Jennifer Foster

“We are eager to support the development of initiatives that will help continue to build the recognition of the University as a Canadian leader in sustainability research,” said Foster. “Members of the 91��ɫ community are invited to submit expressions of interest to join the Task Force on Sustainability Research as we work together to continue to build and strengthen this important area of research at 91��ɫ.”

The mandate of the Task Force on Sustainability Research is to:

• provide feedback and recommendations to help strengthen and advance the concentration of sustainability research at 91��ɫ;
• provide strategic advice that represents broader community interests and becomes a conduit for action within the community; and,
• provide feedback and recommendations through a final report that will be released to the 91��ɫ community to stimulate engagement and action.

The Office of the VPRI invites expressions of interest from those considering volunteering to join the task force. on Sustainability Research. View the Task Force Terms of Reference, or for more information, contact Barbara Edwards, senior policy adviser, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation.

The Task Force on Sustainability Research anticipates meeting approximately eight times between September 2014 and April 2015.

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After eight months of consultation with the community, as well as internal and external research partners, the 91��ɫ Senate has unanimously approved the University’s new strategic research plan, "Building on Strength".

“91��ɫ’s new strategic research plan commits to building research on our strengths and provides a strong aspirational vision for the development and recognition of 91��ɫ’s research over the next five years,” said Robert �Ჹ����é, vice-president research & innovation.�� “I would like to thank the entire 91��ɫ community for your positive response to the consultation process and earnest engagement that made such important contributions to the development of the plan.�� We will continue to invest in the growth and development of our research as a foundational part of our efforts to grow our academic reputation as a recognized leading research-intensive university.”

Robert �Ჹ����é

The plan supports the University’s research vision to better understand the human condition and the world around us and to employ the knowledge gained in the service of society as described in six intersecting themes:

• advancing fundamental discovery and critical knowledge,
• analyzing cultures and mobilizing creativity,
• building healthy lives and communities,
• exploring the frontiers of science and technology,
• forging a just and sustainable world,
• integrating entrepreneurial innovation and the public good.

The plan also articulates five areas of opportunities that complement past accomplishments, new developments, momentum and timing to provide particular opportunities for building research success.�� They include:

• digital cultures,
• engineering research that matters,
• healthy individuals, healthy communities and global health,
• public engagement for a just and sustainable world, and
• scholarship of socially engaged research.

Through this plan, the University is implementing the objectives set out for research in both the University Academic Plan and the Provost’s 2010 white paper, which identify research intensification as a key University goal and recognize research as a core endeavor that broadly enriches the institution. The plan is meant to be a living document, responsive to the University's successes, as well as being sensitive to a rapidly evolving landscape.

Through a strategic combination of broadly based and focused investments over the course of the next five years, 91��ɫ will continue its impressive development as a leading Canadian research university whose scholarship enhances our culture and improves society.

To view the full plan, click .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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In his presentation, �Ჹ����é noted that the feedback from the community consultations indicates the 91��ɫ community identifies that the plan should be inclusive,  individual research should be supported and the plan should articulate a strong, ambitious vision with clear priorities, while providing flexibility to explore new opportunities.

Robert �Ჹ����é

More than 1,200 members of the 91��ɫ community have engaged in the consultation process to date, with more than 60 members of the 91��ɫ community attending the open forum.

“Based on the input received from the 91��ɫ community, we have developed six draft themes that are reflective of the broad spectrum of research conducted at the University,” said �Ჹ����é.�� “We invite the community to provide feedback and input on the themes as we work towards creating a new Strategic Research Plan that will help us achieve our vision of becoming a more recognized research-intensive University – an ambition reflected in the White Paper and University Academic Plan.”

Those present at the forum were asked to share their thoughts about the themes. In summary, the forum participants said they welcomed the inclusiveness of the draft themes and expressed appreciation for for the comprehensiveness and scale of the SRP consultations.�� Among the comments offered, there was  the aspiration that the importance of international research and the role of organized research units be reflected in the plan. Additionally, participants spoke to the importance of highlighting graduate and undergraduate student engagement in research.

�Ჹ����é explained that the goals of the consultation process are to engage the 91��ɫ community in an open, collaborative and ongoing discussion about the University’s core research values and to develop a plan that is meaningful to the community.

He was joined in the open forum by the Strategic Research Plan facilitators Celia Haig-Brown, who is a professor in the Faculty of Education, and Gary Miller, instructor in the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business and Schulich Executive Education Centre.

