RDP recognizes Scholarly Activity and Capstone Projects

May 11, 2023
Excellence in Teaching and Learning Capstone Recognition of Scholarly Activity Awards

Earlier today, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) celebrated its faculty’s innovative scholarly activity and independent research at the Recognition of Scholarly Activity (RoSA) Awards and Capstone Recognition Event.

“Each year our committee is astonished at the quality of scholarly work completed by the faculty in our institution,” says Erin Lowe, Chair of RoSA Committee and RDP Nursing Instructor. “From ground-breaking research and insightful publications to original works, our faculty has been actively engaged in advancing knowledge and contributing to the world of scholarship. These accomplishments are a testament to their dedication and hard work as they strive to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields. We are proud to honor their scholarship and look forward to seeing the impact of their work in the years to come.”

RDP’s faculty are recognized for scholarly activity in four categories that include Discovery, Integration, Application and Teaching.

The following award recipients were honoured at the event for their exemplary scholarly activity during 2022:

  • Dr. Fola Oluwasina - “Evaluating the Prevalence and Correlates of Major Depressive Disorder among Residents of Fort McMurray, Canada one year after a devastating flood.”
  • Dr. Heather Markovitch - “White Magic, Black Humour: Ella D’Arcy’s Narrative Strategies, Cahiers victoriens et edouardiens.”
  • Kristen Gulbransen - research to address gaps in care experienced by persons who use substances during pregnancy.
  • Jason Frizzell -  exploration of reference and influence in visual art creations, culminating in two art exhibitions: “And We Will Dream of El Dorado” and “We’ll Build a Palace Upon the Ruins.”
  • Dr. Jones Adjei and Dr. Choon-Lee Chai - research in partnership with the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association to create a Cultural Competency Training Module aimed at supporting immigrant victims of domestic violence.
  • Dr. Cyrus Taheri - research on the presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in High Touch Objects in Washrooms on RDP’s Main Campus leading to the discovery of a new bacterial species.

Since 2006, a jury comprised of RoSA committee members has selected and recognized significant scholarly endeavours by the Polytechnic’s faculty. These activities enhance and contribute to the experiences of RDP students and communities and help to solve societal and industrial challenges.

Along with honouring the RoSA Award recipients at the event, three RDP faculty were also recognized for completing capstone projects:

  • Dr. Jones Adjei - Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom: A Literature Synthesis
  • Heather Brandt - Pharmacy Technician Program Analysis of Non-Sterile Compounding Dosage Forms
  • Natalie Ford - Engagement and Brave Spaces in the Classroom: A Nursing Ethics Perspective

These capstone projects are the final component of the Excellence in Teaching and Learning Program, which is a Career Development Certificate taught by faculty Learning Designers in the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

In 2022, more than 100 applied research projects were conducted at Red Deer Polytechnic. Through scholarly activity and applied research, RDP’s faculty, staff and students find solutions to problems that positively impact the economic growth of industries and social fabric of communities across Alberta and beyond.

Media Inquiries:

Communications Team
Phone: 403.342.3389

Email Us

Related News

main entrance of RDP with logo
Tri-Agency Research Funding Eligibility at RDP
Red Deer Polytechnic has received CIHR Eligibility and renewed SSHRC and NSERC Eligibility following a rigorous application process. CIHR is the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and is part of the Tri-Council (also known as the Tri-Agency) together with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Tri-Councils are the three Canadian Government research funding agencies and hold Canadian post-secondary research to the highest standard of quality and accountability. The ability to hold grants across the three Federal Councils is key to RDP’s vision of expanding the scope and impact of RDP’s research in central Alberta and beyond. As a Polytechnic, RDP’s Applied Research Centres and faculty engage in research across all disciplines that positively impacts community and industry partners, our region, and beyond. Tri-Agency Eligibility permits RDP to actively pursue and hold grants in areas such as science, engineering, health, and social sciences. This will continue to support RDP’s pillars in Advanced Manufacturing, Health and Clinical Psychology, Social Innovation, and Energy and Environmental Sciences. CIHR Eligibility increases RDP’s ability to pursue greater funding in health research. As an established leader in applied research within NSERC’s and SSHRC’s mandates, CIHR