UNews - Department of Geography & Environment

Now you’ll know where to go when you gotta go

caroline.zentner — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:52:14 +0000

A team of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers have created a digital interactive map of publicly available washrooms in the city called GottaGoYQL.

Dr. Julia Brassolotto

Known as the Lavatory Laboratory, the research team, including Drs. Julia Brassolotto, a public health professor, Philip Bonnaventure, a geography professor, along with geography master’s student Zeeshan Hamayun and public health master’s student Brianna Rogers, travelled around town mapping public toilet locations and documenting their features.

“Public washroom access is important for public health, equity and dignity,” says Brassolotto. “It is also a critical part of an age-friendly and accessible community. We all need to use the washroom throughout the day, each with different needs and varying degrees of urgency.”

“As a geographer, I am always looking for ways to communicate information spatially and through mapping,” says Bonnaventure. “When the opportunity to work with public health was proposed, I saw this as a way to blend our disciplines while aiding our community. Everyone feels more comfortable knowing where you can go when you are on the go.”

Public toilets create cleaner and more sanitary spaces, which reduces deaths and improves health. They also create greater social participation. One study done in the UK found that 20 per cent of people don’t go out as much as they’d like to because of limited bathroom access. About a third of people lose some bladder control as they get older, and having public washrooms available enables them to participate more. People with medical conditions such as Crohn’s and colitis may be especially impacted because they may need to access a washroom quickly.

The GottaGoYQL map indicates the location of public washrooms around the city and the amenities each one offers. Public washrooms are those that members of the public can use without needing to be paying customers. In addition to the location pins, the map also provides information on whether the washrooms are gendered, their accessibility features, if a changing table is available and more.

“Maybe you’re a new parent who wants to find a washroom with a change table,” says Brassolotto. “Or maybe you have a health condition that requires frequent bathroom visits or you’re out walking the dog when nature calls. Whatever the situation, the map shows you where to go when you’ve gotta go.”

TECTERRA support helps launch i4Geo Institute for Geospatial Inquiry, Instruction and Innovation

trevor.kenney — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:53:25 +0000

Geomatics-related fields of study are taking another significant step forward at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge thanks to major support from TECTERRA and the opening of i4Geo, the Institute for Geospatial Inquiry, Instruction and Innovation.

“This is something we’ve been working towards for some time and to see it come together is exciting and a real positive push for geospatial study,” says Dr. Chris Hopkinson, Professor in the Department of Geography & Environment, The Board of Governors Research Chair in Remote Sensing and Director of i4Geo. “There is so much opportunity in geographical information science, geospatial positioning and imaging technologies, sensor networks, big data analytics, artificial intelligence and 3D digital twins. Bringing these fields of study together under the i4Geo umbrella, encompassing research, training, networking, business innovation and community outreach will further establish ULethbridge as leaders in geospatial technology and its applications.”

Then graduate students Thomas Porter and Celeste Barnes set up and watch GNSS positioning, long range 3D laser scanner and four imaging systems, including Thermal, RGB, NIR and GoPro video all poised to capture the rates and volumes of avalanche motion as part of an international team of researchers participating in joint experiments for a BBC science documentary.

Geomatics is a branch of science that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data relating to the Earth’s surface. ULethbridge students are the biggest winners with the introduction of i4Geo.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s geography department has provided me with many opportunities to work with emerging technologies, such as airborne and drone lidar, as well as do fieldwork across western Canada, learning the most current GIS and geospatial analysis techniques for both my undergraduate and graduate work,” says Emily Jones, a PhD student member of the i4Geo newly formed executive committee. “The TECTERRA-funded i4Geo institute will help continue these opportunities for myself and other students; opportunities to get hands-on research experience and networking opportunities that have real-life applications.”

The emergence of i4Geo is in large part thanks to TECTERRA’s continued support of geomatics-related study and innovation. Since 2009, TECTERRA has supported the advancement of the geospatial sector in Alberta through funding programs targeted at commercializing technology, and more recently has focused its efforts on academia to foster the next generation of geospatial experts and entrepreneurs.

“We understand that staying ahead of the curve requires constant adaptation and innovation and we are particularly excited about i4GEO’s commitment to developing unique academic programs. As the Institute continues to grow and evolve, we look forward to seeing the impact that its students, faculty and partners will have on the world,” says Monty Carter, Managing Chair at TECTERRA.

