Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Global Futures: Taking a family-centred approach to mental health care

This is the latest in a series of articles about the Global Futures innovation update.

With growing awareness about mental health challenges, Dr. Dillon Browne's FamilyPsycle Lab has carved a unique path. Recognizing a gap in Canada's predominantly individual-focused mental health landscape, FamilyPsycle integrates a family-centric perspective into mental health-care services. 

For many families, traumas stemming from war or natural disasters introduces a multidimensional challenge. It’s not just about the overt repercussions like loss or violence, but also the nuances like separation from loved ones and disrupted routines. Browne asserts that we shouldn't make assumptions about trauma as each family’s experience is distinct. Rather, treatments must be tailored to reflect trauma’s multi-faceted nature.

Read how the FamilyPsycle Lab is preparing future clinicians to offer trauma-informed family therapy

TD Walter Bean Public Lecture set for March 5

The 2024 TD Walter Bean Public Lecture, hosted by the Faculty of Environment, will take place on Tuesday, March 5 and will feature the 2024 TD Walter Bean Visiting Professor, Dr. Denis W. Aheto. The lecture is entitled "Africa's Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans."

"Despite worldwide initiatives and efforts, the amount of plastic entering aquatic ecosystems is increasing at an alarming rate, choking our oceans with tonnes of waste," says the lecture's abstract. "But plastic pollution is only one factor threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihoods, economies and human health. In this lecture, Dr. Denis Aheto will discuss a holistic approach to caring for the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers. Using examples from African countries, he will explore how the global community can transform the challenges facing our oceans into opportunities for growth to bolster sustainable development and stimulate socioeconomic transformation."

Dr. Aheto is a Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Oceans Studies, and Foundation Director of the Centre for Coastal Management - The Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at the University of Cape Coast. He holds PhD and MSc Degrees in Environmental Sciences and Tropical Aquatic Ecology respectively from the University of Bremen, and a MSc. Degree in Rural Development from the Swedish Agricultural University. A distinguished scholar, with over 15 years of scientific project management experience, he is the authorized representative ofinstitutional donor funded projects in marine/coastal and fisheries management at the University of Cape Coast funded by the World Bank, African Union, USAID,and DANIDA. He has an outstanding intellectual publication record in indexed journals on issues of coastal/marine ecosystem conservation, small-scale fisheries, marine spatial planning, wetlands ecology, and marine conflict issues. He serves on several national and international Boards including his role as technical advisor to West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program of the World Bank.

The TD Walter Bean Professorship aims to attract top international research professors on the environment to campus to give public lectures, teach classes, and meet with professors and students in an effort to build the knowledge and skills necessary for society to address complex environmental issues. Described as a "fitting testament" to the late Walter Bean’s legacy of community involvement and commitment to youth, education and community, the professorship is made possible thanks to the generosity of TD Canada Trust and their commitment to building a sustainable future together with their partners. The visiting professorship was founded in 1992 by the late Walter Bean, who was president of Waterloo Trust until its merger with Canada Trust in 1968.

The lecture event will take place on Tuesday, March 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre. It is a free event and all members of the University community, and the wider community more generally, are welcome to attend.

Faculty association members ratify Memorandum of Agreement

A message from the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW).

From February 7 to 21, FAUW’s members voted on the ratification of a revised Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between FAUW and the University, in support of the December 2023 Policy 76/77 agreement.  

The MoA was ratified by a double majority of lecturers and professors, with over 90 per cent of voters in favour of accepting the revisions. Detailed certified results are available on the MoA ratification vote 2024 webpage. 

The next step is for Policy 76/77 to go to the April Board of Governors meeting for approval. The changes outlined in Policy 76/77 will come into effect September 1, 2024. 

Flourishing through diplomacy and creativity

By Valerie Vaz. This article originally appeared on Waterloo News.

With an interest in academia and activism, Aaron Francis, a PhD candidate in the Global Governance program at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, stands out as an example of flourishing in every chapter of his life.

The inspiration behind Francis’s academic journey can be traced back to a pivotal moment when he seized the opportunity to teach English in Taiwan — a decision that shaped his research interests. Keen on expanding his knowledge, he pursued Mandarin studies at East China Normal University in Shanghai, weaving a narrative that intertwines personal experiences with academic passion.

Today, Francis’s research seeks to understand the factors guiding the diplomatic decisions of nations in Latin America and the Caribbean regarding the recognition of Taiwanese sovereignty over that of the People's Republic of China. 

Before stepping into his PhD research, Francis nurtured his interests and developed his leadership abilities through a career in political relations at the University of Waterloo. He also served as the stakeholder relations manager for the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association and chair of the City of Kitchener’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Aaron Francis, seated second from left, speaking on a panel at "Inspiring Black Flourishing" event at Kitchener Public Library, on February 13, 2024. 

However, it's his Vintage Black Canada initiative — that uses photos to document the transnational modern history of the African diaspora in Canada — that stands out. Vintage Black Canada was founded five years ago and has become a powerful force, not just in art but also in reshaping the narrative of Black Canadian history.

“When I first embarked on this journey with Vintage Black Canada five years ago, it was Black folks that spirited me along: Black media publications, Black gallerists, Black curators and Black creatives,” he says. 

From notable venues like the Art Gallery of Ontario to television productions with the CBC and CityTV, Francis’s photos have reached large audiences across the nation.

“When it came to media outlets outside of my community, I certainly believe that my academic affiliation with Waterloo made a difference and helped reduce barriers to an extent." 

Looking back on his experience, Francis has advice for fellow students, “It is important to pace oneself particularly as a first-year student. Find your footing … find your passions and find ways to lean into them. One should seek to nourish their soul as much if not more than their intellect.”

Francis’s career highlight includes teaching the Pan African Global Politics course at Waterloo, marking a milestone in his academic journey. Beyond the classroom, the Vintage Black Canada project reached new heights in 2023, with a photo-essay in Maclean’s and a short documentary produced with Digital Sabbath called Temple of Love, set to premiere in 2024. The documentary explores the story of Erroll Starr, an often forgotten but pioneering Black Canadian musician from the early 1980s.

Looking ahead, Francis envisions a future where he continues to teach at Waterloo, contributing to the flourishing of Black narratives in academic spaces. With a photobook in the works, his story continues to flourish in the UWaterloo community.

The University of Waterloo will co-host the 2024 Scarborough Charter Inter-Institutional Forum on May 9 and 10 in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University. This national symposium brings together senior administration, faculty, staff, students and members of the Black community. The forum's theme, Bridging Black: Building Connections for Black Flourishing, aims to bridge the gaps in learning and action and build stronger connections between the different stakeholders in higher education.

Wednesday's notes

The Student Health Pharmacy, located in the basement of the Student Life Centre, has announced that naloxone kits are now available. These kits, which can be used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, can be picked up for free.

The Noon Hour Concert series continues at Conrad Grebel University College today with The Blues of Achilles, featuring celebrated performer Joe Goodkin as a modern bard performing his unique one-man folk opera retelling of Homer’s Illiad. 

"For almost two decades, Chicago-based musician and Classics degree holder Joe Goodkin has toured the United States as a modern bard performing his unique one-man folk opera retelling of Homer’s Odyssey. He has now turned his attention to Homer’s other epic poem and created a 17-song adaptation of the Iliad steeped in ancient and modern war literature as well as interviews and his experiences playing music at VA hospitals as part of recreational therapy for veterans experiencing PTSD and other related war traumas."

The free concert takes place at 12:30 p.m. today in the Conrad Grebel University College chapel.