About This Project
PSYC400: Teaching and Learning in Psychology
The To Help You Reach Knowledge (THRK) team, led by Floor Nusselder, Hannah Burrows, Alyssa Giovannangeli, and Adrianna Armstrong, is deeply committed to the mission of dismantling financial barriers in higher education. This project started in PSYC400: Teaching and Learning in Psychology (Fall 2022) at Queen’s University, taught by Dr. Meghan Norris. During this seminar course, the team was challenged to find a gap in higher education and to propose a solution. This Guide has evolved significantly from that initial project. It now works to address the discrepancy between available resources and student awareness of financial aid supports. THRK is proud to share some significant milestones, reflecting the team’s dedication and progress as an applied research initiative.
QYourVenture Program
In January 2023, THRK was accepted into the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre’s (DDQIC) QYourVenture program, where the team received valuable mentorship. While all the work on this project was unpaid, THRK received seed funding from the DDQIC that allowed us to conduct extensive market research, surveying over 500 students at Queen’s University. The survey results were insightful, revealing a prevalent lack of knowledge about scholarship applications, a belief in ineligibility, and a perceived lack of time among students. This feedback further underscored the widespread need for assistance and support in scholarship applications across postsecondary institutions. You can read more about THRK’s experience with the DDQIC online.
Inquiry@Queen’s Undergraduate Research Conference
In March 2023, THRK showcased their research and initiative at the Inquiry@Queen’s Undergraduate Research Conference. The team’s presentation was recognized as one of the top five presentations at the conference, for which they were invited to further discuss their program on a podcast by CFRC 101.9 FM, the Queen’s University Radio Station. You can listen to the podcast episode online.
Building Better Financial Futures (2023) Challenge
In October 2023, an academic research paper based on the team’s project, which Hannah and Flo submitted to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s 2023 Building Better Financial Futures Challenge, was selected as the top undergraduate entry. The paper, “Pedagogical Solution to Financial Illiteracy in Canada: Increasing the Accessibility of Higher Education,” was published on Canada.ca as a result. Hannah and Flo formally presented their research during National Financial Literacy Month in November 2023 to various organizations, contributing to enhancing financial literacy across Canada. You can watch the presentation online.
Showcase for Teaching and Learning at Queen’s
In May 2024, the team presented the pedagogical science behind the design of the Guide and the use of the Guide as a teaching tool at the Showcase for Teaching and Learning at Queen’s University in Kingston. This showcase allowed THRK to amplify their initiative in a cross-disciplinary setting, alongside other teaching and learning initiatives and innovations across Queen’s. You can learn more about the showcase and THRK’s presentation online.
Canadian Psychological Association’s National Convention
In June 2024, Flo and Hannah represented the team at the Canadian Psychological Association’s National Convention in Ottawa. Their presentation, “Empowering Financial Literacy in Canada: A Practical Pedagogical Approach Rooted in Applied Cognitive Psychology,” coincided with the launch of this Guide and highlighted the important role of applied cognitive psychology in connecting students with scholarship funding. During their presentation, Flo and Hannah discussed the relevance of rigorous application of psychological science for solving real-world problems in contexts where psychology is typically not discussed.
