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FACULTY RESEARCH PROFILE – DR. RUTH BEATTY
“Research should always be a collaborative process,” says Dr. Ruth Beatty, a specialist in culturally responsive mathematics education. Dr. Beatty has been dedicated to exploring “how children
learn math,” and emphasizes the importance of including different perspectives, worldviews, and experiences. Most recently, her collaborations with members of Anishinaabe and Métis communities and educators from Ontario school boards have focused on researching the connections between Anishinaabe and Métis ways of knowing mathematics and the Western mathematics found in
the Ontario curriculum including coding. As she says, the aim of her research is “to explore the mathematics inherent in Anishinaabe and Métis cultural practices, and to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing into culturally sustaining mathematics instruction.” In her work incorporating Anishinaabemowin, Dr. Beatty and her community partners have found “a reciprocal revelation” which has “transformed how we see Indigenous artistry, but also transformed how we see mathematics.”
The importance of community participatory research is paramount. As Dr. Beatty says, expanding
the students’ conceptions of “who does mathematics” happens when First Nations and Métis students see community members “leading mathematics learning, and for all students to experience Indigenous knowledge valued at the same level as Western knowledge.” Fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for her research teams, Dr. Beatty enjoys the energy and enthusiasm her graduate students bring to this long-term work. As she puts it, “it’s important to continue to bring in fresh perspectives and interpretations.” Dr. Beatty involves graduate students in all facets of her research projects, from working on methodologies to collecting data and disseminating results.
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FAQs
WHAT ARE RESEARCH CENTRES
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
If you are interested in a particular field or would like to know about opportunities in a Research Centre or Institute, visit the Research and Innovation website: www.lakeheadu.ca/research-and-innovation/facilities-centres
There you will find the list of Research Centres and Institutes, and the faculty members who are associated with a Centre or Institute are listed on the respective websites. During your studies, you may wish to contact one of these professors to see if there are research projects or opportunities at the Centre or Institute that would be of interest to you. Also, most Centres and Institutes have public talks and events, and students are especially welcomed. Attending these is a great way to interact with members of the Centre or Institute, meet other graduate students, and learn more about current projects.
OR INSTITUTES?
Imagine a space that brings together students, faculty members, members of the community and/or industry, all with a common goal: to research and study a specific area of inquiry. Research Centres and Institutes allow researchers at all levels to connect, share their expertise, and work together on mutual interests. The teams often include researchers from different disciplines; more established faculty members mentor junior faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, interns, and students.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR
GRADUATE STUDENTS?
Research Centres and Institutes can offer employment opportunities to graduate students, as well as research opportunities. To complement and enhance students’ academic work, graduate students may have the opportunity to work on a faculty member’s or research team’s project. Students who choose to get involved in Research Centres or Institutes will meet junior and senior researchers in their fields of study, be included in partnerships with community members or organizations, and gain exposure and hands-on experience beyond the classroom.
DISCOVERY THROUGH COLLABORATION