CBU research grants support inclusive arts, music education & international students
From the Springboard Content Lab
Springboard Network member Cape Breton University (CBU) has secured more than $65,000 in federal research funding to support community projects that improve accessibility in the performing arts, strengthen music education and understand the experience of international students.
The funding comes from Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) through its Partnership Engage Grant program, which supports short-term research collaborations between academic institutions and community organizations.
The three grants were awarded to faculty members in CBU’s Department of Education and focus on building capacity in areas with direct community benefit.
Making theatre accessible for all audiences
Dr. Carolina Bergonzoni, Assistant Professor in the School of Education, received a $23,999 grant for her project, “Dancing Voices: An Audio Described Show,” which will bring audio description services to a professional theatre production in Sydney, Nova Scotia later this year.
Partnering with the Highland Arts Theatre Association (HAT), the project will ensure blind and low-vision audience members have full access to live musical theatre, including descriptions of movement, costumes, lighting, and set changes.
The initiative will also include training for staff, volunteers, and artists at HAT to build long-term skills in accessible performance production. Nova Scotia has set a goal to become fully accessible by 2030, and this project supports that mandate by helping one of the region’s busiest theatres create a more inclusive environment.
The accessible theatre project will debut in Fall 2025 at Highland Arts Theatre and will be offered at no cost or low cost to members of the blind and low-vision community.
“This project is about equity and inclusion. More than 1.5 million Canadians identify as blind or low vision, and another 5.5 million have eye conditions that could lead to vision loss. We’re creating an experience that includes everyone—not just those who can see the stage.”
Dr. Carolina Bergonzoni, Assistant Professor in the School of Education, CBU
Supporting music education in Cape Breton
Dr. Katie Tremblay was awarded $16,568 to lead a needs assessment for music teachers in the Cape Breton–Victoria Regional Centre for Education (CBVRCE). Her research will gather insights directly from K–12 music educators about the resources, training, and professional development they need to support student learning in a changing classroom environment.
The study will take the form of confidential group interviews and is expected to result in a report that guides the development of future professional learning programs tailored to music educators in the region.
The results of the music education research will be shared with the CBVRCE and used to design future training and support programs for educators across the region.
“Teachers are facing new challenges—from integrating digital tools to supporting diverse learners, including Indigenous and newcomer students,” said Dr. Tremblay. “This project will give us the data to design meaningful, relevant support for educators so they can do their best work in the classroom.”
Dr. Katie Tremblay, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education, CBU
Examining experience of international students
CBU’s Dean of Education and Health, Dr. Ellyn Lyle, received $24,658.00 to examine the experience of international students in Canada through her project, Should I stay, or should I go now? Drivers of post-graduation mobility decisions of international students in rural university settings.
At the end of 2023, Canada hosted more than one million international students, an increase of 200 per cent over the last 10 years. Dr. Lyle will undertake this project in partnership with the Canadian Bureau for International Education, a national organization that promotes and supports international education in Canada, and colleagues at Western University in Ontario.
“The aim of this research is to develop a survey tool that explores institutional and community factors that influence on international students’ retention, integration and employment in Canadian rural communities,” Dr. Lyle said.
“Using the lens of humanizing education, we seek to explore what universities, municipalities and community organizations are doing to support students’ decisions to remain in the rural communities following graduation, and with what effect. This fills an important research gap for our partner organization in evaluating the drivers that influence international students’ decisions to leave or remain in their rural setting after graduation.”
Dr. Ellyn Lyle, CBU’s Dean of Education and Health
CBU research meeting community needs
These projects reflect Cape Breton University’s growing focus on applied research that responds to community needs and improves quality of life across the island. They build on recent internal funding rounds that have supported CBU researchers working in areas such as healthcare, environmental science, and social innovation.
The latest SSHRC awards also reinforce the university’s strong partnerships with local organizations, whether it’s a regional school board or a downtown performing arts venue. By building research capacity in the arts and education, CBU is helping to create a stronger, more inclusive cultural and educational environment in Cape Breton.
Cape Breton University is a member of the Springboard Network of 19 post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada. Springboard’s mission is to drive economic growth in the region through partnerships with industry and government.