Capstone Research Projects

Charlotte is nearing the completion of her degree at UVic with a major in History and minor in Professional Communications. She will be travelling to Bangkok, Thailand to work for the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, an alliance of NGOs with a human rights approach to their anti-trafficking and migrant rights work, to support their communications efforts. She has an interest in migration and women's rights and is grateful to CAPI for the opportunity to work for this meaningful organization as well as looks forward to learning more about Thailand.

My capstone project is a photo essay that explores the theme of women's work in the neighbourhood I lived in in Bangkok, Thailand. Whilst working at the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) International Secretariat, I reflected on what is considered women's labour and the implications that can go along with an assigned definition. I wanted to highlight the work that some of the Thai women I had met to show how much work they do in a day, how diverse that work can be, and hear their own thoughts on this subject. 

Keiran is a fourth-year student completing her BA in political science and philosophy at the University of Victoria. She has a passion for social justice, minority rights, refugee studies, immigration, and social policies. Through her internship at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) in Jakarta, Indonesia, she will examine a wide range of social and economic policies that impact local Indonesian communities. Keiran is incredibly excited and honoured to have this opportunity. She is grateful to CAPI, the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program, and CIPS for making all of this a possibility.

Throughout my internship, food was an overarching theme in both my personal life and my life at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies. Conversations were had, friendships were formed, and memories were created. Food is a universal, cross-cultural experience that allows us to bond, irrespective of where we come from. As such, I wanted to dedicate my capstone project to the wonderful meals I had tried throughout my stay in Indonesia. Lilly, my neighbour, would frequently cook meals for me– and I had the opportunity to watch the traditional techniques and methods used to prepare Indonesian food. My capstone project is a compilation of Lilly’s recipes– a project she excitedly helped me with!

Haley was born and raised in Hong Kong and moved to Victoria BC in 2013. She is a political science major and a philosophy minor who loves talking to people and working in challenging environments.

This CAPSTONE project is a diary-style reflection of my time as an intern at the Centre for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) based in Jakarta; it is inspired by Matthew McConaughey's book "Greenlights" and presents my thoughts, feelings, and general insights from this formative time. I want to encourage you to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and seize opportunities when they present themselves. As an intern, I discovered that taking risks and embracing the unknown leads to invaluable personal growth.

The concept of "Greenlights" in life is a key theme of this project. By seizing opportunities when they arise, you learn new things and uncover new challenges that can sharpen you. Through my experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Indonesian policy landscape and which has propelled me into new passions and self-discovery. This project invites you to join me on my journey of growth and self-discovery to explore the transformative power of seizing opportunities and embracing the unknown.

Jennifer grew up in Mexico City and moved to Canada when she was fifteen. Growing up in two distinct cultures has cultivated Jennifer’s interest in global development issues of migration, poverty, and women’s empowerment. Currently, Jennifer is working towards a major in Psychology and minor in Global Development Studies at the University of Victoria. Jennifer’s passion for women’s empowerment led her to join GAATW, an alliance of NGO’s focused on anti-human trafficking in women and migrant advocacy. In the latter half of 2022, she will be traveling to Bangkok to work for GAATW. She is grateful to CAPI for giving her the opportunity to pursue her passions and immerse herself in a vibrant and profound culture.

My Capstone project "Home & Belonging" is a gathering of thoughts, sounds, and photos of my time living in Thailand. It includes recordings from events attended as part of GAATW, sounds that caught my attention while exploring, and moments shared with work colleagues and friends. Through music, laughter, and human connection this collection reflects the sense of home and belonging I experienced while trying to make sense of my being in a different culture and environment that holds so much beauty, and similarities to where I grew up. It is my attempt at bridging feeling at home in a different part of the world; a concept that has extended beyond my birthplace and holds such deep roots in the infinite human connections that enrich my being and has made this all possible.

Isabel is completing her BA (Hon) in political science with a minor in global development studies. She is passionate about migrants’ and displaced peoples’ rights, environmental politics, and grassroots social change. She looks forward to applying this enthusiasm to working with youth at the Karenni Social Development Centre in northern Thailand.

My capstone project developed organically during my time at KSDC and my experience with place and language while living in Ban Nai Soi. As an English teacher, language learning was a key site of relationship-building between myself and KSDC students. Learning and using Karenni words evened the power balance imbued in the flow of knowledge, was a source of interpersonal connection, and gave the natural landscape and food systems a sense of familiarity and ease. 

