Celebration

Congratulations to our graduate students who are celebrating their convocation this Fall 2024.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Md Rashedul Islam

Thesis title: Thermophysiological Comfort of Sportswear Fabrics

Rashedul's PhD research investigated the thermal comfort properties of sportswear fabrics, focusing on heat and moisture transfer mechanisms within the skin-cloth-environment system. Standard test methods were revisited to enhance measurement accuracy and reliability. A novel test protocol was developed to measure the thermal touch perception of fabrics when they are in the wet state. The impact of microclimate thickness and orientation, along with airflow velocity and direction, on dry thermal resistance and water vapour transmission was analysed. Relationships between fabric physical properties and thermal comfort metrics—thermal effusivity, dry thermal resistance, and water vapour transmission—were evaluated. A comprehensive database of comfort-related properties was created to support the development of a thermophysiological comfort prediction model. This study offers valuable insights for advancing sportswear fabric testing and optimising thermal comfort performance.

Rashedul said that the most valuable part of grad school was immersing himself in the world of textile science research. Along the way, he says he developed critical thinking skills and sharpened his academic writing, both of which pushed him to approach problems more thoughtfully and communicate his ideas clearly. He says these experiences were incredibly rewarding and have shaped both his personal and professional growth.

Currently, Rashedul is working at the intersection of textiles and biotechnology, focusing on sustainable solutions for the industry. His work involves developing eco-friendly dyes and pigments derived from microorganisms, along with innovative printing processes. He says it is exciting to use biotechnology to address environmental challenges and create products that are both functional and sustainable. In the future, he hopes to deepen his involvement in this field by leading research that combines biotechnology and material science to develop novel, sustainable solutions. Rashedul is also passionate about collaborating with others in the industry to drive meaningful change and inspire the next generation of researchers to prioritise sustainability in their work.

Emma Carr

Thesis Title: Detangling Hairwork: A Study of Victorian Mourning Practices

Through an object analysis of a hair bracelet located in the Anne Lambert Clothing & Textiles Collection, Emma set out to answer the research question: “What can an object analysis of a nineteenth-century mourning hair jewellery piece tell us about Victorian mourning practices?” The object analysis produced three key findings: The bracelet was likely made and worn between 1849 and 1863 as a mourning or fashion piece; Hair bracelets were considered a second or half mourning custom from 1849 to 1850 but merged into fashionable attire by 1858; and hair bracelets began waning in popularity in 1863, and by 1871, hair jewellery was being advertised primarily as fashionable accessories. The findings may suggest that the observed growth in popularity of wearable hairwork after the 1861 death of Prince Albert, while typically contributed to the use of hair jewelry as mourning objects, could better correspond to the use of hair jewelry as fashion objects.

Emma’s most valuable experience was learning from a variety of different professors. The courses and the process of writing her thesis taught her how to best approach a problem, how to think critically, and how to conduct research. These are all skills Emma says she will carry with her throughout her career and personal life.

Lucia Gago Ross

Thesis Title: A Practice-Based Study of Students' Lived Experience in Ernesto Aroztegui's Weaving Workshop (mid 1960s-mid 1980s)

The textile movement of the 1960s to the 1980s was a remarkable phenomenon in Uruguay, a country with no prior known textile tradition. Within the context of sociopolitical upheaval that characterized those years Ernesto Aroztegui’s weaving workshop had a central role. Lucia's research questions were: What are Aroztegui’s former students’ lived experiences of his workshop? How does my lived experience in an iteration of that workshop correspond with those lived experiences? A semi-structured interview was designed to access the lived experience of the participants, and an autoethnography allowed me to consider my own lived experience. This two-fold approach opened a space of reflection around the textile art movement and its legacy and brought closer to present time the textile art movement. The fluidity inherent to lived experience makes the outcome of this research project not a static thing, but an opening into spaces of discussion about the textile art movement and the sense of community textile practice provides.

When asked about her most valuable experience during her MA Lucia said "It is hard to chose just one, but I would say being invited by my supervisor to be a TA in one of her classes was a wonderful experience. Sharing with others through teaching is something that I thoroughly enjoy—before coming to the University of Alberta I was already working as a TA in my university back home. Being able to be part of a class in a different country and familiarize myself with the particularities of a teaching environment somewhat different to what I was used to was an extremely enriching experience. Conversing with the students, sharing my experience with the textile techniques they were learning, seeing what they came up with and how they explored their creativity are all experiences I wholeheartedly value."

Lucia is back at her home university to resume teaching and research activities there, and continuing defining her ideas for a PhD in the near future. "Of course parallel to this my textile-making will continue, exploring techniques and ways of interacting with materials and tools. In particular I am looking forward to wrap up the making of a warp-weighted loom I had on hold for the two years I was at the University of Alberta", Lucia says.

