Celebration

Choong Kim

Thesis title: Monetary value of unpaid care in Canada: A comparison of valuation methods

Choong's dissertation research focused on quantifying the hidden economic cost of unpaid care work performed by family members in Canada. This work revealed the substantial contribution family caregivers make to the Canadian economy, with an estimated value ranging from $45 to $154 billion annually as of 2018, depending on the monetary valuation method used. Additionally, his findings contribute to understanding economic inequality between men and women in Canada, as women provide the majority of caregiving time. This research provides policymakers with evidence-based insights into hidden economic costs and informs broader discussions about public investment in care.

Choong appreciates the research experience he has gained in the department, having been involved in multiple research projects. He was able to participate in the entire research process, from the grant submission stage to the final report submission.

He is currently active in the job market, aiming to build his career in data analytics and continue his research in academia.

Chloe Simmons

Thesis Title: I can make that’: An Investigation of Sustainability, SDG 12 and the Textile Crafts

For her thesis research, Chloe embarked on an interdisciplinary project exploring the behaviours and perceptions of textile crafters. Contributing to several fields of study, including material culture studies, the growing interdisciplinary field of fashion studies, and human ecology, Chloe’s research unpacks how makers’ production and consumption habits relate to sustainability. Additionally, the project engages with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), grappling with the methodological challenges of integrating the large-scale, global concept of SDG 12 into a qualitative study of individual-level actions and revealing the need for more tailored frameworks for this purpose. Findings of Chloe’s thesis demonstrate several ways in which making practices open up alternatives to, and create independence from, mass-produced goods, while also emphasising factors that make craft an imperfect solution to the sustainability concerns of the fast fashion industry.

Two valuable experiences stand out to Chloe as important takeaways from grad school. First, is the human ecology community she has cultivated by getting to know and working with like-minded individuals from all areas of the department. Equally, Chloe is incredibly grateful for the opportunities she has had in grad school to cultivate her love of teaching and the mentors who have fostered this interest.

Chloe’s long-term vision includes returning to her studies to pursue a PhD. Currently, Chloe is working as a Junior Policy Analyst with a local non-profit organisation, and is looking forward to returning to the Department of Human Ecology as a sessional instructor for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Navdeep Kaur

Project title: Best practices for caregiver capacity building

Navdeep's research, conducted for the Ministry of Children and Family Services, Government of Alberta, focused on exploring best practices for caregiver capacity building. The aim was to identify effective strategies that support diverse caregivers in enhancing their skills, knowledge, and confidence in child development. Through a detailed literature review, she discovered significant gaps in the availability and accessibility of services for male parents and Indigenous caregivers—groups often underrepresented in mainstream support programs. To address this, Navdeep developed an evaluation criteria framework that serves as a benchmark to assess the effectiveness of caregiver support programs. This tool can be used to guide funding decisions and improve the design and delivery of future initiatives, ensuring they are inclusive, culturally responsive, and outcomes-focused.

The most valuable experience during her graduate studies was engaging with diverse communities through her practicum and research. She had the opportunity to explore how government programs support diverse caregivers, which taught her the importance of culturally responsive practice and the necessity of designing services that reflect the lived experiences of families. This experience deepened her commitment to inclusive policy-making and respectful collaboration.

Currently, Navdeep is working as a volunteer at the Zebra Child Advocacy Centre. In the future, she is looking for a career where she can apply her knowledge in practice and support families and communities.

Andrew Magnaye

Project title: Caring Beyond Borders: Transnational Family Caregivers

Andrew dedicated his research to exploring the experiences of family members caring for loved ones across international borders. This topic has always been a reality for his family, as they continue to support their family in the Philippines. However, as his research revealed, these care exchanges extend far beyond the mere exchange of money or material goods; they are expressions of love, longing, and profound gratitude. Andrew recognised that it takes a tremendous toll on family members to be separated from one another, especially when older relatives require care. The feelings of guilt and the sense of not being able to do enough due to the distance separating them were recurring themes in his work. He observed that transnational family caregivers will continue to provide care from countries of destination to family members and friends in countries of origin in an increasingly global and connected world.

His most valuable experiences came from meeting many different people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. The department was always filled with colleagues who brought pieces of themselves to their programs. Andrew appreciated every conversation, lunch hour, and coffee meeting he was fortunate enough to enjoy with everyone throughout his program.

