Researching Self-Determined Space Connected to Land in the Arctic: Indigenous-led Architecture in Sámi Territory

During the summer of 2022, I participated in a research trip with the Canadian Centre of Architecture (CCA) to Kautokeino in Northern Norway, with a focus on Indigenous-led architecture in the Arctic. The CCA hosted a workshop called Futurecasting: Towards Indigenous-Led Architecture and Design in the Arctic, which hosted a gathering of Inuit, First Nations, Métis and Sámi designers and graduate students. Collectively we received lectures from Indigenous architects, created artworks displayed at the CCA, and went on two research trips to Kautokeino, Norway and Montreal, Quebec. We learned from Elders, Knowledge Holders, Scholars, Sámi Duojár, Kahnawake Artists, and Community Members. Lectures, storytelling, conversations and the trip included snowmobiling in the arctic with reindeer herders and a hands-on design build project creating a Luovvi, which is the form of a Sámi storage room. Through this research experience, I found that Sámi architecture, and Indigenous architecture globally, designs and exercises self-determined spaces by connecting land-based activities into built structures. From snowmobile sheds to meat drying structures, Indigenous Sámi homes and landscapes are designed in the Arctic context, rooted in Indigenous culture and place

2012 University Annual Learning and Teaching Conference. Peer assisted study sessions : helping more students to develop their study skills

Abstract submitted to the Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2012. Paper delivered under the theme 'student engagement'

Miles Franklin: The American Fulfillment of My Brilliant Career

This thesis looks at the life and works of Stella Miles Franklin, analyzing a few of her loosely autobiographical protagonists and how they take control of their lives in spite of their tough circumstance

"Both diligent and secret": the intelligence letters of William Herle

PhDThe unpublished letters of William Herle, diplomat and intelligencer to the court of Elizabeth I reveal startling insights into the role of such agents in political affairs. As well as their more obvious content of sensitive information, Herle's letters expose his primary impetus behind the pursuit of intelligence; of the construction and maintenance of a patronage alliance based upon the judicious exchange and release of knowledge at politically sensitive moments. This epistolary aspect of intelligence letters - overlooked by much scholarship - reveals the complex strategies Herle implements to circumvent the disruption of social hierarchy at the moment of counsel, the private transfer of knowledge in a medium often subject to broadcast, and the uncomfortable union of potent intelligence and familiar affect. This dissertation investigates the world of Elizabethan intelligence operations as experienced by William Herle, focusing on the topics of religion, early modern diplomacy, imprisonment, secret communication and patronage relationships based upon intelligence-exchange. The letters are an invaluable resource for scholars of early modern history and sixteenth-century letter writing, documenting the lengths to which a client would go to secure and maintain patronage in this period, encompassing the giving of gifts, the transmitting of books, and the strategic deployment of potent information. Scrutinizing intelligence operations from a social and textual standpoint offers the scholar a wider picture of the agent's position and relation to the political landscape. This dissertation examines Herle's evolving status of common informant, prison spy, diplomatic envoy, and special ambassador, surmounting obstacles of social hierarchy whilst maintaining a marginal, secret status. By identifying the epistolary and social minutiae of Herle's letters, this study relocates the position of the Elizabethan intelligencer, departing from the typical notion of skulking spy and instead positioning the agent directly in contact, both textual and physical, with the political power-base

An Empirical look at Recipient Benefits Associated with a University-Issued Student Leadership Award

