Monday, August 12, 2024

Work-Learn Institute's David Drewery wins award for research and impact

By Matthew King. This article was originally published on the Work-Learn Institute's website.

David Drewery, PhD, associate director of the Work-Learn Institute (WxL) at Co-operative and Experiential Education’s (CEE) is this year’s recipient of Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada’s (CEWIL Canada) Dr. Graham Branton Research Award.

The national award recognizes individuals or teams whose research initiatives have significantly pushed the boundaries of current work-integrated learning (WIL) knowledge and practices. The award prioritizes initiatives that focus on issues of equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), access and accessibility at the post-secondary level in Canada.

Drewery has been a prominent figure in the WIL space for over a decade and his work in EDI began several years ago when he explored inclusion from the perspective of LGBTQ+ co-op students (Mallozzi & Drewery, 2019). It was one of the first studies to explore the dynamics around LGBTQ+ employment issues in co-op and offered insightful strategies that employers can use to create inclusive co-op workplaces.

Drewery’s research in this area has continued in recent publications exploring gender equity in time on tasks at work (Ademuyiwa et al., 2023) and identifying barriers that students from equity-deserving groups encounter when participating in co-op programs (Khan et al., 2024).

Drewery’s initial research in this field has pushed the understanding of EDI in WIL and laid the groundwork for future research to better understand how we can all contribute to equitable WIL experiences.

"It’s an honour to receive this award from CEWIL," says Dr. Drewery. "I hope it brings awareness to our research that aims to create a difference for those taking part in WIL experiences."

Drewery is the second most published author in the International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning (IJWIL) since 2018 and is responsible for 20 per cent of all quantitative research published by IJWIL in that time. As of May 2024, others have cited his research over 500 times.

Read more about the 2023-2024 CEWIL Canada Member Impact Awards.

Special presentation to students will confront the ongoing infodemic

The Faculty of Science Foundation is organizing a special presentation for Waterloo undergraduates this fall entitled Infodemic! Is Misinformation Killing Us?

The keynote speaker is Dr. Tim Caufield, professor of Health Law and Science Policy and bestselling author.

"The spread of misinformation seems to intensify with each passing week," says the talk's abstract. "Indeed, it is a defining characteristic of our time! And research tells us that misinformation is doing tangible harm — to public health, mental health, public discourse, personal relationships, and public trust. How did we get here, why do people believe, and what can we do about it?"

"In this presentation Professor Timothy Caulfield explores what the most recent evidence tells us about the nature and source of the current infodemic. He will also provide science-informed recommendations about how best to engage individuals and communities."

Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivalled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector — from research on stem cells to diets and alternative medicine — for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. He is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. Over the past several years, Caulfield has been involved in a variety of interdisciplinary research endeavours that have led him to publish more than 350 academic articles. His research focuses on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, and the public representations of science and health policy issues. Caulfield has won numerous academic, science communication, and writing awards, and is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Caulfield also writes frequently for the popular press and is the author of several bestselling books, including The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness; Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash; and, most recently, Relax, Dammit!: A User’s Guide to the Age of Anxiety. In addition, Caulfield is the co-founder of the science engagement initiative, #ScienceUpFirst. He is also the host and co-producer of the award-winning documentary TV show, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, which aired in over 60 countries and is currently streaming on Netflix in North America.

This is a ticketed event at Federation Hall on Thursday, September 12 available only to University of Waterloo undergraduate students. Tickets are $15, or early bird tickets can be grabbed for $10 if you register by Tuesday, August 13. Purchase tickets today.

Celebrating the summer's retirees

Human Resources has reported that a number of staff and faculty retirees have retired in the summer months as follows:

June 2024

• Marion Canning, who joined the University in May 2014, retired as Regional Manager, Central West in Co-operative and Experiential Education;
• Fraser Gunn, who started at Waterloo in January 1983, retired as Information Technology Specialist in the Cheriton School of Computer Science;
• Philip Bland, who began working at the University in January 1994, retired as Area Manager, Operations in Food Services;
• Patricia Ford, whose career at Waterloo started in March 2006, retired as Grants & Contracts Coordinator in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International;
• Carmen Caradima, who joined the University in November 2001, retired as Lab Instructor/Coordinator in Electrical and Computer Engineering;
• Donna Foreman-Braun, who started at Waterloo in May 1995, retired as Buyer in Procurement and Contract Services;
• Edward Bleaney, who began working at the University in January 2018, retired as Information Systems Specialist in Information Systems and Technology; 
• Neill Baskerville, who started at Waterloo in December 2019, retired as Senior Researcher in the former Propel Centre for Population Health Impact;
• Christine MacDougall, who joined the University in July 1986, retired as Administrative Coordinator, Associate Dean/ Academic in the Dean of Mathematics Office; and
• Dianne Weir-Rowsell, whose career at Waterloo began in May 2014, retired as Associate Director, Health Services in Campus Wellness.

July 2024

• Donald Duff-McCracken, who joined the University in February 1998, retired as Director, Mapping Analysis and Design in the Dean of Environment office;
• Diane Bandura, who began working at Waterloo in October 1989, retired as CORE Administrator in the Centre for Ocular Research and Education;
• Cheryl Kieswetter, who started at the University in March 2012, retired as Administrative Specialist in Kinesiology and Health Sciences;
• Dr. Craig Janes, who began working at Waterloo in July 2014, retired as Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences;
• Dr. Timothy Brecht, who joined the University in September 1998, retired as Professor in the Cheriton School of Computer Science;
• Dr. Sigrid Peldszus, who started at Waterloo in July 2018, retired as Research Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering;
• Michael LeBlanc, who began working at the University in July 1980, retired as Controls Technician-Group Leader in Plant Operations;
• Dr. Jeffrey Shallit, whose career at Waterloo began in September 1990, retired as Professor in the Cheriton School of Computer Science;
• Dr. Geoff Malleck, who started at the University in September 2007, retired as Continuing Lecturer in Economics;
• Linda Jackson, who began working at Waterloo in September 2003, retired as Patient Care Coordinator in the School of Optometry and Vision Science;
• Vlasta Suliman, who joined the University in November 1987, retired as Cleaning Staff in Housing and Residences; and
• Dr. Ranjini Jha, who started at Waterloo in July 1998, retired as Professor in the School of Accounting and Finance.

August 2024

• Katherine McEwen, who started at the University in July 2009, retired as Financial Coordinator in the Psychology department;
• Mary Bland, who began working at Waterloo in December 1993, retired as Business Manager in the Dean of Engineering office;
• Dr. Jeff Hovis, who joined the University in January 1986, retired as Associate Professor in the School of Optometry & Vision Science;
• Betty Toews, who started her career at Waterloo in July 1980, retired as Financial & Budget Analyst in Finance;
• Jeffrey Cummins, who began working at the University in January 2017, retired while on leave; and
• Richard Digby, who started at Waterloo in November 1997, retired while on leave.

Congratulations all on your much-deserved retirement!

Monday's notes

This is a reminder that the International Experience Centre (IEC) is now open. Immigration consulting appointments, international student programs and supports, and exchange and study abroad services have moved to the IEC, conveniently located in Needles Hall. 

To learn more about the IEC, visit their website.

While we're on the subject of reminders, the deadline to apply for Social Innovators in Training (SIIT) is Monday, August 12. "You will get the chance to be part of a team of innovators, and learn from experienced entrepreneurs to build your own venture or project," says a note from GreenHouse.

Apply online. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. tonight.