As part of the ongoing nature of the consultation process, 91��ɫ students, staff and faculty are invited to take the or on the development of the Strategic Research Plan.  Visit the   website to view the draft themes.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert �Ჹ����é invites the 91��ɫ community to share their thoughts and perceptions with respect to research at 91��ɫ by participating in an online survey as part of the broader consultation process. The data gathered will help to inform the development of the new Strategic Research Plan: 2013-2018.

The survey seeks input on the importance of various forms of research support, explores the core research values at 91��ɫ, the availability of research tools and infrastructure, and other research-related information. All members of the 91��ɫ community are invited to participate and responses will remain confidential.

Robert �Ჹ����é

“The online survey provides members of the 91��ɫ community with an additional opportunity to share their thoughts and feedback in a manner that is convenient and easily accessible,” said �Ჹ����é. “One of our goals for the Strategic Research Planning consultation process is to ensure that all members of the 91��ɫ community have an opportunity to engage. I encourage all members of the 91��ɫ community to participate in the consultation process. We are interested in hearing your thoughts and suggestions about the development of the new plan.”

To participate in the survey, .

Strategic Research Plan Consultation workshops are scheduled for Oct. 26 and Nov. 1. The workshops are open to all members of the 91��ɫ community and seek to engage the research community in examining 91��ɫ’s core values with respect to research, probing our perceptions and seeking to prioritize our commitments to the support of research.

To register, .

Members of the 91��ɫ community can also drop in to have a discussion about the development of the new Strategic Research Plan with �Ჹ����é during community chats. To view the schedule, .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin to research stories on the research website.

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Join Robert �Ჹ����é, vice-president research & innovation, as he conducts a series of workshops with University community members to probe values and perceptions regarding research at 91��ɫ.�� The feedback and discussion arising from these workshops will be used to inform the Strategic Research Plan: 2013 – 2018.�� All 91��ɫ students, staff and faculty are invited to participate.

Robert �Ჹ����é

"These workshops are an important and valuable feedback tool in the construction of the new plan,” said Robert �Ჹ����é, vice-president research & innovation. “I look forward to continuing the discussion with members of the 91��ɫ community, as we shape the future of 91��ɫ research together, and to  developing a new plan that each member of the 91��ɫ research community can see themselves a part of.”

During the workshops, participants will be asked to share their hopes and concerns with respect to the new Strategic Research Plan, highlight what they feel are the current and future core research values for 91��ɫ as an institution, provide their feedback on areas of research excellence and identify future areas for continuous improvement.�� Participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts in small groups and each group will present their feedback to the larger audience.

The workshops will be facilitated by Celia Haig-Brown, professor, Faculty of Education and Gary Miller, instructor, Schulich School of Business MBA program and the Schulich Executive Education Centre.

Workshop dates are available below.��To RSVP for the workshops, .

The workshops will be held on: 

�Ჹ����é will also be hosting Community Chats to invite the 91��ɫ community to participate in discussion on elements they feel are important for the development of the new plan.�� Meeting dates and times are available below.�� Please drop-in.

Community chats with the VPRI will be held on:

For more information on the development of the new .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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"The series is open to the 91��ɫ community, as well as members of the public, and makes for the best Tuesday night date I can think of," says 91��ɫ humanities Professor Gail Vanstone. "Where else are you going to hear some of Canada's most exciting literary figures for free other than attending the Canadian Writers in Person Lecture series."

The series features 11 Canadian authors who will present their work, respond to questions from the audience and sign books. All readings are part of a degree credit course on Canadian literary culture offered by the Culture & Expression Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. You don't have to enrol in the course to attend the readings.

This year features an eclectic mix of new and established writers.

Author Zoe Whittall has been called “…the cockiest, brashest, funniest, toughest, most life-affirming, elegant, scruffy, no-holds-barred writer to emerge from Montreal since Mordecai Richler…” by The Globe and Mail will kick off the reading series on Tuesday. She will read from the Lambda award-winning Holding Still For As Long As Possible. Award-winning poet Karen Solie will present her collection of poetry, Pigeon.��

Don McKay has published 10 previous works of poetry and is the winner of several awards, including the 2011 Griffin Poetry Award and two Governor General’s Literary Awards for Poetry. He will read from his newest collection, Paradoxides.��James Bartleman, a Canadian diplomat, author and the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2002 to 2007), will read from his compelling debut novel, As Long as the Rivers Flow, which explores the consequences of Canada's residential school system. 91��ɫ alumna Suzanne Desrochers returns to her alma mater to read from her bestselling novel, Bride of New France, a rich and imaginative novel about a young French woman who must survive the harsh landscape of the new world.��

Suzette Mayr is the author of four novels. She will read from Monoceros, which was long listed for the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize.��The Perfect Order of Things is the title of Canadian journalist David Gilmour's book. It speaks to a man's journey back in time to reexamine those critical moments that created him. 91��ɫ Professor and poet Patricia Keeney will read from First Woman, a collection of poetry that continues her personal journeys inward and across the world.