Within academia there is an elaborate and extensive system of awards for both students and faculty (Frey, 2006). Although the majority of student-based awards are for outstanding leadership and related accomplishments, there has been virtually no research on the impact of receiving such a leadership award (Frey, 2006). Due to the conspicuous absence of empirical studies in this area, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding the possible value or positive effects associated with winning a university-issued student leadership award. To begin to fill this knowledge gap, this study examined the San Diego State University (SDSU) Quest for the Best award program that has been around since 1987 and produced a total of 222 winners. Using a 35-question survey designed specifically for this purpose, former winners were asked to rate the extent to which they benefited both intrinsically and extrinsically, and then variation in these benefits were decomposed using multiple regression analysis into demographic factors, academic discipline, and length of time since the award was won. After the elimination of 25 undeliverable surveys, the final sample consisted of responses from 125 former winners for a response rate of 63%. Survey findings reveal that the typical winner was a white female based in the College of Sciences. In addition, award winners benefited more intrinsically than extrinsically from winning the award; in particular, the highest scoring intrinsic effects were feeling proud and recognized for their involvement; affirmed of their impact on campus; an increase in leadership capabilities and self-confidence, a stronger connection to their faculty/staff honoree; and a stronger affinity to SDSU. Leading extrinsic effects included listing the award on their resume, wearing the medallion at commencement, and help with admission to graduate school. Taken together, the effects were most likely to occur within a short timeframe of winning the award and seemed diminished for those earning a middle/upper class salary ($75,000 -$124,999). Based on these findings, some recommendations for future research include conducting longitudinal studies of award winners to examine their career trajectory, comparing award winners to non-winners, and finally, collecting a comprehensive national database of university leadership award winners

Does application of firefighting foam affect soil invertebrates?

Firefighting foam (Class A foam) is an effective and widespread frrefighting tool often used in environmentally sensitive areas. Although, firefighting foam is known to be ecologically damaging to aquatic invertebrates, application of 1.0% foam to heathland soils showed no detectable impacts on soil invertebrate orders sampled over several months. The results are encouraging for the continued use of Class A foam as a fire suppression technique in areas with high conservation value

Surviving suppression : no detectable impacts of Class A foam on soil invertebrates and some Australian native plants

Firefighting foams (Class A foams) are an effective and widespread firefighting tool which are frequently used in environmentally sensitive areas. Firefighting foams are known to be ecologically damaging in aquatic environments, however their impacts at the plant species or ecosystem level are relatively unknown. Reports of shoot damage to plants, suppressed flowering, and changes in plant community composition suggested that the ecological damage caused by their use may be unacceptable. However, applications of foam to seedlings of some Australian plant species from representative and widespread families, showed no detectable impacts on a range of vegetative growth characteristics. Application of 1.0% foam to heathland soils showed no detectable impacts on soil invertebrate Orders sampled over several months. The results are encouraging for the continued use of Class A foam as a fire suppression technique.<br /

On the edge: how well do fire mitigation strategies work on the urban fringe?

The reduction of loss of lives and assets during bushfire is one of the primary aims or lire management agencies. Traditional fire mitigation strategies include strategic fire hreaks, static water points, management of ignition sources, rapid detection and local response, air attack, and fuel reduction burning. There have been few quantitative studies that assess the success or these strategies. We need to promote \u27new\u27 strategies more focused on human hehaviour and community preparedness.DeJcndable space provides our best strategy for reducing losses during major bushfires. The size or the defendable space depends on the type of house to be defended, who is defending it, and the spatial context of the property. In the urban fi\u27inge, remnant vegetation on private property often hashigh conservation values, and application of traditional mitigation strategies, as well as the vegetation modification required to achieve defendable space, may have significant impacts on conservation and biodiversity values

Program assessment and reporting: linking people, processes and data

As part of a larger Simplification Project for program quality assurance processes conducted at RMIT University, this paper chronicles the refinement of one aspect: program assessment and reporting. This involved the realignment of criteria used in program quality assurance with those developed in higher-level strategic and business planning processes. In addition, the project attempted to address the lack of alignment between annual program processes and subsequent decisions made about the future of programs, particularly in profile planning processes.A revised Program Annual Report process was developed that aimed to achieve simplicity and alignment while re-engaging program leaders and heads of schools with the quality agenda. A concerted effort was made to develop a process that improved on previously poor vertical communication inherent in program quality assurance. This paper explores the ways in which this was achieved by a) linking people to data through the use of agreed and contextualised performance indicators, and b) linking people to process through more meaningful input into planning and opportunity for dialogue.<br /