innovation Archives | Research & Innovation

91��ɫ research leaders recognized at annual celebration

muellerm — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ research leaders were recognized on Feb. 24 for their outstanding achievements during the fourth annual 91��ɫ U Research Leaders celebration.

Hosted by 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Vice-President Research and Innovation Robert Haché, and Celia Haig-Brown, associate vice-president research, who officiated as event MC, the University celebrated the outstanding research achievements of several 91��ɫ researchers, students and postdoctoral fellows.

Above: The researchers honoured at the 91��ɫ U Research Leaders celebration

Above: 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri

Researchers and students were recognized for achievements that ranged from being appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada to being the lead for a Partnership Grant award by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada to being appointed a Canada Research Chair to being the lead on a large scale research grant from the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada and more. This year’s Research Leaders event was dedicated in memory of Lassonde School of Engineering Professor Nick Cercone, who was posthumously recognized for his research achievements.

“Every year for the past four years we have gathered at this event to recognize research excellence and success across the University – and each year it becomes clearer that 91��ɫ researchers are taking their place among the world’s leading scholars and experts,” said Shoukri. “The work of our scholars actively enriches the atmosphere of learning at 91��ɫ, and is at the heart of our efforts to train the next generation of thought leaders.”

Shoukri introduced the keynote speaker, Pat Horgan, Vice-President Manufacturing, Development & Operations at IBM Canada. Horgan spoke about the tremendous impact of 91��ɫ research and the importance of industry-academic collaborations in the broader community, highlighting 91��ɫ’s research partnerships with IBM Canada.

Above: 91��ɫ Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché, Distinguished Research Professor Bridget Stutchbury, who is the recipient of the 2016 President’s Research Excellence Award, Professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell, who is the recipient of the 2016 President's Emerging Research Leadership Award, with 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri

“Today marks our fourth annual 91��ɫ Research Leaders celebration,” noted Haché in his remarks. “We plan to continue growing the tradition – the celebration of our research and scholarly accomplishments – and the valuable contribution that research, scholarship and creative activity at 91��ɫ is making to society.”

Haig-Brown noted each research leader’s individual accomplishments as they were presented with gifts by Shoukri and Haché. The list of researchers, postdoctoral fellows and students who were honoured is as follows:

Stacey Allison-Cassin, Associate Librarian, Reference Department, Scott Library

Alidad Amirfazli, Interim Chair and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Kristin Andrews, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Uzo Anucha, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Ali Asgary, Associate Professor, School of Administrative Studies, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Peter Backx, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Jacob Beck, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Benjamin L. Berger, Associate Dean (Students) and Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School

Sampa Bhadra, Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science

Margaret Boittin, Assistant Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School

Deborah Britzman, Distinguished Research Professor, Faculty of Education

Annie Bunting, Associate Professor, Department of Social Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Rosemary Coombe, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Law, Communication & Culture, Department of Anthropology & Department of Social Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Michael Daly, Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Paul Delaney, Senior Lecturer, Department of Physics & Astronomy and Director, Division of Science, Faculty of Science

Mario DiPaolantonio, Associate Professor, Faculty of Educaiton

James Elder, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering and Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health

Samantha Fashler, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health

Seth Feldman, Professor, Department of Cinema & Media Arts, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Book prize winner FES Professor Sheila Colla (centre) with Pat Horgan, Vice-President, Manufacturing, Development & Operations, IBM Canada and 91��ɫ Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché

Stephen Gaetz, Professor, Faculty of Education

Kathleen Gould-Lundy, Department of Professional Learning, Faculty of Education

Jinthana Haritaworn, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies

Jane Heffernan, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science

Jimmy Huang, Professor and Director, School of Information Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Demian Ifa, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

Lesley Jacobs, Professor, Department of Social Science and the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Ray Jayawardhana, Dean and Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science

Jennifer Jenson, Professor, Faculty of Education

Hui Jiang, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering

Jolin Joseph, Teaching Assistant, Department of Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Mark Jurdjevic, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of History, Glendon College

Stanislav Kirschbaum, Professor and Chair, Department of International Studies, Glendon College