In gratitude for the way language sharing created connections and deepened my sense of place. I collaborated with KSDC student Bu Reh to create a learning resource for KSDC students and teachers alike. English words and Karenni-English transliterations for common words are paired with voice recordings that can be easily accessed and used.

Kaylin is in her fourth year, working towards a double major in political science and gender studies. The interdisciplinary nature of her education has inspired a broad range of interests, including the complexities of labour, gender, race, and migration. Kaylin will be travelling to Bangkok to work with GAATW, an alliance of NGOs with a human rights approach to their anti-trafficking and migrant rights work. As a mixed-race woman whose mother immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, Kaylin is eager to deepen her personal relationship with these topics but also develop a more nuanced understanding of globalization in relation to migration. She is grateful to CAPI for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in her prospective field and immerse herself in an unfamiliar but rich cultural space. 

My capstone project is an artistic expression of my experience interning and living in Bangkok—a collection of analog images, thoughts & reflections, and art pieces. Exploring the themes of space & place, embodiment, and "home," this project transcends temporal and geographical boundaries. The story shared here is only snippets of my experience: photographs I captured while in Bangkok, words I wrote in my journal on weekends, and poetry and photographs that I've created since returning to Lekwungen territories (Victoria). These snippets that might seem fragmented are crafted together to build a cohesive whole. I share this vulnerable space with you in hopes to translate deep feelings of love and gratitude, as well as what it means for me to "come home to myself."

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Hayley is completing her bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Victoria. She is born and raised in the lower mainland and has spent many years navigating life in the global south. She has an interest in transnational migration with a particular focus on the mental and physical health of migrants. She feels passionate about seeking knowledge of the lived struggles, experiences and resilience of women, families, and communities. She is committed to breaking down stigma and barriers that prevent marginalized voices from being heard. She is very excited to be a part of this cross-cultural learning experience with MSRI and honoured to have this opportunity from CAPI. 

My Capstone project is a collaborative booklet that provides an overview of the programs that are offered at the Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI). I worked alongside staff and interns at MSRI to compile updated, informative and concise information that may provide an impactful foundation for future staff and interns. The booklet covers MSRI’s historical context, as well as the Sahabat Education Programm, Sahabat Healthcare Programme and the Elham Empowerment Programme. Additionally, this booklet includes prominent legal advice and information that is critical for individuals who are navigating MSRI’s work as well as general advocacy around refugees, asylum seekers and, basic human and legal rights.

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Meghan is a fifth-year Geography and Professional Communications student, concentrating in Environment and Sustainability. She has a keen interest in sustainable urban development and how forms of communication and media can be used as a translation of knowledge from scientist to citizen. She is additionally interested in the intersectionality of arts, activism, and environment in digital media, and how this impacts social and spatial patterns within cities. Meghan is looking forward to gaining international work experience with CITYNET Yokohama and is excited for the lived-experiences which will bring her a deeper understanding of the barriers to sustainability Asian cities are facing. Meghan is incredibly grateful to CAPI for this opportunity which brings her interests, passions, and career goals together for an invaluable capstone experience.

Mimi and Hanna had gone to the market to pick up bread for dinner, as their mother instructed. Suddenly, Mimi was knocked off her feet as the ground seemed to jolt out from under her. Hanna turned to her little sister, grabbing her hand and screaming, “Earthquake!”

Throughout my internship with CITYNET Yokohama Project Office, an overarching theme of both my work and my day-to-day life was disasters and natural hazards. While living in Yokohama, I experienced two violent typhoons, and a number of small earthquakes. At work, I learned each day about Disaster Risk Reduction, a major topic of work for CITYNET. Over my internship, I realized how important being prepared for disasters was, and could see the gaps in DRR knowledge myself and other Canadians have. For my capstone project, I decided to write a short children’s story about two sisters caught in an earthquake, learning important DRR lessons as they find their way back home to reunite with their parents.

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Tracy is in her third year studying Political Science and Sociology at the University of Victoria. She is interested in studying racialization, migration and economic inequality. She will be spending time in Malaysia working and learning with the Malaysian Social Research Institute. Tracy is extremely grateful for the opportunity provided to her through CAPI and the Queen Elizabeth Scholars programs.