Chiara Power

Thesis Title: The White Linen Shirt and Shift in Early Colonial Eastern Woodlands North America

Chiara’s thesis examined the white linen shirt and shift in Eastern Woodlands North America during the 17th and 18th centuries and how these garments affected the power dynamics between settler and Indigenous communities. A material culture analysis was performed on an 18th century shirt and shift from the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection. The letters of Marie de l’Incarnation and four oil portraits by John Verelst were also examined to contextualize the artifacts and examine portrayals and discussion around the objects. The research demonstrated that the cultural, hygienic, economic, and policial meanings of linen undergarments in European dress systems were challenged by Indigenous dress practices but also allowed a space for settler colonial rhetorics to be propagated.

Chiara found the people the people she met to be the most valuable part of her grad school experience. Discussions with her supervisor, professors, fellow students, and fellow TAs were some of her best educational experiences.

Emily Hong

Emily's research focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) and its impact on children, examining how trauma affects their emotional, cognitive, and social development, as well as strategies to promote resilience and recovery.

Yanchi (Bernard) Mou

Project title: Everyday Life Experiences of Chinese Immigrant Families with Young Children

The central purpose of Yanchi’s study was to explore the challenges and difficulties that Chinese immigrant families with young children encounter and the resources and strategies they use to manage these challenges and difficulties from multiple family members’ perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to identify the challenges and difficulties experienced by four participating families, the effects of these challenges and difficulties on the families and their members, and the resources and strategies they used to manage these challenges and difficulties. The findings indicate that the participating families experienced various challenges and difficulties related to child-rearing, disagreements between family members, financial strains, and employment difficulties. These challenges and difficulties had some negative influences on family members’ daily routines, mental and physical health, parent-child relationships, couple relationships, and in-law relationships. Participating families and their members used individual, family, and community coping resources and strategies to manage their daily challenges and difficulties. The findings of my studies provide practical implications for services and programs tailored to Chinese immigrant families with young children. 

During his studies, Yanchi valued having the chance to work/study with amazing people who are passionate about children, youth, and family. He says he had the chance to learn many different family theories and models, practice his academic written skills, critical thinking skills, and research conducting skills, and discuss and learn from various perspectives from other grad students’ backgrounds. In addition, the professors from the Human Ecology Department were all approachable, friendly, and professional. Without their help (especially Dr. Williamson), he says he doesn’t know if he could have finished this degree!

Yanchi is working as a child and youth counsellor with the Island Health Authority. In the future, he will keep working and advocating for the welfare of children and youth.

Vanessa Osei Bonsu

Project title: Gender-Based Violence in Tanzania

Vanessa’s research examined the experiences of gender-based violence (GBV) in rural Tanzania, as well as the impact of Empowered Worldview, a mindset change program from World Vision, on the experiences of women and girls in rural Tanzania who have experienced GBV.  The findings revealed themes related to gender-based violence, including the influence of culture, alcoholism, economic abuse, sexual violence, and wife abandonment. The findings of her study highlight the need for a delicate balance between education, legal enforcement, and cultural change to effectively combat gender-based violence.

When asked what was one of her most valuable experiences at graduate school was Vanessa stated it was meeting new people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. This has helped her to think more critically about how she engages with others. 

Currently, Vanessa is pursuing a PhD in Family Science at the University of Alberta.

Shan Wing Ip (Jessica)

Project Title: Conservation at the Royal Alberta Museum

Jessica completed a practicum with the Conservation Team at the Royal Alberta Museum, focusing on microfade testing, an advanced technique used to determine safe loan and display durations for artifacts. She also gained practical experience with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and treated both a Western book and an Indigenous shirt and leggings. Her practicum enhanced her understanding of diverse materials, including plastics and glass, and techniques such as fibre analysis, Oddy testing, smudging of Indigenous objects, and mould remediation. Additionally, participating in conference and site visits with the RAM conservation team broadened Jessica’s professional network and provided valuable insights into current trends and career opportunities in museum conservation. This comprehensive experience enriched her technical expertise and strengthened her commitment to cultural heritage preservation.

Throughout her graduate studies and practicum, Jessica is deeply grateful for the skills, knowledge, and experiences she gained, which have significantly contributed to her personal and professional growth. Overall, her graduate school journey has prepared her to become an emerging conservator or conservation scientist, equipping her with the technical expertise and professional exposure essential for a successful career in the field.

Jessica recently completed a contract as a collection assistant and conservator at the Anne Lambert Clothing and Textiles Collection, where she gained valuable hands-on experience. She plans to explore diverse opportunities in conservation across museums, archives, and heritage sites to further expand her skills and knowledge. With a commitment to preserving the cultural legacy of physical artifacts, Jessica combines technical expertise, manual dexterity, and artistic sensitivity to ensure history is meticulously conserved and accessible for future generations.

Click here to view past graduands.