UCalgary undergraduate students begin their transdisciplinary research journeys

The Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) empowers UCalgary students to learn valuable skills, embarking on a paid summer research project with a supervisor in their chosen field.  

During the summer of 2024, 10 students across campus completed transdisciplinary research, learning how to work across disciplines and with their community.  

Dr. Sabrina Perić, PhD, an Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship (ITS) academic co-lead for Energy Futures and PURE supervisor to Gabby Barber, shares the importance of transdisciplinary research, saying, “In today’s world, it is critical that students take on a ‘multiple knowledges’ approach to societal challenges. We have to acknowledge that academic knowledge is not the only valuable resource in tackling our wicked problems. Local knowledge, rooted in community and experience, is a critical tool too.” 

Perić, associate professor, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, says that student-driven research is important to her. “It teaches students critical thinking, analytic and writing skills. It also offers a platform for young people to make evidence-based policy interventions and actively see the power of research. For me, being a PURE supervisor has been an incredible opportunity to learn from Gabby and from queer folks in rural Alberta.” 

We asked students the following questions about their PURE experience: What does transdisciplinary scholarship mean to you and why do you feel a transdisciplinary approach was important to you? What is one thing you’ve learned from working with the community in your PURE research project?  

Keep reading to learn more about their transdisciplinary research journeys.  

Gabby Barber 

Faculty of Arts, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology  
Project title: Queer Life in Contemporary Rural Alberta 

A transdisciplinary approach was very important as it prevented my research from feeling constrictive. The literature I read prior to going into the field would primarily be considered either anthropological or in the realm of queer theory, but, since then, I have not restricted myself to any discipline. What was most important to me was not to limit myself by molding to a specific box, as I felt that my completed research should be applicable and beneficial to the people I worked with. Inherently, I think that transdisciplinary scholarship can be considered “queer” as it aspires to transcend the archaic and restrictive boundaries common in academia, a theme that I leaned into with my research. 

Something I noted during my research was how much social contexts, particularly regarding tolerance and acceptance toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, varied widely from town to town. My main takeaway from doing research on the community level is that change is so much more effective when it is community-based. Overall, as mentioned, context varies widely from town to town, from constituency to constituency—there is no one-size-fits-all method for community organization. Community advocates are so important as they can work to incite change by amplifying the voices of their communities—of their family, their friends, and themselves. 

Gabby recently won the Inclusive Excellence in Research and Innovation Award for their PURE project at the Student Union’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. 

Joanna Galasso 

Faculty of Social Work 
Project title: Canadian Inuit Women’s Perspectives on Birthing Experiences and Birth Trauma 

To me, transdisciplinary scholarship means integrating knowledge and perspectives from multiple disciplines, as well as engaging directly with communities, researchers, and stakeholders, to address complex issues that cannot be fully understood or solved from a single disciplinary lens. It’s about breaking down traditional academic boundaries and fostering collaboration that includes diverse voices and expertise. 

I believe a transdisciplinary approach was essential to my PURE project as it acknowledges the complexity of real-world problems Inuit communities face and the need for holistic, inclusive solutions. Working with community researchers, stakeholders, and members ensures that the research is not only relevant but also respectful and reflective of the community's lived experiences and needs. It helps build trust, ensure cultural competency, and promote actionable outcomes that benefit those directly affected by the issue at hand. Including these diverse perspectives enriches the research process, improves the quality of the findings, and increases the likelihood that the solutions will be sustainable and impactful.  

Sophie Garcia 

Faculty of Arts, Department of Art and Art History and Werklund School of Education 
Project title: Indigenous Alumni Exhibition 

Transdisciplinary scholarship means the integration of multiple disciplines to address complex questions and challenges. It goes beyond just drawing from different fields—it involves creating new frameworks that bridge gaps between areas of knowledge, facilitating collaboration that celebrates diverse perspectives. This approach was crucial for me during my PURE research project. My project prompted me to engage in transdisciplinary thinking. This entailed drawing from cultural studies, art history, and curatorial practices to capture the complexities of curating Indigenous art. I learned that curating isn't merely an academic process; it’s about building genuine relationships and understanding the lived experiences of Indigenous artists. As a Filipina settler, researcher, and aspiring curator, this shift was crucial to creating a respectful and authentic exhibition that honoured the stories of Indigenous artists. 

One of the most significant lessons I learned from this project is how vital relationship-building is within research. It taught me that curatorial work is about more than just the art itself; it's about connecting with the people behind it intentionally. My supervisor and mentor taught me how important it is to 'walk a mile' with the communities or artists you're collaborating with. This means often placing yourself in a position of learning and fostering a safe space to share experiences. Spending time with the artists and truly listening to their stories gave me a deeper appreciation of their work and shifted my understanding from a purely academic view to a personal and respectful engagement. Even when things didn’t go as planned, those connections grounded the project and kept me moving forward. 

