Projects in Progress

2019/20 CBR Projects in Progress

#4679 
Redevelopment of the TCRC Database

The TCRC uses a database to organize and coordinate community-based research projects. This database contains information on each individual project undertaken, including tasks (to be) completed, faculty and students assigned to it, and notes regarding the projects process. The database is an essential tool for the TCRCs project coordinators, however its functionality is currently substandard. There is a need to redevelop/upgrade the database to make it more user friendly and the information it contains more accessible through, for instance, the development of a better filtering system and the ability to conduct searches of the database.

Research Theme(s): Culture

#4786 
Economic Impact of Financial Institution Closures to Rural Communities 

Within the last few years, several townships in the County of Peterborough have been faced with closer of the sole financial institutions in rural communities.  The impact of financial institutions withdrawing from rural townships is currently unknown. This project will study the social, business, and economic challenges faced by residents of rural communities when they are left without a banking institution, as well as possible responses to these challenges. The impact of financial institutions withdrawing from rural townships is currently unknown.

Research Theme(s): Economics; Social

#4841
Service Mapping of Adult Learners in Peterborough and City of Kawartha Lakes (This project has been matched and is no longer available)

The purpose of the project is to better understand where people accessing adult education and literacy training services live. Anecdotally, we can say that most are coming from within the urban centre where training service providers are located: what we don’t know with any certainty is the ratio of urban vs rural adult learners. From both the urban and rural perspective, knowing where adult learners are coming from and how they are accessing the service is only known to each agency. The intent of this project is to map the locations of learners over a given time-period. This information will be used to demonstrate gaps in service and offer evidence for mobilizing creative programming and outreach activities to engage with communities of adult learners.

Research Theme(s): Economic; Social

#4848 The economic impact of international students in Peterborough and surrounding areas  (This project has been matched and is no longer available)

Workforce Development Board is a not-for-profit organization located in Peterborough and serving Northumberland, Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. The WDB is funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to provide labour market information, coordinate employment and training services, and engage employer communities. The WDB / LEPC is proposing a research project that examines the economic impact of the rising number of international students attending Trent University and Fleming College, as well as identifies available supports (both social and employment related). There are close to 6,500 international students enrolled at Trent University and Fleming College, the two post-secondary institutions in the LEPC catchment area.There is very little data, however, on the economic impact these students bring to the community. 

Research Theme(s): Culture; Economic

#4850 
The Impact on Artists and the Community of Public Energy Performing Arts Programming.

Public Energy’s mission is to be Peterborough’s cultural catalyst, electrifying the community with powerful dance, theatre and performance. The purpose of this project is twofold (1) to examine the impact on artists, both in and outside of the community, of being presented and supported by Public Energy Performing Arts; (2)to assess the impact of Public Energy Performing Arts Outreach Activities on the community. The results will be compiled to identify common themes and recommendations for future outreach programming.

Research Theme(s):Culture; Social

#4858
Applied Behaviour Analysis for Community Living (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

To provide community-based specialized support and clinical services for individuals, families, and service providers that contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Research Theme(s):  Social

#4859
The Living Library: Documenting Newcomer Experiences of Transition, Settlement, and Belonging (This project has been matched and is no longer available)

The New Canadians Centre strives to empower immigrants and refugees to become full and equal members of Canadian society and to provide community leadership to ensure cultural integration in a welcoming community. This project seeks to document stories of newcomer transition, settlement, and belonging though podcasts / audio-visual means. We would like to document their story, so the community can have access to it for educational purposes to help build the community’s capacity to welcome and understand newcomers.

Research Theme(s):  Culture; Social

#4863 
The Causeway - the road to economic prosperity  (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

The mandate of the County of Peterborough is to provide regional public services which includes promoting regional economic development and tourism opportunities, land use planning and development, transportation systems, waste management, public health, social services and emergency medical services. The James A. Gifford Causeway is the busiest stretch of roadway in Peterborough County and it is currently in great despair. Rebuilding will take a number of years, and large budget to bring it to the vision that has been approved by Peterborough County Council. The goal of this project is to evaluate past, present and future economic impacts that the James A. Gifford Causeway has on the Greater Peterborough Area.

Research Theme(s):Economics

#4869 
Rugby Ontario Registration Report (This project has been matched and is no longer available)

The purpose of the project is to assess and analyze Rugby Ontario and provide a detailed look at registration trends over the last 5 years for junior and minor rugby in the province. The results from the project will assist in identifying gaps in the organization and will provide a platform to make evidence-based decisions on the direction of the sport. This project will take a deeper look into the registration numbers and identify trends in registration, retention numbers and new player registration. 

