Skip to main content
Apply Library A-Z Find a person Maps
Brightspace Email
University
of Victoria
Apply Library A-Z Find a person Maps
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Faculty of Graduate Studies

Laura Jokinen

  • MA (Simon Fraser University, 2010)

  • BA (Simon Fraser University, 2013)

Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Topic

Advancing community-level health data collection and health impact assessment practices for First Nations in British Columbia, Canada

Department of Geography

Date & location

  • Wednesday, May 29, 2024

  • 10:00 A.M.

  • Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

  • Dr. Cameron Owens, Department of Geography, University of Victoria (Co-Supervisor)

  • Dr. Aleck Ostry, Department of Geography, UVic (Co-Supervisor)

  • Dr. Neil Hanlon, Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia (Outside Member) 

External Examiner

  • Dr. Dawn Hoogeveen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University 

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Craig Brown, Division of Medical Sciences, UVic

     

Abstract

This current dissertation explores the collection and management of community-level health data by a First Nation in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Due to the geographical proximity of their communities and territories, First Nations tend to experience adverse project-related effects associated with on-going industrial development across the province. Despite the growing interest in health impact assessment (HIA) as a means of evaluating how projects influence community health and wellness, little research has focused on the importance of community-level data to achieve this. Chapter 2 utilizes case study research to examine the types of health data collected at the community level and the alignment of this data with community health priorities and industrial development risks. Chapter 3 explores the perspectives of First Nation Department and Project Managers concerning their experiences in data collection and the challenges they encounter. Chapter 4 transitions away from the concept of ‘doing research for the sake of research’ to adopting an applied research approach by translating technical knowledge into a visually-styled information resource for First Nations in B.C. The dissertation concludes by reflecting on the implications of the findings for the field of HIA and First Nation communities, highlighting avenues for future research, practice and overcoming challenges at the local level.

Back to oral exams