Projects in Progress

Students are currently conducting community based research projects for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. These projects in-progress span across a diverse range of programs and provides students with valuable real-world learning experiences while contributing to meaningful solutions for local organizations.

• Applied Modelling & Quantitative Methods
• Business Administration
• Biology
• Criminology
• Environmental & Resource Science
• Political Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

Applied Modelling & Quantitative Methods

#6640: Client Mapping for Immigrants and Refugees in NCC's Catchment Area

The students undertaking this project will help to create two catchment area maps (one public-facing and one for internal uses), identifying the distribution of NCC's clients throughout the region. These maps will help NCC better understand the needs of their clients, and the barriers that their clients may be facing, in order to improve service provision and better advocate for clients.

Student Researcher(s): Dimitry Mishchenko, Ibrahim Yousufuddin, Mohammed Muzammil

Faculty Supervisor: Mikhail Genkin

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Business Administration

#6492: Why Aren’t Younger Audiences Showing Up? Understanding Barriers to Live Performance Attendance in Peterborough

Through this project, we aim to better understand the barriers that prevent Peterborough residents ages 18 to 50 from attending live performances at Showplace. Previous internal research has identified lack of awareness as one such barrier. One goal of this project is to learn where and how people across this age demographic receive their information about live entertainment and events in Peterborough. The project aims to better understand the findings to ensure this audience is being engaged effectively.

Student Researcher(s): Abigayle Grodzinski

Faculty Supervisor: Saeid Kermani

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Biology

#6312: Understanding the Neuroscience and Biology Behind Neural Network Therapy® (NNT) as a Therapeutic Modality

The purpose of this project is to determine the connection between the neurobiology impacted by Neural Network Therapy® (NNT) and sustained improvements in mental health and well-being. The science of practical exercises compared to traditional talk therapy increases the longevity of emotional health.  

Student Researcher(s): Shannon Miller

Faculty Supervisor: David Beresford

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Criminology

#6638: Community Attitudes on IPV/GBV in Peterborough City & County (Part 2)

To address recommendation 24 from the Renfrew Coroners Inquest: Complete a yearly annual review of public attitudes through public opinion research, and revise & strengthen public education material based on these reviews, feedback from communities and experts, international best practices, and recommendations from the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee and other IPV experts. This survey would be limited to members of the communities of Peterborough City and County. Demographics using standardized questions and location of residence (inside or outside the city/county boundary) will be collected. The survey would aim to identify gaps, needs and priorities for public education and outreach activity as well as measure the impact and effectiveness of education and outreach activity. This work will improve the impact and effectiveness of PDAN's projects, provide local data on attitudes and awareness that will be useful to all PDAN member organizations and ultimately support PDAN's goal of ending gender-based violence in our community.

Student Researcher(s): Charlotte Fowle

Faculty Supervisor: Stephanie Ehret

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Environmental & Resource Science

#6280: Brook Trout Restoration in Baxter Creek at Zion Line

Brook Trout (Savelinus fontinalis) abundance at the Zion Line reach of Baxter Creek is depressed compared with other reaches in the watershed. The primary goal of this project is to restore native Brook Trout populations in the Zion Line reach of Baxter Creek. Early stages of this project will analyze available data from this reach and compare/contrast with accepted research on similar habitats - biological data includes fish community and aquatic invertebrates, and physical data includes morphological habitat measurements. If the early work supports the pursuit of habitat restoration, next steps would include the design of instream and riparian restoration methods. Once a final plan is approved and permitted by necessary agencies, work onsite could be completed by Trout Unlimited members and volunteers, and students engaged in this project.

Student Researcher(s): Brendan Joyce

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

#6452: Nature-Based Carbon Solutions in Freshwater Wetlands: A Literature Review of Blue Carbon

This research project will broaden our current understanding of “blue carbon” in freshwater wetlands- including methods for estimating carbon fluxes and co-benefits such as biodiversity support. The primary task for the student(s) undertaking this project will be to conduct an in-depth literature review of recent academic research and guidance on how these systems store or reduce greenhouse gases and how those benefits are quantified. Moreover, you will examine how the findings may steer future landscape-management choices at Trent, while gaining meaningful experience in environmental research and policy.

