Research Showcase 2025 - "Healthy Kids HOME: Key Findings and Lessons Learned from a Neighbourhood-Based Health Promotion Program for Equity Deserving Children and Families"

Event Date: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - 2:00pm to 2:30pm EST
Event Location: 
Lakehead University Faculty Lounge

About the Event

Healthy Kids HOME (Health On the Move for Equity) is a community-based health promotion initiative designed to address Healthy Kids Logohealth disparities in equity-deserving neighbourhoods through community partnerships. Informed by local research, HOME helps children and families gain access to vital, resident-driven services that might otherwise remain out of reach. Through HOME community partners, this is operationalized via two key components: 

1) Healthy Kids Sites (HKS): Established neighbourhood "hubs" offering diverse, consistent programming (e.g., cooking classes, playgroups, food cupboards, swimming, counselling) in both virtual and in-person formats; and 

2) Healthy Kids Family Program (HKFP): A recurring, four-week educational series focused on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation, aimed at empowering families through enhancing knowledge, skill development, and readiness to access neighbourhood services. 

To date, nearly 20,000 children/family members have accessed services across three HKS via 2000+ program offerings. Ten iterations of the HKFP have engaged 59 parents/guardians over time, with qualitative feedback emphasizing improved mental health literacy, nutritional knowledge, and stress management. These outcomes underscore HOME’s role in mitigating pandemic-exacerbated disparities and advancing health equity in our community. As this 5-year project nears completion, key findings and lessons learned will be shared and of interest to those working to promote health and wellness among children and families in our region.

About the Speakers

Dr. EriPhoto of Dr. Erin Pearsonn Pearson is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Lakehead University and Principal Investigator of Healthy Kids HOME. Her research program is health promotion-oriented with a focus on behaviour modification and lifestyle psychology. Integral to her work is the opportunity to collaborate with community-based organizations to create asset-focused, participant informed projects. 

 

 

Photo of Rachel Globensky Bayes, Program Coordinator for Healthy Kids HOMERachel Globensky Bayes is the Program Coordinator for Healthy Kids HOME and a health systems leader with over 15 years of experience in the realms of  health promotion and equity advocacy. A Certified Red Seal Chef and graduate of Lakehead University, she specializes in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and impactful initiatives addressing social determinants of health and community well-being.

 

 

Event Poster for Health Kids Home

 

Research Showcase 2025: "The View from Up Here"

Event Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 6:30pm to 9:00pm EST
Event Location: 
PACI Auditorium

About the Event

The View From Up Here is a six-part historical documentary series that utilizes “found footage” to take a satirical look at the themes and events at the Lakehead. The foundation for the series is archival footage from between 1958-1978 used by CKPR television in Thunder Bay for nightly newscasts. This presentation looks at the process of recovering the footage and an example of the results.

Reel Memories of the Lakehead Event Poster

Research Showcase 2025: Panel Discussion - "Bringing our Children Home Initiative"

Event Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 2:30pm to 4:00pm EST
Event Location: 
CASES Atrium at Lakehead University

About the Event

The research team for the Bringing Our Children Home Initiative will talk about their work and the protocols that were established by the Survivor Committee to guide and direct the research. The goal is to gather evidence about the experiences of children who were taken to Pelican Lake Indian Residential School including survival testimony especially to identify/find children who went missing or died.

 

Panelists

  • Barbara Ruotsalainen, Initiative Director, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
  • Lauren Augustine is a Community Researcher, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
  • Fern Chisel is a Community Researcher, Bikiiwewinig Nindawaashishiimanaanak Bikewewinagwa Kibi’Noonjiminanik/Bringing Our Children Home Initiative.
  • Denise Baxter is the Vice Provost of Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University and a member of Marten Falls First Nation
  • Juan Sanchez Martinez is a professor in the Department of Indigenous Learning.
  • Kristin Burnett is the Chair of the Indigenous Learning Department and a historian. 

Bringing Our Children Home Event Poster

 

Research Showcase 2025: Panel Discussion - "Expanding Research Impact Through Digital Storytelling: Three Examples of Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization"

Event Date: 
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - 10:30am to 12:00pm EST
Event Location: 
Lakehead University Faculty Lounge

About the Event

Digital Storytelling (DST) is an innovative qualitative research method that combines personal narratives, multimedia, and technology to amplify participants' lived experiences. It utilizes digital tools such as images, photography, videos, and music to tell participants’ stories, creating an engaging and impactful format. DST has a profound effect on both participants, their audiences and key stakeholders by fostering understanding through personalized storytelling.