In 2023, TECTERRA invested $5.2 million in a Legacy Program for Alberta-based universities, out of which $1.3 million was directed to ULethbridge to fund various undergraduate and graduate awards for students engaged in geomatics-related fields, as well as further growth opportunities — i4Geo being one. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors also matched a portion of those funds as part of its commitment to student scholarships and bursaries.

“Our group of centres and institutes, now totalling 18, serve as exemplars of the incredible breadth of research taking place on campus,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president (research). “These centres push boundaries, spur innovation and provide opportunity for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students to thrive in a rich multidisciplinary atmosphere that seeks answers to many of our most pressing societal issues. Adding i4Geo to this group further enhances the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s standing as a leader in this field of study.”

What excites Hopkinson about i4Geo is its broad, multidisciplinary nature. The institute offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in geography, remote sensing, environmental science, agricultural studies, geographical information science and computer science. There is also a major push to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, business incubation and community outreach.

“As a community of nationally leading geospatial ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and researchers, our faculty and students have so much to offer society beyond the day-to-day activities of degree-focused teaching and grant-funded research projects,” he says. “At its core, i4Geo’s goal is to provide a range of unique and complimentary pathways for community engagement and skills/knowledge dissemination, so that we can more effectively and collectively tackle a wide range of environmental challenges and nurture new opportunities.”

To that end, the institute debuted the first of its three-part series of workshops today — Using R for Geospatial Analysis: Part I. The three-hour workshops are intended for senior undergraduate and graduate students, while also offering individual modules via Continuing Education to members of the public in a blended learning environment.

“These workshops will allow us to support internal degree-level training needs, public education and outreach, as well as provide graduate students and postdoctoral fellows an excellent opportunity to share what they have learned and reinforce their own teaching portfolio in an area of their strength,” adds Hopkinson.

Finishing PhD student, Linda Flade, is hosting the first workshop and says they are designed to grow knowledge of geospatial work internally and externally.

“Through the opportunity afforded by i4Geo to embed my course on using R for geospatial analysis within this innovative series of workshops, I can share the knowledge gained during my PhD program with ULethbridge students and the public in a blended learning framework,” she says. “This will expand knowledge transfer from ULethbridge to the community and will further strengthen my teaching skills and experience.”

Agricultural research at the heart of new collaboration between ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and county partners

caroline.zentner — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:17:51 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has partnered with Lethbridge County, the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) and the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) to conduct research into local agricultural priorities.

The funding, $50,000 per year, will support five ULethbridge researchers over four years.

“This research partnership, thanks in large part to the efforts of Professor Emeritus Dr. Jim Byrne, will provide information and results that are extremely relevant to our area,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president of research. “By helping to identify opportunities to improve efficiency in agricultural operations, evaluating and advising on the viability of new crops and improving soil health, these projects will contribute to a more robust and sustainable agriculture sector.”

Lethbridge County contains more than 297,000 irrigated acres, allowing local farmers to produce a multitude of crops. The County is also home to rich pasture and grazing lands which serve livestock industries such as feedlots, dairies, and meatpacking and poultry processing facilities.

“As the most productive ag community in Alberta, we recognize that collaboration and sustainability are critical to success,” says Cole Beck, Lethbridge County CAO. “We’re proud to partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, LNID and SMRID to support research projects that will move the ag industry forward by seeking innovative solutions to challenges. We also appreciate the willingness of local producers to participate in research that will impact the future of agriculture in southern Alberta.”

“The St. Mary River Irrigation District is happy to collaborate with the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District and Lethbridge County to support innovative research from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge that will benefit farmers and livestock producers in southern Alberta,” says David Westwood, SMRID general manager.

“LNID shares an interest in supporting local researchers who can answer local questions applicable to stewardship of water within irrigated southern Alberta,” says Chris Gallagher, LNID general manager. “LNID recognized the value of partnering with Lethbridge County and SMRID to support ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge research projects that target our mutual interests and that of our constituents/irrigators. Having input into the selection of project areas of study, and some of the research questions to be answered, gives us a vested interest in the outcomes. The LNID Board is pleased to demonstrate a financial commitment to finding solutions to our mutual challenges as we continue to strive toward sustainable growth of irrigated agriculture in Lethbridge County.”

