ARIA Summer Projects
In 2024, 29 Arts undergraduate students received Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Research Internship Awards (ARIA).
Art History
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Rachel Barker:听Tatanka Iyotanka (Sitting Bull) And The Wild West Show's听Visit To Tiohti脿:Ke/Montr茅al In 1885: Archival Research In Historical Indigenous Photographic Representations Rachel is in her second year at 麻豆AV in Honours Art History with a minor in English Literature. She will be working with Dr. Reilley Bishop-Stall to research Canadian photographic history of Indigenous and Settler representations, specifically examining the year 1885 as a pivotal moment in Canadian history. Rachel believes in the power of art to mobilize social change and eagerly welcomes the opportunity to research both historical and ongoing examples of activism in art. Prof. Reilley Bishop-Stall, Art History |
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听 Brooklyn Carr: Legacies Forgotten: Black Art and Artists in 1980s Britain Brooklyn Carr is an Honours Art History student from Atlanta, Georgia. Brooklyn is the daughter of 麻豆AV alumni Roger Carr and granddaughter of alumni Leithland Carr. She is passionate about the advancement of the Black community and aspires to advocate for the Black community by uplifting Black artists and their artistry. She currently works as the event coordinator for the Black Healing Centre and is an executive member of the Multi-Ethnic Student Alliance. Prof. Matthew Hunter, Art History |
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Communication Studies
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Eliza Lee:听Interdisciplinary Energy: Keywords for the Just Storage Project Eliza Lee is a third-year English and Cultural Studies student minoring in communications. This summer, she will work with Professor Darin Barney to assemble a list of keywords in support of the Just Storage Project鈥攁 project that aims to create an interdisciplinary framework to guide research in the development of energy storage technologies and systems. She looks forward to learning more about energy storage and energy justice from the perspectives of different disciplines. Prof. Darin听Barney, Communication Studies 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 |
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Computer Science
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听 Abrar Fuad:听Assessing Power Usage of Graph Neural Network: How to make Machine Learning Sustainable? Abrar is a rising third-year student with a major in Computer Science and听a minor in Statistics. Being deeply fascinated by how far Artificial Intelligence has progressed in recent years, Abrar is passionate about building full-stack projects and incorporating AI aspects into them. In the upcoming summer, he will be exploring the levels of power consumption of machine learning algorithms at Professor Bettina Kemme鈥檚 Distributed Information Systems Lab. Prof. Bettina Kemme, Computer Science |
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English听
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听 Jiayi (Flora) Situ:听Enchanted Imaginative Geography: The Literary Production of Space in South-Asian Writing Jiayi (Flora) Situ (they/she) is a third-year undergraduate Honours English Literature student who is also minoring in Art History. Their specifications in their English program are constituted of post-war French antihumanism鈥攎ore precisely, Derridean deconstructionism鈥攁s well as cultural hybridity in East and South Asian literature. Their Honours thesis synthesizes these subjects as they examine the literary construction of home in two travelogues: Vikram Seth鈥檚 From Heaven Lake and W.G. Sebald鈥檚 Rings of Saturn. Prof. Sandeep Banerjee, English听 |
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Xujia Guan :听The Pedagogical Evolution of Asian American Literature in American Secondary School Curricula Xujia (Nicole) Guan is a U1 student studying English Literature and Philosophy. Her experiences studying in various school systems around the globe, working in online literary magazines aimed towards high school artists, and editing for the 麻豆AV Undergraduate Law Review have developed her passion for the intersection of education and literature. This summer, she is grateful to work with Professor Alexander Manshel on a project exploring the 鈥淧edagogical Evolution of Asian American Literature in American Secondary School Curricula鈥� using both quantitative and close reading research methods. Prof. Alexander Manshel, English |
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Economics听
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Huy Trinh: Building a Comprehensive Database on Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Vietnam Huy Nhat Trinh is a third-year student in Economics and Computer Science. Born in the Vietnamese capital city of H脿 N峄檌, he has always wanted to conduct research on his country. His ARIA research this summer focuses on building a database of industrial zones in Vietnam. This dataset would be essential for research on these zones鈥� impact on, for example, the labour market, environment, and education. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and cooking. Prof. Fabian Lange, Economics |
