The U of A Team

(She/her/hers)

What do you do? I am an Associate Professor in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta. In this role I teach students, conduct research, and I also practice as a psychologist in the community. I am also a mom of four kids, and I volunteer with my local community league.

What is your role in the project? As the project lead, I developed the initial ideas (research questions) for this participatory research project, and my hope is to work alongside teachers and students in further developing the research questions, and discovering answers together.

What are you interested in? I have always been interested in how people build their lives and navigate learning, work, and transitions across the lifespan. I am interested in how our work (both paid work/jobs, and unpaid work, such as volunteering) can contribute to positive changes in our communities and beyond.

Tell us a fun fact about you! So far I have lived in three provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, and now Alberta). 

(she/her/hers)

What do you do? I am a third-year doctoral student in the Counselling Psychology program at the University of Alberta.

What is your role with the project? I am a research assistant with the BHF project, and I assist with facilitating classroom discussions and activities among student participants. This role includes contributions to data collection, and ongoing documentation of methodological and procedural observations.

What drew you to the BHF project? My research background is limited to quantitative approaches; however, I have always had an interest in qualitative research. I resonate with research, like the BHF project, that is built on a foundation of humility, reflexivity, and collaboration, with the goal of being impactful. The BHF project’s emphasis on hope as a motivator for climate action aligns with my personal, academic, and clinical interests. I contribute to local environmental initiatives through volunteer work and self-guided practices, and have found that hope is a driving, unifying factor in this work. Academically, I intend to incorporate my identity as a queer woman and build on this research for my dissertation which centers queer experiences of hope in the face of the climate crisis. Additionally, I am eager to learn more about the clinical applications of hope-based interventions, particularly as an increasing number of individuals experience ecological distress (i.e., eco-anxiety, eco-grief).

Tell us a fun fact about you! I competed on the University of Regina’s track & field team during my undergrad where I trained with my sister and was coached by my dad! In 2016, my performance in the 1000m race broke a university record, which was broken 6 years later by another one of my dad’s athletes.

What do you do? I am a first year masters student in the counselling psychology program at the University of Alberta.

What is your role in the project? I am a research assistant! I will help plan and guide sessions and I will assist with data analysis, interpretation, and writing. Additionally, I will develop some activities for the project as part of my thesis!

What are you interested in? I am interested in exploring how youth and young adults cope with climate change and environmental problems.

Tell us a fun fact about you! I love being outdoors - I enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring our national and provincial parks!

(She/her/hers)

What do you do? I am a masters counselling psychology student in my first year at the University of Alberta.

What is your role in the project? As a research assistant I support the project and the team in various ways. I helped with the ethics approval process and will assist with data collection, analysis, and writing. 

What are you interested in? As a therapist in training, I am interested in helping others through the ups and downs of life. I am especially interested in how spirituality impacts hope and healing. 

Tell us a fun fact about you! I love watching movies, especially at local independent theatres like Edmonton's own Metro Cinema. When I travel I like to visit the independent cinemas in that city too.