Fuyuki Kurasawa, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and 91��ɫ Research Chair in Global Digital Citizenship

Christopher Kyriakides, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Canada Research Chair in Socially Engaged Research in Race and Racialization

Richard Last, Department of Humanities, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Regina Lee, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Barry Lever, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

Mary Elizabeth Luka, Sensorium Centre for Digital Arts & Technology, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Kyo Maclear, Education Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Heath MacMillan, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Tom McElroy, CSA/ABB/NSERC Industrial Research Chair and Professor of Atmospheric Remote Sounding, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Susan McGrath, Professor, School of Social Work, Lassonde School of Engineering

Deborah McGregor, Associate Professor, Osgoode Hall Law School and Faculty of Environmental Studies and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Science

Scott Menary, Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science

Sushanta Mitra, Associate Vice-President Research and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Haideh Moghissi, Professor, Department of Equity Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Lewis Molot, Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies

Noa Nahmias, History Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Norio Ota, Associate Lecturer, Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Debra Pepler, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health

Marie-Christine Pioffet, Professor, Department of French Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Emanuel Rosonina, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Adrian Shubert, Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Gunho Sohn, Associate Professor, Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering

Paul Sych, Associate Professor, Department of Design, School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design

Salvatore Totino, Course Director, Faculty of Education

John Tsotsos, Distinguished Research Professor, Canada Research Chair in Computational Vision, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering

Sean Tulin, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Faculty of Science and Canada Research Chair in Particle Physics and Cosmology

Doug Van Nort, Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre and Department of Digital Media, School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design and Canada Research Chair in Digital Performance

Christopher Vanden Berg, Political Science Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies

Peter Victor, Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies

Leah F. Vosko, Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Canada Research Chair in the Political Economy of Gender & Work

Graham Wakefield, Assistant Professor, Department of Visual Art & Art History, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design and Canada Research Chair in Interactive Information Visualization

Derek Wilson, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

Thilo Womelsdorf, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Jianhong Wu, Professor Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science and Canada Research Chair in Industrial & Applied Mathematics

Gerald Young, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Glendon College

Dessi Zaharieva, School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health

Amro Zayed, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

Book Prizes and Awards

Bonnell, J. (2014). Reclaiming the Don: An Environmental History of Toronto’s Don River Valley. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Colla, Shiela, Williams, P., Thorp, R. & Richardson, L. (2014). Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Cothran, B. (2014). Remembering the Modoc War: Redemptive Violence and the Making of American Innocence. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.

Gilbert, J. (2014). Sexuality in school: The limits of education. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.

Hoffmann, R. (2014). An Environmental History of Medieval Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Jenkins, W. (2013). Between Raid and Rebellion: The Irish in Buffalo and Toronto, 1867-1916. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.

McGriffin, E. (2014). Subduction Zone. St. Johns: Pedlar Press.

Smardon, B. (2014). Asleep at the Switch: The Political Economy of Federal Research and Development Policy since 1960. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.

The winners of the Undergraduate Research Fair, held earlier in the day in Scott Library, were also recognized at the Research Leaders event. University Librarian Joy Kirchner spoke about their achievements and highlighted the importance of undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research Fair students pose for a group portrait at the 91��ɫ U Research Leaders event

Dean and Associate Vice-President Graduate in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Barbara Crow followed Davidson and highlighted graduate student research at 91��ɫ. Her remarks were presented in front of a slideshow of various students’ achievements.

Shoukri presented Distinguished Research Professor Bridget Stutchbury, Faculty of Science, with the 2016 President’s Research Excellence Award and Professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell, Faculty of Health, and 91��ɫ Research Chair in Pain and Mental Health, with the 2016 President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award.

Stutchbury was honoured with the 2016 President’s Research Excellence Award for her significant contributions to outstanding research on the ecology, behaviour and conservation of birds.

Pillai Riddell was recognized with the 2016 President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award for establishing the first norms for the development of acute pain behaviours in healthy infants, within the context of primary caregivers through her (the Opportunities to Understand Childhood Hurt [OUCH]) Lab at 91��ɫ.

For more information on the President’s Research Award recipients, see YFile story.