Dr. Neha Vaid, an assistant professor in the biology department, will study the potential for millets as a sustainable crop for marginal lands and as an aid in carbon sequestration and prevention of soil erosion in southern Alberta. She will test 11 millet varieties to analyze their potential as livestock feed, their impact on soil health, and seed and biomass yield.

Dr. Michele Konschuh, an associate professor in biology, will evaluate soil health in newly irrigated land parcels and compare it to land irrigated for longer periods. By comparing newly irrigated land, previously irrigated land and never irrigated land, Konschuh hopes to learn about the changes that occur when irrigation is introduced and what parameters need to be maintained to preserve soil health.

Dr. Dan Johnson, a professor in the geography and environment department, hopes to improve the forecasting of drought-related insect pests like grasshoppers. Johnson will conduct a spring survey of the grasshopper population to update the breeding survey usually conducted in late July and early August of the previous year. Johnson aims to develop better methods of forecasting grasshopper population growth, especially during droughts.

Dr. Hardeep Ryait, a professor at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, will work on a project to improve sustainability and reduce the environmental impacts of livestock operations. Ryait wants to create a proof-of-concept livestock feedlot operation that incorporates solar panels for animal welfare, both for shade and electrical production. Cattle health would be monitored through an AI-powered video imaging system and radio-frequency identification (RFID) would be used to monitor feeding and watering behaviour to improve growth.

Dr. Paul Hazendonk, a professor in the chemistry & biochemistry department, will explore the production of biofuels from algae using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL).

Dr. Matthew Letts appointed to second term

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 20:06:01 +0000

Respected academic, researcher, and administrator, Dr. Matthew Letts has been appointed to a second term as Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Letts, who first assumed the role in 2020, will begin his second term on July 1, 2025.

Dr. Matthew Letts, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, is a respected academic, researcher and administrator.

Letts is a professor of geography and environment, and holds a BA and BSc (Honours) from Queen’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, a MSc in geography from McGill ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and a PhD from King’s College London. An ecologist with international experience, he served as a lecturer at Trent ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ before joining the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 2003.

Prior to taking on the role of dean, Letts was interim dean from July 2019 and had previously served as associate dean since 2012. During this time, he also acted as interim associate vice-president (research) from 2014 to 2015. From 2016 to 2019, Letts served as the academic program director for the Destination Project, playing a key role in the creation of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Science Commons (Isttaniokaksini).

As dean, Letts applied a collaborative approach to effectively navigating budgetary challenges and the impacts of the pandemic. He champions innovative programs across the humanities, social sciences and sciences, from certificates to post-diploma and dual degree options and new transdisciplinary degree programs and is always keen to support experiential learning. His detailed knowledge of the Science Commons was instrumental in supporting the effective operationalization of the new facility for faculty and students. Looking forward, one of his main priorities will be to work with faculty, students and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community on creating a strategic plan for the Faculty of Arts & Science.

"Dr. Letts has been a key figure in elevating the impact and reputation of the Faculty of Arts & Science and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," says Dr. Michelle Helstein, Provost and Vice-President (Academic). “He is a collaborative leader who cares deeply and advocates strongly for his Faculty, while also making significant contributions to larger institutional initiatives. I am thrilled to reappoint him for a second term, allowing us to sustain the forward momentum he has generated through his work with his arts and science colleagues."

“I also want to thank the Review Committee for its important work in the reappointment process,” says Helstein. “Today’s reappointment was only made possible through community feedback and committee contributions, and I appreciate all who were a part of the process.”

Archaeology podcast geared at educating public earns Dr. Ken Holyoke and on-air partner national award

trevor.kenney — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:49:21 +0000

Dr. Ken Holyoke will be the first to tell you how much he loves to talk — especially about archaeology — and that enthusiasm has been recognized with a national award.

Dr. Ken Holyoke in his home studio.

Holyoke, an assistant professor in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Department of Geography and Environment, and his on-air partner Dr. Gabriel Hrynick of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of New Brunswick, have been awarded the 2024 Public Communications Award from the Canadian Archaeological Association for their unique collaboration — the New Brunswick Archaeology Podcast (NBAP).

The award comes as the duo are putting a wrap on their second season of NBAP, and further validates the concept that led them to create the podcast in the first place — that the general public has an appetite for history. Through their work they are addressing gaps in public education relating to archaeology, archaeological scholarship, heritage legislation, cultural resource management (CRM) and Indigenous pasts.

