91��ɫ prof featured in COU's new Research Matters campaign

fmaquito — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Through a new province-wide campaign, Ontario university researchers are reaching out to explain the value and benefits of university research.
The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) launched to showcase new stories and ideas emerging from the research underway at Ontario's universities. The campaign, which features a website and blog, speaks to daily issues and reflects the full diversity of university research. It will continue through 2012-2013, with public events held around the province to allow the public to engage directly with researchers. Ontario's Minister of Economic Development & Innovation Brad Duguid announced the launch of the campaign at the Ontario Centres of Excellence Discovery Conference last week.

Among the researchers featured in the campaign is 91��ɫ humanities Professor Andrea Davis. The campaign profiles the work Davis is doing to alleviate the causes of youth violence. Through her research, Davis is working with community partners to help black youth in Canada and Jamaica challenge physical and systemic violence and find new paths toward social and civic engagement. Her work helps young people form new social identities through participation in the arts, social history and literature. to view the profile.

"This campaign provides a unique opportunity for researchers across the province to share the wide range of research they do,” says Davis. “The project my team and I are leading is certainly only one of many amazing research projects at 91��ɫ, but it resonates specifically with Ontarians because it addresses immediate questions about youth violence. There is no doubt that the stakes are high, and the potential for change and transformation is enormous."

“The work of thousands of university researchers in Ontario affects industry, government and community life in a multitude of ways,” says Alastair Summerlee, chair of COU and president of the University of Guelph. “Those stories about how researchers help people build stronger communities, get more out of work and leisure time, and achieve a better quality of life deserve to be told.”

“This campaign will connect more Ontarians directly with researchers and their ideas,” says Bonnie Patterson, COU president and CEO. “Ontarians can rightly take pride in the fascinating and highly diverse research underway here.”

“The Research Matters campaign is highlighting the important contributions that University research makes to the lives of Ontarians through the voices of many of Ontario’s leading university researchers,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation. “91��ɫ is most pleased that Professor Andrea Davis and her important research is being highlighted in this initiative. Andrea’s research is making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, locally and abroad. Her project identifies youth violence prevention strategies and facilitates opportunities for youth to engage more constructively in their communities.”

Ontario university research is the common thread that ties these and hundreds of other stories together. Visit the COU's website, follow the campaign on Twitter at , or join the community on .

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

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Wanted: Innovative 'IDeAs' for making Ontario more accessible

fmaquito — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ students, along with students from other Ontario universities, are being challenged to put their creative minds to work to develop solutions that will make the world more accessible for people with disabilities, including new ideas for devices, software, architectural design, awareness campaigns or policies.

The competition is an initiative organized by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), in partnership with the Government of Ontario. The province-wide competition is being overseen by the IDeA Working Group, comprised of representatives from engineering and design Faculties at several Ontario universities.

Students will vie for $3,000 in prizes, with entries that must address barriers to accessibility in five categories: attitudinal, physical/structural, information and communications, technological, and systemic.

“Ontario universities are strongly committed to the important goal of leading the country towards greater accessibility,” says Alastair Summerlee, chair of COU and president of the University of Guelph. “Tapping into the innovative capabilities of our students is an excellent way to build awareness and to advance ideas that lead to a more accessible world.”

91��ɫ students can find rules and registration information . The deadline for contest submissions is March 31. Students interested in submitting their idea or concept should review the rules and criteria, register and then submit the concept by e-mail to ideas@yorku.ca by the end of the business on March 31.

Submissions will first be evaluated by 91��ɫ and then successful candidates will move on to a second round of judging conducted by a panel of experts in the five categories. Evaluations will be based on innovation, cost-effectiveness and practicality. Judges will also place a premium on entries whose format itself demonstrates consideration to accessibility issues.

The winner will be announced at an event at the Ontario Centres of Excellence Discovery Conference in May 2012.

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

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91��ɫ prof featured in COU's new Research Matters campaign

Wanted: Innovative 'IDeAs' for making Ontario more accessible