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91��ɫ celebrates its research leaders

muellerm — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Research excellence, innovation and impact are three key achievements that will be recognized and celebrated at the 91��ɫ U Research Leaders event, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

“We are delighted to be hosting our fourth annual 91��ɫ U Research Leaders event to recognize the accomplishments of our researchers and students for their valued contribution to 91��ɫ’s vibrant research community,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation. “All 91��ɫ students, staff and faculty are invited to join us for this event.”

Hosted by the President’s Office and the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, the event begins at 5pm in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, in the Accolade East Building. A reception will follow. Many 91��ɫ researchers who have earned prestigious awards, major grants and book prizes will be recognized, along with a presentation to the winners of the President’s Excellence Research Award and President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award, an announcement of the winners from 91��ɫ’s undergraduate research fair and recognition of graduate student research achievements.

Event highlights include: Keynote speaker, Pat Horgan, vice-president manufacturing, development & operations, IBM Canada, a special video highlighting a number of 91��ɫ’s researchers and a slide presentation that captures some of the many research successes of the past year.

Organizers ask community members interested in attending the celebration .

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

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Celebrate digital culture at research event on Dec. 6

muellerm — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Explore digital cultures research at a celebration co-hosted by six of 91��ɫ’s Faculties in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation on Friday, Dec. 6.

The event highlights the research of five 91��ɫ professors, a University Librarian and a former graduate student on topics ranging from sound, affect and digital communities, copyright in the digital domain, augmented reality storytelling, social media and oral culture at Ugandan heritage sites, digital technology design and librarian and information systems.

“This research celebration provides an opportunity for members of the 91��ɫ community to learn more about the breadth of Digital Cultures research at the University,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation. “Throughout the upcoming year, we will continue to highlight research in the five areas of opportunity for the strategic development of research, as described in the new Strategic Research Plan, Building on Strength.”

Students, faculty and staff are invited to the celebration, from 2 to 4pm in the CIBC Lobby, Accolade East Building. The event will feature mini-research byte presentations followed by Q&As from the audience.

Featured presenters are Faculty of Fine Arts Professor Caitlin Fisher, Canada Research Chair in Digital Culture; Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Carys Craig; Faculty of Education Professor Mary Leigh Morbey, associate director of the Institute for Research on Learning Technologies, with Mary Pat O’Meara; Stacy Allison-Cassin, associate librarian, 91��ɫ Libraries; Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Professor David Cecchetto; and Lassonde School of Engineering Professor Melanie Baljko.

Caitlin Fisher

Fisher will speak about “Augmented Reality Storytelling: Emerging Tools and Practices.” Her talk will explore expressive tools for augmented reality content creation, both custom tools developed in 91��ɫ's AR Lab and a new generation of easy-to-use commercial tools, workflow for the production of immersive and handheld augmented reality stories, and showcase some of the augmented reality storytelling projects being created by Dr. Fisher and her students.

Carys Craig

Craig will present “Copyright, Communication and Culture in the Digital Domain.” Copyright law appears to stand at a dangerous crossroads, forced to choose between maximizing the potential of the digital revolution and reinforcing the norms of the analog world. This is a false dilemma. Digital culture should not be regarded as threat to the copyright system or the public purposes it serves; rather, the copyright system should be viewed as a threat to our developing digital culture.

Mary Leigh Morbey, with Mary Pat O’Meara

Morbey will present “Social Media Engages Oral Culture at Ugandan Heritage Sites,” with Mary Pat O’Meara, the videographer on the Uganda National Museum Social Media project. Uganda in East Africa possesses 100 heritage sites illustrating the rich culture of Uganda: little known by Ugandans and the world. Collaboration between the Uganda National Museum and a 91��ɫ Institute for Research on Learning Technologies research team is capturing the heritage sites through video and photograph, and stories of older people living in the shadow of the sites through videoed interviews in English and Luganda. The collected data situated in a Social Media structure centered in the museum website, preserves potential lost heritage.

Stacy Allison-Cassin

Allison-Cassin will explore “Disconnecting connections: librarianship and information systems.” Her talk will highlight recently published and current research exploring the frictions present in the philosophical underpinnings of traditional librarianship in relation to technology, with a particular aim to expose how assumptions about information systems and the bodies of librarians impact our ability to forge alternate pathways in the digital environment.

