policies that would protect me personally depending on where I worked. I found that, at both the regional and provincial levels, each province has phrases where small changes in wording could be made to further include gender diverse teachers,” they say.
“I learned a lot about the research process while working on this project, guided by Dr. Wendy Mackey, and I know that I am now better prepared to - hopefully - work on a master’s thesis in the future.”
BRINGING ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT ISSUE
Maëlle Weber, a fourth year honours women’s and gender studies student from Cranbrook, BC, supervised by Dr. Rachel Hurst, conducted research on menstrual poverty in Antigonish and Antigonish County, which involved hosting a hybrid focus group, combined with a workshop. During these sessions, participants learned how to hand-sew menstrual pads and discussed their experiences with menstruation and accessing menstrual health resources.
Ms. Weber says it was a sobering and joyous opportunity.
“My research brought menstruation from the private sphere into the public sphere, which helped to combat the stigma surrounding menstruation. This meant that myself and my participants were able to discuss our experiences with menstruation and menstrual health management in a safe space and bring attention to menstrual poverty and the difficulties in accessing menstrual health resources. These issues are often experienced alone, in shame, and in silence which reinforces the stigma menstruators experience.”
Ms. Weber says while reading literature she discovered there is a growing movement within healthcare to recognize the menstrual cycle as a fifth vital sign, and this experience further strengthened her belief for this.
GAINING ACADEMIC, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
“I am so grateful for this opportunity! It has given me the opportunity to work with several professionals in my field and develop new skills that will carry over in my academic and professional career,” says Tehya Blake, a fourth year political science student from Ottawa, ON, supervised by Dr. Yvon Grenier.
Her project was titled "The Politics of International Sanctions in Canadian Foreign Policy (1992-2022),” and the research will be helpful towards her honours thesis. “I was looking at the broader topic of sanctions, the current debates and consensus in the literature. The main focus was on Canadian sanctions whether the Canadian Government has a cohesive sanction policy and how this may be influenced by democracy promotion and human rights protection.
“This opportunity has allowed me to prepare for my honours thesis as I continue to refine my research skills, time management, networking and extend my knowledge on a topic that I am passionate about.”