Sean Hashimoto 

Faculty of Law 
Project title: Funding for Family Caregivers: Common Law and Policy Approaches  

To me, transdisciplinary scholarship reflects a pivotal step towards aligning the so-called “ivory tower” with the lived experiences of Canadians with disabilities. Disciplinary boundaries are necessary and important, but the world doesn’t always reflect these boundaries.  

A transdisciplinary approach was especially important for my PURE project because disability is often viewed from a medical perspective, as something to be “cured.” A social model of disability views disability as a problem of accessibility barriers and negative attitudes. These are not medical problems and tackling them requires coordination between all aspects of society.  

We take for granted how difficult clear communication is.  

People in technical fields use technical language without realizing it. When I had to communicate complex legal ideas to people outside of the legal community, I often received blank stares. It turns out I was using obscure “legalese” without realizing it, or using a word like “reasonable” which feels simple but has a specific legal meaning. I was on the other end of this experience when healthcare professionals were explaining complex concepts to me.   

Learning to communicate clearly will always be a challenge for anyone in a technical field, but it’s a challenge I think all of us should embrace. 

Misha Storkova 

Faculty of Arts, Department of Art and Art History
Project title: Zapomenutý Hlas [A Forgotten Voice] 

My PURE research, which culminated in a visual arts exhibition is an artistic reflection on the suppressed history of openly queer community during the First Czechoslovak Republic. This exhibition contained pieces spanning textile work, cyanotype, and installation to reclaim a history which has undergone decades of violent government and social repression. Queerness is a concept which is often considered alien to Eastern Europe, and a common experience amongst LGBTQIA+ immigrants is a feeling of isolation from queerness and/or cultural background, since acceptance is considered a “Western” concept infringing on Slavic cultures.  

It was integral in my research to access historical archives, taking a transdisciplinary approach. Because my project crossed boundaries between queer history and contemporary art, I connected with librarians, archivists, and researchers from across the world, including the Společnost pro Queer Pamět in the Czech Republic. By exploring LGBTQIA+ history of the First Czechoslovak Republic during the Interwar Years (1918-1938), my project brings to light the inherent existence of queerness across time and place. 

Billy Wijaya 

Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology
Project title: Echoes from Galang to Calgary: Tracing the Vietnamese Refugee Journey 

For me, transdisciplinary scholarship is more of a calling than a title. It challenges me to think beyond conventional paths and measure success by my own goals rather than external expectations. This approach allows me to engage with complex issues I care about deeply, motivating me to solve problems I choose rather than simply filling a role. It’s a way of pushing myself and expanding my understanding of what I can achieve, what I can accomplish on my own, what I can create, what good I can do and be proud to call it mine. 

My PURE project was personal; it taught me who I am and what I can become. I discovered that I learn best from diverse sources—especially from conversations with community members, who offered insights I could never get from a classroom alone. People from all walks of life hold incredible knowledge and wisdom, and engaging with them was a powerful experience. Through these conversations, I felt a unique sense of growth that’s hard to put into words, and even just this one experience I was lucky to have has profoundly shaped my understanding of myself and others. 

Teagan Young 

Faculty of Science 
Project title: Preserving Our Waters Together: ERWP, and Indigenous Communities River Project 

Transdisciplinary scholarships demonstrate the incorporation of different disciplines in a way that helps better understand the world. This scholarship allowed me to demonstrate how Indigenous knowledge can reshape the scientific view, allowing for more inclusive opportunities. This was an important opportunity for me because it allowed my biology major and my Indigenous studies minor to be combined. Demonstrating how essential different perspectives, teachings, and knowledge are. Working with community opened my eyes to people's real experiences, helping me understand and learn about my research. Being able to work with community is empowering because I got to engage with so many different demographics and form connections. 

We also want to acknowledge:  

• Hannah Cohen, Cumming School of Medicine 
  • Project title: It’s About the Impacts: Interventions and remedies for coercive control  
• Gianluca Cross-Bussoli, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape 
  • Project title: Conversion of Vacant Land to Urban Farms: A Business Case 
• Dawood Sheronick, Schulich School of Engineering 
  • Project title: Climate Adaptation and Resilience Enhancement (CARE) for Indigenous Housing   

Interested in PURE awards? 

The student deadline to apply for a PURE award is January 27, 2025. And interested faculty members are encouraged to apply to be a supervisor by January 31, 2025. Learn more here.