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Geography
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听 Nadia Fekih: The Depiction of Energy Poverty in Canadian Mainstream Media Nadia Fekih is a rising fourth-year student in the Ecological Determinants of Health in Society at 麻豆AV. She will be researching how energy poverty is being discussed in mainstream Canadian media. As someone who is passionate about health equity, she is excited to delve into this project. This work aims to bridge the gap between academic researchers, media, and policymakers to identify effective intervention strategies to combat energy poverty, which is an increasingly pressing concern in Canada. Prof. Myl猫ne听Riva, Geography听 |
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Aidan Maddock:听Taxing Carbon, Taxing Fairness? Spatial Distributions and Household Heterogeneity Effects of Federal Carbon Programs in Canada Aidan is a third-year Joint听Honours Geography and Economics student. Growing up in China, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, he has always been interested in the distinctions across different geographies, and at 麻豆AV, has become passionate about听the intersection between socioeconomic welfare and environmental policy. This summer, he is looking forward to researching the regional spatial inequalities from federal carbon taxes in Canada. In his free time, he enjoys playing piano, backpacking, rock climbing, and cooking. Prof. Sebastien Breau, Geography |
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Anzhu Wei: Geographic Polarization in Canadian Politics听 Anzhu Wei is a third-year student in the Faculty of Arts. He is double majoring in Urban Studies and Political Science, with a minor in Statistics. This summer, Anzhu is excited to be conducting research with Professor Benjamin Forest! Specifically, Anzhu will be studying the relationship between population density and political affiliation in Canada. Anzhu looks forward to the research and statistical experience he will gain this summer. Prof. Benjamin Forest, Geography |
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History and Classical Studies
| Elijah Aedo-Castillo:听Currencies听of Abya Yala
Elijah Aedo-Castillo is a third-year student pursuing an Honours degree in History and a minor in Philosophy. This summer, he will collaborate with Professor Catherine Desbarats to research cross-cultural monetary exchange between Indigenous and French settlers in Nouvelle-France (ca. 1534鈥�1763). He is eager to leverage his modest knowledge of First Nations epistemologies and governance systems in tandem with his interest in early-modern Western European imperial jurisprudential, military, economic and religious history to contribute to this fascinating project. Prof. Catherine Desbarats, History听& Classical Studies |
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| Ryan O'Connell: Devouring the Land: The Effect of the Allied Army of the Orient on the Salonika region, 1915-1918
Ryan is a fourth-year student from Toronto, Canada studying history and English literature. This summer he and Professor Anastassiadis will be investigating the geospatial impact of the First World War and the 鈥楢llied Armies of the Orient鈥� on northern Greece. Ryan is looking forward to working with primary source documents in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal and conducting novel research on this under-studied element of WWI. In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, playing squash, and kayaking in the summer. Prof. Anastassios Anastassiadis, History & Classical Studies |
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| Adam Zanin:听Between Tragedy and Horror: Body Horror and Monstrosity听in Sophocles鈥� Trachiniae
Adam Zanin is a fourth-year Honours Classics student at 麻豆AV. His primary research interests focus broadly on Greek and Roman tragedy, its translation and reception, au/orality, and performance theory. This summer, Adam is assisting Professor Lynn Kozak in researching the intersections between tragedy and horror in Sophocles鈥� Trachiniae by staging the tragedy with a focus on monstrosity and hybridity. He looks forward to building up his academic and professional skills in a research-creation context, preparing him for graduate studies in classics Prof. Lynn听Kozak, History & Classical Studies |
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Fion Zhen: Back to the Conjuncture: A History of 'History from Below' Fion Zhen is a U3 Honours History and Philosophy student. Her research confronts the 鈥渆nd of history鈥� and evinces encounters between histories of development, decolonization, global and national liberation movements, and the New Left. Of especial interest is the way 鈥渉istory from below鈥� splinters off from orthodox tendencies in Marxist historiography. Under the supervision of Professor William Clare Roberts this summer, Fion will reconstruct the genealogy of 鈥渉istory from below鈥� after Marx. Prof. William Roberts, Political Science 听 |
