crackmitacsAll disciplines

Recreation

2 Mitacs Globalink (GRI) research projects for Summer 2027.

1. Embodied Cultures: Developing Culturally Attuned Somatic Practices for Workplace Well-being

This project investigates how culturally diverse somatic and movement traditions can be integrated into workplace settings to enhance well-being, creativity, and collaborative dynamics. While workplace wellness programs have become increasingly common, they often adopt standardized approaches that fail to account for cultural variations in how the body is understood and experienced. The project employs HCIR's multidisciplinary methodology: cultural mapping documenting diverse dance and somatic traditions and their cultural contexts, field studies in workplaces across multiple cultural settings, participatory design co-creating culturally appropriate somatic interventions with cultural practitioners and workplace participants, implementation and evaluation testing these interventions with attention to cultural appropriateness and effectiveness, and cross-cultural comparative analysis of how interventions are experienced across cultural contexts. Research questions address how cultural traditions shape embodied experiences in workplace settings, what somatic practices from different cultural traditions most effectively support workplace well-being, how these practices can be respectfully adapted across cultural contexts, and what methodological approaches enable effective cross-cultural research on embodied workplace practices. Expected outcomes include a cross-cultural framework for understanding embodied workplace well-being, a toolkit of culturally-attuned somatic practices for workplace implementation, methodological insights for conducting ethical cross-cultural research on embodied practices, and recommendations for organizations seeking to implement culturally responsive well-being initiatives. This research advances research while potentially transforming how organizations approach employee well-being across cultural contexts, moving beyond standardized approaches toward culturally responsive strategies that honor diverse traditions while addressing contemporary workplace needs.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: Human-Centered Innovation Research (HCIR) investigating how technological development, guided by artistic sensibilities and ethical reflection, can meaningfully enhance human well-being. My field-forging research agenda employs multidisciplinary approaches including linguistic and semiotic analysis, arts-based and embodied research methods, and computational techniques. Research extends across organizational contexts, arts and cultural institutions, education systems, and healthcare environments. Current focus examines how innovations can be understood, governed, and reimagined in socially meaningful ways, with particular emphasis on cross-cultural HCI, workplace well-being, and how culturally diverse somatic and movement traditions can be thoughtfully integrated into contemporary organizational settings.

Student roles:
Cultural Research: Document somatic traditions from various cultures. This includes researching historical contexts, contemporary applications, and cultural significance of embodied practices.
Protocol Development: Help develop culturally-attuned somatic protocols for workplace implementation by collaborating with cultural practitioners and workplace stakeholders. Students will contribute their knowledge to ensure interventions are respectful and appropriate.
Data Collection: Assist with interviews, observations, and other data collection methods across multiple cultural settings. This includes conducting interviews in the student's native language when appropriate, facilitating focus groups, and supporting participatory design sessions.
Cross-Cultural Analysis: Contribute to comparative analysis across cultural contexts, especially regarding cultural dimensions the student has expertise in. Students will help identify patterns, differences, and insights that emerge from cross-cultural data, bringing their unique cultural perspective to interpretation of findings.

Skills required:
This project especially welcomes students who have experience with dance or somatic movement traditions and bring cross-cultural perspectives and linguistic capabilities, as their lived experience will enrich the research. Strong analytical skills, cultural sensitivity, and openness to interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. Interest in workplace well-being and organizational management is important.

2. Leisure, Friendship, and Belonging: International Students’ Experiences in Canada

International students often face multiple challenges during their transition to studying abroad, including cultural adjustment, academic demands, financial pressures, language barriers, and the loss of established social support networks. These challenges can affect their well-being, sense of belonging, and overall quality of life. While universities have increasingly recognized the importance of supporting international student success, less is known about the role that recreation and leisure play in facilitating acculturation and promoting well-being. This project aims to explore how participation in recreation and leisure activities contributes to international students’ acculturation experiences and quality of life. In particular, the study will examine how leisure activities help students develop social connections, build a sense of belonging, learn about local culture, manage stress, and navigate life in a new country. The project will also explore potential barriers to leisure participation and recognize that leisure experiences may vary across individuals. For example, while some students may benefit from highly social activities such as sports, clubs, and campus events, others may prefer less socially intensive forms of leisure. Using interviews with international students, this study will seek to better understand the diverse ways leisure supports adjustment and well-being. Findings will provide practical recommendations for universities, recreation professionals, and student support services seeking to enhance international students’ experiences and quality of life through recreation and leisure opportunities.

Research area, student roles & skills

Research area: My research focuses on the role of recreation, leisure, and therapeutic recreation in promoting health, well-being, and quality of life across diverse populations. My work examines how leisure participation contributes to coping, resilience, social connection, and flourishing among older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, students, and healthcare practitioners. I have conducted both qualitative and quantitative research on topics including leisure coping, aging, dementia care, community inclusion, disability, complementary therapies, and professional quality of life. My research aims to generate evidence that supports health promotion, evidence-based practice, and inclusive recreation and leisure services across community and healthcare settings.

Student roles:
Over the course of the 12-week internship, the student will participate in multiple stages of the research process. During Weeks 1–4, the student will complete the TCPS 2: CORE ethics training and conduct a literature review on international students, acculturation, recreation and leisure, and quality of life. Findings from the literature review will be used to help develop the interview guide and refine the research questions.

During Weeks 4–6, the student will assist with preparing and submitting the Research Ethics Board (REB) application, including recruitment materials, consent forms, and study procedures. This will provide the student with hands-on experience in ethical research practices and the REB process.

Following REB approval, the student will assist with participant recruitment (Weeks 7–12), including developing recruitment materials and communicating with potential participants. If time permits, the student may also assist with data collection by conducting or co-facilitating interviews with international students, taking field notes, and helping with interview transcription and data organization.

Throughout the internship, the student will participate in regular meetings with the supervisor to discuss progress, reflect on the research process, and develop research skills related to qualitative inquiry, ethics, and knowledge dissemination.

Skills required:
The ideal student will have an interest in recreation and leisure, student well-being, mental health, health promotion, or cross-cultural experiences. Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills are important, as the student may assist with literature reviews, participant recruitment, interviews, transcription, and data analysis. Experience with qualitative research methods is an asset but not required. The student should be comfortable working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and demonstrate curiosity, professionalism, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. Additional language skills are beneficial but not required.