Available Projects
We are now accepting applications for Winter & Summer 2022 Terms!
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
#4973 FVSOntario Coding for Web-Based Interface
FVSOntario is a distance independent, non-spatial, individual tree model that does not require data on tree spacing or individual tree locations within the forest stand. Its geographical scope covers the range of the Great Lake St. Lawrence (GLSL) and Boreal Forest species. It has great potential to be adopted as a forest management and planning tool by the MNRF and the forest industry for the management of Crown land forests in Ontario.
The student will perform a code transfer to make FVSOntario compatible with USFS-FVS web-based interface. The code transfer will open new venues for FVSOntario adaptability and functionality, which include but not limited to collaboration with the USFS-FVS, enhance pace of adaptation in MNRF and Ontario forest industry for Crown forest management, improve model functionality by calibrating it with most up-to-date growth & yield data from Ontario forests, a decision making tool for non-crown forest and plantation management, and research collaborations with academia and other research organizations. Given the fact, that Ontario is lacking any functional forest growth model, the FVSOntario is very much needed for better projections and evaluations of forest management options and add to our confidence in sustainable forest management in Crown forests.
Research Theme(s): Environmental
#4989 Placing the Sale of Peterborough's Distribution Inc. Within Ontario's Broader Shift Towards Privatization
OPIRG works to create and sustain student and community-based engagement through research, education, and action on social justice and environmental issues; challenging oppression in all it forma; and using consensus-based decision making in
a non-hierarchical and accessible setting.
In April 2020, The City of Peterborough finalized the sale of Peterborough’s Distribution Inc. (PDI) to Hydro One for $105 million dollars. The purpose of this research project is to contextualize Hydro One’s acquisition within greater political and economic trends. The sale of PDI was a highly contentious issue in the community, one study conducted by Environics found that 90% of citizens were against the sale of PDI. Broadly, the research will identify and analyze how/ if privatization has historically impacted the strength of democratic processes at the local level and Ontarians accessibility to formerly public goods. Locally, research will include identifying key stakeholders, outlining the terms of the sale, public consultations, and the proposed plans for reinvestment of revenue accrued form the sale. Through analyzing the historical impacts of privatization, the research will be able (1) situate the acquisition within the larger trend of privatization (2) predict future implications of the sale of PDI that may impact the Peterborough community.
Research Theme(s): Social
#4992 GiveLo Community Synergy
GiveLo helps to facilitate the support of Peterborough grass-roots establishments and non-profit organizations by making giving locally fast, easy and convenient. GiveLo is 100% local! It was conceived and created in Peterborough by people that live in this community. GiveLo is a convenient way to give, donate, or receive a gift certificate while supporting a local Peterborough business or charitable organization. It’s easy: anyone who has an email address can discover and connect with their community. The purpose of the research project is to provide a program evaluation surrounding the following research questions:
What is the importance and value to get involved with your community and what would encourage it?
How can giveLo.ca bring more value to our local charities?
How can GiveLo help with fundraising?
What would be a wish list of a charitable organization/ what are advantages and disadvantages of GiveLo.ca?
What is out there doing something similar?
Students will have the opportunity to discover the value of networking, their strengths, and what Peterborough is about.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#4993 Exploring Ways of Encouraging the Local Business Community to Utilize Undergraduate Students
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization, fully funded by our Members, to strengthening the greater Peterborough business community. The purpose of this project is to discover ways for businesses to utilize undergrad students with the ultimate goal of future graduate students remaining in Peterborough area for work instead of seeking employment elsewhere.
We believe there are 3 questions to fully answer this research goal:
1. What should businesses do to engage with students so that they can be hired by these businesses?
2. What should post-secondary institutions do to engage with students so that students can find employment in the local business community?
3. What should students do to engage with the business community so that students can find employment in the local business community?
These questions may be answered through a survey/interview.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural, Economic
#4995 Modernization of Membership Organizations
The Greater Peterborough of Commerce is a non-profit organization, fully funded by our Members, to strengthening the greater Peterborough business community. The purpose of this project is document the best practices of Membership organizations to meet the needs of their Members for 2020 and beyond. A secondary purpose is why these practices/methods/programs work. Potential questions to be answered include:
1. What do Member organizations do to best serve their Members?
2. How have member organizations evolved their practices to meet member needs?
3. What are the primary challenges, risks, and opportunities associated with enhancing member service delivery? Which Chambers of Commerce across Canada/Ontario are excelling in meeting member needs? What has lead to their success?