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Linguistics
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Natalia Feu听: The Case of the Missing Vowels:听Analysis of Lushootseed Sound System and Syllable Structure听 Natalia is a second-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours degree in Linguistics with minors in Anthropology and Environment. Her academic interests include phonology, language change and variation, bilingualism, and language revitalization. During her time at 麻豆AV, she has developed a fascination with the phonological analysis of syllable structure, and she is excited to further delve into this area this summer through research overseen by Heather Goad. Her focus will be exploring the sound system of Lushootseed, a Central Salish language spoken in and around her hometown of Seattle, Washington. Prof. Heather听Goad, Linguistics |
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Sophia Flaim: Examining word order variation in Kanien'k茅ha Sophia is a third-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honours degree in Linguistics with a Hispanic Studies minor. She has always loved learning new languages, and since discovering a passion for linguistics at 麻豆AV, she has found herself especially interested in the syntax of understudied languages. This summer, she will be exploring word order variation and information structure in Kanien鈥檏茅ha, an Indigenous language spoken throughout eastern Canada and upstate New York. Prof. Jessica Coon, Linguistics |
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Philosophy听
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Natan Sakajiri:听听Translation as Renewal Natan Sakajiri is a U2 Mathematics and Philosophy (BA&Sc) student from Ottawa, Ontario. His interests include phenomenology, the philosophy of mathematics and science, and pedagogy. He is interested in bringing together some of his favourite topics in philosophy, mathematics, and languages through diverse projects. With Professor Philip Buckley, he looks forward to engaging with an international philosophical context. There, he hopes to discover some of the rich, generative possibilities latent in translating philosophical texts. Prof. Philip Buckley, Philosophy听 |
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HanYu Zhu: Gabrielle Suchon on Liberty of Conscience听 HanYu is a third-year Honours Philosophy student with a minor in Psychology, with a particular interest in political and feminist philosophy. In her spare time, she loves painting and skiing. This summer, she will assist Prof. Shapiro in her research on the philosophy of Gabrielle Suchon, a 17th-century philosopher concerned with the status of women, providing analysis and critiques of the subjugation of women and forms of gender oppression, then developing a set of her feminist arguments. Prof. Lisa Shapiro, Philosophy |
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Political Science听
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Minna Fisher:听How Masculinity Impacts Politics: Gender Identity, Sex, and Radical Right Voting听 Minna Fisher is entering her fourth year at 麻豆AV, as a double major in Political Science and Computer Science. Minna is from Vancouver, and she enjoys spending her time hiking and playing guitar. Last summer, Minna developed an app for the BC Cancer Research Institute, and she recently finished a term away at UCL in London. Eager to expand her skills and gain experience in political research, she is looking forward to studying patterns of solidarity with Ukraine with Professor Stolle this summer. Prof. Dietlind Stolle, Political Science听 |
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听 Hannah Hagos:听Complaints, Racism and Democratic Accountability: Mapping Barriers in Canada鈥檚 Police Review Boards and Human Rights Institutions Hannah is a U1 student, majoring in Political Science and History. She is interested in the role of identity politics within North American institutions. Under Professor Thompson, she is looking at the barriers to the inclusion of Black Canadians in democratic life when seeking accountability from federal institutions. As a research assistant, Hannah is developing skills in archival research and data management while being able to pursue her academic interests. Prof. Debra Thompson, Political Science听 |
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Auriane Journet:听Contracting Global Policymaking: The Shifting Politics of Global Governance听 Auriane is a U3 student pursuing a double major in Political Science and Psychology, along with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. This interdisciplinary degree reflects her keen interest in understanding the broader dynamics driving decision-making processes and shaping power structures. Having been actively involved in community organizations during her time in Montreal, Auriane is now looking forward to expanding her experiences in academia and developing her qualitative analysis skills by participating in research about global governance. Prof. Vincent Pouliot, African Studies |
