91��ɫ Research Tower Archives | Research & Innovation

Vice-President Academic & Provost Patrick Monahan on the Academic Innovation Fund

fmaquito — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

In the fall of 2010, 91��ɫ's Vice-President Academic & Provost Patrick Monahan announced the establishment of the (AIF) to provide an investment of $2.5 million in support of innovation and change at the University. Applications were invited for funding to support new initiatives advancing 91��ɫ's strategic priorities. Of the applications received, 39 projects, led by faculty, staff and students, were awarded funding.

Over the course of the next year, YFile will be profiling the projects through videos and stories. Today, the camera's spotlight is on Monahan and the story of his inspiration for AIF.

Patrick Monahan grins when he recalls his “Aha!” moment, which led to the creation of the Academic Innovation Fund.

Several years ago, 91��ɫ’s vice-president academic & provost had just completed a series of consultations with 91��ɫ community members regarding the , a document that would outline the future academic priorities of the University. What he discovered during that process energized him.

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“As we went through the White Paper a couple of years ago, what impressed me were the people who participated in that process,” he said. “We sat in focus groups and we talked about our ideas, dreams and aspirations for the University. What was so striking was that people had so many great ideas – there were literally hundreds!”

He discovered the main obstacle preventing these ideas from becoming a reality centred on the lack of resources. Monahan had heard of projects in the United States that provided seed funding for academic initiatives. He thought the idea had merit and turned to his colleagues in the Provost’s Office to see if they could find funding that could be used to create a made-in-91��ɫ solution to turn the ideas into working projects.

His inspiration led to the formation of the Academic Innovation Fund of $2.5 million that would provide an initial investment of resources to bring projects from the drawing board to reality. In the fall of 2010, applications were invited from the University community for funding (up to $200,000 each) to support new initiatives advancing 91��ɫ’s strategic priorities in relation to teaching and learning and the student experience.

The response, he discovered, was nothing short of amazing. “It was just fantastic because of the tremendous energy and participation," he said. “The committee was only able to fund 39 of those projects, but all the project submissions were very interesting and innovative, and showed a real commitment to the University and to our students."

The 39 projects funded include clusters of initiatives that support e-learning, experiential education and the student experience. From a project to enhance how first-year students move from high school to university, to a student-run sustainable business initiative, each of the AIF projects is as diverse as the University community. There is a project to create an online enrolment system for new students, a mentorship program for varsity athletes, a partnership between two faculties to develop a blended learning initiative, a community centred action plan for experiential education, and a project to bring public history into the classroom, to name just a few.

All of the projects, said Monahan, reflect 91��ɫ's DNA. "Each of the projects is about engaging people in these ideas," he said. "I hope that what this does is that it shows people what is possible and that we can build on this energy."

Monahan said that many people have told him how excited they are to see their ideas finally becoming a reality. "What I find so interesting is that there are ideas that would never have occurred to someone sitting in an office here in the 91��ɫ Research Tower or even in a dean's office," he said. "Ideas like a project that we have with refugees in Thailand connecting them with researchers and students here in Toronto or a project to teach area youth how to swim."

The AIF projects provide a concrete example of the potential for innovation and engagement that resides in the 91��ɫ community. "It is an example of the idea that the collective brain is always better then a single brain. If you get one hundred people in a room and get them thinking and talking – you are going to get more ideas than with 10 people, five or one. That is what makes this a really successful initiative so far."

By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor

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

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Save the date! Research Open House set for Oct. 11

fmaquito — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ students, staff and faculty are invited to a Research Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 3pm, on the fifth floor of the 91��ɫ Research Tower. Remarks will begin at 2:30pm.

Come out and meet Robert Haché, the new vice-president research & innovation, and learn more about research services at 91��ɫ.

Staff from the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, the Office of Research Services, the Office of Research Ethics, Research Accounting, Procurement Services, Innovation 91��ɫ and the Faculty of Graduate Studies will be at the open house to answer questions related to research services.

If you are interested in attending, organizers ask that you submit your no later than Oct. 5.

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

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Join us for a Research Open House Oct. 11

fmaquito — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0000

The 91��ɫ community is invited to a Research Open House. Meet Robert Haché, the new vice-president research & innovation (VPRI), and learn more about research services at 91��ɫ.

The Research Open House will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, from 1 - 3 p.m., on the 5th Floor of the 91��ɫ Research Tower. Remarks at 2:30 p.m.

Staff from the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, the Office of Research Services, the Office of Research Ethics, Research Accounting, Procurement Services, Innovation 91��ɫ and the Faculty of Graduate Studies will be on hand to answer questions related to research services.