This project will include a literature review, surveys, interviews, and a final report outlining best practices, and containing 2-3 in-depth case studies/profiles on Chambers of Commerce that are excelling in service delivery to their member organizations.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5000 Development of an Evaluation Framework for CarePartners Program Delivery
CarePartners is embarking on a modernization program of work that is focused on developing new integrated care delivery models. As part of our project planning we are planning to evaluate the effectiveness of care delivery, including looking at process and outcome measures (including patient related outcomes and experience measures). The evaluation framework will enable CarePartners to develop a standardized approach, with a high degree of fidelity for the evaluation of major projects and programs of work. 
Research questions to be answered include:
What are the best practices across Ontario for evaluating home care program delivery?
How can staff and patients be included in the evaluation process?
What are staff and patients’ opinions on program delivery right now and how could their concerns be incorporated into program evaluation?
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5001 Canadian Best Practices in Social Engagement for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers
Autism Home Base is a grass roots, family-driven organization. Member participants identified a gap in social and recreational options and feared a life of social isolation. We are primarily volunteer driven. We are looking for assistance in collecting best practices (including our own) and creating evidence of the impact so that we can continue to grow our program to serve more families and self-advocates, and access funding to support that growth. Currently, there are long wait lists for housing and or day programs. Most adults who require supportive housing will stay on the list until their family caregiver dies or loses the capacity to provide care. There are few options available that focus on joyful life experiences for the hundreds of thousands of Canadian adults living at home with aging caregivers or living independently with supports.
We are looking for a hardworking, self-driven student who can work to answer questions such as “How are private and public agencies across Canada best supporting adults with disabilities, and their long-time family caregivers to thrive with whole well-rounded lives?” and “What are the barriers to providing support to these clients?”. The student will be expected to conduct a literature review along with an interview component.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5006 Insight into Plan A Peterborough’s Community Uptake
Plan A Peterborough is one of the many Plan A locations across the country. We are more than a staffing agency. Our staffing strategy is built for long-term growth and sustainability. Our team of health care professionals is made up of compassionate and experienced Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses and Personal Support Workers. Powered by our shift-filling software, StaffStat®, our staff are able to build their own schedule and work the shifts they want to work. Shifts are first come first serve, and mostly in Long Term Care facilities.
The purpose of this project will be to provide a student with the opportunity to conduct local research about a business in their community. The research will focus on Plan A Peterborough’s uptake in the community. As a business who has only been in Peterborough for one year, the company has not seen the level of uptake that was hoped for. There has been a lack of interest of potential long-term care contracts and lack of applicants for all positions (RN, RPN, PSW) including nursing students. If research can identify why some of these issues are happening and help the company make appropriate adjustments, long term care homes would have access to more staff, elders would have the nursing care they deserve, and health care workers in the community would have the ability to supplement their income.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5021 Sturgeon Point Heritage Mapping and Character Analysis
The purpose of this project is to undertake research on the history of the cottage community of Sturgeon Point and undertake a character analysis of its historic landscape. The project is part of an inventorying of heritage assets currently being undertaken in Economic Development which will inform long term heritage planning and development initiatives. The project will research the history and undertake a character analysis of the community, and identify development trends that have shaped the growth of the area. The research will inform the development of a long term planning framework to guide the growth of the area through a heritage lens. It will benefit the long term cultural and social health of the area by providing the background and historic information necessary to develop localized, specific planning guidelines which preserve and enhance the positive character of a unique historic cottage community.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5023 The presence and activities of Samuel du Champlain in Kawartha Lakes
The purpose of this project is to undertake research which will inform the development of Cultural tourism experiences in the city of Kawartha Lakes. The study is required to establish the presence of Samuel du Champlain as he explored the region during his visit in 1615. The project will research the history of Champlain’s interactions and activities while here and undertake to identify development trends that have shaped the growth of the area. The research will inform the development of a Signature Experience as part of the Kawartha Lakes Tourism’s Knapsack program and inclusion in the province’s destination marketing program Route Champlain. The research is intended to provide a framework to design an authentic tourism experience for residents and visitors to Kawartha Lakes.
Research Theme(s): Cultural, Economic
#5027 The Impact of Work Culture on Employee Engagement
The purpose of the research is to learn about the work culture experiences from local employers to increase understanding of the positive and negative contributors of retention. Many employers may be making assumptions about what a positive work culture means and/or the costs associated with improving work culture. It is possible that precarity of work can be reduced with relatively little financial or time commitments. By researching this topic through consultations with employers and employees to explore what work culture means at the local level, it will help to inform policies and practices that have a positive impact on retention and attraction of workers.
Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a not-for-profit organization located in Peterborough and serving Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. WDB is 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.
Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural
#5052 Researcher in Residence
Established in 1966, Arthur Newspaper is the Trent University and Peterborough-Nogojiwanong independent student press. Arthur is free from administrative and commercial controls. We strive to protect that position by defending our editorial autonomy, and inviting public conversation on educational, 
social, economic, environmental, and political issues.
The project will create opportunities for students to conduct community research within the community, whether that is in the university community or in the Peterborough-Nogojiwanong. The student researcher will build opportunities for connection and collaboration, as well as promotion of community happenings. The student researcher may choose to write or produce audio or audio-visual journalism to achieve these goals.
Research Theme(s): Cultural, Economic, Environmental, Social
#5055 Regional Analysis of Strategic & Community Action Plans
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development lead's Peterborough’s economic growth by attracting the talent, innovation and investments that create desirable jobs and an irresistible place to live and visit.
The region has a number of strategic plans and active community plans that in some way or another may speak to, or have a role for, economic development. Current examples include: City and County Official Plans, Branding exercises, Community Safety and Well-being Plan, Homelessness plan, Sustainable Peterborough Strategic Plan, NCC plans, workforce development plans. With this project, you will review current strategic/active-community plans for actions and deliverables, and determine their alignment with the PKED 2020-2024 Future Ready Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan.
Research Theme(s): Economic, Social
#5059 - Clean Slate Enterprises_Staffing Operation Feasibilty Update
Clean Slate is a federally incorporated not-for-profit. Its mandate includes incubating and running social enterprises that provide training and employment opportunities for persons facing barriers to employment. Our purposes all include contributing to the creation of vibrant and inclusive communities by reinvesting any profits earned into communities being served and into not-for-profit community programs which are responsive to prevailing social, economic and environmental issues.
A report was issued in December 2016 on this model for the Social Planning Council. The report was commissioned to explore the “prospects of establishing a social enterprise that helps people get back to work with temporary and transitional jobs, acting as a bridge to full-time employment. This non-profit temporary employment provider would serve the Peterborough City and County.
In this scenario the temporary employment model is seen as an alternative employment solution that would gradually yield to better job prospects for local job-seekers, as well as supplement incomes for those in receipt of ODSP or OW, while improving upon the temporary employment industry standards and the working conditions for those using for-profit temporary employment services.” The report concludes that there is room for a non-profit temp staffing provider in the area and there are numerous ways a new and improved model can address some of the concerning issues in the temp employment services and laid out a series of recommendations.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#5063 - Lived Experience and Social, Health and Economic Impacts of Inaccessible Housing vs Accessible Housing
This will increase our ability to advocate with governments and builders to ensure that accessible housing is built, and indeed that the Human Rights Code is complied with and all new housing is mandated to be universal design. This project may involve steps like studying the arguments used by each level of government to avoid taking responsibility for accessible housing, and the resulting roads lock, A study of the arguments builders use to avoid building accessible apartments, why so many people will not admit to having a disability, even though they actually have one or more forms of disability, etc. This project will result in a final report in liaise with Dr Ilan Wiesel, who will write a comparative report about the results in Canada and Australia.
Research Theme(s): Social, Economic
#5065 - ASD and Best Practices for Supportive Housing
Many of our children live on the streets and in and out of shelters. Many of the service agencies struggle to support them. Because they are on the streets they are very vulnerable (our son's have been raped, accused of crimes they did not commit, beat up).They engage in illegal activities often for their very survival. Suicide is a very real issue. We seek options for housing for our children - where they are safe, have support and are reduced risk of being evicted. We are asking: are there housing models in other communities, provinces or countries that have been put in place to support individuals with this disability.
Research Theme(s): Social
#5077 - Memorial Park Research Project
Ashburnham Memorial Park (AMP) is located in East City, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong, adjacent to the Peterborough Liftlock National Historic Site. AMP was donated to the City of Peterborough in 1937 by the Ashburnham Women’s Patriotic League to honour the individuals from the Peterborough area who died in World War 1. It is approximately 50 acres in size, featuring a mixed forest, meadows, an embedded neighbourhood park, unofficial trails, and a Heritage Pavilion. The Peterborough Museum and Archives and Kaawaate East City Public School are both located within AMP as well as a sizeable paved area at the top of the hill, an observation platform, and a war memorial. The east side of the park runs along the Trent Severn Waterway canal.
