Available Projects
We are now accepting applications for Fall 2023.
Below is a list of available projects for Peterborough and the surrounding area. If you are a student researcher and see a project that you are interested in or would like to learn more about, please complete a STUDENT APPLICATION FORM.
U-Links Centre for Community Based Research
Also listed below, are projects offered by the U-Links Centre for Community Based Research, which partners students with projects in Haliburton County.
Please Note: Student travel between Peterborough and Haliburton County is provided.
Learn more about U-Links Projects here
#5027- The Impact of Work Culture on Employee Engagement 
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to provide labour market information, coordinate employment and training services, and engage employer communities. This study will provide insight into WDB’s understanding of workplace culture and its relationship to employee retention.
The student undertaking this study will carry out surveys and consultations with employers and employees to explore the meaning of work culture at a local level, and to inform policies and practices that have a positive impact on retention and attraction of workers.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5063 - Lived Experience and Social, Health and Economic Impacts of Inaccessible Housing vs Accessible Housing
The Accessible Housing Network (AHN) is a non-partisan collaboration of Canadian non-profit organizations working to support the human rights of persons with disabilities to end the extreme lack of accessible housing. To support their work, AHN is asking the following questions regarding barriers to the development of accessible housing:
-
What organizations within Canada support seniors and people of all ages with disabilities?
-
What circumstances, policies, and pieces of legislation are cited by government agencies (municipal, provincial, and federal) as barriers to the development of accessible housing, and how can these barriers be addressed?
-
What barriers (systemic, social, attitudes, etc.) deter the construction of new accessible housing by developers?
In addition, AHN is interested in better understanding the representation of persons with disabilities within census data. The student undertaking this project may also explore the factors and rationale that influence a person’s decision to self-identify as having a disability.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#5086 - Sustainable Garden Practices
Tecasy Ranch is a private property featuring a community garden that grows and distributes food to those most vulnerable to food insecurity. The organization is seeking support for a series of projects intended to maximize the food production of their garden while maintaining an eco-friendly and sustainable approach.
The student undertaking Tecasy’s Sustainable Garden Project would review literature and best practices used by other gardens and would provide recommendations or a manual summarizing sustainable garden practices specific to Tecasy Ranch.
Research Theme(s): Environment
#5090 - Sustainable Garden Practices: Soil Management
Tecasy Ranch is a private property featuring a community garden that grows and distributes food to those most vulnerable to food insecurity. The organization is seeking support for a series of projects intended to maximize the food production of their garden while maintaining an eco-friendly and sustainable approach.
The student undertaking Tecasy’s Soil Management Project would collect and analyze soil samples to assess the quality and would conduct research to identify strategies and best practices that support the growth of a variety of crops. This project should consider environmentally responsible practices and erosion-control measures to maximize crop yields.
Research Theme(s): Environment
#5091 - Sustainable Garden Practices: Insect
Tecasy Ranch is a private property featuring a community garden that grows and distributes food to those most vulnerable to food insecurity. The organization is seeking support for a series of projects intended to maximize the food production of their garden while maintaining an eco-friendly and sustainable approach.
Recognizing the impact that both insect pests and pollinators can have on crop yield, Tecasy Ranch is interested in better understanding the methods that can be used to control pests, or limit the impact of pests, while supporting pollinators. The student undertaking this project would assess the expected presence and absence of insects on Tecasy Ranch and would conduct research to identify and propose best practices for insect management on the Ranch.
Research Theme(s): Environment
#5104 - Development of a Sustainable Annual Fundraising Plan
Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre (KSAC) is a feminist, not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to supporting those affected by sexual violence and harm. In Peterborough, we offer crisis support, advocacy and accompaniment, individual counselling, group counselling, workshops, and prevention education. In our three surrounding communities of City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland, we work with local agencies to provide responsive healing support and prevention education events.
The student undertaking this project will develop a sustainable fundraising plan which will give KSAC a source of reliable donations to strengthen our services which ultimately benefits the cultural and social health of our community. Specific questions to be addressed in this plan may include:
-
What is the scope of existing KSAC fundraising initiatives?
-
What are the untapped resources for fundraising partnerships in the community?
-
What are other successful SACs doing for fundraising in cities of a similar size?
-
What do best practices look like for similar not-for-profit fundraising?
-
What could an annual fundraising plan for KSAC look like and what are the key elements that need to be incorporated?
-
How can a fundraising partnership with KSAC benefit local businesses?
-
How can KSAC attract local businesses to partner with us in fundraising initiatives?
