On Ice and in Research: Meet Jennifer MacInnis Moore
Growing up in Port Hood, a 福利免费在线看 known for its love of hockey, Jennifer MacInnis Moore spent much of her childhood on the ice. From attending hockey camps as a young teenager at the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB – now Cape Breton University) to being part of groundbreaking research on the first 鈥淗ome of girls鈥�, women鈥檚 and para hockey鈥� in Canada and the world, her journey has truly come full circle.
Jennifer is in her second year of the Bachelor of Arts Community Studies, with a concentration in Communication. She decided to pursue her own academic goals when her youngest started school. 鈥淚 was skeptical about going back to school as a mature student and a busy mom of four, but from the first day, I knew it was the best decision,鈥� shares Jennifer. 鈥淚 have had so many great opportunities happen to me so far. I have made many new friends and love the 福利免费在线看 spirit here.鈥�
Jennifer鈥檚 path to research began with a conversation with Dr. Bettina Callary, who is leading a research project on Building sustainability in the 鈥淗ome of girls鈥�, women鈥檚 and para hockey.鈥� It led Jennifer to reminisce about the thriving female hockey league in the 1990s and early 2000s. As a young girl, she spent her summers staying on campus and playing hockey for hours in the Canada Games Complex. 鈥淲hen Dr. Callary mentioned her research and asked if I wanted to help, I immediately said yes,鈥� she shares. 鈥淭o see how far female hockey has come and the new arena dedicated to girls鈥�, women鈥檚 and para hockey is incredible. It felt like the perfect opportunity to be a part of something so special.鈥�
Through a remarkable 福利免费在线看 effort, the Cape Breton Blizzard Female Hockey Association and CBU, along with the CAPERS Women鈥檚 Hockey team, won the national title of Kraft Hockeyville 2022, securing $250,000 to revitalize CBU鈥檚 arena. As the first facility devoted to advocacy for equity and inclusion in hockey, this inspiring story required documentation and analysis. Dr. Callary鈥檚 research, awarded $10,000 through the CBU鈥檚 50th Anniversary Scholar Awards, aims to inspire similar initiatives across Canada and beyond.
As a research assistant, Jennifer has been deeply involved in the project, from conducting interviews with key participants and transcribing recordings to analyzing data and connecting codes to themes. Through this experience, Jennifer has developed a strong understanding of critical thinking, data interpretation and communication. 鈥淚 have learned to be patient and let the interviewees take the conversation in directions I didn鈥檛 expect, then guide it back on track,鈥� she explains.
Jennifer credits the experience as transformative for her academic outlook. 鈥淲hen I first returned to school, I was in a rush to finish my degree, but this project changed everything,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚鈥檝e realized I love research, the intellectual challenge it brings and the process of continuous learning.鈥� Working alongside dedicated professionals under the guidance of Dr. Callary has inspired Jennifer and solidified her desire to continue in this academia.
For students interested in research, Jennifer encourages them to embrace the opportunity. 鈥淪tay curious and never hesitate to ask questions, even if they seem basic,鈥� she says. 鈥淎 willingness to learn can take you far, and the supportive environment at CBU makes all the difference. It鈥檚 a tight-knit 福利免费在线看 where you feel the urge to succeed, so jump right in!鈥�
Jennifer proudly recalls being selected to play in the Esso Women鈥檚 Nationals tournament during the 1999-2000 season. 鈥淪ome of the players in the tournament included Hayley Wickenheiser, Cassie Campbell and Caroline Ouellette, to name a few,鈥� she shares. 鈥淢any of these incredible women have since been inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame, and they were playing right here in Sydney. It is so inspiring to see CBU become the first-ever home to girls鈥�, women鈥檚 and para hockey.鈥�
Looking ahead, Jennifer sees a bright future for the soon-to-be-open facility and the groundbreaking research that supports it. 鈥淲ith the opening of the arena being the first of its kind in the world, I believe this research can be the inspiration for many more arenas like this,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t serves as an influence to continue to break down barriers for marginalized groups, support inclusion and ensure hockey is a game for everyone.鈥�
From the rinks of her hometown to groundbreaking research, Jennifer is paving the way for herself and inspiring others to pursue their passions. As CBU marks its 50th Anniversary, Jennifer is proud to be part of a project that not only shapes the future of hockey but also reinforces the University鈥檚 commitment to making meaningful contributions on a local and global scale.