Currently, Andrew serves as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Government of Alberta in the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services. He hopes to continue advocating for family caregivers within government, non-profit, and healthcare spaces as the backbone of the care system.

Andrew wants to extend a special thank you to Jacquie, Rachel, and Rhonda, who, during a time of great grief, uncertainty, and loss, showed up for him in ways he will never forget.

Emily Prefumo

Project Title: Analysis of Qiviut Fibres: An Investigation into the Surface Morphology, Diameter Measurement, Breaking Strength, and Thermal Insulation of Qiviut from Wild Muskoxen

Emily’s research focused on determining the properties of qiviut fibres (muskox wool), including the fibre surface morphology, diameter measurement, individual fibre strength, and thermal insulating ability. For measuring the fibre diameter and strength, fibres were sampled from five different areas on two different muskox hides (one harvested in the spring, one in the winter) to determine whether the area the fibre is harvested from and the season from which it was collected during directly impacts the fibre diameter size and strength. Analysis of the fibre surface revealed qiviut fibres to have shallow, long scales with a unique shape similar to that of cashmere. The diameter measurements and strength testing results revealed qiviut fibres to have a fine diameter size (between cashmere and camel hair) and to be relatively strong for its fineness, the shoulder regions being overall thicker and stronger than the other areas assessed. The winter hide had overall thicker and stronger fibres than the spring hide. The thermal insulation test results indicated that qiviut has a similar insulating value to that of alpaca wool, making their insulating ability about equal.

During her studies, Emily valued all of the skills, knowledge, and experiences she had gained over the course of her program through completing her research, attending classes, and working as a TA. She also valued the opportunity to meet and work with others who shared similar passions and interests in Human Ecology, as well as all the friendships she made along the way.

Emily plans to continue pursuing her passion in textile science research. She is currently working on getting her research paper on qiviut fibre published in a journal.

Mansi Sharma

Project Title: The Barriers and Interests in Repurposing Used Traditional Embellished Indian Garments of Canadian Indian Gen Zs

Mansi's research explored the barriers and interests Indian Canadian Gen Zs face in upcycling their unwanted traditional embellished Indian garments. Using a Human Ecological framework, the study combined experiential practice—upcycling two personal garments—with interviews and surveys of Gen Z participants in Edmonton. Findings revealed that although many Gen Z individuals are environmentally conscious and supportive of sustainability, upcycling is hindered by emotional attachment, a lack of resources or skills, and cultural stigma surrounding reused garments. Participants expressed a greater willingness to upcycle non-sentimental items, especially into functional products such as bags. The study highlights a growing openness among Indian Gen Zs to repurpose their own garments as a compromise between sustainability and cultural identity. It suggests that targeted initiatives, such as community workshops or government-supported upcycling programs, could empower this demographic to engage in sustainable practices while preserving cultural heritage and reducing textile waste.

Mansi found the most valuable experiences during graduate school to be the opportunity to organise get-togethers with other graduate students and learn about each other’s research topics. She appreciated being able to explore a research area with limited existing literature, which allowed her to contribute new insights. Additionally, she valued the experience of presenting her research findings and inspiring participants to take an interest in, or actively participate in, upcycling their Indian embellished garments.

Utkarsh Sharma

Project Title: Textile Sorting: Assessing Colour of Clothing Donations and Implication for Textile Recycling

Utkarsh's research investigated how textile colour impacted recycling outcomes using clothing donations from thrift stores in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He examined colour distribution, fabric disruptors, textile construction, and fibre composition. His findings suggested that effective colour sorting could reduce re-dyeing steps, enhance recycling efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable approach to managing textile waste.

His most valuable experience in grad school was the opportunity to work with wonderfully motivated colleagues and mentors. Collaborating with these passionate individuals allowed him to learn, challenge his thinking, and grow both academically and personally. Their drive and support not only sharpened his skills but also fostered a strong sense of community and resilience that continued to inspire his professional journey.

At that time, Utkarsh was actively seeking opportunities in the industry. He used the skills and insights he gained during grad school to bridge the gap between academia and real-world applications. He focused on roles that enabled him to work with passionate, innovative teams dedicated to sustainability and forward-thinking solutions.

Congratulations to our graduate students who are celebrating their convocation this Spring 2025.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Choong Kim

Master of Arts - Material Culture

Alexis De Villa