“There is much we can do to foster a love of physical activity in recreation in youth,” says Professor Parissa Safai of 91��ɫ’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science in the Faculty of Health. She was on the research committee responsible for the main report and was the lead researcher for all the qualitative components of the report.

Safai designed and analyzed the research exercises with more than 140 youth at a youth summit. She also compiled a series of community snapshots with 91��ɫ kinesiology and health science PhD student Alana Harrington to highlight physical activity promotion success stories in Toronto and the GTA.

The report highlights seven key recommendations targeted at increasing physical activity among youth. Those recommendations, says Safai, include ways to support girls – the least physically active population group in Canada.

As Safai says, “Physical activity in youth is critical in the development of lifelong habits.”

But what the report found is “low levels of physical activity have not changed much over the last decade….only 42 per cent of Torontonians are physically activity during leisure time.”

Among the seven highlights, the report found that girls may require a different approach; there is a large knowing-doing gap among youth when it comes to physical activity; socio-cultural barriers make a difference; schools play an important role in fostering physical activity; and the environment, including walkable neighborhoods and safe recreation spaces, can make a difference.

Safai has been a part of the Get Active Toronto research team since 2008. “This year's report focuses on what we can do to help youth be more active. Together, Torontonians are in a position to reduce or eliminate many of the barriers that face our children and youth,” she says. “But we still need to be aware of the gaps in our knowledge of physical activity and encourage funders and researchers to continue to work together to help us all develop a more complete picture of physical activity in Toronto so that we can reduce all of the barriers we face.”

One of the ways to help youth is to encourage adults to display positive attitudes about physical activity and to be better role models for young people. “We need to understand that social isolation, embarrassment and peer pressure also contribute to physical inactivity in youth,” says Safai.

To view the , visit the website.

Get Active Toronto is a public-private collaborative seeking positive change in the physical activity levels of Torontonians.

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

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On Monday, June 11, from 2 to 3pm, 91��ɫ Vice-President Academic Patrick Monahan and Lisa Philipps, associate vice-president research, are hosting an informative workshop that will cover how to prepare an effective nomination package. The session will take place in 626 91��ɫ Research Tower.

Topics that will be covered include:

• Recognizing Success and Building Reputation Through Awards;
• Finding Awards, Identifying Candidates;
• Ingredients of Success: The Nomination Letter, the CV, Letters of Support; and
• Award Adjudication: The Inside Story.

The session is designed for staff work in faculty dean’s offices, department chairs, and directors of schools, associate deans of research, research officers and research directors. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Participants will have an opportunity to view precedent files to see what works and there will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation. While the focus is on research awards, the information presented will be relevant to teaching and other kinds of awards.

If you are interested in attending, to Lia Cavaliere or call 416-736-2100 ext. 33782.

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

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Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Allan Hutchinson has been appointed the new associate vice-president graduate and dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, effective March 1.

The announcement was made yesterday by 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. The appointment of Hutchinson for the five-year term was made after extensive consultation and was approved by the Board of Governors on Feb. 15.

“I am pleased that Allan Hutchinson has accepted our invitation to take up a five-year term as the new AVP and Dean,” says Shoukri. “His leadership and commitment to the success of this University and the broader 91��ɫ community we serve is to be commended, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”

Allan Hutchinson  

A member of the 91��ɫ community since 1982, Hutchinson is a professor of law at Osgoode Hall Law School. He is currently providing leadership to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in his capacity as interim dean and AVP. While at Osgoode, Hutchinson served as the associate dean (Academic) from 1994 to 1996 and as associate dean (Research, Graduate Studies & External Relations) from 2004 to 2007. He has also served as chair of the University’s Senate and as a member of the Board of Governors.  

Hutchinson holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of London, and an LL.M (Juris.) and LL.D. from the University of Manchester. He has an impressive academic record and is internationally known as a legal theorist with expertise in a range of areas including law and politics, legal theory, the legal profession, constitutional law, torts, jurisprudence, civil procedure, and racism and law. The author of numerous books and articles, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2004 and a Distinguished Research Professor at 91��ɫ in 2006. He is also the recipient of teaching awards both in Osgoode and at the University level. 

“The next five years will bring significant opportunities and challenges for graduate studies at 91��ɫ. I look forward to continuing to work with Professor Hutchinson in this important portfolio, and I hope all members of the 91��ɫ community will join me in congratulating him on this appointment,” said Shoukri.

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

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