“We were fully anticipating if we could reach 10 people, that’d be 10 more than we did before,” laughs Holyoke. “We sort of make fun of ourselves in saying that the reach of the podcast in the first season alone far exceeded the impact of any of our academic papers.”

Holyoke, left, and Dr. Gabriel Hrynick have found there is an appetite in the public for the issues they discuss.

Holyoke encourages newcomers to NBAP to forego the pilot podcast where he admits the two were nervous, meandering and lacking proper production elements, such as good audio. They’ve grown in confidence since and now present a polished, informative and focused show. The production value is also greatly enhanced thanks to the work of ULethbridge Digital Audio Arts student Emanuel Akel. He was brought on board thanks to a ULethbridge SSHRC Exchange grant the duo received that allowed them to enhance their product while giving an undergraduate student an outstanding work-integrated learning opportunity.

The podcast is centred in New Brunswick because Holyoke does the majority of his work there, he’s a born and raised New Brunswicker, and he recognized a dearth of well-established public archeology mechanisms. He and Hrynick explain in a recently published article about their podcast that archaeology is at a crucial moment for public engagement.

“Pressing societal needs and legal decisions, including Indigenous land claims, increasingly draw on archaeological information,” they write. “At the same time, threats to the archaeological record from climate change and development are increasing. In response to these concerns, public archaeology is increasingly necessary as it brings archaeological research to the general public.”

More live shows, like this one at a local pub in New Brunswick, could be in the offing in season three of the podcast.

Holyoke and Hrynick even presented a live podcast in a New Brunswick tavern during season two and are already imagining where season three might take them. As they approach a landmark 10,000th download, they’re just above 8,300 now, they’re keen to show their new media approach and open-access format can be applicable in other regions of the country.

“Based on the feedback to the podcast via our email address, social media engagements and attendance at a recent live recording, there is considerable public interest in archaeology,” they note.

Holyoke describes running into random people who have mentioned they tune into their show, a student group from St. Mary’s ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Halifax that plays it in their lab, and a crew of archaeological consultants in northern B.C who listen in while on the job.

“There are a bunch of people we’d like to interview for season three and we’re looking at focusing broadly on the theme of human-environment interactions,” he says. “It’s great, it’s turned into something we really enjoy doing and we want it to continue to grow, in part because there’s quite a bit of effort that goes into it now and we’d like to be able to reach more people.”

The podcast is hosted through RSS.com, which facilitates posting the podcasts to services such as Spotify or Apple. The full show lineup is available on Spotify here.

Broad areas of research awarded federal funding

caroline.zentner — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 21:03:34 +0000

A spectrum of research projects at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have been awarded nearly $2.6 million in federal funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

The funding is part of $693.8 million for several NSERC research competitions recently announced on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

“This investment in ULethbridge research activities speaks to the excellence and nationally competitive research we do — everything from mapping fuels for wildland fires to bee behaviour and the dynamics of black holes,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president research. “Our researchers investigate topics that impact the ways we understand the world around us and the complex influences and interconnectedness of the natural environment, agriculture and food security, and deep space phenomena.”

In addition, Dr. Monique Giroux had her Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Métis Music renewed for $500,000 through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

In all, 14 ULethbridge projects are receiving funding support from NSERC through the Discovery Grant and Discovery Development Grant programs. Among them are the following projects:

Dr. Laura Chasmer, a professor in the Department of Geography & Environment, will use novel Earth observation and geospatial data to examine how variations in vegetation ecosystems, both in space and in time, may enhance and reduce wildfires in Western Canada. The research program, which will include Indigenous land managers and knowledge keepers, will develop new ways of understanding fire hazards and recommendations for ecosystem management to lessen the impact of fire and improve the resilience of ecosystems and communities.
Dr. Sergio Pellis, Department of Neuroscience, will investigate the role of rough-and-tumble play or play-fighting in the development of cognitive and social skills in non-human mammals. Based on preliminary findings, Pellis hypothesizes that species with more complex social systems that require them to negotiate more varied relationships will have patterns of play that train youngsters for the social skills they’ll need as adults.

