Media releases

• Youth ballroom, Irish and Highland dancers sought for study

  Friday, May 21, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 21 May 2021 – R0064

  It takes two to tango — even in the world of research. Brock’s Dance Research Lab is seeking youth ballroom, Irish and Highland dancers to partner up with researchers for interviews about their experiences as competitive dancers.

  The lab is recruiting active competitive dancers for a new study, “Convergences and Divergences in Competitive Dance: The Experiences of Youth Dancers Across Styles.”

  Dancers between the ages of 12 and 19 are invited to speak with researchers in a virtual interview lasting between 90 and 120 minutes.

  The study will focus on “exploring dancers’ experiences in competitive dance, and also on how COVID-19 may have impacts on those experiences,” says Natalie Tacuri, project co-ordinator and Master of Arts in Child and Youth Studies student.

  “We are particularly interested in how preferred style of dance may impact dancer experiences, resulting in similar or different experiences across dancers,” Tacuri says. “In this research, we are asking dancers about their dance studio or school experiences, parental support and involvement, competition experience, costuming and attitudes about dance.”

  Tacuri also notes the study will fill a gap in literature, which doesn’t often address styles like ballroom, Irish and Highland, let alone compare them with other styles of competitive dance like jazz, contemporary or tap.

  Dawn Zinga, Professor of Child and Youth Studies and Director of the Dance Research Lab, says the study has grown out of outstanding community participation with the lab.

  When Zinga and Associate Professor Danielle Sirianni Molnar embarked on a study on the impact of COVID-19 on youth dancers and their families last year, they were surprised to hear from families with dancers who engage in Irish, Highland and ballroom dance.

  These parts of the dance community had not previously engaged with the lab but wanted to make their voices heard. After a few modifications to the study’s ethics clearance and consultation with experts in those areas of dance, the survey was updated and expanded to include them.

  Zinga notes the challenges for ballroom dancers in particular have been higher during the pandemic because of the need for partnered training, one of many issues that came to light in the previous research. And she draws a line from the experience of families reaching out to this new study.

  “This work has emerged out of competitive dancers pointing out to us that they come from all kinds of areas,” says Zinga.

  Anyone interested in participating in the study is asked to email danceresearch@brocku.ca

  Dancers under the age of 18 will need parental permission to participate.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock, TOES Niagara aim to enhance lives of marginalized women and families through partnership

  Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 19 May 2021 – R0063

  After years of working together on projects that empower immigrant and racially marginalized women and their families, Brock University and Tools of Empowerment for Success (TOES) Niagara are formalizing their long-standing partnership.

  The organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their ongoing collaborative relationship.

  Based in Welland, TOES Niagara offers workshops, programs and other support services to remove barriers for women and their families and help enable improved economic and educational outcomes. The organization connects youth with community mentors, provides entrepreneurship and leadership skills training, helps newcomers to Canada navigate the various systems they encounter, offers support with healing from the trauma of anti-Black racism, and encourages civic engagement, volunteerism and personal growth through its programming.

  Supporting immigrant and racially marginalized women is a critical part of building strong and inclusive communities that benefit all Canadians, said Lynn Wells, Brock Provost and Vice-President, Academic.

  “Helping women and their families to achieve their dreams of becoming engaged citizens will only enhance the life and vitality of the Niagara region,” she said. “Through research, mentorship and other support opportunities, Brock University is pleased to play a role in assisting TOES Niagara with its pivotal work locally.”

  Born through years of research collaboration, the partnership between the two organizations has included a number of projects over time. The latest is an ongoing three-phase research initiative taking place through the University’s Social Justice Research Institute.

  The project, which began in 2019, is led by Associate Professor of Nursing Joanne Crawford and looks at strategies to promote inclusion of immigrant women in Niagara. The research team is examining services and activities that support social inclusion for immigrant women, while also looking at developing and enhancing services to promote social inclusion.

  The University’s research activities are strengthened by working with community partners like TOES Niagara to understand local problems and develop real-world solutions, said Tim Kenyon, Brock’s Vice-President, Research.

  “The work currently underway by Dr. Crawford is a prime example of how researchers and community organizations can come together to create positive change,” Kenyon said. “Each brings valuable knowledge to the table. When combined, these insights can have a tremendous impact locally and beyond.”

  Collaborating with Brock has enhanced TOES Niagara’s ability to assist the people it serves.

  “There are simply some things we, as an organization, cannot do on our own,” said Nyarayi Kapisavanhu, Executive Director of TOES Niagara. “This partnership has allowed us to increase our research capability, our capacity to directly engage with the community and our ability to promote and fund our programming.”

  The MOU “opens a world of possibilities” when it comes to future collaborations with Brock’s faculty, staff and students, Kapisavanhu said.

  Initiatives Brock and TOES Niagara have previously collaborated on include:

  • Brock’s Office of Human Rights and Equity (HRE) helped to facilitate an ongoing mentorship program for Black youth through the Department of Canadian Heritage. HRE provided help with curriculum development, financial support, facilities and facilitation. Several Brock faculty members are mentors with the program.
  • TOES Niagara worked with the Faculty of Education to develop anti-racism and anti-oppression training materials for current educators.
  • Brock Faculties and departments have assisted with various strategic projects, including providing support for TOES Niagara’s strategic plan.
  • TOES Niagara has partnered with Brock on grant applications for special projects, including grants for Black entrepreneurship initiatives with the Social Justice Research Institute, Centre for Business Analytics and the Office of Government and Community Relations.

  The TOES Niagara MOU is the latest in a series of commitments by Brock to work with community partners, such as HOPA Ports, Niagara Workforce Planning Board, Niagara Health, Pathstone Mental Health, Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold and Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases