On Friday, March 16, students enrolled in UC One and University College’s three interdisciplinary programs (Canadian Studies, Cognitive Science and Health Studies), and Drama Studies presented their research, practicum and course work at Research and Practice Day.
What was once a UC One event, designed to allow first-year students the opportunity to present their year-end research projects, has grown to include all College programs. Professor and University College Vice-Principal John Marshall — currently on sabbatical — initially helped bring the event to fruition. After bearing witness to its success he recognized the potential to expand the opportunity, and reached out to the directors of University College’s interdisciplinary programs.
It was quickly agreed that the format (poster presentation) provided an excellent opportunity for both the first-year students in UC One courses, and fourth-year students in UC interdisciplinary programs, to share their work with the broader community, and learn from the experiences of their peers.
The poster format was, and continues to be, advantageous “allowing people to walk around and take up what they’re interested in,” said Marshall. Student have an opportunity to be “a public expert on their topic and bring their learning back to the community,” adding “they can look across the cohorts and see how far they’ve come, what they accomplished and where they’re going.”
The day is a true display of everything the University College programs offer in both research and practicum opportunities. The goal is to demonstrate that “we value research and practice in similar ways,” said Marshall. “The student displays showcase all the things that University College offers and we take pride in that.”
This year, the event once again hosted a variety of presentations from across programs.
Margaret Pereira and her colleagues Simone Hinton, Madison Premsagar, and Zhengyuan Yang are enrolled in the UC One course, Sex in the City (taught by Andrew Lesk). The group presented their research “on homeless Indigenous youth, specifically youth who are LGBTQ2S,” said Periera. Their project focuses “on how [Indigenous youth] end up homeless, their mental health and forms of discrimination they face; and whether a closer connection to their Indigenous culture helps ease or break the cycle of homelessness.”
Fourth-year Health Studies student Elliot Campbell, enrolled in the 400-level practicum offered through the program. Appreciating the opportunity to learn outside the classroom, he secured a placement in a busy family medical practice. On Friday he shared his experience with his peers. “I will present some background on the clinic and its location within the health care landscape of Ontario,” including “some reflections on the medical experience, professional growth and future directions,” said Campbell. He also looked forward to the opportunity to “see and hear about the outcome of my colleagues’ work through the past year.”
For the UC One course Citizenship in the Canadian City (taught by Shawn Micallef), Spase Gjorgjievski, Jackie Emick, Stefan Mondovski, and Filip Pusov focused their research on “transit in and around the Greater Toronto Area.” Gjorgjievski said that he was excited to “share the findings with the people who will benefit the most: students.”
Professor Christina Kramer, Acting Vice-Principal of University College, enjoyed her first Research and Practice Day. “The diversity of college programs and the varied interests of undergraduate students enrolled in these programs, makes the event an unusual and exciting opportunity for cross-disciplinary interactions,” said Kramer, adding “I look forward to seeing people from across the campus come see these students present their work.