Celebrating Women's History Month
They’re leaders and researchers, changemakers and trail blazers in their fields. In honour of Women’s History Month this October, Royal Roads University celebrates the contributions of women in our Royal Roads community – both past and present.
In recognition of their stories, resilience and courage, we’re highlighting some of the many faculty, students and alumni who embody this year’s theme, She Did, So Now can I.
Royal Roads researcher aims to help people experiencing pregnancy loss
Rana Van Tuyl was pursuing a doctorate in social sciences with a focus on mental health and psychological safety in schools when a prenatal medical appointment changed both her life and her research.
On December 22, 2020, pregnant about 11 weeks and expecting their first child, the Royal Roads University Doctor of Social Sciences candidate and her partner learned she’d suffered a missed miscarriage (also known as a delayed or silent miscarriage) during their pregnancy ultrasound appointment.
That’s snow biz: How gender bias affects snow sports instructors
As a lifelong skier and an elite, national-level ski instructor in the US, Ann Schorling didn’t have to look far for the subject of her thesis research — it was all over the cold, white mountains where she plies her trade.
A student in Royal Roads University’s Master of Arts in Leadership program, the native of Pittsburgh, PA chose to examine gender equity in sport, particularly snow sports instruction and guiding in the US.
“I have a pretty significant role in the [snow sports] industry and — being a woman in that role and always in a significant minority — have slowly over the last number of years become aware of the systemic limitations in getting women into those positions,” says Schorling, who grew up skiing at Colorado’s Keystone Ski Resort and now calls Jackson Hole, in Wyoming, her home mountain.
Find out how her research is carving out change in the industry.
Don’t just stand there — do something!
If you’re active in the rough-and-tumble of social networks — and especially if you’re a woman, non-binary or transgender — you’re likely to experience, not only cutting remarks, but abuse and verbal attacks.
You’ll experience violence. Or, at the very least, you’ll witness it.
Royal Roads researchers Jaigris Hodson and George Veletsianos are partnering with Anova, a non-profit anti-violence organization, to focus on bystanders who can have a direct impact on mitigating online abuse and its impacts.
Find out what they’re doing to help and what you can do, too.
Cultural context of intimate partner violence: more voices required
She’s a student and an educator. A researcher and a business owner. A daughter and a mother.
More than anything, Rajinder Dhasi is driven.
She’s compelled to learn and to lead, and she has the opportunity to do both with the research she’s conducting while pursuing a Doctor of Social Sciences at Royal Roads University.
Having already completed an RRU Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management, the Burnaby, BC resident is examining “resilience in Canadian-born Punjabi women in the aftermath of intimate partner violence.”
Learn more about her research amplifying the voices of marginalized people.
Researcher seeks diversity in energy sector
When we think of energy — or, at least, the business of energy and the people leading it — we may think of men in suits in boardrooms.
And we wouldn’t be wrong, says Julie MacArthur.
An associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Reimagining Capitalism at Royal Roads University, MacArthur says energy systems around the globe are facing significant restructuring along with pressures to decarbonize, decentralize, diversify and decolonize.
But there is no guarantee that a low-carbon transition will be just or equitable in Canada. There’s even a lack of diversity in who researches the energy sector.
Find out how she’s hoping to boost diverse research capacity into Canada’s green recovery.
She’s been a pilot and scholar. Now, Noreen Newton has the write stuff
Noreen Newton has been an airline pilot for almost four decades and became an award-winning scholar at the age of 60. Now, as the Victoria, BC resident prepares to hang up her captain’s wings, her next career is taking off.
Read more about her story as a pilot and her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Bench donation highlights pivotal time for women in World War II
It was a pivotal time during World War II when women were called to enlist in Canada’s military. Canadian women were called in to support war efforts, in roles traditionally held by men, and Eileen Maurice was one of over 7,000 brave women who enlisted.
Come as you are: In ceremony and education
Barbara Horsefall knows firsthand what happens when patriarchal Western gender norms are imposed on Indigenous people in ceremony.
“If you look like a woman, you have to wear a skirt. I've been in situations where I haven't even had a chance to shake the Elders’ hand and women are ushering me away to cover myself and put on a skirt. Sometimes I do, but I don't like it,” they recall.
Read more about Women's History Month in Canada.
We always want to hear stories about the people, programs and places that are the Royal Roads experience. Share yours via the RRU Story Exchange and it could be featured on our web site and social media.