Tuesday, August 29, 2023


Building Inclusive Research Capacity (BIRC) program for faculty

People put their hands in together in a group setting.

A message from the Office of Research.

This Fall, the Inclusive Research Team in the OVPRI is launching a “Building Inclusive Research Capacity (BIRC) Program,” to create opportunities for faculty and researchers to build knowledge and capacity on ways to embed equitable and inclusive practices in their research programs. The BIRC Program will include monthly webinars, interactive workshops, and highlights from the Inclusive Research Resource Hub. The hub is a repository of curated resources to support continued learning on best practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion in research and in Indigenous research. 

BIRC webinars will be grouped into two focus areas:  

  1. Inclusive Research Practice (IRP) – focused on building inclusive teams and training programs
  2. Inclusive Research Design (IRD) – focused on inclusive research design and knowledge mobilization. 

The webinars will be held virtually via Zoom, though they will be recorded and added to the Inclusive Research Resource Hub.  We hope you can attend, and we welcome suggestions for future sessions at research.equity@uwaterloo.ca. Please find registration links for these upcoming events below.

September

Overview and Introduction: Inclusive Research Resources (Introductory session) 

Dr. Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Research Equity Advisor; Utamika Cummings, MSW, RSW, Research Equity Advisor; and Benny Skinner, MA, Indigenous Research Advisor 

  • September 28, 3:00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. 

The Inclusive Research Team is dedicated to supporting faculty to build equitable and inclusive research practices for rigorous research. This presentation is focused on an introduction to the resources and supports provided by the Inclusive Research Team within the Offices of the Vice-President Research and International, including how to navigate the Inclusive Research Resource Hub, how we support embedding EDI in grant applications, and advising on wise practices in Indigenous research. 

Please register here to receive the Zoom link to participate.

October

First Nations Principles of OCAP® Virtual Webinar (IRD)

  • October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

As part of our work to understand and implement practices supporting Indigenous Data Sovereignty, the Inclusive Research team alongside the Research Data Management Institutional Strategy Working Group will be hosting a webinar on the OCAP® principles, facilitated by Leslie MacGregor from the First Nations Information Governance Centre. The First Nations principles of OCAP® establish how First Nations’ data and information will be collected, protected, used, or shared. Standing for ownership, control, access, and possession, OCAP® is a tool to support strong information governance on the path to First Nations data sovereignty. Given the diversity within and across Nations, the principles will be expressed and asserted in line with a Nation’s respective world view, traditional knowledge, and protocols. For more information, please visit: https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/

Please register here to receive the Zoom link to participate. 

November 

The Foundation: Building Inclusive Teams (IRP) Virtual Presentation 

Dr. Sharlee Cranston-Reimer, Research Equity Advisor 

  • November 23, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Research shows that building inclusive research teams promotes research excellence. This presentation will take researchers through the necessary steps to identify systemic barriers to EDI on their teams, make a plan to address these barriers, and to review the outcomes of the actions they have taken and plan for the future. 

Please register here to receive the Zoom link to participate. 

December  

What is GBA+ Anyway? (IRD) Virtual Presentation 

Adrianna Tassone, MA, Inclusive Research Coordinator 

  • December 11, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an important tool for embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in every stage of research, from design to sharing results and other outputs. But what is it, and how is it done? This presentation will cover the basics of GBA+, including examples that highlight its usefulness, steps researchers can take, and questions they can ask themselves to start the GBA+ analysis of their research. 

Please register here to receive the Zoom link to participate. 

Department-branded orange t-shirts now available

Poster with title "custom-branded orange shirts" with female model wearing an orange shirt

A message from the W Store.

In preparation for this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, W Store is pleased to provide departmental and custom branding on Orange Shirts that feature the unique design from Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell of Morningstar Designs, from the exclusive collection developed in partnership with the Office of Indigenous Relations.

For an additional $2 per shirt, custom-branded orange t-shirts will be available to order until September 8. Custom branding is available in one colour on one sleeve. Please email wstore@uwaterloo.ca to place your orders. A minimum order of 12 shirts is required for customization.

A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of these Orange Shirts will be directed to support the Indigenous Student Success Fund on campus, established to provide financial assistance to those Indigenous students who are most at risk of abandoning their education due to financial hardship.