Renowned Canadian writer Esi Edugyan will read from her award-winning novel, Half Blood Blues, an electric, heart-breaking story about music, race, love and loyalty. It won the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize for Fiction and was shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize. Patrick deWitt will read from his second book, The Sisters Brothers, which was also shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize, the 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and the 2011 Governor General's Award for Fiction (English language).

Irish born playwright, author and literary historian Emma Donaghue will read from her bestselling novel Room, which won the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Room was shortlisted for the 2010 Man Booker Prize and the 2010 Governor General's Literary Awards and was the winner of the 2010 Irish Book Award.

For more details and the complete schedule of writers’ appearances, visit the Canadian Writers in Person website or contact Professor Gail Vanstone at ext. 33957.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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"We clearly need to do more on the homelessness front," Heffernan says. "One of my key current interests is the use of a rights-based approach to address homelessness and the lack of adequate housing. This fellowship will allow me to research the right to housing in other countries and to analyze how those strategies might apply in Canada. And I'll work directly with individuals and organizations who may have a role to play."

Tracy Heffernan

Heffernan will study the ways in which the Charter has already been used to advance social and economic rights, and will create a new directed research course for students at Osgoode Hall. Her fellowship will culminate in a symposium next year, at which an international group of experts will consider potential next steps towards establishment of a right to housing in Canada.

Osgoode students participating in the new course will focus on the root causes of homelessness and inadequate housing, and on how the law might be used to address these issues. Heffernan will also provide workshops and guest lectures during her fellowship. Law students will be exposed to issues of poverty and homelessness and will be encouraged to consider what role they can play as lawyers.

Osgoode Hall Dean Lorne Sossin says the law school looks forward to partnering in the advancement of this distinct stream of Charter scholarship. "The Charter has had a profound impact, but its role in developing social rights is in its infancy," he says. "While at Osgoode, Tracy is going to explore the concept of a positive Charter right to adequate housing, one of the most significant social challenges we face."

Heffernan says that improved access-to-justice, which is a central aspect of the LFO's mandate,  is very much among the potential benefits she sees a rights-based approach delivering. "Housing is fundamental to people's ability to work, to raise families, to engage with their communities - as well as to make use of the legal system," she says.

Community Leadership in Justice Fellowships are one of several LFO granting programs, and one or more have been awarded annually since 2006. They harness the potential of community-academia links to advance justice-related and educational objectives. Fellows are typically leading experts and innovators. Joint applications from public interest groups and prospective host academic institutions are invited each spring.

For more University news, photos and videos, visit the homepage.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Join Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert �Ჹ����é for an open forum to launch the consultation process for the University’s Strategic Research Plan 2013 – 2018.

“The open forum will provide an opportunity for members of the 91��ɫ community to participate in the conversation as we work towards becoming a more recognized research-intensive university through the development of this new plan,” said �Ჹ����é.

Robert �Ჹ����é

“91��ɫ has a strong history of showcasing research excellence through the integration of collaborative and interdisciplinary models of research," he said. "We have built a solid basis for future growth and development and we look forward to hearing from all members of the 91��ɫ community, as we fully articulate our  collective ambitions for 91��ɫ research over the next five years.”

The open forum will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 1 to 3 pm in the Senate Chamber, N940, Ross Building.�� The purpose of the open forum is to discuss the goals, values and objectives that will help shape the continued development of research at 91��ɫ over the next five years and learn more about the rollout of the consultation process and upcoming workshops.  In addition, the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on the scope of research at 91��ɫ.�� All students, faculty, and staff are welcome.�� To RSVP for this event, click .

�Ჹ����é will be joined by 91��ɫ’s President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, members of the Strategic Research Plan Advisory Committee and the Strategic Research Plan facilitators: Gary Miller, instructor in the MBA Program at the Schulich School of Business, as well as at the Schulich Executive Education Centre and Celia Haig-Brown, professor in the Faculty of Education.

