The polar landscapes have, for a long time, held the imaginations of people around the world. These extreme and remote environments have shaped the hearts and minds not only of people who have lived there, but also those who have only heard stories and seen pictures of these far off lands of ice and sky and snow. This dissertation examines the sense of place developed by New Zealanders towards Antarctica, across a spectrum of experiences with the continent, from seasonal workers and scientists, to people who have only ever seen it in books or advertisements. Taking a mainly phenomenological approach, the main objective of the research is to generate a theoretical base on what sense of place is made with and how it is created in extreme and remote environments like Antarctica. After examining 30 questionnaires and 54 interviews, the data indicate that there is no one New Zealand sense of Antarctica; rather, they are as manifold and complex as the individuals consulted. Regardless of the many differences across the various groups, a common thread was found of Antarctica as a place of hope. A hope based on scientific discovery and collaboration, on resource potential and conserving wild spaces. Findings also helped to develop a theoretical model, which builds on the existing works of Tuan (1977), Sack (1997), and Gustafson (2001). Three important theoretical aspects were identified through the analysis, including the ideas of personal connection, narrative emplotement, and one’s sense of identity. The theory contributes to the ongoing discussion of how people encounter and make sense of extreme and remote environments. Both the findings themselves and the theory behind them suggest that policy makers, communicators, and tourism operators be aware of their target audience, their cultural values and changing symbolism, in order to better communicate their intended message.

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Thesis advisor: Gerardo Blanco / Thesis advisor: Rebecca Schendel / As an emergent form of internationalization that incorporates the use of digital technology, virtual exchange offers students the possibility to transcend national borders and connect with other students entirely within a virtual learning environment. Participants in virtual exchange mediate between the physical and virtual worlds, and a sense of place allows them to connect with peers, actively engage with their environment, and achieve learning outcomes. Despite a growing interest in virtual exchange in higher education, however, there is limited research on how students navigate their online learning environment and develop a sense of place. This thesis addresses this gap by exploring how students construct and experience a sense of place while participating in virtual exchange. Focus group interviews were conducted with 29 students participating in virtual exchange through the non-profit provider, Soliya. Using grounded theory, a number of emergent themes were explored, revealing how students understood and situated themselves within both their physical and virtual spaces before, during, and after their virtual exchange. The findings of this study suggest that sense of place is impacted by the environment as well as both individual and communal identity. The results of this study will provide higher education institutions and virtual exchange providers with a better understanding of the construct of sense of place within virtual learning environments and, consequently, how to foster a strong sense of place among virtual exchange participants. / Thesis (MA) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

The creation of working relationships between First Nations and non-First Nation peoples is the focus of the Common Land, Common Ground movement, which created partnership between the municipality of Kenora, three nearby First Nation reserves and the Grand Council of Treaty #3. This research explored, through the concept of Sense of Place (SOP), connections and visions people have regarding land gifted to this partnership on Tunnel Island (TI) in Kenora. Data were collected through interviews, modified focus groups, and participant observation. Results are organized into three themes, with ‘Connections’ revealing representations of people’s sense of place of TI, ‘Perspectives’ outlining people’s views about TI, and ‘Visions’, establishing people’s thoughts on the future of TI. Recommendations include: using SOP research to authentically engage people in place connections to allow for holistic participation and engagement and recognizing at a institutional level that increased awareness and participation will not result in homogenized agreements.

The creation of working relationships between First Nations and non-First Nation peoples is the focus of the Common Land, Common Ground movement, which created partnership between the municipality of Kenora, three nearby First Nation reserves and the Grand Council of Treaty #3. This research explored, through the concept of Sense of Place (SOP), connections and visions people have regarding land gifted to this partnership on Tunnel Island (TI) in Kenora. Data were collected through interviews, modified focus groups, and participant observation. Results are organized into three themes, with ‘Connections’ revealing representations of people’s sense of place of TI, ‘Perspectives’ outlining people’s views about TI, and ‘Visions’, establishing people’s thoughts on the future of TI. Recommendations include: using SOP research to authentically engage people in place connections to allow for holistic participation and engagement and recognizing at a institutional level that increased awareness and participation will not result in homogenized agreements.

