UVicSpace | Institutional Repository
UVicSpace is the University of Victoria’s open access scholarship and learning repository. It preserves and provides access to the digital scholarly works of UVic faculty, students, staff, and partners. Items in UVicSpace are organized into collections, each belonging to a community.
For more information about depositing items, see the Submission Guidelines.
Recent Submissions
Institutionalizing community university research partnerships: A user’s manual
(PRIA and University of Victoria, 2015) Tandon, Rajesh; Hall, Budd
This manual on Institutionalizing Community University Research Partnerships is both a handy reference and a ready tool-kit for university and college administrators interested in establishing and improving Community University Research Partnership initiatives in their institutions. It provides practical guidelines and steps that will help deliver on policy commitments made to promote Community University Engagement/Community University Research Partnerships in higher educational institutions. These guidelines, supplemented with best practices (in boxes) from around the world, are intended to show a way forward, and are not necessarily prescriptive; they offer insights into how institutions can build and sustain Community University Research Partnership practices and structures. These best practices are a snapshot of current administrative structures and institutional policies that are facilitative of Community University Research Partnerships. A section on Frequently Asked Questions provides ready answers to questions that may arise in the process of institutionalizing Community University Research Partnerships. Resources and further readings at the end of the manual are an aid to further learning.
The content of the manual has been carefully drawn from available global literature, much of it culled from products of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded global study on 'Mainstreaming Community University Research Partnerships' conducted under the aegis of the UNESCO Chair on Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education. This global study documented case studies across 12 countries and a comparative analysis of the cases highlighted the practices and exemplars for institutionalizing Community University Research Partnerships.
This easy-to-use manual is an effort of the UNESCO Co-Chairs towards co-creating knowledge, capacities and partnerships between universities (academics), communities (civil society) and government (policymakers). We hope it will be beneficial to all universities, colleges and other higher educational institutions that are sensitive to the issue of social responsibility and the potential of community based research to provide local solutions to global problems for local communities. We look forward to your comments and feedback once you have started on the journey of institutionalizing Community University Research Partnerships in your institution.
Oral contraceptives and cognition: Advancing methodology, measurement, and knowledge translation in sex and gender-informed neuropsychological research
(2025) Doucette, Madeline; Garcia-Barrera, Mauricio Alejandro
Objectives: Despite evidence suggesting oral contraceptives and female sex hormones are associated with cognitive effects, research has been hindered by inconsistent methodologies, a lack of real-world assessments, and limited attention to sex- and gender-based factors. My dissertation addresses these gaps through five interrelated chapters: (1) a literature review summarizing the state of research on oral contraceptives and cognition, specifically executive function, (2) a published scoping review evaluating the integration of sex and gender and the use of cognitive Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in clinical populations, (3) an original study assessing the feasibility of utilizing EMA to capture the effects of OC use on cognition, (4) a knowledge translation chapter focused on increasing evidence-based OC information online, and (5) an overall conclusions chapter. Methods: Scoping Review (Chapter 2): A scoping review of cognitive EMA studies in clinical populations was conducted following JBI scoping review methodology. The review described EMA designs, feasibility, and integration of sex/gender factors in cognitive research. Research Study (Chapter 3): An 8-day EMA feasibility study was conducted with 37 OC users (ages 18–24), assessing executive function (inhibition, updating, shifting), subjective cognition, mood, stress, and physical activity. Feasibility was assessed across five key domains: (1) recruitment, (2) data collection and measures, (3) acceptability of study procedures, (4) resource demands, and (5) preliminary data analysis. Knowledge Translation (Chapter 4): Based on survey results on OC knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions given to participants from Chapter 3, as well as the broader research landscape, I translated evidence-based OC information, into accessible formats, including media articles, an interactive quiz, and social media content. Results: Scoping Review (Chapter 2): EMA was found to be a promising tool for capturing cognitive fluctuations in clinical populations, though only 45% of studies explicitly considered sex/gender, and just one accounted for hormonal therapy. Studies demonstrated variability in EMA protocols, with inconsistent reporting of key methodological factors. Research Study (Chapter 3): Our study demonstrated EMA is a feasible approach for investigating OCs and cognition, with good adherence (83%), high quality data, and positive participant feedback. Preliminary analyses revealed OC-related cognitive fluctuations, including phase and androgenicity. Knowledge Translation (Chapter 4): Findings from the survey aligned with broader research indicating knowledge gaps in OC mechanisms, risks, and benefits, and thus, interactive and accessible materials were created for dissemination. Conclusions: This dissertation contributes to the growing literature on hormonal influences on cognition, emphasizing the necessity of sex- and gender-informed approaches in neuropsychological research. We establish EMA as a feasible and acceptable method for studying OC-related cognitive effects. While our findings suggest cognitive performance may fluctuate based on OC phase and formulation, future research must employ rigorous methodologies, consider additional contextual factors (e.g., stress, time of day, pill ingestion timing), and improve recruitment strategies.
