In the Spring 2023 the City of Lethbridge and Prentice Institute completed a two-semester WIL pilot through which eight students from five different academic programs participated in nine Applied Studies opportunities.
The students presented their work at the City of Lethbridge – Prentice Institute Showcase Event held on April 20th at the Penny Building in the form of five posters. Congratulations to all of the students for their excellent work:
“IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) of Placemaking in Public Realm Design. Best Practices Within Canada” by Amy Cran (Anthropology), Isabella Lee (B. Mgt. - Accounting) and Kianna Turner (General Social Sciences).
Work supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services Manager, City of Lethbridge.
Academic supervisors: Athena Elafros (Sociology), Lukas Neamtu (Career Bridge), Julie Young (Geography – Urban and Regional Studies).
“Engagement Planning, Public Art, and Urban Design” by Taylor Manns (Geography – Urban and Regional Studies) and Kianna Turner (General Social Sciences).
Work supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services Manager, City of Lethbridge.
Academic supervisors: Andrea Cuéllar (Anthropology), Julie Young (Geography – Urban and Regional Studies).
“Assessing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Lethbridge’s Heritage Inventories Using a System Plan Approach: A Thematic Analysis” by Hannah Laberge (Geography – Geographical Information Science) and Brie Wilson (General Social Sciences).
Work supervisor: Ross Kilgour, Senior Community Planner, City of Lethbridge.
Academic supervisor: Andrea Cuéllar (Anthropology).
“Stories from the Warehouse District” by Peter Gorombey (History).
Work supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services Manager, City of Lethbridge.
Academic supervisor: Sheila McManus (History).
“Steps taken to inform the RFQ (Request for Quotations) for a Comprehensive Site Plan” by Kirsten Hironaka (Geography – Urban and Regional Studies).
Work supervisor: Perry Stein, Partner Services Manager, City of Lethbridge.
Academic supervisor: Yale Belanger (Political Science).
The showcase event was attended by nearly 60 individuals, including City staff from a broad range of departments, research affiliates and staff of the Prentice Institute, staff from the University’s Office of Research and Innovation Services, the Career Bridge, Student Services, the offices of the President and Vice-President Academic, the University Chancellor and other members of the University community. The event successfully communicated the early achievements of the emerging PI WIL program and partnership with the City of Lethbridge:
To begin outlining the scope and nature of broader collaborations, a Prentice Institute – City of Lethbridge Workshop was held after the showcase event. It provided an opportunity for a group of over 30 City staff, PI research affiliates and University staff to share insights about structures that would facilitate collaboration between City staff and University faculty and students, the resources and funding opportunities that would enable collaborations, and the kinds of projects that would most benefit from a City-University partnership.
Some of the main feedback received during the workshop included 1) the need to enhance the structural elements that facilitate collaboration (such as a dedicated physical space), 2) enhanced coordination to enable greater dialogue and the sharing of inter-institutional expertise, 3) ensuring there is space for other post-secondary and community partners to be engaged and involved, and 4) an ability to demonstrate the ongoing value of the partnership through data, metrics and reporting.
Given this year’s success, the City and PI plan for a showcase of student work and a workshop for City staff and PI affiliates to be held annually. Thank you to all those that attended the showcase and workshop, and to the faculty members that served as academic supervisors for the students. In fostering this partnership, the Prentice Institute contributes to tackling questions that are central to the planning of a prosperous, vibrant, inclusive and equitable City. We look forward to the next year of work and collaboration.
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The Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy is located on traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our community.