Drs. Costa, Kortes-Miller, and Sprakes will discuss their various research approaches to DST and highlight its transformative impact on participants, communities and systems. The presentation will feature digital stories created by participants, sharing their personal experiences with medical assistance in dying, opioid overdoses, or trauma-informed wound care.

The Speakers

Photo of Dr. Idevania Costa School of NursingDr. Idevania Costa, School of Nursing

 

 

Photo of Dr. Katherine Kortes-Miller School of Social WorkDr. Katherine Kortes-Miller, School of Social Work

 

 

 

Photo of Dr. Abigale Sprakes School of Social WorkDr. Abigale Sprakes, School of Social Work

 

 

 

Poster for Digital Storytelling Event

Research Showcase 2025: "Innovations in Health Equity: Outputs from Dr. Costa's Research Lab"

Event Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm EST
Event Location: 
Lakehead University Agora

About the Event

Dr. Idevania Costa, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at Lakehead University, leads EQUIP@Action. This dynamic research lab fosters health equity through interdisciplinary collaboration, global health advocacy, and person-centered research. Rooted in ethical principles and equity-oriented healthcare, EQUIP@Action focuses on advancing innovative solutions to improve the holistic well-being of individuals living with chronic conditions, particularly diabetes and its complications.

Join us for this engaging event where Dr. Costa and her research assistants will showcase the latest outputs from EQUIP@Action. This event offers an opportunity to explore groundbreaking research, engage in meaningful discussions on health equity, and learn how research-driven advocacy can influence policy and practice in chronic conditions management.

Poster Presentations: Moderated by Dr. Costa

Research Outputs Include:

1. Understanding Complexities of Self-Managing Diabetes: A Critical Qualitative Study 
Presenter: Kristen McConnell
 
2. Exploring Factors Influencing Diabetes-Related Complications in a Northwestern Community, Ontario, Canada 
Presenter: Kaitlin Adduono
 
3. Individuals’ Experience of Living with and Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Qualitative Systematic Review Protocol 
Presenters: Robert Strachan and Maria Girlane A. Brandão
 
4. Amplifying Voices: A Knowledge Translation Strategy to Improve Equity and Inclusivity in Wound Care in Canada 
Presenters: Samantha Santorelli and Kristen Anderson

 

Why Attend?

● Discover the latest research on chronic conditions and health equity
● Connect with researchers, students, and healthcare professionals
● Explore opportunities to join the EQUIP@Action Research Lab

 

Light nutritious snacks will be provided. 

Everyone is welcome—let’s innovate for health equity together!

 

Registration

To register, please click here.

Event Poster for Research Showcase 2025: "Innovations in Health Equity: Outputs from Dr. Costa's Research Lab"

Faculty Poster Presentations

Event Date: 
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:00pm EST
Event Location: 
Orsi Family Learning Commons

Faculty and researchers from a variety of disciplines will showcase their research, projects and initiatives. 

Celebrating Lakehead University's Faculty Authored Monographs

Event Date: 
Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 10:00am to 11:00am EST
Event Location: 
Zoom

About the Event

The library is pleased to host a webinar which will highlight the exciting research conducted by Lakehead University faculty members. Three of our distinguished faculty members will be highlighting aspects of their research and published books. The library is proud to host Dr. Mitchell Albert, Dr. Anna Guttman, and Dr. Idevania Costa. Come learn about the extraordinary research they have been involved in and ultimately published. To explore book titles published by LU Faculty and staff, please see this discovery tool which lists books held in the library collection. Additional information concerning the special collection known as Lakehead University Author Monographs (LUAM) can be found here. All are welcome.

Registration

To register for this event, please click here.

Event Poster for Celebrating Lakehead University's Faculty Authored Monographs

Research Showcase 2025 - "Electrify Your Future: How To Install A Heat Pump In Thunder Bay"

Event Date: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - 6:30pm to 8:00pm EST
Event Location: 
Italian Cultural Hall

About the Event

This event is brought to you by the Lakehead University Office of Sustainability and the City of Thunder Bay.

Learn about the basics of heat pump technology, Explore the Canadian energy rebates available today, Speak with local residents who have installed heat pumps in their homes, visit service provider booths to learn more about the heat pump services they provide.

Enjoy free refreshments!