Research Theme(s):  Economics

#4870
50% LocalFood 2030 Economic Impact & Jobs Report

Intended as the Goal setting Report for raising awareness,support and funding for the community to come together to build the economic and physical infrastructure to support a dynamic local Food Supply Chain to the level of 50% of  food purchased at consumer prices for home consumption by 2030. This is all in line with the SPP aspiration goal of feeding ourselves in the city and County of Peterborough by 2036. 

Research Theme(s):  Culture, Environment; Social; Economics

#4875
The Ganaraska River as a source of motive and electric power, past, present, and future.

This TCRC project will provide a context for, and explore the possibility of, development of the Ganaraska River as an environmentally-responsible source of hydroelectric and motive power using innovative small scale technologies. The mandate of the Town of Port Hope Centre of Excellence (CoE) is to engage in research and education; reduce the environmental footprint; reduce waste to the landfill; eliminate incineration and burning; engage all levels of government in the dialogue; and engage local recycling businesses and develop new ones. 

Research Theme(s):  Environment; Social; Economics

#4882
ASHMuskoka  (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

The ‘ASHMuskoka’ project seeks to address the environmental issue of diminishing concentrations of calcium, an essential mineral to plants and animals, in Muskoka forests, and indirectly, lakes by supplementing forest soils with residential wood ash – a natural calcium rich by-product of wood burning in fireplaces. By applying residential wood ash to forest soils, residents of Muskoka can convert a readily available waste product that is often landfilled, into a useful forest soil additive. The project has three goals: 1) to improve public engagement in environmental restoration and protection; 2) to launch a major wood ash recycling programme to help Muskoka’s forests and lakes; and 3) to test the efficacy and ecological sustainability of residential wood ash application to solve ecological osteoporosis in Muskoka’s forests and lakes. 

Research Theme(s):  Environment

#4886
State of the Kawartha Lakes Symposium 2020: organizing a science-based forum to share local expertise and other relevant information with respect to the health of water bodies in the Kawartha Lakes. 

The purpose of the project is to bring together all stakeholders who are actively studying or managing the water resources of the Kawartha Lakes to share each other’s activities and results. Sharing of information and communicating what each stakeholder is doing, in terms of scientific-related study and other activities to improve the health of the lakes, is paramount towards effective management of the Kawartha Lakes. Sharing of information will help to build new and strengthen existing partnerships, create efficiencies and reduce duplication of efforts, and lead to an increase in the collective understanding of lake-based issues and opportunities to ensure ongoing and future efforts are focused and relevant. 

Research Theme(s): Environment; Social

#4887 
Wetland offsetting: Emergent protocols and techniques for prioritizing site specific wetland services (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

The purpose of this study is to understand, document and build on the experiences of landscape managers who have been evaluating and prioritizing the offsetting of wetland services for proposed development sites based on their potential contribution to integrated regional needs. 

Research Theme(s): Environment

 #4888
Viable Alternatives to Spraying Roundup along Guider Rails and in Forest Trails in Northumberland County

Northumberland County Council recently agreed to cease spraying guide rails and forest trails in Northumberland County and return to the practice of mowing as was done prior to 2017 with the provision that this practice be evaluated this fall. Blue Dot Northumberland requested this change to comply with the healthy environment resolution council had passed. The purpose of this project is to provide Northumberland County Council and staff with viable alternatives to vegetation control without using Roundup. Such alternatives will allow the County to comply with their vegetation control obligations under provincial regulations without the harmful effects of Roundup on the environment. 

Research Theme(s): Environment

#4889
Durham Region Food Security Strategy; An Addendum to The Regional Municipality of Durham Climate Change Resilience Strategy

The purpose of the project is two-fold; first package information from the Trent High Level study and the Food Security task force into a document suitable for public consultation dissemination and; the second stage of the project is aggregating qualitative data received from the public consultation (received via email). The final document will help to inform the Regional Municipality of Durham, city and regional counsellors, mayors, civil society organizations, NGO’s and the broader community of projects/programs to develop/ work towards to mitigating increased food insecurity in Durham Region during weather related emergencies and during recovery; improved resilience to food insecurity occurrences during and after a climate change emergency and; to improve community and household food security as the climate continues to change.

Research Theme(s): Environment; Social 

#4890
The 3 R’s in Educating for Waste/A Report Card

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the absolute necessity for educational institutions to become part of the solution. Implementing changes to the processes in waste management at the school level will instill a culture of environmental stewardship in the students, create a social commitment to sustainable practices such as recycling, reducing, reusing, and composting and help to foster a culture of sustainability.