David Cecchetto

Cecchetto will discuss, “Sound, Affect and Digital Communities.” His research takes hold at the crossing of aurality, digitality and critical posthumanism. Cecchetto’s talk begins by describing the claims of critical posthumanism, and proceeds to briefly discuss a practice-inclusive research project that works from this position to demonstrate—practically and theoretically—the innovative potential of bringing aurality to bear on digital technologies.

Melanie Baljko

Baljko will present, “Digital Technology Design in the GaMaY Lab.” Her presentation will provide an overview of several research projects underway in the in the Lassonde School of Engineering. The presentation will describe and discuss some of the threads that are common to these works, which include: critical reflection on the hidden assumptions and values underlying the design of digital technologies; accessibility and barriers to digital technologies; obstacles in the small-scale production and development of digital technology; and harnessing modes of knowledge mobilization.

Organizers ask that interested participants register their by Dec. 5.

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91��ɫ researchers receive more than $5.5 million in research funding

muellerm — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Researchers at 91��ɫ have been awarded more than $5.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The grants, part of more than $107 million in funding and awards recently announced in the Insight Development Grants and Insight Grants Competition, will support 91��ɫ research that improves the quality of life of Canadians, while advancing knowledge and building understanding of complex socio-cultural and economic issues.

The announcement of the recipients of more than 760 grants to power new research initiatives was delivered Monday by Greg Rickford, federal minister of state (science and technology).

“SSHRC’s investment provides a foundation for our researchers in the social sciences and humanities to conduct cutting-edge fundamental research that identifies and applies solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing society today,” said Robert Haché (left), 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “Research at 91��ɫ is research with an impact and research that makes a difference.”

Thirty-seven 91��ɫ researchers received more than $5.5 million to fund their research projects through SSHRC’s Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants programs.

The funding was granted for research covering a wide range of topics, including:

Schools, safety and the urban neighborhood;
Riots in the Maghreb: A socio-anthropological contribution of dissenting voices;
From norm takers to norm shakers and makers? A comparative study of tax transplants in China and India;
Wrestling with tradition: community, authority and change in law and religion;
Multimedia and transmedia texts, cultural change and youth readers; and
Transitioning from a fossil(ized) to a bio-based economy: A case study of biofuels in the Canadian Context.

“This investment in social sciences and humanities research is a cornerstone to building Canada’s capacity for innovation,” said Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. “Through the Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants, we are supporting the highest levels of research excellence. This research will generate knowledge about the past and present that will lead to innovative solutions for today’s most pressing social, cultural, technological, environmental and economic issues, and improve the lives of Canadians.”

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91��ɫ's chief knowledge mobilizer nominated for a major award

muellerm — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 08:00:00 +0000

David Phipps, executive director of research and innovation services and adjunct professor in the Faculty of Graduate Studies, has been nominated and selected by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) as one of three finalists for the prestigious SSHRC Impact Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements in postsecondary knowledge mobilization.

David Phipps

Phipps, who has been nominated in the Connection Award category, which has a prize valued at $50,000, has been instrumental in building 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit. Through a series of partnered collaborations, the unit has worked with 231 community and government organizations in 91��ɫ Region and the Greater Toronto Area, including the United Way 91��ɫ Region, Parkdale Activity & Recreation Centre, Nottawasaga Futures, Youth Emergency Shelter Services of Peterborough. Phipps has had a successful and sustained track record in SSHRC funding. The activities enabled by these grants have helped Phipps, research teams associated with these grants and collaborative partners to create 122 jobs and have generated more than $56 million in investments and funding for engaged scholarship as well as community programs and services.

His national leadership in knowledge mobilization is seen in the leadership of Canada’s knowledge mobilization network. Researchers, students and research partners in 10 universities in 9 communities across Canada are developing knowledge mobilization support services based in part by those Phipps developed at 91��ɫ. His expertise has also been used by agencies and universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the US and by a network of 24 African universities all of whom are seeking to develop an institutional capacity for knowledge mobilization. Phipps’ publishing in the knowledge mobilization blog, has been viewed over 115,500 times by readers in 148 countries.