 

 

Speaker Biographies

Daniella ThomPhoto of Presenter Daniella Thom
Danielle is a passionate environmentalist with a background in biology. Since receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo, she has worked in various fields including urban forestry, water conservation, waste management, and science communications. She currently works for the City of Thunder Bay where she oversees the implementation of the Net-Zero Strategy as the Climate Action Specialist. Outside of work, Danielle likes to dabble in activities that keep her outdoors. On her days off she has been known to enjoy open water swimming, great lakes surfing, cross-country skiing, biking, and hiking!

John StephensonPhoto of Presenter John Stephenson
John Stephenson is a principal at Form Studio Architects (Thunder Bay) and a past president of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), with extensive experience with housing, and care and treatment projects that cross the full continuum of care for seniors. During over 40 years practicing architecture John has developed a strong focus in the design, development and ownership of independent living, retirement living, supportive housing, long term care and mental health rehabilitation projects. Stephenson’s portfolio also includes heritage studies, restoration, and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, as well as educational, cultural, and commercial building projects in Northwestern Ontario, and includes a growing portfolio of work with indigenous communities across Ontario. All this work has been guided by a strong focus on low energy and low carbine design approaches. Over the past eight years John has also been active in advocating for an Architecture Policy for Canada working with the Rise for Architecture committee of ROAC, the Regulatory Organisations for Architecture in Canada. This advocacy work is focused on embedding into policy, issues of the broader public interest in architecture that intersect with concerns for the health and wellness of people and the planet.

Richard ClarkPhoto of Richard Clark
Richard is a Registered Energy Advisor who has been serving Northwestern Ontario for the past 4 years. He has helped hundreds of households lower their energy consumption and improve the comfort in their homes. He is passionate about empowering citizens to understand how their homes work!

 

 

Electrify Your Future Poster

Research Showcase 2025 - "Centring the Lived Experience of Dementia: A Collaborative Approach to Inclusive Community Development"

Event Date: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm EST
Event Location: 
CASES Atrium at Lakehead University

About the Event

Join us for an exciting session on the EnactDem project, an international three-year initiative led by researchers from Canada, Germany, and the UK. This groundbreaking study investigates how the lived experiences of people with dementia can shape inclusive community development and address global inequities.

As part of this transnational effort, our team focuses on empowering individuals living with dementia and unpaid care partners to influence policy and practice. Through an innovative social science approach, the project explores diverse strategies for creating dementia-friendly spaces and enhancing community resilience. Our research highlights the crucial role of inclusive initiatives like Dementia Cafés and Dementia Gardens while tackling persistent barriers such as stigma, policy gaps, and social isolation.

A central feature of the session is our ongoing policymaker interviews in Thunder Bay, where local leaders share their insights on structural challenges and opportunities to create supportive environments. By understanding the intersection of local and global perspectives, the project aims to inspire new approaches to policy-making that prioritize lived experiences.

Our international collaboration demonstrates the value of shared learning and innovation across borders. The project seeks to build a global network of dementia-friendly initiatives by engaging communities and leveraging diverse cultural approaches. Together, we aim to redefine public awareness of dementia, empower marginalized voices, and promote sustainable policy reforms that enhance inclusivity at every level of society.

We invite you to discover how collaboration across borders is redefining dementia-friendly practices and building connections between communities worldwide. Let’s explore the transformative power of inclusive policies and how people with dementia can shape their own futures.

Event Poster for Centring the Lived Experience of Dementia: A Collaborative Approach to Inclusive Community Development

Research Showcase 2025 - Panel Discussion: "Belonging and Purpose: The Experiences of People with Dementia and Care Partners in Participating in Research"

Event Date: 
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:00pm EST
Event Location: 
CASES Atrium at Lakehead University

About the Event

Discover the transformative impact of the "Building Capacity Project" by the Northwest Dementia Working Group (NWDWG). This 5-year project (from 2019 to 2025), through initiatives like Dementia Cafés and the Dementia Garden, fosters community engagement, reduces stigma, and builds inclusive spaces for individuals living with dementia and care partners, promoting advocacy, belonging, and lasting connections.

The Building Capacity Project focuses on creating sustainable opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners to stay active and connected in their communities. This project began as a partnership between researchers at the University of British Columbia and Lakehead University alongside community organizations, individuals living with dementia, and their care partners. In Thunder Bay, CERAH at Lakehead University and the NWDWG facilitate inclusive spaces, increase awareness, and build community partnerships, which are driven by and for people living with dementia and their care partners. Interviews with participants reflecting on this project highlight the transformative power of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) in promoting inclusive, meaningful participation and empowering individuals to create lasting change in their communities.

Event Poster: Belonging and Purpose

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