Please RSVP by October 5th, 2011 at .

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91��ɫ Research Tower: Creating a new model for research collaboration

fmaquito — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Researchers, faculty, administrators and staff working in the 91��ɫ Research Tower gathered on May 4 to celebrate the new building’s role in fostering social science and humanities research across 91��ɫ (all speaker videos are available in the Research Multimedia Centre).

Above: The 91��ɫ Research Tower, which opened in September 2009, features some 84,000 square feet of space and houses 12 research centres and two research project teams

“91��ɫ is a leading university in social sciences and humanities research, and nothing proves that more than a peer-review process,” said Mamdouh Shoukri, 91��ɫ's president & vice-chancellor, referencing the recent successes of 91��ɫ researchers in securing a Killam Prize, two out of four of the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada’s (SSHRC) Major Collaborative Research Initiative awards, and a SSHRC Community-University Research Award.

“But having excellent researchers puts another level of responsibility on the University, which is to make absolutely sure that we have the environment and the support they need to reach their potential,” he said. “This building represents 91��ɫ’s commitment to building a research culture for success.”

The 10-storey building, which recently received , opened in September 2009 and features approximately 84,000 square feet (net) with wireless Internet access. It currently houses 12 research centres and two research project teams, and also provides office space for the and (ABEL) group, which provide support services for researchers. The Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation, Office of Research Ethics and Office of Research Services occupy the fifth floor, along with extensive conference and meeting facilities (full occupant list).

“I think this is the best facility for social science and humanities research in the country, and our researchers deserve it,” said Stan Shapson (left), vice-president research & innovation. “In addition to many new technologies, it’s built on the Greek agora model of community that allows researchers to come together and collaborate, both with researchers across the University and with external groups. Some of the issues they’re studying can’t be solved in isolation. No one has all the knowledge or the strategy to do it all – we have to collaborate, which is also why we want the YRT to be a meeting place for the community to work with us.”

Chad Gaffield (left), , was also present for the event as part of a daylong visit to 91��ɫ’s Keele campus. “We use e-communications to deepen and enrich relationships that are, at least periodically, complemented by physical contact,” he said. “The genius of the YRT is its confirmation of the importance of creating face-to-face contact and then complementing those interactions through information communications technology. It’s a new model of engaged scholarship and research.”

Professor (below, right), director of the Centre for Refugee Studies on the research tower’s eighth floor, spoke about the importance of creating neighbourhoods for researchers. Since moving into the building, McGrath has formed new research connections with peers in the 91��ɫ Centre for Asian Research, the Centre for Research on Latin America & the Caribbean, and , all of which are her neighbours on the eighth floor.

“Having neighbourliness, good meeting space and research resources under one roof is great,” said McGrath. “I hosted colleagues from all around the world here for a three-day session in the bright and spacious Conference Centre. With help from ABEL, we streamed parts of our meeting online, allowing those who weren’t able to travel here opportunities to participate. The facilities are fostering our sense of research culture and allowing us to work more collaboratively than I think we would have without it.”

Graduate students have also benefited from new space on floors six, seven and eight that was designed for them as researchers. “When you walk around the building, you see graduate students everywhere,” said Susan Henders, director of the 91��ɫ Centre for Asian Research. “They’re working on projects, relaxing in the lounges and interacting with their peers. It’s quality space that brings them into the centres and fosters their work and professional development, complementing their graduate program training.”

Watch videos from the Research Tower opening, with remarks from President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, Vice-President Research & Innovation Stan Shapson, SSHRC President Chad Gaffield, Professor Susan Henders and Professor Susan McGrath.

“One student told me that having study space made him feel valued as a researcher and professional in the making,” Henders continued. “I want to commend the University for its foresight in recognizing the critical role graduate students play in organized research units and research on the campus.”

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer. Photos courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91��ɫ Research Tower earns LEED silver certification

fmaquito — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:00:00 +0000

The 91��ɫ Research Tower, which was , is also a model of sustainability.

The tower is the only building on campus to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification. The internationally recognized green building certification system provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources.

“ standards were factored into the tower’s design from day one and provided solid guidelines in best practices,” says Bud Purves (left), president of the 91��ɫ Development Corporation. “After passing the six-month certification process, we’re pleased to have earned the silver designation and hope the learning from this project will be applied to other 91��ɫ buildings in the future.”