Research Theme(s): Environment; Social

#4893
Generating Sustainable Employment Opportunities for Local Indigenous Businesses in Peterborough  (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

With support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough’s mission is to generate and assist in creating and maintaining sustainable employment opportunities in the City and County of Peterborough by supporting small businesses through flexible financing and business service. We would like to help the indigenous community grow or expand their business by offering flexible financing options, creating jobs and fuelling the economy. It will help our potential client demographic by offering options to uncover dreams of business ownership. 

Research Theme(s): Economics; Social

#4894
Assessing Staffing Structure: Prioritizing Cost Efficiency and Quality Service to Youth

Dalhousie Youth Support Services is a not-for-profit agency funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, providing programming and support to youth who are in conflict with the youth criminal justice system. The purpose of this project is to determine the most effective staffing structure for DYSS, both economically and socially, so staff can be utilized in the most efficient manner. This will not only use ministry funding in the best way possible, but also will allow the staff to provide timely, high quality services to the community. 

Research Theme(s): Economics; Social

#4895
Outcomes for Suspended and Expelled Youth: Examining Community Involvement, Education, and Support Systems  (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

Dalhousie Youth Support Services is a not-for-profit agency that provides programming and support to youth who are in conflict with the youth criminal justice system. This project will examine the outcomes for youth who have been suspended and expelled. We are interested in their high school completion rates, their employment rates, dependence on Ontario Works and their involvement in the criminal justice system, as well as the services in the community, and with DYSS, that are available for youth who are suspended or expelled. 

Research Theme(s): Social

#4898
Port Hope Fountain Sustainability Restoration: Preserving Our Past for Future Generations

 An old historic fountain lays in the center of Port Hope. There has been a tremendous amount of interest to restore the fountain but there was not enough meaningful action in the community to proceed with restoration. This project is an attempt to generate public interest for a viable restoration project through the lens of environmental sustainability.  Student researchers will conduct a community survey identifying public attitudes and awareness of alternative/sustainable technologies.  In addition, research will be needed to gain a better understanding of the historical importance of the fountain.  The project proponent envisions a restored fountain retrofitted with sustainable technologies.

The project is an initiative of the Town of Port Hope Centre of Excellence (CoE) which serves to engage in research and education; reduce the environmental footprint; reduce waste to the landfill; eliminate incineration and burning; engage all levels of government in the dialogue; and engage local recycling businesses and develop new ones. 

Research Theme(s):  Environment; Social; Economic, Cultural

#4902
Examining the Effect of the Student Choice Initiative on Trent University Levy Groups (This project has been matched and is no longer available) 

Many groups at Trent are funded through levies, and these groups have been targeted by the Student Choice Initiative legislation proposed by the provincial government. This legislation will make many of their fees categorized as non-essential, meaning that students will be given the opportunity to opt-out of paying them. This will be a time of significant change for many groups and will greatly increase the precarity of groups deemed non-essential. Levy groups are diverse and their mandates cover a wide range of issues that are social, political, environmental and cultural, working both on campus and within the broader Peterborough community.

Our goal with this project is to track the work currently being done on campus by levy groups, to determine how levy groups are preparing for a new fiscal reality of the Student Choice Initiative, to examine the ways that levy groups are both vulnerable and resilient, and to access what may be lost by making their work more precarious. This group of research projects will have case studies of other levy groups (currently: Centre for Women and Trans People, Community Race Relations Committee, Kawartha World Issues Centre, Theatre Trent, Sadleir House, Active Minds, and the Arthur Newspaper), and potentially more.

Research Theme(s):  Environment; Social; Economic, Cultural

#4904
Successfully Soliciting Client Feedback in Child Welfare to Improve Service Delivery

The Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society has been part of the community since 1892, helping to build families by working with parents and community partners to address concerns and resolve issues that impact on a child’s safety and well-being.

KHCAS would like to enhance its ability to gather feedback from clients who have been engaged with our services in order to improve services that clients receive.  We would like to explore creative ways that utilize the technology that our clients generally use (e.g., text). 

Research Theme(s): Social

#4905
The Opioid Crisis and Its Effect on Families Served by the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society  

This part of Ontario is experiencing a significant crisis with respect to opioid use.  This crisis has a devastating and lasting effect on families and children.  Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society wants to better understand the scope of the opioid problem as it relates to our current caseload with the intention of informing and adapting service delivery approaches to result in the best outcomes possible for children. 

Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society (KHCAS) is a not-for-profit agency that, by law, is required to protect children from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. 

Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural, Economic

#4914
More Than Consent & Conviction: Can Forensic Science Help Prevent Assault? (This project has been matched and is no longer available)

What is the role of forensics in the development of a national Canadian policy on sexual violence on university campuses, given that most sexual violence prevention campaigns are focussed on consent education?

Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural

#4916
Through Their Little Eyes: A Children’s Book of First Experiences

The New Canadians Centre strives to empower immigrants and refugees to become full and equal members of Canadian society and to provide community leadership to ensure cultural integration in a welcoming community. This project aims highlight the experiences of children (ages 5 – 12) who have come to Canada as immigrants or refugees. Specifically, the project aims to document their first experiences and encounters with Canadian culture and life from their perspectives with the goal of producing a Children’s Book to weave these stories together.

Research Theme(s): Social, Cultural, Educational

 #4917
Precarious Employment Research Initiative  (PERI) – Knowledge Mobilization

The first phase of PERI, gathering the data, the production of 8 information briefs and a conference in Nov 2018 has been completed. Information related to the first phase of this initiative can be found at https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/peri/. The next phase of this initiative will involve mobilizing the data with employers, employees and unions. Though the plan has not been fully established for phase 2, it is anticipated that it will involve the development of marketing material including short videos for social media as well as other opportunities.

Research Theme(s): Social, Economic 

#4922

 Peterborough County Tree Survivorship and Landowner Outreach project

 Peterborough County Stewardship is a non profit environmental stewardship organization dedicated to the promotion of sustainable use and stewardship of our soil, water, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife and other natural resources in Peterborough County.

The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the survivorship of the trees purchased in the past through a seedling sales program (2008–12) and determine how successful the program has been so that we can best support rural landowners in future program delivery and to expand our volunteer base. A survey to landowners has been sent and we are currently receiving those surveys for further analysis through this research project. 

Research Theme(s): Social, Economic 

#4923

Viability for Tiny Home Community in Peterborough as a means of transitional housing 

Building on the work of FRSC student researcher last year, you will determine the viability of tiny homes as a housing solution for individuals post-incarceration.  The Human Services Justice-Coordinating Committee (HSJCC) is looking for you to bring research into action by examining the potential for a ‘tiny home community’ pilot project in Peterborough. 

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (HKPR) Regional HSJCC functions to identify and influence system wide pressures and/or changes that support the decriminalization, deinstitutionalization and de-stigmatization of people who experience mental health, addiction and related conditions who come into contact with the Justice System. The HKPR Region covers Peterborough City and County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton and Northumberland Counties.

Research Theme(s):Social, Economic

#4924
Moral Reconation Therapy

“Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) seeks to decrease recidivism among both juvenile and adult criminal offenders by increasing moral reasoning. MRT is systematic and implements a cognitive-behavioral approach, which positively addresses an adolescent’s ego, social, moral, and positive behavioral growth.” The Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee seeks a student to identify best practices, and application of this therapy type to determine appropriate use in the region.

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (HKPR) Regional HSJCC functions to identify and influence system wide pressures and/or changes that support the decriminalization, deinstitutionalization and de-stigmatization of people who experience mental health, addiction and related conditions who come into contact with the Justice System. The HKPR Region covers Peterborough City and County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton and Northumberland Counties.

Research Theme(s): Social

#4925
Peterborough Support Court: Approaches to Decreased Recidivism 

Building on past student research conducted on the Peterborough Support Court, the HSJCC seeks to identify current modalities/treatment plans that could prove to substantially decrease recidivism rates. The Peterborough Support Court operates from a concurrent disorder court approach focusing on drug treatment and mental health.

The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (HKPR) Regional HSJCC functions to identify and influence system wide pressures and/or changes that support the decriminalization, deinstitutionalization and de-stigmatization of people who experience mental health, addiction and related conditions who come into contact with the Justice System. The HKPR Region covers Peterborough City and County, City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton and Northumberland Counties.

Research Theme(s): Social, Economic 

Search our collection of local research reports, research posters, books, periodicals and reference materials through the Digital Collections at Trent University.

Our library is for you!

Located at the TCRC office, our library is the place to access 400+ local research reports on a broad range of topics identified by community groups since 1995. We also have a selection of books, periodicals and reference materials on community-based research, community service-learning, community development and experiential education.

Other local collections
Researchers may wish to access other local library collections. Some suggestions include: Trent Valley Archives, Trent University Archives, Peterborough Museum and Archives and the Peterborough Public Library.

Calling all past TCRC researchers!

Often, work done for an individual organization can contribute to other projects or make up a portion of a larger body of work. It is in these connections and the availability of the information that the greater good of the community may be served. If you have completed a CBR project, please make sure that the TCRC Library has a copy of your report and/or final products! It will help future researchers and community members!

To view completed CBR project resources in Haliburton County, visit the Haliburton County Collection or drop by the U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research office.