SEE. I AM ONE. BALANCING POWER IN GENOMICS RESEARCH OF CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS TO CLEAN OIL SANDS TAILINGS WATER

Within a large-scale Genome Canada program examining genomic enhancement of constructed treatment wetland systems (CTWS) to remediate oil sands processed water (OSPW), I was positioned to study the researchers, research, and community perspectives, to contribute to a gap on how these collaborations can increase their effectiveness in using multiple ways of knowing. My work proposed to even-out power imbalances in several ways; studying the findings of affected communities1 and researchers who weave knowledge toward CTWS design and observing the project scientists, their interactions, and intellectual exchanges in their evolving network as a subject for my artwork. In this project, I used research creation in place of conventional research translation. Research creation is a powerful vehicle to assist in conveying new knowledge through the lens of art. My work commented on the weak and strong collaborations, or, in some places, lack thereof, of Indigenous, corporate, government, and non-profit representatives through research creation while supporting regenerative sustainability, by balancing mental and physical analysis (conventional research) with moral, emotional, and intercultural (introspection + building relationality + creative action) aspects of the project to better represent complete ecosystems. Finally, my work also acts as an instrument for education, a conduit of information and inquiry to reach local and wide audiences, and communities of practice in a more accessible way than the conventional scientific paper.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Studio Art

Grantor

University of Saskatchewan

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Buckmaster, Cheryl

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bradford, Lori

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Henry, Robert
• Forbes, Cameron
• Strickert, Graham
• Robson, James

• Keywords: research creation, visual art, bioremediation, oil sands, multiple ways of knowing, building relationality

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10388/15891

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:harvest.usask.ca:10388/15891