Discovery Grants

The funding listed for the following projects is over five years:

Dr. Theresa Burg, Biological Sciences — Evolution of High Latitude Birds ($200,000)
Dr. Shelley Hoover, Biological Sciences — Interactions between social bee behaviour and health ($190,000)
Dr. Steve Wiseman, Biological Sciences — Toxicant Induced Dysregulation of Oocyte Maturation ($235,000)
Dr. Nehal Thakor, Chemistry & Biochemistry — Regulation of mRNA Translation During Cellular Stress and Apoptosis ($200,000)
Dr. Laura Chasmer, Geography & Environment — Spatio-temporal variations in wildland fire fuel connectivity and behaviour using multi-data analytics ($275,000)
Dr. Joy Morris, Mathematics & Computer Science — Unexpected Symmetries of Graphs ($135,000)
Dr. David Euston, Neuroscience — Risk, Reinforcement Schedules, and Dopamine ($165,000)
Dr. Sergio Pellis, Neuroscience — Social play, the prefrontal cortex and the development of socio-cognitive skills ($275,000)
Dr. Alexandra Tetarenko, Physics & Astronomy — Unravelling how black holes power explosive outflows ($145,000)
Dr. Stephanus Henzi, Psychology — Contingency and Specificity in the Structure and Dynamics of Social Behaviour in Baboons and Vervet Monkeys ($235,000)
Dr. Jean-Baptiste Leca, Psychology — Mechanisms and evolution of material culture in primates: Does object play facilitate tool use? ($268,690)
Dr. Jamal Mansour, Psychology — Measuring cognitive processes that predict eyewitness identification performance ($165,000)

Discovery Development Grants

The funding listed for the following projects is over two years:

Dr. Philip Bonaventure, Geography & Environment — Climatic, geomorphic and ecosystem-driven multi-scale permafrost modelling and testing ($40,0000)
Dr. David Morris, Mathematics & Computer Science — Arithmetic groups, orderability, bounded generation and automorphisms ($40,000)

The Research Support Fund supports a portion of the costs associated with managing the research funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, such as salaries for staff who provide administration support, training costs for workplace health and safety, maintenance of libraries and laboratories, and administrative costs associated with obtaining patents for inventions.

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas grant supports ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge research expertise

trevor.kenney — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:59:41 +0000

Eight ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge research projects focused on water storage, carbon storage, insect health, fish habitat and the endangered sage grouse will go ahead thanks to a $500,000 grant from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA).

“We’re joining forces with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to look deeper into environmental issues impacting southern Alberta,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a news release. “This grant will help us better maximize and manage Alberta’s water supply, reduce emissions, recover species at risk and protect the environment in the years ahead. This is a great example of government and university scientists working together.”

The three-year research grant will ultimately help both government and ULethbridge researchers better understand and respond to environmental challenges in southern Alberta and across the province.

"The Ministry's significant investment in these innovative and provincially important research projects led by ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers working with Environment and Protected Areas colleagues is greatly appreciated,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president research. “The research includes answering important questions about water resources and habitat management, carbon storage in landscapes, ensuring diverse and thriving insects, birds, and fish populations, as well as human actions and interventions that affect water and lands."

The projects target diverse areas of research. Drs. Matthew Bogard and Sam Woodman (BSc '15), a postdoctoral fellow, will collaborate with researchers from AEPA and Ducks Unlimited Canada to map and define patterns of prairie wetland carbon and nutrient stocks.

In another project, Drs. Theresa Burg and Melissa Chelak, a postdoctoral fellow, will work with AEPA scientists to see how endangered sage grouse populations are responding to recent habitat restoration, namely oil and gas reclamation efforts.

Drs. Laura Chasmer, Chris Hopkinson and Craig Coburn will be focusing on the vulnerability of peatlands to wildfire. Peatlands in Alberta have been drying out in recent years, reducing their ability to slow the spread of forest fires and resulting in increased carbon loss into the atmosphere. In addition, Chasmer and Hopkinson will also work on a project to assess the province’s lake water resources.

Climate phases, such as El Nino, can impact the productivity of native grassland and wetland ecosystems. Dr. Larry Flanagan and AEPA will examine how these year-to-year variations in weather contribute to fluctuations in productivity and carbon sequestration in these ecosystems and how these factors in turn can affect dryland farming, ranching, irrigated crop production and bird habitat.