Student Researcher(s): Thadshagini Gengasuthan

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

#6462: Baseline Monitoring of Vegetation Communities and Grassland Birds at the Wesleyville Lands

This annual field project focuses on gathering long-term baseline data on the vegetation communities and bird species of the grassland areas of the Wesleyville Lands, primarily owned by Cameco Corporation. Students will conduct standardized vegetation and bird surveys each summer to help evaluate ecological change over time and inform future restoration efforts. Using a combination of fixed-point and random sampling across 20 vegetation plots, the fixed points, data collection methods, and plot sizes will ensure reliable year-to-year comparison, with GPS points recorded for fixed sites to maintain accuracy. Students will also complete fixed-point grassland bird surveys to monitor species' presence, including species at risk. At each point, they will take directional photographs and document all birds detected by sight or sound. These combined datasets will help assess how vegetation structure influences grassland bird use and guide habitat enhancement planning. Overall, this annual monitoring program will create a valuable long-term dataset to support collaborative conservation and restoration within the Wesleyville grasslands.

Student Researcher(s): Charlie Benoit

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

#6486: Evaluating the Effects of Goldfish on Oshawa Second Marsh

Oshawa Second Marsh (OSM) is a severely impacted coastal wetland on the north shore of Lake Ontario. OSM has a long history of management and restoration activity. Most recently, a fish grate was installed on the water level control structure thereby excluding invasive Common Carp. This grate was vandalized and Common Carp were reintroduced to the marsh. This provided an opportunity to empirically evaluate the effects of Common Carp on the ecosystem. Seven abiotic and vegetation variables changed significantly and community health index scores decreased. Another invasive species, Goldfish have always had access to the marsh and dominate the fish community today. This project aims to better understand their impacts on the wetland and fish community. Monitoring has highlighted ecosystem decline and investigating Goldfish’s role in this decline will help inform future management decisions. The successful student would perform a statistical analysis on the long-term monitoring data and compile a report of their findings.

Student Researcher(s): Morgan Kelsey

Faculty Supervisor: Tom Whillans

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Political Studies

#6490: Enhancing Access to Justice Through Integrated and Collaborative Community Services in the Kawartha Lakes

Together for Justice is an initiative by the Kawartha Community Foundation, in partnership with the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Community Foundations of Canada, aimed at strengthening justice-related supports for individuals facing intersecting barriers. Through a case study of Community Conversations facilitated by the Kawartha Community Foundation and examining collaborative approaches and referral practices, this project will provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to enhance the integration, coordination, and delivery of services to individuals experiencing complex social, economic, and systemic challenges.

Student Researcher(s): Aby Wilson

Faculty Supervisor: Devin Penner

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Psychology

#6456: Navigating the Ontario Public Education System when ADHD, Executive Functioning Impairments, and Common Co-morbidities are Present

Students with executive functioning impairments, often associated with ADHD, autism, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), face a higher likelihood of being suspended, expelled, or excluded from the classroom. These students are less likely to graduate from high school or attend post-secondary education, and they are at a greater risk of living in poverty. Additionally, they are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health issues, experience addiction, be incarcerated, be involved in car accidents, and have a shorter lifespan. The goal of this project is to determine whether students' access to accommodations and their educational outcomes improve when their caregivers have a better understanding of the special education system, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and advocacy skills.

Student Researcher(s): Shaffun Inayat

Faculty Supervisor: James Parker

Sustainable Development Goal(s):

Sociology

#6610: Family Supports for Incarcerated Individuals

Families of incarcerated individuals often face significant emotional, financial, and practical challenges while trying to navigate correctional systems and access support services. This project will examine the barriers families encounter, including communication difficulties with correctional institutions, policies, and stigma. Through interviews, surveys, and policy analysis, the research will identify gaps in current supports and highlight effective practices. The findings will be used to develop an accessible, educational resource that will help families find information, understand institutional processes, and connect with relevant services.

Student Researcher(s): Christina Vosters

Faculty Supervisor: Elizabeth Torrens

Sustainable Development Goal(s):