“David Phipps’ innovative work has transformed the flow and exchange of research knowledge within and especially beyond the academic community,” said Robert Haché, 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “The impacts of his work on Canadian research, community organizations, government policy, and the Canadian economy are dramatic, exciting and unparalleled. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership in knowledge mobilization. The award nomination is well-deserved.”

The Connection Award recognizes an outstanding SSHRC-funded initiative to facilitate the flow and exchange of research knowledge within and/or beyond the academic community. It is given to an individual or team whose project has engaged the campus and/or wider community and has generated intellectual cultural, social and or/economic impact.

Phipps has also been named the most influential knowledge broker in Canada in 2011 and 2012, according to a report by Knowledge Mobilization Works, a consulting and training company based in Ottawa and he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his work in knowledge mobilization. In 2012, 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit received a global best practice award from the EU based Knowledge Economy Network.

The announcement of the winners will be made at a ceremony during the in Montreal on Oct. 15.

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

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91��ɫ Senate approves the University's new strategic research plan

muellerm — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

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 Haché, 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 Haché

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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The University recruits a new Canada Research Chair and gains a renewed Canada Research Chair

muellerm — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ welcomes the appointment of Christian Haas as its new Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics and the renewal of a CRC in the History of Modern China for Joshua Fogel.

As Tier 1 CRCs, Haas and Fogel will each receive $1.4 million over seven years. The CRC is part of a package of CRC appointments announced Oct. 12, by Gary Goodyear, minister of state (Science and Technology).

“Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Goodyear. “By investing in talented people through programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, our government is supporting cutting-edge research in Canadian post-secondary institutions. This fosters innovation by helping researchers bring their ideas to the marketplace, where they can touch the lives of Canadians.”

In all, the government announced an investment of $121.6 million to fund the appointment of 155 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 42 Canadian degree-granting post-secondary institutions.

“The appointment of Professor Christian Haas as Canada Research Chair in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics and the renewal of Professor Joshua Fogel as Canada Research Chair in the History of Modern China recognizes the excellence of their research and provides them with opportunities to further develop their exceptional research programs,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation at 91��ɫ. “Through the CRC program, 91��ɫ continues to build on its research strengths and enhance opportunities for graduate training.”

Christian Haas

Haas, a professor of geophysics, in the Department of Earth & Space Science and Engineering in the Faculty of Science & Engineering, is examining the underlying reasons for the recent, rapid retreat of Arctic sea ice and the consequences for the Arctic climate system and ecosystem, for Northerners, and for better access to Arctic resources and shipping routes. His research also addresses the role of changes in winds and ice drift as well as of variations in atmospheric radiation and temperature and ocean salinity and temperature on ice thickness and areal coverage.

A thorough understanding of the reasons for the recent Arctic sea ice decline will help fuel predictions of future scenarios and identify links to possible human-induced causes for climate change.

Ice information obtained by Haas’ research utilizing airborne and ground-based field campaigns in the Arctic and Antarctic, satellite remote sensing and numerical modeling provides important information for safe and environmentally responsible resource exploration and extraction, as well as shipping and over-ice travel. His research contributes unique information on ice thickness, one of the most important sea ice properties for the design and regulation of offshore structures and ships, safe ice utilization and assessment of oil spill development.

Fogel, a professor in the Department of History in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and member of 91��ɫ’s Centre for Asian Research has been examining the dynamic cultural and political relations between China and Japan over the past two centuries.

Joshua Fogel

The history of modern China cannot be fully or properly understood, Fogel maintains, without examining the dynamic cultural, political, and economic interactions between China and Japan over the last two centuries. Fogel’s research focuses on this interaction and the importance of Japan in China’s modern development.

He is presently writing a comprehensive history of Chinese-Japanese relations from antiquity through the present as well as a more focused monograph on the history of the Japanese expatriate community in Shanghai (1862 to 1945). His work is premised on the fruitful assumption that the modern history of China is incomprehensible without a full consideration of modern Japanese history.

For more information, visit the website.

