Thursday, November 4, 2021


Research Talks presents The Workplace Revolution

Research Talks logo image.

A message from the Office of Research.

Learn about the future of employment during the Fall 2021 Research Talks event, The Workplace Revolution: Envisioning the Future of Employment on Monday, November 22 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Please register to receive a link to take part in this online panel presentation and Q&A featuring:

Joel Blit (Artificial intelligence and robotics): Joel Blit is a professor of economics at the University of Waterloo and a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. His research focuses on the economics of innovation and innovation policy. His most recent work, examining how COVID-19 is transforming the economy through automation and reallocation, featured in numerous media outlets. Professor Blit will discuss artificial intelligence and robotics.

Stephen Harrington (Workforce strategy): Stephen Harrington is a Partner in Human Capital Consulting and Deloitte’s national leader for Future of Work Advisory. Stephen has been a writer and speaker on the future of work since 2011 and has been consulting for 20 years, leading transformations in workforce strategy. Stephen will put into the broader context new ways of working, discuss the skills crisis, and how we may need to think about corporate learning fundamentally differently.

Ellen MacEachen (The brave new world: A consideration of the risks and rights of delivery and ride-hail digital platform workers): Ellen MacEachen is a professor in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Her research examines the changing nature of work with a focus on health, precarious employment and vulnerable workers. Her latest studies examine how digital platform and low wage workers are managing their health while navigating the COVID-19 environment. In her presentation, Ellen will share findings of her team's study of the day-to-day work and risks faced by digital platform workers and thoughts on how social security systems need to adapt.

Rohinton P. Medhora (Leading the future of work): Rohinton Medhora is president of CIGI, joining in 2012. He served on CIGI’s former International Board of Governors from 2009 to 2014. Rohinton is also Chair of the Ontario Workplace Recovery Advisory Committee. Previously, he was vice president of programs at Canada’s International Development Research Centre. His fields of expertise are monetary and trade policy, international economic relations and development economics. Rohinton will discuss leading the future of work.

New Environment program will tackle climate change from all angles

A message from the Faculty of Environment.

A lake at sunset.The Faculty of Environment is proud to announce the launch of the BSc in Climate and Environmental Change, a program specifically designed to train professionals to meet a growing demand for leaders who can integrate climate solutions across traditional boundaries. 

“Nearly every course in the Faculty of Environment deals with climate change in some way, but this is the first undergraduate program specifically aimed at teaching the foundations of climate change to undergraduates,” said Jean Andrey, Dean of the Faculty of Environment. “By taking a transdisciplinary approach to climate change we’re meeting the demand for workers and citizens who can identify and find climate solutions where our natural and human environments meet.”

A core component of the program is how weather and climate influence geomorphology, hydrology, and biogeochemistry. With classes beginning in fall 2022, the program will train students in solutions- oriented approaches to environmental challenges such as:

  • Flooding
  • Permafrost thawing
  • Drought and forest fires
  • Peatland degradation
  • Changes to the water cycle regime in different regions
  • Sea level rise and coastal change
  • Changing economic opportunities in climate sensitive sectors, and
  • Development of climate services

The BSc in Climate and Environmental Change will be housed in the Faculty of Environment’s well-known Department of Geography and Environmental Management — ranked among top five in Canada.

“Climate change solutions require a fundamental understanding of the natural sciences coupled with technological and other innovations,” said Andrey. “Our department of geography is well positioned to tackle these problems since it is rooted in environmental science and has a strong applied component that draws on new and established technologies in geomatics. Students will learn how to combine knowledge across scientific disciplinary fields such as, biology, chemistry, physics and Earth science, with human geography for effective environmental management.”

The Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo is the largest post-secondary institution devoted entirely to issues of sustainability. In 2012 it made history by establishing Canada’s first course focusing specifically on the multiple ways climate change affects society and the environment.

To learn more about this exciting new program, visit Climate and Environmental Change.

Helping KidsAbility clients transition into adulthood

A person with a cochlear implant uses a smartphone.

By Etta Di Leo. This article was originally featured in the Global Impact Report.

Every year, KidsAbility supports more than 11,000 children and youth in Southwestern Ontario. Clients are helped through programs designed to assist with communication, social and physical goals, but face significant challenges when they move beyond the scope of their services at 21 years old.

“Over the many years I’ve worked in this field, the consistent complaint I’ve heard is that youth fall off a cliff when they transition from the children's services sector to the adult sector,” says Linda Kenny, the Chief Executive Officer for KidsAbility. “A young adult leaving home at 18 or 19 is already trying to navigate their way into that next stage of their life. Now add on complexity around needing services or equipment or accommodations and take away the services they relied on because they are over the age of 18 or 21. You can appreciate why people will describe it as falling off a cliff.”