Working with the Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group (AMSG), conduct a gap analysis, identifying the known and existing information about Ashburnham Memorial Park (e.g., history, geology, ecology, economy, current park uses and user groups), and identifying gaps for future research (including gaps in policy for the park, further information that would be useful, such as an updated species inventory, etc.). In summary, the purposes of this project are to: Identify existing information about the pre- and post-settler history, geology, and ecology of AMP; Undertake an information gap analysis of AMP; and Identify, in a preliminary manner, problems and solutions for a better future for AMP.
Research Theme(s): Social
U-Links Centre for Community Based Research Projects:
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Biomonitoring Projects
(Multiple Projects Available - Visit U-Links website for full list)
NOTE: These projects are available for the 2021 fall semester and involve a field component.
Benthic macro-invertebrates (or “benthics” or “benthos”) are aquatic, spineless organisms that live on the bottom of water bodies. Since the late 1980’s they have been used as biological indicators for common aquatic pollutants as they spend part or the entirety of their lives in the water. The use of benthics as an indicator of water quality is now used throughout the world and has been widely used in Ontario since the early 2000’s.
In 2019 U-Links, Trent University, and Sir Sanford Fleming College participated in a pilot project involving six lakes within Haliburton County in order to determine if a program like this was possible. All six projects were successful and it was determined in early 2020 that the program would continue and expand to more lakes throughout the Haliburton region.
These community-based research projects are ideal for an undergraduate student as a full-term project and may include some field work early in the Fall (COVID-19 health and safety policies from Trent University and U-Links will be in effect). Students can request to work with a partner or will be paired with another registered student. It is preferred that each student group has at least one OBBN certified member, but other arrangements may be made to accommodate each group's specific needs
#5057 Windy Pine Shoreline Rehabilitation Action Plan
NOTE: This project involves a field component.
Windy Pine Conference Centre is a property under the care of Canadian Studies at Trent University on Kushog Lake in the Algonquin Highlands. It acts as a recreational and academic site for Trent University and as a link between the University and Haliburton County.
Concerns of erosion have arisen due to the naturally thin sandy soils along the roughly 300m rocky shoreline on the property. A baseline inventory was conducted in 2014 through Love Your Lake, and an initial CBE project (#4837) in 2019. This project is slated to expand on this inventory and give recommendations on how to best address problem areas on the site.
#5066 Weevil Farming Feasibility Study for Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Control
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
One of the Drag and Spruce Lakes Property Owner's Association (DSLPOA) constituted aims is, "to protect the environment of the lakes (water, land, air, and natural heritage". One way they are able to do so is to lead efforts in identifying, controlling, and monitoring the spread of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), and provide education and training to volunteers to assist with identifying, controlling, and monitoring.
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of developing a Milfoil Weevil Farming operation as a form of biological control for the spread of EWM in Drag and Spruce Lakes, and to identify the legislative requirements throughout the lifecycle of this proposed trial, the future farming operation, and the future use of weevils. Findings are to be organized into a business plan that could extend to all Haliburton County Lakes that are combating invasive EWM.
#5030 Watershed Mapping Profile and Protocol for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust has as its mandate “to conserve plants, wildlife and clean water of Haliburton County to ensure a legacy of forests, fields and wetlands, and the species they nurture.” To achieve this goal the HHLT is acquiring lands of ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. Informed and science-based decision-making is necessary to acquire and manage these landscapes in perpetuity as is the main responsibility of HHLT. Analytical landscape evaluation processes and tools are seen to be key to HHLT decision-making for new acquisitions, land management, monitoring and stewardship endeavours.
This project entitled Watershed Mapping Profile and Protocol has as one its purposes to develop a spatial context of the HHLT properties and Haliburton Highlands surrounding areas in terms of their watershed composition. Watershed mapping in simple terms uses elevation and flow data to define catchment areas of water systems. Geographic information science is applied to generate the watershed maps. The protocol piece of the project has as its purpose the development of a workflow for using the watershed mapping products for such endeavours as habitat and land conservation.
#5029 Delineating the Velocity of Climate Change in the Haliburton Highlands for the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust has as its mandate “to conserve plants, wildlife and clean water of Haliburton County to ensure a legacy of forests, fields and wetlands, and the species they nurture.” To achieve this goal the HHLT is acquiring lands of 
ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. Informed and science-based decision-making is necessary to acquire and manage these landscapes in perpetuity as is the main responsibility of HHLT. Analytical landscape evaluation processes and tools are seen to be key to HHLT decision-making for new acquisitions, land management, monitoring and stewardship endeavours.