Non-customized orange t-shirts are available for purchase in W Store and online at wstore.ca at any time, while quantities last.

Engineering Professor awarded prestigious award for women in STEM

Mahla Poudineh standing and facing camera

A message from the Faculty of Engineering.

An electrical and computer engineering (ECE) professor has won an international prize for women that recognizes excellence in science, technology, engineering, math, manufacturing and design.

Dr. Mahla Poudineh, who serves as director for ECE’s IDEATION lab, is one of six recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Scholars Award for Science. All six diverse, international female recipients were selected out of a competitive global applicant pool that garnered 650 entries from 40 countries.

Poudineh’s research interests include developing biosensing approaches for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, continuous health meriting and translating biomedical devices to the clinic and market. Her research has been selected as Science Translational Medicine Editor’s choice article and highlighted in the Nature News & Views. She has also been selected as an inaugural contributor to the Advanced Materials “Rising Stars” series and to the Nanoscale emerging investigators themed collection.

As an award winner, Poudineh receives $150,000 in research funding and three years of mentorship from Johnson & Johnson.

Link of the day

International Day Against Nuclear Tests

When and Where 

Warriors Game Day Tickets: Season Passes, Black and Gold Alumni Passes and Single Game Tickets now available for the 2023-24 varsity season. Purchase your tickets today!

Student Health Pharmacy in the basement of the Student Life Centre is now offering Covid booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.

TBH: To Be Honest premiere performance, Wednesday, August 30, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium. Registration encouraged

International Student Orientation, Thursday, August 31.

Fall first-year Residence Move-In, Thursday, August 31 to Sunday, September 3.

TBH: To Be Honest premiere performance, Thursday, August 31, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium. Registration encouraged

Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project: Connecting to the Land, Thursday, August 31, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

TBH: To Be Honest premiere performance, Friday, September 1, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex (PAC) Gymnasium. Registration encouraged

Fall Orientation, Saturday, September 2 to Saturday, September 9.

Labour Day, Monday, September 4, most university operations and buildings closed.

Co-operative work term begins, Tuesday, September 5.

Management Sciences seminar featuring Margot Racat, IDRAC Business School, “Haptics and Need for Touch in Retail Environments: Bringing Back Tangibility to Consumers?” Tuesday, September 5, 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, CPH 4335.

Lectures and classes begin, Wednesday, September 6.

Music Ensemble Auditions start on Wednesday, September 6. 

WUSA’s First Year Fair, Thursday, September 7, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Student Life Centre Great Hall.

Conrad Grebel 60th Anniversary Alumni Picnic, Sunday, September 10, 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel main building (outside).

Deadline to register for Centre for Extended Learning (CEL) "Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training – Fall 2023" course, Monday, September 11.

WUSA Welcome Week begins, Monday, September 11.

ESports Experience, Monday, September 11, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., SLC Black & Gold Room.

WUSA’s Pancake Brunch, Monday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., SLC and BMH greens.

Conversations on trust in science and technology (TRuST lecture), Tuesday, September 12, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Engineering 7 second floor event space and online. Register at https://uwaterloo.ca/trust-research-undertaken-science-technology-scholarly-network/events/trust-inaugural-speaker-series-event

When and Where to get support 

Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.

PhD oral defences

Computer Science. Antony Albert Raj Irudayaraj, "Low-Resolution Customizable Ubiquitous Displays." Supervisors, Dr. Daniel Vogel, Dr. Omid Abari. Thesis available from MGO - mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Tuesday, September 5, 1:00 p.m., DC 1331.

School of Public Health Sciences. Shu-Feng Tsao, "SoMeIL: A social media infodemic listening for public health behaviours conceptual framework." Supervisors. Dr. Helen Chen, Dr. Zahid Butt. Email Health graduate administration for a copy. Oral defence Monday, September 11, 9:00 a.m., BMH 3119 and online.

Psychology. David Borkenhagen, "COVID-19 Risk Perception in Urban and Architectural Environments." Supervisor, Dr. Colin Ellard. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Wednesday, September 13, 9:00 a.m., remote participation.

English Language and Literature. Sally Beresford, "Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers: Detecting Community in their Public, Private, and Fictional Lives." Supervisor, Dr. Carol Acton. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Friday, September 15, 1:00 p.m., PAS 2464 and hybrid.