How rainbow and brown trout in urban rivers such as the Bow River are affected by the combined effects of exposure to two stormwater associated chemicals as well as increased water temperatures and decreases in dissolved oxygen is the subject of research by Drs. Steve Wiseman and Andreas Eriksson, a postdoctoral fellow, in collaboration with researchers from AEPA and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

Grasshopper expert, Dr. Dan Johnson, will be conducting extensive field sampling of Orthoptera to determine their diversity, abundance and biomass in wildlife food webs. Orthoptera includes insects such as grasshoppers and crickets.

A project team led by Dr. Jodie Asselin, an anthropology professor, in collaboration with government researchers, will look at the impact of human activities on the ecology of the Upper Oldman Watershed to assist in the development of policies that balance the needs of recreational users with the protection of at-risk species such as bull trout.

“These projects will help to monitor and build understanding of the southern Alberta environment and potentially lead to better responses to droughts, floods, species at risk and less predictable climate changes,” says McMartin.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge research projects earn SSHRC funding support

caroline.zentner — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 15:02:43 +0000

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) announced funding through several grant programs today and three ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge projects are among those receiving awards.

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced over $1.8 billion in federal research support, including $35.3 million for 577 research projects at 66 Canadian institutions through SSHRC Insight Development Grants.

Among the successful ULethbridge projects is a proposed two-year study by Drs. Kevin McGeough and Shawn Bubel (Geography & Environment) that will examine how political leaders built economies that satisfied the demands of imperial powers and maintained local loyalties in Iron Age Jordan. Located in environmentally marginal but politically strategic locations, examination of the Iron Age kingdoms of Jordan informs us not just about ancient times, but about issues related to the origins of states, their resilience and collapse.

“The proposed project has the potential to transform the way scholars think about Iron Age Kingdoms such as Edom, as well as contribute to the preservation and interpretation of Jordan’s cultural heritage,” says McGeough. “The study will provide opportunities for ULethbridge undergraduate and graduate students to be trained in field archaeological techniques and laboratory analyses.”

Dr. Anastasia Stuart-Edwards, a Dhillon School of Business professor in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations, will investigate whether mindfulness can improve teamwork, which has been known to be inefficient and result in negative employee experiences and loss of profitability. Mindfulness, a state of being present and aware of what you’re sensing and feeling without interpretation or judgment, has been shown to be beneficial for individual employees, but it’s not clear if the benefits extend to teams.

“This project draws on teamwork theories and mindfulness to examine whether team members’ mindfulness scores are related to a state of shared team mindfulness,” says Stuart-Edwards. “We’ll also be looking at how team mindfulness relates to team processes, engagement and performance.”

The third project by Drs. Christy Tu and Rhiannon Mesler, professors at the Dhillon School of Business (Calgary Campus), will explore the relationship between charitable giving and social status and how the positioning of a charitable gift to consumers can affect donations. They are proposing a series of six studies with both student and public participants.

“This research has important implications for improving charitable giving and prosocial behaviour in society,” says Tu. “In addition, our results should help equip charitable organizations and governments with tools to better communicate and raise funds from consumers for prosocial purposes.”

Along with nearly $200,000 for these research projects, ULethbridge will receive a $2.4-million grant from the Research Support Fund which supports the indirect costs of research.

Collaborative research project utilizes geospatial technology to locate lost graves sites in Vulcan County

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 18:17:09 +0000

Today’s cutting-edge geospatial technology is being utilized to honour and protect the past through a collaborative research project between the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Vulcan County.

The initiative, Locating Missing Grave Sites using Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems, involves the use of advanced geospatial technology to locate and document potentially lost grave sites, enriching our understanding of local history and providing a respectful approach to cemetery management.

Researchers work in a rural cemetery collecting data as part of the collaborative community project.

“Unmarked graves have posed a significant challenge for rural communities for years. In Vulcan County, many of the cemeteries, which were associated with small towns, are now the responsibility of the municipalities and local service organizations to maintain, and many of these cemeteries have markers that have gone missing or were never recorded,” says Christopher Northcott, Vulcan County. “The absence of accurate records and mapping has not only hindered cemetery expansion but made it more likely for historical graves to be unintentionally disturbed during excavations.”

Research intern Paul Novoseltsev and a team of ULethbridge students under the guidance of Dr. Craig Coburn (geography & environment) will use a remote piloted aircraft system equipped with multispectral and thermal imaging technology, as well as terrain analysis using topography rendered from Structure from Motion (SfM), to locate missing graves throughout the county.