As children and youth, participants can access a variety of treatments and services under one roof at KidsAbility. As they become adults, those same services become decentralized, requiring people to navigate through a number of organizations to access the same services they were getting through one organization.

Tackling real world challenges

Caleb O. Williams, Sarah Berdowski, William Nippard, Charlotte Jane Ogalesco, Lindsay Krahn.

Caleb O. Williams, Sarah Berdowski, William Nippard, Charlotte Jane Ogalesco, Lindsay Krahn.

This challenge of transition was a perfect fit for the Workplace Innovation program at GreenHouse -- the Social Impact Incubator located in St. Paul’s University College at the University of Waterloo. The Workplace Innovation program pairs interested students with host organizations and challenges them to develop solutions to real world problems. Students are assembled into teams that work with host organizations over 8 months. The teams are provided with support and resources and are trained to use an innovation framework to identify opportunities and design solutions.

The five-member team of students and alumni who worked with KidsAbility are William Nippard, Charlotte Ogalesco, Lindsay Krahn, Sarah Berdowski and Caleb Williams. At first, the team considered building a solution that would be more internally focused for staff to use, but that didn’t respond to the needs of the organization or their clients.

The value of lived experience

By working with people who have lived experience and staff from KidsAbility, they decided on a tool that can be used directly by clients and their families. Their solution is an online resource hub called Transition Space.

“Transition Space is a website that will help youth with disabilities navigate the system in Ontario when they transition to adulthood,” says Charlotte Ogalesco, a recent Health Studies graduate. “Our website provides helpful resources on topics that are important to understand when transitioning, such as independent living, financial planning, healthcare services, and recreation."

In addition to helping clients transition to adulthood, the students are learning the value of collaborating directly with those who will use the tools.

William Nippard, a Computer Science graduate, joined the Work Innovation program as a result of volunteering with KidsAbility and credits its team with bringing an added layer of expertise to the program.

“KidsAbility has played an integral role,” says Nippard. “They’re some of the absolute best subject matter experts in the domain we’re working in, and they have passed on invaluable insights to the team.”

Nippard brings his technical expertise and experience with start-ups to the Transition Space project, but his main concern is to provide a meaningful tool for KidsAbility clients.

“I’ve worked with KidsAbility for a number of years now, including volunteering in-classroom, working directly with kids and instructors,” says Nippard. “I hope one day some of the kids I used to work with will find value in what we’re building.”

Creating impact for everyone involved

Although the Transition Space project has focused on KidsAbility in Southwestern Ontario, Kenny sees potential for expanding across the province and beyond.

“We’re building a bridge from the youth system to the adult system and working to ensure young people are equipped with skills and information. Transition Space can help position them for success,” says Kenny. “We're doing work here in Waterloo region, but the implications of this online tool reach across the province.”

While partners like KidsAbility gain valuable support and skills through the Workplace Innovation program, the students and alumni also benefit from working on a challenging and meaningful project.

“This particular program is an amazing opportunity that allows you to solve real problems from different organizations and create an impact in your community,” says Ogalesco. “It encourages creativity and teamwork when designing an impactful solution. It’s a great way to share your own skills, work on something you’re passionate about, and overall, work with amazing teams and mentors.”

Thursday's notes

Today marks the biggest holiday of the year on the Hindu calendar, Diwali. Diwali is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains worldwide, a five-day festival of lights observed in October or November each year. Locally, Diwali is among the holidays that Waterloo's city council has included in its fireworks bylaw, alongside Canada Day, Victoria Day, and the Lunar New Year. Observers are permitted to set off fireworks one day before and after the holiday, with a time limit of 11:00 p.m.

President Vivek Goel marked the occasion with an official statement: "Best wishes for a happy Diwali. For many people in our community and around the world, Diwali is a joyful time to celebrate light and new beginnings. I wish you all bright, hopeful days ahead."

Human Resources has made an addition to this week's list of available positions, viewable on the UWaterloo Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):

Secondments/Internal temporary opportunities

  • Job ID# 2021-7506 - Talent Acquisition Specialist - Human Resources, USG 7-9 (1 year appointment)

Link of the day

Diwali

When and Where to get support

Students can visit the Student Success Office online for supports including academic development, international student resources, immigration consulting, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.

Instructors looking for targeted support for developing online components for blended learning courses, transitioning remote to fully online courses, revising current online courses, and more please visit Agile Development | Centre for Extended Learning | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca).