IoT based gas detection using Arduino and ESP8266
(2025) Gandhi, Khushboo; Coady, Yvonne
This report presents the development of a scalable Internet of Things (IoT)-based gas detection system leveraging the Arduino Uno, ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, and MQ-5 gas sensor. The primary objective of the system is to detect combustible gases such as methane and propane and to transmit real-time sensor data to a cloud-connected platform.
The prototype serves as a foundational proof of concept for broader safety applications, particularly in industrial environments where gas leaks pose significant hazards. A practical and educational system design has been implemented with attention to hardware interfacing, embedded programming, and network communication.
To complement the core system, a STEM-focused tutorial is provided, introducing learners to sensor integration and cloud data transmission using microcontrollers. The report further outlines a robust future scope wherein the existing system can evolve into a distributed sensor network integrated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for intelligent alerting, secure data storage, and real-time analytics across geographically distributed facilities.
Perceptions of counsellor genuineness, empathy, and regard: impact of counsellor nonverbal behavior and subject self-esteem
(1986) Duma, Joanne; Uhlemann, Max R.
A review of the research literature illustrates the influential roles of both nonverbal behavior and self-esteem in the process of interpersonal perception. Studies investigating the salient factors in creating facilitative conditions in counsel ling have found counsellor nonverbal behavior to influence client perceptions of the counsellor. Additionally, research studies on self-esteem have found one's self-esteem level to have a considerable impact on his or her perceptions of another in an interpersonal interaction. The current study investigate the influential role of counsellor nonverbal behavior (eye contact, trunk lean, body orientation, facial expressiveness, head nodding) on client perceptions of counsellor genuineness, empathy, and regard. Counsellor nonverbal behavior was examined both alone and in interaction with subject self-esteem.
Subjects viewed two eight -minute videotaped counselling interviews in which the verbal script remained constant while the counsellor nonverbal behavior differed in level of responsiveness (responsive vs. unresponsive). Subjects evaluated counsellor genuineness, empathy, and regard on the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory (1962). The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (Fitts, 1964) was administered to determine the subjects' self-esteem level.
It was predicted that the videotaped counsellor emitting responsive and unresponsive nonverbal behavior would receive high and low ratings of genuineness, empathy, and regard, respectively. Additionally, it was expected that, in both of the nonverbal behavior conditions, the counsellor would receive significantly high or lower ratings in the predicted directions from the low self-esteem subjects.
A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that responsive counsellor nonverbal behavior was associated with higher ratings of counsellor genuineness, empathy, and regard. Self-esteem level, however, failed to interact with counsellor nonverbal behavior to differentially affect counsellor evaluation. The results were discussed and the limitations of the current study, implications of the findings, and suggestions for future research were presented.
Are convertible bonds efficiently priced in the Chinese market? Insights from a simulation-based pricing model
(2025) Long, Shuyi; Zhang, Xuekui
This study investigates the pricing efficiency of Chinese convertible bonds and presents evidence of systematic mispricing. To support this analysis, we develop a pricing framework based on the Least Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) method, tailored to reflect contractual features unique to the Chinese market. Using this model, we simulate fair values over the full lifespan of 154 convertible bonds issued between 2015 and 2019 and compare them to observed market prices. The model-predicted price curves generally align well with observed price patterns, demonstrating the robustness and practical value of our approach. However, we also find that trading prices occasionally deviate from model-implied values by more than 10%, with these deviations exhibiting consistent patterns rather than random fluctuations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that simple trading strategies—both at the individual bond level and at the portfolio level—can exploit these discrepancies to generate substantial excess returns. These findings suggest that the Chinese convertible bond market is only partially efficient and highlight persistent arbitrage opportunities, underscoring the importance of market-specific valuation models in emerging financial markets.