My capstone, "Defining a refugee," is an attempt to challenge current harmful narratives around what it means to be a refugee by showcasing how refugees themselves understand the term while simultaneously showing who these individuals are as human beings. Each page contains a photograph taken of the individual representing who they are and a written account of their answers to the following questions: What makes you happy? How do you define yourself? What are you good at? What do you hope for the future? How do you define a refugee? This project is meant to ignite empathy within those of us who are far removed from the ongoing "refugee crisis" by highlighting the emotions, perspectives and experiences often overshadowed in the media.

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Taylor is in his final year of a BSc in Earth Science and a diploma in environmental restoration with the University of Victoria. He is interested in the interactions between land-use, hydrology, and poverty in rural sub-Saharan Africa and will be returning to Zambia to help with The SAM Project’s rural water development programs. Taylor will be working alongside SAM, the local tribal leadership, various government offices, and rural communities to inspect the feasibility of diversifying Zambia’s rainwater harvesting strategies to improve food and water security in drought-prone areas. He is looking forward to strengthening old relationships and forming new ones, and he is extremely grateful to the CAPI program for the opportunity to do so.

Jemma is currently in her third year pursuing a BA in Political Science alongside a Diploma in Intercultural Education. She is interested in International Relations, specifically migration, sustainable development. In addition, the impacts of globalization - looking at social justice and the interactions amongst cultures through this. Jemma is thrilled to be working with the Centre for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) in Jarkarta, Indonesia and looks forward to collaborating with the team and understanding the effects of politics through policy and building on this through experiential learning. She is eager to explore the influence of political think-tanks in social and economic reform and grateful to CAPI and CIPS this opportunity and their support!

Olvie is currently working on her master’s thesis in the Social Dimensions of Health program at the University of Victoria. Her research interests are focused on the self-determination of Indigenous youth in sexuality and healthy relationships within the resurgence of traditional land, language, and nationhood. Professionally, she is a Community Health Nurse working primarily within remote Indigenous communities. Born and raised in Ontario with a love of food, culture, languages, travelling, and the outdoors (Vancouver Island is growing on her!), Olvie is excited to be a CAPI intern this year and join PRIA in learning more about community capacity building and participatory action research in health advocacy, education, and promotion. She thanks CAPI for this incredible opportunity and knows it will challenge and change her in ways unimaginable!

What is sex and sexuality? And how do youth in India experience it in the context of their realities? Join Olvie Li, 2019 CAPI Intern, who spent 6 months in New Delhi at the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) helping the NGO develop sexual health curriculum to be delivered all over schools in India. In this six episode podcast series, Olvie (Registered Nurse and Sex Educator) interviews youth in New Delhi about their sexuality and views on sexual health education in India. Dhanyawad & shukriya for listening!

Listen to Olvie's podcasts on Soundcloud

Jess MacIver is a fifth-year student at UVic, getting her double major in Anthropology & Archaeology and Religious Philosophy. She has worked with children for 9 years, resulting in a focus on early childhood learning, collaborative learning, and empowerment through education. For her internship, she will be working with Ukulapha and be heading to Slangspruit, a small township in South Africa. Here she will be working in the elementary school, assisting in the classroom as well as leading summer camps for the young girls during school break. Jess is incredibly grateful to CAPI and QES for this chance to really engage with not only the youth, but the community as a whole, and to further her education in this amazing way.

Throughout our time in South Africa, we witnessed the direct aftermath of Apartheid, in particular with the underfunding and lack of support from the government for the township schools. We witnessed resilience and passion within the children despite the academic, emotional, and socio-economic challenges that they were facing. We were inspired to create a capstone that would assist future interns in navigating their role at Slangspruit school, with Ukulpaha Project, and in South Africa. We hope that our handbook will assist interns in transitioning into their new role and most importantly, help them to be able to work in a way that puts the students first.

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Ariana is a fourth year Social Work student with a focus on child welfare and child protection. She is thrilled and grateful to receive the opportunity to be working with Ukulapha Community Outreach Project in South Africa. Ariana currently works with children and teens of various demographics and is excited to translate this into her work at Slangspruit Primary School. She is passionate about social justice and advocating for marginalized demographics. She believes expanding your lens and recognizing your own positionality truly fosters empathy and growth. She is excited for this life experience that will point her in many unknown directions.

