Student Research Ideas
If you are interested in learning more about homelessness and contributing new knowledge to the field, here are some ideas you may want to consider for an Honour’s or Master’s thesis.Â
- The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people around Canada. We have seen how individuals experiencing homelessness were at particularly high risk because of social and medical determinants. Conduct a review of your own community to see what pandemic plans were in place for people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19. What gaps existed in the planning phase, that created challenges during the pandemic itself? What lessons have been learned that could inform future pandemic planning efforts for people experiencing homelessness in your region?
- The legalization and/or decriminalization of drugs are controversial topics in Canada. Conduct a survey or series of interviews to see what people in your community think about these issues. What factors significantly influence a person’s viewpoints on legalization and/or decriminalization in your sample?
- Harm reduction has a long history and applies to many different types of approaches. Conduct a literature review to identify which harm reduction approaches might be most effective for different sub-populations at risk of homelessness. Consider for instance, what harm reduction strategies might be most beneficial for women, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, Indigenous persons, youth, seniors, or veterans? Challenge yourself to think inter-sectionally about people who might be in more than one category.