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

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New schedule now available for community workshops on 91��ɫ's Strategic Research Plan

muellerm — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Are you interested in having a say about the development of 91��ɫ’s new Strategic Research Plan?

Join Robert Haché, 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 Haché

"These workshops are an important and valuable feedback tool in the construction of the new plan,” said Robert Haché, 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:

Date	Time	Location
Tuesday, Oct. 2	9 to 11am	305 Lumbers Building, Keele campus
Friday, Oct. 5	9 to 11am	BMO Room, Glendon Manor, Glendon campus
Tuesday, Oct. 16	9 to 11am	Founders Senior Common Room, 305 Founders College, Keele campus
Friday, Oct. 26	1 to 3pm	Harry Crowe Room 109 Atkinson Building, Keele campus
Thursday, Nov. 1	1 to 3pm	519 91��ɫ Research Tower, Keele campus

Haché 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:

DATE	TIME	��䴡�ձ��
Thursday, Oct. 4	9 to 10am	402 Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Building, Keele campus
Friday, Oct. 19	1 to 2 pm	214 Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts, Keele campus
Thursday, Nov. 1	9 to 10 am	219 Glendon Hall, Glendon campus
Tuesday, Nov. 20	9 to 10 am	S802 Ross Building, Keele campus
Friday, Dec. 7	9 to 10 am	214 Calumet College, Keele campus
Tuesday, Dec. 18	1 to 2 pm	286C Winters College, Keele campus

For more information on the development of the new .

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

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Canada and the United Kingdom commit to social innovation

fmaquito — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000

A joint diplomatic commitment to social innovation between Canada and the United Kingdom that was formalized May 9 has a connection to work underway at 91��ɫ in the area of knowledge mobilization.

The signed by David Fast, Canada’s minister of international trade and minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Stephen Green, the United Kingdom’s minister of state for trade & development, highlights the importance of collaboration between the two countries in the area of social innovation. Social Innovation takes new ideas and puts them into practice for the public good. David Phipps, director of 91��ɫ's Research Services and Knowledge Exchange and leader of 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit and ResearchImpact-RéseauImpactRecherche (RIR), Canada’s knowledge mobilization network, played a role in realizing the commitment by both countries to social innovation.

David Phipps

It began in September 2011, when British Prime Minister David Cameron met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The pair discussed many matters, including international diplomacy, national security, the economy and innovation. During their meeting, they decided to build on their countries’ mutual interests in science and innovation by committing to a joint innovation statement. to view a video of Cameron's address to the Canadian Parliament.

In November 2011, some two months after the prime ministers agreed to draft the joint innovation statement, Phipps travelled to the UK for a series of meetings on knowledge mobilization and social innovation. While there, he met with representatives from the at the University of Edinburgh and the at the University of Brighton.

“At that time, I wrote in [a blog about ResearchImpact and knowledge mobilization] about my meetings ,” said Phipps. “What I didn't write about at the time were my meetings with agencies interested in social innovation. I met with the , a global leader in social innovation, and with , the UK’s innovation foundation.”

Accompanying Phipps to the meetings was Caroline Martin, trade commissioner for science and technology with the Canadian High Commission in London. “We discussed the importance of social innovation to Canada and the United Kingdom, a conversation we then continued with Nicole Arbour, team lead for the Science & Innovation Network at the British High Commission in Ottawa. Together we explored opportunities for collaboration on social innovation with Canadian organizations such as and the , organizations whose leadership in social innovation parallels that of NESTA and the Young Foundation.”

Phipps learned that Martin and Arbour were assisting with drafting the Joint Innovation statement that was called for by the prime ministers. “Our conversations helped inform the decision to include social innovation in the text of the Joint Innovation statement,” said Phipps.

Once completed, the Joint Innovation statement included this declaration: “The Participants will consider taking joint initiatives in the following priority areas [including] Social Innovation: Working with academic, government and civil society partners to leverage research and innovation activities for greater societal benefits.”

Phipps said the joint diplomatic commitment to social innovation between Canada and the UK has found another home with the Governor General of Canada David Johnston. On Feb. 17, 2012 he wrote about in an opinion piece published in The Globe & Mail. “So how do we bring about a smart and caring world that is at once prosperous, sustainable and resilient?” wrote Johnston. “Our ability to work together – to practise the diplomacy of knowledge – will be the key to our success.”