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Lawrence Plastina: Gun ownership among Ukranian Civilians: Changes in Prevalence Post-Invasion?听 Lawrence Plastina is a second-year undergraduate pursuing an honours degree in Political Science and an additional major in Statistics. He is interested in using quantitative techniques - and, in particular, big data analytics - to answer social science questions. He has studied Eastern European politics as well as Western right-wing and populist movements. He also likes to draw and is an avid reader of mystery novels. Prof. Aaron Erlich, Political Science |
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Psychology听
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Julia Durcan:听A Systematic Review of Ecological Momentary Assessment Research Examining Maintenance Factors for Eating Disorder Symptoms Julia is a second-year Psychology student, minoring in Sociology. She is currently volunteering in the Biopsychosocial Examination of Eating Patterns (BEEP) Lab, where she is completing her Honour鈥檚 thesis under the guidance of graduate student Laura Lapadat and Dr. Sarah Racine. Julia is particularly interested in binge-type eating disorder research听and hopes to play an integral part in the development of a personalized feedback intervention for those struggling with their relationship to food. Prof. Sarah Racine听, Psychology |
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Laurence Jette :听Nonverbal Behaviors and Expressive Accuracy in a Supportive Interaction Between Friends Laurence is a second-year student studying Psychology with a minor听in Sociology. Broadly, she has a strong interest in studying interpersonal relationships between adolescents and young adults. She is currently working on her Honour鈥檚 thesis, which explores the association between nonverbal behaviours and accurate expressions of emotions during supportive interactions, under the supervision of Dr. Melanie Dirks. She is excited to further explore friendship dynamics and contribute to a project that examines how adolescent friends navigate supportive interactions. Prof. Melanie Dirks, Psychology听 |
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Selma Toubal-Seghir: The Role of Devaluation in Relationship Initiation Selma Toubal-Seghir is a second-year undergraduate student majoring in Honours Psychology and minoring in Linguistics. Selma has a profound interest in social psychology and is eager to continue working with the Lydon Lab over the summer, after completing her first honours thesis. She is fascinated by the study of interpersonal relationships and what leads to their initiation, maintenance, and dissolution. Through this experience, Selma hopes to further develop her research skills while cultivating her knowledge in the field. Prof. John Lydon, Psychology |
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Social Work
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Olivier Joncas:听The Use of Simulation to Improve Anti-Oppressive Practice in Social Work听 Olivier is a second-year student pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work. His research interest lies in the prevalence and intersectionality of mental health and trauma, as well as in child welfare. He hopes that his current experience in mental health and child welfare will positively contribute to Professor Tarshis鈥檚 research on Economic Abuse in Canada. Following the completion of his bachelor鈥檚 degree, Olivier鈥檚 goal is to pursue the Master of Social Work, after which he aims to practice clinical social work and continue his research endeavours. Prof. Sarah Tarshis, Social Work |
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Malaika Raymond-Rouamba: Cultural Safety and its Principles in Social Work Practice听 Mala茂ka is a second-year student in the Bachelor of Social Work. Human rights and working with marginalized communities are her main areas of interest. Issues surrounding immigrants and the Black and Brown communities are of great interest to her. As applications for graduate programs are opening next fall, she is hoping to be accepted in the Joint Master of Law and Social Work which she believes could allow her to bring advocacy work to another level. Prof. Katherine Maurer, Social Work |
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Chloe Roberts:听Simulation-Based Learning for Social Work and Couple & Family Therapy Students: Developing a Guideline Manual for Educators听 Chloe is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Psychology. Her interests include psychotherapy, education and learning, trauma-informed practice, and disability studies. This summer, she will be conducting research with Dr. Pam Orzeck and the 麻豆AV SIM Centre on simulation-based learning and its relevance to helping professionals in combatting ableist bias in their practice. Chloe is excited to contribute to emerging knowledge in this field. Prof. Pam Orzeck, Social Work |
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Visual Arts Collection
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Isabelle Hawkins: Processes of Authentication |
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