Research Theme(s): Economics, Social, Forensic Science
#5109 - Exploring Client Engagement with Community Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (CVITP) 
The Trent Accounting Society (TAS), in collaboration with The Happy Wanderers, is a non-profit organization that provides students with the opportunity to improve and master their accounting skills and provide knowledge about Accounting designations and the Trent Business School’s Accounting Specialization program. TAS offers free income tax preparation assistance for students and community partners who work with clients to complete and file their annual tax returns.
The student undertaking this project will conduct a gray literature review to identify best practices for user engagement, barriers to access, and pandemic-related impacts in similar programs.
Research Theme(s): Economics, Social
#5118 - Indigenous History and Relations at Ashburnham Memorial Park
The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group (AMSG) was founded in June 2021 in order to advocate for positive changes to Ashburnham Memorial Park, known locally as “Armour Hill.” AMSG is composed of citizen volunteers who are advocating to and working with various City of Peterborough departments to drive conservation, stewardship, and recreation in Ashburnham Park.
AMSG is committed to a collaborative and inclusive approach and is seeking to improve its understanding of Indigenous history associated with this key local landmark. The student undertaking this project will engage with local Indigenous communities and available historical resources to explore this history, and to help build relationships that will improve collaboration in a respectful and meaningful way.
Research Theme(s): Social, Environment
#6001 - Canadian Armed Forces Simulation Training Department: Simulations Assessment
The Canadian Armed Forces Simulation Training Department is in search for a student to gather useful information and develop a Performance Management Framework for the simulation that guides strategic decision-making on training and resource allocation. The Canadian Army training system must be prepared to adjust and react to emergent threats to ensure adequate training is being delivered to a broad audience and be able to generate tailored capabilities regarding specific missions.
Under the Army's 2021 modernization strategy, simulation is to be increased in all forms of training. Despite the appetite to enhance the use of simulation, there is a lack of an appropriate performance measurement framework behind the simulation, which is what the proposed student will be aiding in.
Research Theme(s): Social, Business
#6003 - The Need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Brock Township)
The Township of Brock is a rural municipality with a population of approximately 12,000 and are currently in the infancy stages of forming a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee. To develop this committee, the development of an introductory training module to address leadership and inclusivity must begin. The Township of Brock is searching for a student to help develop background research on inclusive communication, cultural competency, empathy and belonging, and unconscious bias, as well as researching best-practices for the creation of a professional training module.
By the end of the project, the student undertaking this project will have created an introductory training module to reach the goal of improving the cultural competency within the organization and enhance the ability to empathize and encourage a sense of belonging for staff, council, and the public that they serve.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic, Cultural
#6007 - Feasibility study for low/no-waste wool production in Ontario
Mariposa Woolen Mill processes natural fibres including sheep's wool, alpaca, and mohair into artisanal textile materials. The organization strives to use ecofriendly soaps and sustainable practices to offer customers earth-friendly products. They are working to expand the uses and applications for wool as a natural alternative to many synthetic materials within different industries.
The student undertaking this project will explore the feasibility of a zero to low-waste manufacturing facility for the production of wool, with the goal of improving the environmental sustainability of existing manufacturing processes.
Research Theme(s): Business, Economics, Environment
#6016 - Development of a Patient Engagement Evaluation Framework
CarePartners is a home care provider that provides Personal Support Workers (PSWs), rehabilitation services and nursing care for patients in homes, schools, retirement homes, clinics, and workplaces. The organization's services are available across Ontario, both in urban and rural communities.