"Social Innovation is one outcome of knowledge mobilization for which 91��ɫ is developing an international reputation,” said Robert Haché, 91��ɫ’s vice-president research & innovation. “New discoveries are being made to address persistent social challenges through social innovation. Our conversations with the British and Canadian High Commissions helped inform the decision to include social innovation in the text of the Joint Innovation statement. The outcome reflects the growing international appreciation of the work of 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit and its leadership role in ResearchImpact, Canada's knowledge mobilization network, in working to turn research into action."

“Collaborating for social innovation is now recognized as a priority for Canada and for the UK,” said Phipps. “RIR-91��ɫ was there and will be there working with colleagues from Canada and the UK to support knowledge mobilization as a process that enables enhanced social innovation.”

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

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SSHRC awards over $3 million to 91��ɫ-led projects

fmaquito — Tue, 29 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Seven 91��ɫ-led research partnerships have received a total of $3,647,551 through the 's Partnership Grants program and Partnership Development Grants program.

91��ɫ psychology Professor Debra Pepler, together with Shelley Cardinal of the Canadian Red Cross, has received over $2.4 million in funding over five years from SSHRC to lead a major national project: "Walking the Prevention Circle: Researching Community Capacity Building for Violence Prevention". They are joined by Susan Dion, a 91��ɫ education professor, and other researchers and partners. The project will examine how communities mobilize and build capacity through the Canadian and Australian Red Cross Societies' Walking the Prevention Circle (WTPC) – a model for violence prevention in Aboriginal communities. The project will receive more than $1.2 million in matching funding from partnering organizations.

Debra Pepler

Pepler, a Distinguished Research Professor in the Faculty of Psychology and core member in 91��ɫ’s LaMarsh Centre for Child and Youth Research, will lead a 10-member research team as they study the process of community capacity building.

“This grant provides an extraordinary opportunity to collaborate with communities in learning how they engage with the Red Cross community capacity-building process to share knowledge, promote stronger relationships, and move from the cycle of violence resulting from colonization to the circle of healing based in Aboriginal traditions,” said Pepler.

Project partners include the Canadian Red Cross, Australian Red Cross, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, Chiefs of Ontario, Prince Albert Grand Council, Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

Susan Dion

Six 91��ɫ researchers were also awarded more than $1.1 million in SSHRC funding through the Partnership Development Grants program, with more than an additional $1 million in total funding from matching partner contributions. The Partnership Development Program encourages applicants to work collaboratively with partners to develop research in the social sciences and humanities. This funding will support partnerships between 91��ɫ researchers and Canadian and international universities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government departments, domestic and international associations, among others.

“The results of these recent SSHRC competitions are a testament to the exceptional track record 91��ɫ has in leading interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects,” said Robert Haché, 91��ɫ’s vice-president research and innovation. “The project led by 91��ɫ Professor Debra Pepler and Shelley Cardinal of the Canadian Red Cross, in collaboration with local and global partners, is designed to address and prevent the cycle of violence and improve the quality of people’s lives.”

Robert Haché

The announcement was made on Friday, May 25 by Gary Goodyear, federal minister of state for science and technology, while speaking at the launch of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. In total, more than $70 million is being awarded over a period of seven years to support 92 research teams across the country through SSHRC’s Partnership Grants and Partnership Development Grants.

“Our government’s top priority is jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. To remain at the forefront of the global economy, our government is investing in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow’s breakthroughs,” said Goodyear. “Through these investments, we are creating the best educated and most skilled workforce in the world and strengthening Canada’s research advantage.”

“These multi-sectoral research partnerships are key to innovation and to building knowledge for Canada’s future,” said Chad Gaffield, SSHRC president. “With this funding support, we are gaining insight about, and developing innovative solutions to today’s social, economic and cultural issues, while training the next generation of researchers and leaders.”

For a complete list of Partnership Grant and Partnership Development Grant awards, visit the ��ɱ��ٱ�.

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

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