Map the System is a competition where students and future changemakers research complex and systemic issues affecting the community. As part of the Map the System Canada 2024, the Campus Final at Mount Royal University (MRU) will present the research findings of the top 5 MRU teams. The judges then select a Campus Final team to move onto the Semi-final and Final in May.
Check out the recap of the MRU Campus Final 2024
Want to learn more about the systemic issues the top 6 teams from post-secondary institutions across Canada have been exploring? RSVP today to attend Map the System Canada Final at the Bella Concert Hall on May 27th from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm.
2024 Map the System MRU Teams
Team Name: The lonely, alone. (Best Systems Map Award)
Members: Dana Dutton
Topic: The Loneliness Epidemic
Research Summary:
Loneliness has been deemed an individual problem. When it is actually an individualism problem. Individualistic cultures, capitalism, colonialism, technology and other factors outside of any individual's control are key roots of loneliness in this day and age. Humans began as collectivists, supporting one another and creating close knit communities, and the ability for people to do that has been lost in the modern day. That is the issue with blaming lonely people for the creation of their circumstance.
Team Name: Triple A (Campus Final Winner + Best Research Award)
Members: Linh Bui, Ally Phan, and Andrea Barlaan
Topic: Underemployment of Canadian Economic Immigrants
Research Summary:
Through data analysis, interviews, and literature review, we found disparities in employment opportunities and immigrant skill underutilization. Contrary to common belief, foreign credential recognition isn't the root cause, but rather a symptom of deeper issues related to systemic barriers.
Team Name: Team Pagbabago
Members: Nicole Darnayla, Owen Lasquite, Gwyneth Pagao
Topic: Mental health Stigma in SouthEast Asia
Research Summary:
Stigma is among the numerous factors that contribute to the barriers that are present in the acceptance of mental health in SouthEast Asia, this makes it more difficult to get assistance and maintain touch with mental health professionals. This research project aims to gain a deeper understanding on the effects of the mental health stigma that is being brought to adolescents with mental diagnosis in SouthEast Asia. By researching the present evidence that either support or reject the stereotype of Asian culture being one that is less accepting of mental disabilities, this study is a tool to spread awareness to reveal the truth on the views of mental health in SouthEast Asia.
Team Name: TFW (Best Presentation Award)
Members: Ajmer Singh, Ryan Davis, Jacob Jungen and Prabhdeep Tamber
Topic: Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada
Research Summary:
We explore the effects of temporary foreign workers in Canada. First, we go into detail in explaining the Temporary Foreign Worker Program itself including the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program as one of its branches. The presentation also includes the effects that it has on the Canadian economy, especially within the industries that it resides in. We then investigate the responsibilities held by Government departments like the IRCC and CBSA. Lastly, we look at the levers of change that could improve this system as a whole.
Team Name: MRU POST Team
Members: Naheel Al-Sourani, Ice Garcia, Hallie Vermette
Topic: Transforming Information Flows into Effective Institutional Change
Research Summary:
The goal of changemaking is to start at an initial point A and get to a desired point B. But the journey society takes to get from point A to B is fraught with differing ideas and worldviews on how to get there. This journey of changemaking permeates practically all aspects of our lives, particularly in family, media, education, and political regimes. Our project seeks to understand why we find it difficult to engage in uncomfortable discussions, and how we can foster collaborative environments where having complex discourse can lead to innovative and nuanced solutions.
2024 Map the System MRU Judges
Jordyn Kidney
I am a senior contract teacher in the mathematics and computing department at Mount Royal University, with 21 years of experience as an educator, 14 of which have been at MRU. Teaching is more than a job to me; it's a passion that drives me to inspire lifelong learning, empathy, and growth in my students. I strive to connect deeply with every student, sharing not just knowledge but fostering understanding and curiosity.
My life's mission is to encourage learning, build community, inspire authenticity, promote individuality, and spread love and acceptance. These goals deeply connect with the "Map The System" project, which aligns with my belief in using education to tackle complex issues with empathy and understanding.
Joining the "Map The System 2024 Campus Final" feels like a natural step for me. It's an opportunity to support MRU's student changemakers in exploring social, environmental, and economic challenges. This event isn't just academic; it's a chance to affirm my commitment to education as a force for societal change, reflecting my journey of making learning actionable and impactful.
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordankidney/
Naureen Mumtaz
Naureen Mumtaz is an Assistant Professor of Information Design in the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University, Calgary. She holds an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Design Studies and Education and a Master of Design in Visual Communication Design.Dr. Mumtaz’s research areas are at the intersection of design for social justice, critical design studies and teaching and learning practice in higher education. She utilizes design-based participatory research methods to develop community-responsive curricula, addressing complex social justice issues like intercultural understanding and cultural pedagogies in higher
education and health and wellbeing initiatives. With expertise in contextual sense-making, she designs customized projects driving social transformation in culturally diverse contexts. Dr. Mumtaz actively engages in collaborative and participatory design research, involving local community organizations, academia, and students in co-creation processes using #SystemsThinking and #DesignThinking approaches. Her work focuses on humanizing and decolonizing information communication and research creation to make it relevant and inclusive for diverse individuals and communities. Her interdisciplinary scholarly endeavors target wicked design issues such as equity-centered design, innovation in health and well-being, and designing for inclusive futures.
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordankidney/
Emma Berger
Emma Berger (she/they) is a recent MRU alum. They were a virtual participant in Map the System during 2021 where they found their passion for collaborative changemaking from an EDI & sustainability intersectional lens. They then went on to minor in social innovation, partake in the Catamount Fellowship and start up the Sustainable Development Goals Hub (later reviving the Student Changemaker Network). Since graduating in 2023, she has been with Youthful Cities doing research, making partnerships, and planning solution summits to help youth solve education, affordability, and employment-related challenges.Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-y-berger/
Questions about the Map the System and the Campus Final?
Visit our Map The System MRU Home Page or contact program lead Alita Vaz at avaz212@mtroyal.ca