You are encouraged to attend the defence. The details of the defence and attendance information is included below:  

Date: August 6, 2025  
Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PT)

Defence mode: Hybrid
In-Person Attendance: Senate Chambers, UNBC Prince George Campus  
Virtual Attendance: via Zoom 

LINK TO JOIN: Please contact the Office of Graduate Administration for information regarding remote attendance for online defences. 

To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry and do not inadvertently share your screen. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: please ensure you are on time. 

Thesis entitled: EVERYDAY COMPLEXITY: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY OF HOUSEHOLD AND ENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS INFLUENCING SUSTAINABLE ADOPTION OF DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS IN PERI-URBAN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract: This study examines factors influencing the adoption of decentralized water systems (DWS) in peri-urban northern British Columbia (BC), focusing on household dynamics and gender roles. Addressing a gap in research on DWS adoption in this context, the study is timely given growing climate-related pressures on water availability and the need for alternative management approaches. Using a mixed-methods design combining a systematic literature review and a case study, the research identifies and analyzes DWS adoption factors. The review revealed eight commonly studied factors: gender, age, income, education, rural/urban setting, sensorial perceptions, attitude, and environmental concerns. These informed an online survey with closed and open-ended questions, completed by twelve DWS specialists from the Global North and thirty-three peri-urban users in Prince George, BC, between September and December 2024. Thematic analysis showed these eight factors were reshaped by lived experiences, resulting in four emergent themes that better reflect the complexity of DWS adoption in peri-urban northern BC: sociocultural and economic context, DWS knowledge, environmental context, and perceived health risks. Findings reveal that adoption is shaped not only by technical or economic factors, but also household decision-making, gendered responsibilities, and concerns about water safety, affordability, and sustainability. The study highlights the need for inclusive implementation strategies that reflect gender roles, local knowledge, and environmental values, supporting socially grounded, resilient water management in rural and peri-urban communities facing climate and infrastructure challenges.

Defence Committee:  
Chair: Dr. Annie Booth, University of Northern British Columbia  
Supervisor: Dr. June Garcia-Becerra, University of Northern British Columbia  
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Greg Halseth, University of Northern British Columbia  
Committee Member: Dr. Zoe Meletis, University of Northern British Columbia  
External Examiner: Dr. Gabrielle Daoust, University of Northern British Columbia