Employing an expanded meaning of the concept of sense of place within Health Geography, this thesis explores the relationship between sense of place and mental wellbeing of immigrants. The concept of sense of place demonstrates the importance of specific places for socioeconomic and health impacts on individuals and groups in their societies. While research has explored immigrants’ sense of place, few studies have attempted to explore visible minority’s perceptions of place and its influence on wellbeing. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, this thesis explores the perceptions and experiences of place amongst Ghanaian and Somali immigrants in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. First, we explore key informants’ revelations on immigrants’ sense of place and mental wellness in Hamilton, Ontario. Findings provide insight into the role of policies that affect determinants of health amongst immigrants. Second, we examine the effects of self-perceived mental wellness, socioeconomic and demographic variables on sense of place amongst Ghanaian and Somali immigrants living in Hamilton, based on an analysis of a survey questionnaire (n=236). Findings highlight a positive relationship between sense of place and mental wellness. Third, using descriptive and multivariate regression methods, we focus on factors that predict African immigrants’ life satisfaction in Canada. We examine sociodemographic, economic and health-related factors that predict life satisfaction amongst African immigrants, specifically Ghanaian and Somali immigrants. We find that immigrant settlement workers and agencies would be better able to meet the needs of immigrants if they are conscious of the factors that would empower immigrants to cope with life stresses. We suggest a reduction of stress by helping individuals and families identify sources of support, providing jobs, affordable housing, language interpretation and training. Lastly, we explore specific places, religious sites and their relationship to health and wellbeing for immigrants. Specifically, we explore churches and mosques where Ghanaian and Somali immigrants worship. We find that places of worship are significant for physical health, social, emotional, spiritual, mental, and general quality of life amongst immigrants. The thesis is highly relevant in the current Canadian policy context, which includes contribution to the understanding of the determinants of health and integration of immigrants, providing insights into the concepts of sense of place and mental wellbeing, and broadening our understanding of African immigrants’ integration. Overall, this thesis develops a better understanding of immigrants’ settlement and integration, and further contributes to the broader immigration literature. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Employing an expanded meaning of the concept of sense of place within Health Geography, this thesis explores the relationship between sense of place and mental wellbeing of immigrants. The concept of sense of place demonstrates the importance of specific places for socioeconomic and health impacts on individuals and groups in their societies. While research has explored immigrants’ sense of place, few studies have attempted to explore visible minority’s perceptions of place and its influence on wellbeing. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, this thesis explores the perceptions and experiences of place amongst Ghanaian and Somali immigrants in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. First, we explore key informants’ revelations on immigrants’ sense of place and mental wellness in Hamilton, Ontario. Findings provide insight into the role of policies that affect determinants of health amongst immigrants. Second, we examine the effects of self-perceived mental wellness, socioeconomic and demographic variables on sense of place amongst Ghanaian and Somali immigrants living in Hamilton, based on an analysis of a survey questionnaire (n=236). Findings highlight a positive relationship between sense of place and mental wellness. Third, using descriptive and multivariate regression methods, we focus on factors that predict African immigrants’ life satisfaction in Canada. We examine sociodemographic, economic and health-related factors that predict life satisfaction amongst African immigrants, specifically Ghanaian and Somali immigrants. We find that immigrant settlement workers and agencies would be better able to meet the needs of immigrants if they are conscious of the factors that would empower immigrants to cope with life stresses. We suggest a reduction of stress by helping individuals and families identify sources of support, providing jobs, affordable housing, language interpretation and training. Lastly, we explore specific places, religious sites and their relationship to health and wellbeing for immigrants. Specifically, we explore churches and mosques where Ghanaian and Somali immigrants worship. We find that places of worship are significant for physical health, social, emotional, spiritual, mental, and general quality of life amongst immigrants. The thesis is highly relevant in the current Canadian policy context, which includes contribution to the understanding of the determinants of health and integration of immigrants, providing insights into the concepts of sense of place and mental wellbeing, and broadening our understanding of African immigrants’ integration. Overall, this thesis develops a better understanding of immigrants’ settlement and integration, and further contributes to the broader immigration literature.