The tower’s sustainable features begin outside. The white roof and treated paving stones surrounding the building reflect heat instead of absorbing it, reducing cooling costs and the heat island effect. Its plant beds are also more self-sustaining: no potable drinking water is used for irrigation, 50 per cent of the plants were chosen because they require less water; and the beds themselves are deeper, allowing the plants to draw more water through their roots. Exterior light fixtures that reflect down instead of up or to the side also reduce the building’s light pollution.

Inside, electronic shutoffs on water fixtures and low-flush toilets reduce the tower’s water use by 30 per cent while a high-performance water boiler, leak-free structures and sun-friendly design have optimized its energy use. All equipment installations were supervised to ensure they would perform to their design specs and the building’s thermal output is monitored for compliance to LEED standards. Air quality management ensured construction dust didn’t get stuck to walls or end up under carpets while low chemical-emitting adhesives, such as paint, glue, carpet and laminates, were used to reduce the presence of phenols.

Above: The 91��ɫ Research Tower

During construction, 15 per cent of all new materials were made from recycled content; 20 per cent of extracted materials, such as gravel and stone, were sourced locally to reduce the building’s carbon footprint; and 75 per cent of extra materials were diverted from landfills.

Building occupants manage their own recycling and trash disposal, and "green" cleaning products have been introduced (see YFile, Aug. 13, 2009). In the future, educational information will also be provided to explain and educate the public about the building’s features.

“The certification reflects 91��ɫ’s strong commitment to the environment and to sustainability,” said 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “I would like to acknowledge those who made this achievement possible, particularly Bud Purves and his team in the 91��ɫ Development Corporation, with support from Vice-President Stan Shapson and staff from the Research & Innovation Office and Vice-President Gary Brewer and staff from the Finance & Administration Office. I can’t say enough to thank you for your efforts.”

By Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer. Photos courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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New director takes over Canadian Centre for German & European Studies

fmaquito — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ Professor Roger Keil has recently been appointed director of the Canadian Centre for German & European Studies (CCGES) at 91��ɫ for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Keil is looking forward to the challenge and says one of his main duties as director will be to develop the centre’s strategic plan, and with that the amount of research done at the CCGES.

“The most important thing to me is to increase the research aspect of the centre,” says Keil. “It’s done a great job but now we need to look at how to increase the thickness of the research portfolio. With the strategic plan I hope to come up with a solid, believable and manageable research agenda that will allow us to have a sustainable future.”

Left: Roger Keil

A professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, Keil received his PhD in political science from Frankfurt’s Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, where he also studied German and American studies. He has been a visiting professor at the Free University in Berlin, Germany, at Aberystwyth, Wales, and recently at the Montpellier, France.

Keil will continue to be the director of the City Institute at 91��ɫ (CITY) for the next couple of years. Both the CCGES and CITY recently moved into the new 91��ɫ Research Tower.

People have worked diligently over the last few years to renew the CCGES, says Keil. “I see my role as expanding on those efforts and bringing in some of my own ideas.” He wants to raise the profile of the CCGES as well as procure funding for further research. “I want to nurture the existing links inside and outside of 91��ɫ and position the CCGES as the go to place for German research.”

In addition, Keil will be searching for a new director of the CCGES for when his term ends. As a long-time resident of the centre with an acute interest in the work of the CCGES, Keil feels becoming the centre’s director is a good fit.

“I’m looking forward to working together with the centre’s faculty affiliates and our partners, both off campus and here at 91��ɫ, to build a stronger CCGES,” says Keil. “The centre has an important role to play in connecting Canada and Europe, and I think our research agenda can make a significant contribution to increasing understanding and knowledge in a number of areas of importance – on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Keil's own research interests include urban governance, global cities, infectious disease and cities, urban infrastructures and urban political ecology. Currently, he is collaborating on Comparing Metropolitan Governance in Transatlantic Perspective, a project comparing policy, politics and governance in Toronto, Montréal, Frankfurt and Paris, funded by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada. The primary objective of the research is to broaden and deepen understanding of regional governance through an innovative comparative project.

Keil is the author of Los Angeles: Urbanization, Globalization and Social Struggles (John Wiley & Sons, 1999) and the co-author of Nature and the City: Making Environmental Policy in Toronto and Los Angeles (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, Nature and Society Series, 2004) and Changing Toronto: Governing Urban Neoliberalism (University of Toronto Press, 2009).

He is also the co-editor of Leviathan Undone?:Towards a Political Economy of Scale (University of Washington, 2009); Networked Disease: Emerging Infections and the Global City (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008); and The Global Cities Reader (Routledge, 2006).

In addition, Keil co-edits the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research and is a co-founder of the International Network for Urban Research & Action.

For more information, visit the Web site.

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

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