“Using these technologies, we will be able to conduct non-destructive and cost-effective surveys of potential grave sites,” says Novoseltsev. “We hope to be able to identify graves that may have been lost to time and, in the process, update municipal records and create detailed maps that will prevent future disturbances of these sacred sites.”

The project is funded in part by a $15,000 gift from Mitacs, a non-profit national research organization, with the other half of the funding coming from municipal stakeholders including Vulcan County, and the villages of Carmangay, Lomond and Milo. The Carmangay Historical Society, Carmangay Agricultural Society, Lions Club of Lomond and the Lions Club of Milo all rallied to support this important initiative, providing significant funding contributions.

“Partnerships such as these are extremely beneficial for both parties,” says Coburn, professor and Chair of the Department of Geography & Environment. “The experience our students get from applying the technology they are working with in a field setting and then interpreting the data they accrue is invaluable. Similarly, we are able to help resolve an important issue for these communities as they seek to celebrate and preserve their rich histories.”

To date, this project has nearly completed all required remotely piloted drone flights. This has generated an enormous trove of accurate location-referenced images that also overlay temperature variations. While this data will provide the basis for research into the capabilities of remote sensing technologies, for these rural communities the data will help establish cemetery profiles on local geographic information systems, identifying lost graves and areas where further investigation is required. Local histories will also be reviewed to complete the historical context for technical findings in the research component.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge earns more than $1.3 million in TECTERRA support of geomatics students and programs

trevor.kenney — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 15:11:38 +0000

Geomatics students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are the key benefactors of a substantial investment from TECTERRA today, as the Canadian non-profit supporter of geomatics technology innovation has invested $5.2 million in a Legacy Program for Alberta-based universities.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) are recipients of this program. The Legacy Program offers financial aid for geomatics undergraduates, helps geomatics graduates commercialize technologies within their institution, attracts aspiring geomatics enthusiasts, offers co-op and internship opportunities for job placement, and invests in advanced technology to enhance geomatics education.

The TECTERRA gift will support geomatics students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Here, a student collects data in the field.

What it means for ULethbridge is more than $1.3 million from TECTERRA to fund various undergraduate and graduate awards for students engaged in geomatics-related fields along with other supports to grow capacity in this important area of study. ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors is also matching a portion of the funds as part of its commitment to student scholarships and bursaries.

“Providing financial support for our future leaders breaks down financial barriers that prevent students from being able to commit to their education full-time,” says Dr. Craig Coburn, professor and Chair of the Department of Geography and Environment. “With this strong financial support at the undergraduate and graduate level, unique programs, such as our undergraduate major in Remote Sensing, will continue to grow by attracting great students. Additionally, the graduate funding contribution is also important as it will allow students to pursue geospatial science and contribute to Alberta's vibrant geospatial community.”

The chosen post-secondaries will be recipients of financial support and expert guidance from TECTERRA, enabling them to actualize their industry-leading geomatics programs. This collaboration will have a substantial impact on moulding the future of the geomatics sector in Alberta and beyond.

“TECTERRA is excited to embark on this new journey of collaboration with Alberta’s universities,” says Monty Carter, Board Chair at TECTERRA. “Our aim is to fuel the geomatics industry’s growth by nurturing the talents of young minds, fostering innovation, and bridging academia with industry. Together, we’ll shape a bright future for geospatial technology in Alberta and Canada.”

Geomatics is a branch of science that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data relating to the Earth’s surface. Geomatics-related fields include remote sensing, image analysis, cartography, resource management, GIS (geographic information system) analysis and consulting, among many others. TECTERRA, established in 2010, is a non-profit organization assisting geomatics technology companies and educators across Alberta. After more than a decade of successful collaboration with technology companies to expedite innovation, TECTERRA is now directing its focus toward academia to foster the next generation of geospatial experts and entrepreneurs.

“For the last decade, TECTERRA has supported growth and promoted innovation and commercialization across Canada’s geospatial technology sectors,” says Dr. Chris Hopkinson, a researcher in the Department of Geography & Environment and the Advanced Resolution Terradynamics Monitoring System Laboratory (ARTeMiS). “It’s great to see these Legacy Program investments to Alberta’s post-secondary institutions, where funds will support and reward innovations by emerging geospatial scholars, leaders and entrepreneurs.”

UNews - Department of Geography & Environment

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