CarePartners is seeking to develop a framework for the evaluation of patient engagement, capturing perspectives of both patients and caregivers. The student undertaking this work will review existing evaluation methods and will identify additional strategies to drive proactive engagement with patients, with the goal of ensuring a positive patient experience.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economics, Health Care
#6023 - Shaping Community: Factors Influencing Buying Local
FriendLily is an e-commerce site that retails products from Canadian small businesses and contributes a percentage of the retail price to charities. The purpose of this project is to examine the factors that influence the individuals choice to buy local. Themes that the student may look at include prices on local vs chain goods and what factors may influence consumers to purchase higher-priced goods at a local business, such as proximity, relationships, and local investment. The student researcher will work with FriendLily to gather information through random and targeting interviews, researching demographics, and analyzing the market differences between small town residents and larger city residents.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economics, Business
#6024 - Shaping Community: Volunteering
FriendLily is an e-commerce site that retails products from Canadian small businesses and contributes a percentage of the retail price to charities. The purpose of this project is to examine why people choose to volunteer, and what perceived barriers exist that limit volunteering. Some of these barriers that may be examined include time, travel, and scheduling. In addition, the student researcher will be asked to look at the outreach from volunteer organizations and how this effects volunteering rates, as well as the way that charities effect local communities. The student will be asked to gather information through random interviews, as well as research demographics and analyze any market differences between small town and larger city residents.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economics, Business
#6025 - Solutions for Rising Commercial Insurance Rates
This research project, in collaboration with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, will have the student researcher survey local businesses, talk with insurance companies, and work with stakeholders to create a series of potential solutions to the recent rise in commercial insurance rates. Rising insurance is one of the leading barriers for local businesses, and costs in some sectors have more than doubled in only a year or two. The Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce would like to find out more about what specific liabilities we might be able to advocate for changes to so that commercial insurance rates can be more easily managed. The main research questions that will be focused on include what has changed to make these rates rise, and are there specific areas we can advocate for the governments to shift liability to lower rates?
Research Theme(s): Economics, Business
#6026 - The BCC as a Welcoming, Inclusive Community Hub
Buckhorn Community Center aims by 2031 to have strengthened their reputation as an independent, vibrant, and multifaceted community hub and tourist destination. Their goals are to create a welcoming, inclusive, and innovative place for social, arts, recreation, and wellness endeavours. To help achieve this goal, they are in search of a student to research the characteristics of an accessible community hub in rural communities, the current state of accessibility of Buckhorn Community Center, and how they can improve.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economics, Business, Cultural
#6028 - Cybersecurity Risk Gap Analysis and Digital Migrations
The CFEO is looking for a Management Information Systems student to help analyze and assess their Network's cybersecurity risk gap. This student will work with staff members to implement quick fixes, and develop a roadmap for improvements and migration to full MS Teams/Sharepoint hosted environment, budget, and procedures to capture improved processes.
Research Theme(s): Computer Science, Economics, Business
#6029 - Analyzing Regional Economic Profiles and the Performance of Community Programs
The CFEO is in search of a business related student to work with them to analyze regional economic profiles of their member offices, including labour market intelligence. This student will also be responsible for creating summary reports and effectively analyzing the performance of the Community Futures Program.
Research Theme(s): Computer Science, Economics, Business
#6030 - Employment Profile of Deaf Population in Ontario - Deaf Population vs Employers
Deafblind Ontario is in search of a student to identify and explore employment opportunities and rates for deaf, hard-of-hearing, or non-verbal community members, and analyzing the barriers to employment and potential differences by region. This student would develop a report based on literature review, and a scan of public records, as well as conducting a survey of deaf/hard of hearing employees or employers.
Research Theme(s): Social, Forensic Science, Cultural
#6031 - Assisting Marginalized People Who Fall Outside Traditional Social Programs
The purpose of this project is to find solutions for people who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, addictions, and mental health, but are not accessing available services. For example, there is a tent encampment outside a shelter in our community. We would like to know more about why people would rather sleep rough in a tent than access an available shelter bed only metres away. The issues are more visible downtown, but are prevalent throughout the community. Others aren’t accessing addictions supports available. We as a business community want to help people who are falling through the social services cracks to improve their standard of living, which will have the added benefit of helping our downtown feel more welcoming and safe.
Research Theme(s): Social, Forensic Science, Cultural
#6035 - Baxter Creek Watershed Forest Resource Analysis
This project is a spatial analysis workflow and analysis to develop a forest resource Canopy Height Model (CHM) and other forest derivatives using remote sensing methods and data. The student undertaking this project will complete a LiDAR point cloud classification update and developing an initial normalized Digital Surface Model (nDSM). This project will benefit long-term watershed planning for the Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance and inform conservation planning initiatives.
Research Theme(s): Environment, Water Sciences
#6036 - Groundwater Review of Former Millbrook Jail Lands and Watershed
The former Millbrook Correctional Centre lands (locally known as the "old Millbrook jail lands" or "Jail Hill") was a maximum security correctional centre from 1955 to 2003. There has been numerous technical studies completed on the property assessing potential chemical contamination of the surficial geology of the property which is located within the Wellhead Projection Area of the village. This project will bring that period of records together and make it fully accessible through the BCWA website in a dedicated webpage with an annotated summary of each report for the community. This will help provided support that the lands should be conserved and protected from high intensity residential development.
Research Theme(s): Environment, Water Sciences