The grounded theory of this dissertation is that 'the dancing body makes sense of place'. This theory is investigated through hermeneutic praxis based on the theoretical perspective of phenomenology. In exploring how the dancing body experiences place, it is the processes that underlie and give form to dance that capture my attention. 'The dancing body makes sense of place' is a phrase that liberates the description and consideration of the non-verbal processes that underlie the dance/place interface. The phrase offers the possibility of communicating coexisting processes. Interpreted as 'the dancing body makes (sense of place)', the phrase suggests that the development of a 'sense of place' is an outcome of the action of dance. Whilst interpreted as 'the dancing body makes sense of (place)', the phrase implies the understanding of 'place' through dance. The hermeneutic praxis described in this dissertation, is comprised of memory retrieval sessions which allude to how the 'dancing body' experiences space, place and sense of place. During praxis, it emerges that the dancing body infers 'sense of place' through spheres of experience, that may be described as the; 'propriosphere, kinesphere, near-sphere', and 'far-sphere'. Praxis also reveals that the 'dancing body''s' relationship to place in integral in the development of a sense of belonging / Master of Arts (Hons)

This thesis is about how people develop attachments to places, and what this means for natural resource management. The concept of ‘sense of place’ is generating strong interest in the domain of natural resource management. In particular, the concept offers considerable potential as a way of integrating social, ecological and economic dimensions of environment. This makes the concept highly relevant to an emerging agenda from a range of disciplines and management approaches concerned with the links between social systems and natural systems at local and regional scales (Berkes and Folke 1998; Cheng Kruger and Daniels 2003; Plumwood 2002).¶ Recent interest in place has led to a research agenda for exploring how this concept can play a greater role in resource management (Cantrill and Senecah 2001). Central to this research agenda are questions of how attachments to places are influenced and how sense of place changes over time. In response to the emerging role of sense of place in natural resource management and the research agenda for exploring this concept, this thesis is concerned with three questions: what are the key influences on sense of place?; what is the relationship between sense of place and activities in practice?; and how do people learn about places and respond to change? To explore these questions, the thesis presents findings from interviews with 40 participants in case studies of the Atherton Tablelands and Woodstock, north Queensland. The research employed a purposeful sampling design with the aim of capturing as many different senses of place as possible within the limits of this study. Participants represented a broad range of land uses, ethnic backgrounds, ages and durations of time in the place of the interview. The data from these interviews were analysed using qualitative methods drawing on grounded theory (Charmanz 2000) and influenced by adaptive theory (Layder 1998). The research included a focus on honouring human experience (Braud and Anderson 1998), and also recognising the importance of prior research on how people develop a sense of place (Piaget 1971; Relph 1976).¶ The analysis showed how sense of place was influenced strongly by childhood experiences, both for people who grew up in the case study locations and for people who grew up elsewhere. Other strong influences on place involved living in a similar environment overseas, seeking profit and having a sense of self focussed on agricultural production. Of particular interest is that for many participants who moved to the case study locations, their sense of the Atherton Tablelands or Woodstock was well developed prior to arriving there. This implies that influencing people’s sense of place once they have arrived in a new place will be difficult. Attempts to influence people’s sense of place before they arrive, or soon after arrival, are more likely to be successful. ¶ The ways that sense of place related to practice are presented as a series of overlapping themes. These include the practice of admiring one’s place from the comfort of home, making the land produce, and engaging with a place through activities such as hunting, camping and fishing. Participants also described the practice of caring for place, such as looking after traditional country and restoring the family farm. ¶ The ways participants learned about their places focussed on their childhood experiences, learning from elders, the role of comparisons between places, and the importance of continuity of experience. Participants described very few ways of learning about their place during adulthood. One of these was seeing places under different conditions, such as during a rat plague or after a bushfire. Another was through involvement in community events such as festivals.¶ In discussing the implications of these findings for natural resource management and policy, the thesis highlights how for several participants the key influences on sense of place were tied to non-economic values. Furthermore, this thesis shows that for many people identity and place were strongly linked and this adds to research that explains why farmers may not behave in economically ‘rational’ ways (Botterill 2001a). The thesis also discusses the links between sense of place and post-productivist values in considering transitions in regional Australia identified by Holmes (2002). The findings of this thesis emphasise the potential role for environmental education during childhood to encourage learning about places. The thesis also discusses the implications of how people learn about their places during adulthood, arguing that further support for festivals and community events can play a significant role in exploring the links between social and ecological systems.¶ In conclusion, the thesis argues that the concept of place continues to offer considerable potential for understanding change in regional Australia, and in particular a grass roots shift towards post-productivist values. This role can be developed by further supporting environmental education in childhood and community events such as festivals which help us to learn about the links between ourselves and our environments.

Sense of place is important because it enhances the user experience in a setting, promotes well maintained public places and encourages public participation in planning. In addition, sense of place has recently been recognized for its significance in ecosystem and resource management. Unfortunately, due to lack of a clear definition and disorganization in the literature, the significance of sense of place has not translated well from theory to practice. This research narrows the gap between theory and practice in place-making by distilling common place-making principles from the literature to develop a set of clear, practical guidelines for place-making. Using Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, these principles (and the techniques that fulfill them) were incorporated into twenty ‘what-if’ visual simulations. Using a multi-sort technique, combined with open-ended interviews, these simulations were used to evoke participant responses to the principles and techniques distilled from the literature. Generally, it was found that sense of place is enhanced with the addition of these principles/techniques, but five unexpected ‘key findings’ were also discovered – there is a hierarchy amongst the principles; there is a hierarchy amongst the techniques; significant techniques are lacking in the literature; the principles/techniques need not be exhausted; and, with familiarity, mystery becomes meaning. Practically, it is demonstrated that the guidelines developed through this research are capable of providing solutions to issues recognized in current Canadian design guidelines. Academically, this research presents an initial exploratory study in bridging the gap between theory and practice in place-making. A number of opportunities are recognized to further test the principles/techniques distilled in this research.

Sense of place is important because it enhances the user experience in a setting, promotes well maintained public places and encourages public participation in planning. In addition, sense of place has recently been recognized for its significance in ecosystem and resource management. Unfortunately, due to lack of a clear definition and disorganization in the literature, the significance of sense of place has not translated well from theory to practice. This research narrows the gap between theory and practice in place-making by distilling common place-making principles from the literature to develop a set of clear, practical guidelines for place-making. Using Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, these principles (and the techniques that fulfill them) were incorporated into twenty ‘what-if’ visual simulations. Using a multi-sort technique, combined with open-ended interviews, these simulations were used to evoke participant responses to the principles and techniques distilled from the literature. Generally, it was found that sense of place is enhanced with the addition of these principles/techniques, but five unexpected ‘key findings’ were also discovered – there is a hierarchy amongst the principles; there is a hierarchy amongst the techniques; significant techniques are lacking in the literature; the principles/techniques need not be exhausted; and, with familiarity, mystery becomes meaning. Practically, it is demonstrated that the guidelines developed through this research are capable of providing solutions to issues recognized in current Canadian design guidelines. Academically, this research presents an initial exploratory study in bridging the gap between theory and practice in place-making. A number of opportunities are recognized to further test the principles/techniques distilled in this research.