Greener SMU

Some of the research and outreach at Saint Mary’s, oriented to a “Greener SMU”, includes the following academic-oriented projects with a positive impact on sustainability practices and opportunities at the university.

Perspectives on Sustainable Approaches to Natural Resource Management in Canada - A webinar series that bridges theory and practice
Autumn Hebb, Emily Snair, and Shreetee Appadu on behalf of Saint Mary’s University Environmental Society, Dr. Cathy Conrad, and Dr. Tony Charles

A Study of the Efficiency of Exam Booklets at Saint Mary's University
A study about the efficiency of exam booklets was conducted in the summer of 2019, involving a faculty member (Philip Giles, Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies), a staff member (Jenny Harrison, School of the Environment), and four Bachelor of Environmental Studies students (Danielle Graves, Sifiso Madonko, Autumn Hebb, and Shreetee Devi Appadu).  This study was supported by the SMU Academic Initiative Fund for Sustainability.  A full report about the study is available via this link. Report on Exam Booklets Study, by P. Giles and D. Graves (September 2019) (Version 2, updated Oct. 4, 2019)

Pollinator Garden in the Oaks 
Hughstin Grimshaw-Surette, Jeremy Lundholm, Emily Walker, Katie Porter

Indigenous Medicinal Plants Project
Indigenous Student Advising Centre and SMU Counselling Centre 

Sustainable Development through Aquaponics Research
Matthew Glynn, Iain Thompson, Jeremy Lundholm, Laura Weir, and Jared Perry 

Curriculum Development and Research Cluster on Environmental Sustainability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Ahmed Khan, Ryan Gibson, Eric Crowell & team
This research initiative aimed to assess connections and gaps on sustainability curriculum in order to offer a nexus for interdisciplinary learning that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship. In this light, we examined sustainability-related curriculum offered at Saint Mary’s University across its three main faculties – Arts, Science, and Business, based on curricular content, objectives, and learning outcomes. The research found that the vast majority of courses are electives, as opposed to being core to any major degree programs, and reflects on a genuine student desire for sustainability science. The majority of sustainability courses fall within the scope of the traditional disciplines (e.g. geography and environmental science), implying a gap towards holistic cross-disciplinary sustainability degree programs. Regarding potential concerns to transdisciplinarity, prerequisite course requirements limit enrollment in higher level courses, which create barriers to cross-disciplinary learning. With such a diverse faculty membership and student interests, there are unique opportunities for enhancing transdisciplinary programs on sustainability initiatives that can enrich and contribute to student career options, research and creativity, funding, and partnership programs. 

Revitalization of the Campus Community Garden: Geordan Lynk, Meghan Clarke and team
The revitalized garden beds are producing great bounties and a future project will be to add a water catching barrel.