Throughout our time in South Africa, we witnessed the direct aftermath of Apartheid, in particular with the underfunding and lack of support from the government for the township schools. We witnessed resilience and passion within the children despite the academic, emotional, and socio-economic challenges that they were facing. We were inspired to create a capstone that would assist future interns in navigating their role at Slangspruit school, with Ukulpaha Project, and in South Africa. We hope that our handbook will assist interns in transitioning into their new role and most importantly, help them to be able to work in a way that puts the students first.

view the pdf:

Maeve is in her fourth year of a degree in Pacific and Asian Studies at UVic. She is passionate about food and photography and is excited to start a six-month internship with CIPS (Center for Indonesian Policy Studies) in Jakarta, Indonesia. Maeve is interested in how policy affects local communities and is looking forward to exploring this relationship with CIPS. She is very grateful to CAPI for providing this great opportunity to broaden her horizons and hopes that her experience will put her in a good place to start a Masters in International Development.

Food is our common ground, a universal experience. —James Beard

The Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS) works to promote food security in Indonesia. To understand what food means to people in Indonesia it’s important to know where that food came from, what it cost, and what is done to prepare it for the dinner table. For my Capstone project fellow intern Jemma Kosalko and I decided to document all the steps we took to make a popular Indonesian dish called Gado-Gado. Through this experience we reflected on how food in Indonesia is experienced differently than in Canada. We learned about the importance of the traditional market in food preparation, and how complicated it can be to prepare the food we ate in roadside stalls every day.

Selina is studying Environmental Studies and Geography at the University of Victoria, and is excited to work with MSRI! Selina is interested in holistic sustainability, especially in urban settings. Her passion for sustainability, and therefore social justice, led her to becoming a CAPI intern, and she is looking forward to being an intern with MSRI in Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, Selina is excited to be able to experience living in a place that is drastically different geographically and culturally.

A Different Kind of Progress, is a collaborative effort between some of the students who were in both the Sustainability Club and Art Club at the Malaysian Social Research Institute and I. We worked together to create an idea for a story, which the students had free reign to draw and paint pictures for. They each chose 3 to 4 statements they wanted to paint a picture of. Seeing the way each student interpreted each statement is fascinating. The story tries to highlight how all problems are interconnected and how these large global problems actually provide chances to create a greater future.

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Luisa is in her fourth year of Geography and Environmental Studies at Uvic. She is very interested in resource conservation and the rights of minorities. Throughout this internship Luisa will be working at the Karenni Social Development Centre in the North of Thailand. She is very excited to teach and learn from Karenni youth and learn more about Myanmar and Thailand. She is extremely grateful to both CAPI and the KSDC for this opportunity.

My capstone project, “Karenni Traditional Storybook”, is a collection of stories and art work created and narrated by the students and teachers at the Karenni Social Development Center. The subjects for the book were chosen by the students as traditions and celebrations play an important role in their community. This project hopes to narrate the story of the Karenni people and show the importance of keeping traditional knowledge and practices alive in their culture. It also hopes to challenge the stigma often surrounding traditional rituals and bring awareness to the role that colonization has played in the loss of traditional practices over time.

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Erin is a 4th year Political Science student completing an Honours degree with a concentration in comparative politics and government. Her undergraduate research has focused on public policy, voter behaviour, and political participation in Europe and Japan. Her passion is making government services and aid accessible and responsive to the needs of their citizens. Outside of the university, she enjoys swimming, volunteering at the UVic Food Bank, and learning new languages. As a program assistant at CITYNET Yokohama Project Office, she is excited to study how the organisation encourages a higher quality of life in municipalities and urban areas across Asia. 

During my internship, my work with CityNet Yokohama Project Office focused on building strong, healthy, and resilient municipalities across the Asia-Pacific region. In both work and travel, I found that the theme of resilience and recovery was a crucial theme of my experiences in Japan. Throughout the summer, I used watercolour paintings and literature to document how I felt and reflect on my own character, my place in the world, and my contributions to the community. As such, I wanted my capstone to be something that I physically created, as an act of resilience and discipline in its own right. This capstone is a artistic and literary exploration of these themes in the medium of a "handbook" that examines the different ways in which resilience manifested in my placement.

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