Instructors can visit the Keep Learning website to get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment.

Course templates are available within your course in LEARN to help you build and edit your content and assignment pages quickly.

The following workshops, webinars, and events are offered by the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):

Employees can access resources to help them work remotely, including managing University records and privacy of personal information. Here are some tips for staying healthy while working from home.

Stay informed about COVID cases on campus by consulting the COVID case tracker.

The Writing and Communication Centre has virtual services and programs to help undergrads, grad students, postdocs and faculty members with academic writing.

Co-op students can get help finding a job and find supports to successfully work remotely, develop new skills, access wellness and career information, and contact a co-op or career advisor.

The Centre for Career Action (CCA) is offering some in-person services for fall 2021. The Tatham Centre is open with front-desk support, limited in-person appointments and co-op consults. Services are also available virtually. Book an appointment online or Live Chat with our Client Support Team. The CCA is here to help.

If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health Services or  Counselling Services. You can also contact the University's Centre for Mental Health Research and TreatmentGood2Talk is a post-secondary student helpline available to all students.

While the Library continues to focus on digital resources and consultations, our spaces are open for the fall term. Dana Porter Library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Davis Centre Library is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drop-in individual study space, bookable individual study rooms, drop-in access to computers and printers, book pick-up services and IST Help Desk support. Special Collections & Archives and the Geospatial Centre will be accessible by appointment. Library staff are available for questions via Ask us. Full details on current services and hours are available on the Library’s COVID-19 Update webpage

The Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the FAUW blog for more information.

The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) continues to advocate for its members. Check out the UWSA blog for more information.

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) supports all members of the University of Waterloo campus community who have experienced, or been impacted, by sexual violence. This includes all students, staff, faculty and visitors on the main campus, the satellite campuses, and at the affiliated and federated Waterloo Institutes and Colleges. For support, email: svpro@uwaterloo.ca or visit the SVPRO website.

The Office of Indigenous Relations is a central hub that provides guidance, support, and resources to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous campus community members and oversees the University's Indigenization strategy.

The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre, based at St. Paul’s University College, provides support and resources for Indigenous students, and educational outreach programs for the broader community, including lectures, and events.

WUSA supports for students:

Peer support  - MATES, Glow Centre, RAISE, Women’s Centre - Visit https://wusa.ca/peersupport to book an appointment either in person or online for the Fall term!

Food Support Service food hampers are currently available from the Turnkey Desk 24/7 in the Student Life Centre. Drop off locations are also open again in SLC, DC, DP, SCH and all residences.

Co-op Connection all available online. Check https://wusa.ca for more details.

Centre for Academic Policy Support - CAPS is here to assist Waterloo undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them at caps@wusa.caMore information is available.

WUSA Student Legal Protection Program - Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue. The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call 1-833-202-4571

Empower Me is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at 1-833-628-5589.

When and Where (but mostly when)

Healthy Warriors at Home (Online Fitness)

Warriors vs. Laurier Blood Donation Battle. Join your fellow Warriors, donate blood and help us win the Blood Battle against Laurier for a second year in a row. Set up a profile or add the PFL code: UNIV960995 to your account if you have a blood.ca account already. Questions? Contact WarriorsInfo@uwaterloo.ca.

Drop-in to Warrior Virtual Study Halls on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come together in this virtual space to set goals and work independently or in groups each week.

Renison English Language Institute continues to offer virtual events and workshops to help students practice their English language skills.

Cheriton School of Computer Science Distinguished Lecture Series, Active Inference, featuring Karl J. Friston, Wellcome Principal Research Fellow and Scientific Director, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Thursday, November 4, 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.

NEW - THRIVE presents How to cope when the world is on fire: Navigating climate grief and wellbeing, Thursday, November 4, 4:00 p.m.

Arriscraft Speaker Series: Building a domestic revolution featuring Jennifer Chan, Melanie Escano & Sakiko Sugawa, moderated by Tara Bissett, Thursday, November 4, 6:00 p.m. Register for this event.

Men’s Hockey vs. Windsor, Thursday, November 4, 7:00 p.m., Home Opener, Residence Day. Purchase your tickets today.

Men’s Volleyball vs. Western, Friday, November 5, 7:00 p.m., Home Opener. Purchase tickets.

Faculty workshop: Navigating your first probationary term, Monday, November 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Presidential Installation, Monday, November 8, 4:00 p.m.

NEW - Faculty info session on definite-term contracts, Tuesday, November 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

NEW - Remembrance Day, Thursday, November 11.