The mandate of the Strategic Research Plan Advisory Committee is to advise the vice-president research & innovation on all aspects of the consultation with the 91��ɫ Community and in the development of the plan, which will articulate a vision and aspiration for 91��ɫ research over the next five years. The goal is to provide regular updates to the community on the progress of the consultation and development of the plan working towards a completed plan in the spring of 2013.

The open forum will also be available via webcast on the website, or questions can be sent in advance by clicking and via Twitter using the hashtag #yuresearchplan.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Robert �Ჹ����é

“I am pleased to announce the members of the Strategic Research Plan Advisory Committee,” said �Ჹ����é.�� “I am looking forward to working together with the members of the committee and the University community to develop a new strategic research plan that articulates our values and vision for 91��ɫ research and provides direction for accelerating strategic research planning initiatives across the University over the next several years.”  

The committee has a mandate to advise the VPRI on all aspects of the consultation with the 91��ɫ Community and in the development of the plan, which will articulate a vision and aspiration for 91��ɫ research over the next five years. The goal is to provide the community with a draft reflecting the discussion near the end of 2012, with a final version going to the Senate of 91��ɫ for approval in spring 2013.

The Strategic Advisory Plan Advisory Committee planning and consultation process is being facilitated by Gary Miller, Instructor in the MBA Program at the Schulich School of Business, as well as at the Schulich Executive Education Centre and Celia Haig-Brown, Professor, Faculty of Education.

The advisory committee members include:

• Robert �Ჹ����é, vice-president research & innovation, Chair of the SRP Advisory Committee
• Walter Tholen, associate vice-president research, vice-Chair of the SRP Advisory Committee
• Celia Haig-Brown, professor, Faculty of Education and Strategic Research facilitator of the SRP Advisory Committee.��
• Thaddeus Hwong, professor, cross-appointed to the School of Administrative Studies and School of Public Policy & Administration.��
• Mark Lievonen, Member of 91��ɫ's Board of Governors and president of Sanofi Pasteur Ltd.
• Doug Lindeblom, director of Economic Strategy & Tourism, Regional Municipality of 91��ɫ
• Rhonda Lenton, vice-provost
• Janine Marchessault, professor, Department of Film, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Canada Research Chair in Art, Digital Media & Globalization
• David Mutimer, professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), director of 91��ɫ Centre for International & Security Studies and Chair, Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee
• Laurie Wilcox, professor of psychology and biology, member of 91��ɫ’s Centre for Vision Research
• Danielle Zanotti, CEO, United Way of 91��ɫ Region, external member
• Joanna Pearce, PhD candidate, Department of History, LA&PS
• Martin Singer, dean, LA&PS
• Joan Steigerwald, professor, Department of Humanities, and the graduate programs in Science & Technology Studies, Humanities and Social & Political Thought.  
• Jim Whiteway, Canada Research Chair in Space Engineering & Atmospheric Science and professor of Space Engineering in the Faculty of Science & Engineering.��
• Georg Zoidl, professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Department of Biology, Faculty of Science & Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience.
• A member from Glendon College is still being sought

�Ჹ����é, in collaboration with the Strategic Research Plan Advisory Committee, invites all members of the University community to be an engaged part of a comprehensive consultation process that will help 91��ɫ continue to move forward in research excellence and scholarship.

To share your thoughts on the Strategic Research Plan consultation process, click .

To view committee member’s biographies, .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Dynamic and contemporary, the works were given by 37 of the society's members. They include watercolours, oil and acrylic paintings, photographs and drawings representing a wide variety of subject matter and styles.

Above: A Harmony in Grey and Yellow, 1897 by Mary Augusta Hiester Reid, OSA. Oil on canvas, 34.3 x 90.2 centimetres. Government of Ontario Art Collection, Archives of Ontario 619739.

The OSA has a long and impressive history of encouraging, supporting and promoting the province’s visual arts community. Founded in Toronto in 1872 by seven artists, the society’s goal was to provide better public access to art and art education. Its first exhibition was held in 1873 and featured 252 works by 22 artists. More than 5,000 people attended the inaugural exhibition.

A strong link between the society and the provincial government was formed at the 1873 exhibition when the government made some of its first art purchases there. Well over 200 years later, works from the OSA are finding homes in the Government of Ontario Art Collection.

Gifted is curated by the Archives of Ontario’s Outreach Officer Stewart Boden, and runs until Oct. 12 in the Helen McClung Exhibit Area at the Archives of Ontario building on 91��ɫ's Keele campus.

Members of the 91��ɫ community are invited to view the exhibit. The Archives is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday to 8pm, and Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

For more information, visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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