This project has as one its purposes to critically review one method available for estimating the velocity of climate change in the Haliburton Highlands region. A second purpose is to recommend how this method can be applied by the HHLT for achieving its mandate of landscape conservation.
#5028 Assessment of Remote Sensing and Imagery Data and Tools for Use by the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Habitat loss and degradation are the greatest threats to biodiversity in Canada today. To mitigate this process in the Haliburton Highlands, the HHLT is acquiring lands of ecological and cultural significance for conservation purposes. It works to select only those properties which clearly have long-term benefit to the public and can be maintained by the land trust in perpetuity.
The HHLT is currently working towards the development and implementation of strategies and approaches that would ensure it can meet its management, monitoring and land stewardship responsibilities.
The purpose of this project is to determine the potential for use of remote sensing and GIS imagery to help the HHLT better achieve its land conservation and ecological management mandate. Remote sensing and GIS imagery are seen to provide a broader view of the Haliburton Highlands in the context of the its landscape classification, biodiversity, biological connectivity, and ecological changes over time.
Research Theme(s): Environmental
#5020 Health Benefits of Natural Plasters
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Beyond Plasters, a natural plasters business based in Haliburton, Ontario, is looking for research on the health benefits of natural plasters. The student(s) will conduct a literature reviews on the health benefits of natural plasters vs synthetic plasters, and, if possible, conduct a lab analysis (VOCs) of the Beyond Plasters mix vs synthetic plasters under faculty supervision.
It is hoped the research will bring to light the long-forgotten benefits of natural plasters and present them in the new context of healthy building practices in the 21st century.
#4985 QEII Species Summary - Five Lined Skink
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Queen Elizabeth II Wildland Provincial Park is a non-operating park located between Minden and Gravenhurst and is managed by Ontario Parks. They are looking for a student or pair of undergraduate students to research (via literature review and communication with researchers) and write a QEII specific summary of Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus): focusing on their local biology, ecology, population status, cultural significance, and recommended management strategies. This species summary will be used to inform and educate Park Staff about the species. The summary will provide current information for informing park management, and the regions diverse community of stakeholders. It may also identify gaps in the local life science/cultural knowledge of the species and thus initiate further research.
#4480 "The Missing Element": Stories of the Mountain Street Red Cross Outpost
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Canoe FM (local radio station) and Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (environmental conservation organization) are non-profit organizations working out of a historic building on Mountain Street in Haliburton that was once a Red Cross outpost. A small 1983 book by Martha Perkins,“A Hospital of our Own” was written about its history.
The purpose of this project, hosted by Canoe FM, is to discover more about the building and the health professionals who worked there in order to develop a better understanding of the hospital’s connection to history and its contributions to the local community. Existing data will be augmented through oral history interviews with local community members and a visual media display intended for the office. This project is ideal for a small group of senior undergraduate students with a combination of graphic design and interviewing skills.
#5064 Virtual Adaptation of Abbey Gardens on-site Sprouts to Snacks Program
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
Abbey Gardens is a non-for-profit organization with a mission to create opportunities to learn about living more sustainably, including learning about local food, gardening, energy, sustainable construction techniques, heritage agricultural animals, land restoration, and cooking techniques. The "Sprouts to Snacks" program ran successfully on site for two years with a local elementary school, engaging children in growing, harvesting, and preparing local food.
The effects of COVID-19 and increased bussing fees has prevented the program from occurring on-site. The purpose of this project is to create a hands-on, mostly virtual version of the "Sprouts to Snacks" program, and offer a hybrid on-line/on-site program, where it is accessed and used by educators in a school setting, and concludes with a field trip to Abbey Gardens.
#5068 Nine Spotted Lady Beetle: Inventory and Monitoring Protocols
NOTE: This project can be completed remotely.
The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust (HHLT) envisions a future where the Haliburton Highlands is characterized by natural spaces and connections that support healthy and representative ecosystems and landscapes. The nine-spotted lady beetle used to be one of the more common lady beetle species in Canada occurring through most of southern Canada and the continental United States to the Mexican border. This endangered species is now very rare and below detection thresholds in many parts of its range and has not been observed in Ontario since 1987. The recommended short term recovery goal must be to determine if and where this species still occurs in the province.
The purpose of this project is to better understand how the HHLT can contribute to the recovery and restoration of this species through understanding inventory and monitoring protocols and preferred habitat requirements that would contribute to the recovery and restoration of the nine-spotted lady beetle.
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