Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Office of Research webinar reminder and Inclusive Resource Hub announcement

A message from the Office of The Vice President, Research and International.

First Nations Principles of OCAP® Seminar October 24

Are you planning to attend? The Inclusive Research Team in the Office of the VPRI is hosting a virtual presentation on the First Nations Principles of OCAP®, facilitated by Leslie MacGregor from the First Nations Information Governance Centre.

The presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please note it will not be recorded, but there will be future opportunities to participate in similar sessions in the Winter term. To learn more and register, please visit the registration page.

Inclusive Resource Hub Feature

The Hub is a resource library of important documents focused on EDI to support the UWaterloo community as they integrate EDI into their research designs and teams. The Hub was created as part of the Inclusive Research Team’s commitment to ongoing development and capacity building to support equitable and inclusive research practices.

This month’s feature is a report by the First Nations Information Governance Centre proposing a First Nations Governance Strategy.

A First Nations Data Governance Strategy – FNIGC Resource

Resources:

• Inclusive Resource Hub; and
• Our website.

For more information or questions, please reach out to Indigenous.Research@uwaterloo.ca.

Honorary degree recipient Alison Phipps will deliver lecture on refugee integration

By James Skidmore.

A pressing concern for those who work with refugees and other migrants is how to make newcomers feel welcome and a part of the community to which they have moved. Extending hospitality means more than providing someone with tea and biscuits - it’s about ensuring that newcomers can contribute to and benefit from their new community.

Alison Phipps, the UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow, is coming to Waterloo to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. The Faculty of Arts nominated her for the University’s highest honour in recognition of a lifetime of scholarly and activist work in the areas of refugee studies, social justice, and intercultural education. In a public lecture as part of her visit, Prof. Phipps will outline some of the work she has done to foster greater integration between newcomers and their host communities.

Professor Phipps takes an anthropological approach to the work of memory and reconciliation in communities where conflict and trauma have left, passed through, arrived and also survived. She has employed arts-based methods to enable intercultural dialogue and challenge xenophobia.

During her visit to Waterloo, Phipps will deliver a lecture, “Hospitality: Refugee Integration through Languages, Spirituality, and Arts,” on Monday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the CIGI Auditorium at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Learn more about Prof. Phipps and register to attend the lecture.

New grants will promote strategic collaboration between Waterloo, University of Twente

A message from the Office of Research.

The newly formed ‘Twente and Waterloo Strategic Collaboration Grants (SCG)’ has been issued between the University of Twente in the Netherlands and the University of Waterloo. The call aims to catalyze collaborative research work between respective members in priority areas identified. This call is aimed both at those who are looking to initiate research collaboration, as well as those who want to further advance existing research collaboration.

It is anticipated that four awards will be made. Each award will be co-funded by the two universities, with each university’s resources supporting their particular members’ involvement. The maximum value of each award will be a sum of no more than C$16,000 and €11,000 by each respective university. Complete applications are due Wednesday, 8 November at 23:59 (Twente time) / 17:59 (Waterloo time). Further details regarding the priorities, the scope, the mechanics, and the application full details are on the website.

Twente and Waterloo have built, over the past decade, a strong partnership based upon shared interests in research for impact, outstanding student experience, and societal connections. This call aims to augment the two universities’ impact through increased research collaboration.

The Graham Seed Fund is now open for applications

A message from the Health Initiatives Unit, Office of Research.

Do you have a project idea to transform health through innovation? Do you want to collaborate with health-care partners in the Region of Waterloo? Do you need funds to support highly qualified personnel (HQP)?

The Graham Seed Fund is now accepting applications for new projects that work towards innovative health-care solutions to challenges of today and tomorrow. The Fund seeks to leverage and build health system partnerships by providing resources for collaborating directly with a full range of health-care providers, clinicians, patients, patient families, and the public. The Fund provides funding in the amount of up to $25,000 for a one-year period. This opportunity is for faculty members at the University. Join the networking event on October 27 and visit us online to find out more and to apply to the Graham Seed Fund.

About the networking event

Waterloo faculty and regional health-care partners are invited to the Graham Seed networking on Friday, October 27, at 12:00 p.m. ET, in the Enterprise Theatre (East Campus 5, Room 1111). Join the event to learn more about the seed fund, hear about the available resources for collaboration with health-care partners in the Region of Waterloo, and network and engage with leaders and experts in health innovation. Lunch will be provided. Register by Tuesday, October 24, for refreshment planning and parking purposes.

Please reach out to Grace Gomashie if you have any questions.

Fall Student Experience Survey goes live; student tenant rights seminars; and other notes

The Statistical Consulting and Survey Research Unit (SCSRU), formerly the Survey Research Centre, has announced that the Fall 2023 Student Experience Survey is now open. Students are encouraged to check their @uwaterloo email or visit LEARN to see if they have been invited to complete the survey.

Those that submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. The survey is open until October 31.

"Are you an undergraduate student renting a place in Waterloo?" asks WUSA. "Do you have questions or concerns about your rights as a tenant? Well, you're in luck! The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and Waterloo Region Community Legal Services (WRCLS) are teaming up to bring you the Student Tenancy Legal Sessions."

Sessions will be offered beginning October 19 through December 6, 2023. 

What's in it for you: 

1. Learn Your Rights: Renting your first place can be exciting but also comes with responsibilities. These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in the Waterloo region. Whether it's about leases, maintenance, or deposits, our legal experts have got you covered. 
2. Ask Questions: Have burning questions about your current living situation or what to expect in the future? The Student Tenancy Legal Sessions are the place to get answers. You can ask questions and gain insights into common concerns faced by student tenants. 
3. 1-on-1 Consultation: We're offering limited seats for confidential one-on-one consultations with a certified lawyer. If you have a specific issue that needs expert advice, grab this opportunity to get personalized guidance. 

Why it matters: 

Understanding your rights as a tenant is crucial. It can help you avoid disputes, ensure a smooth renting experience, and save you from unnecessary stress. Whether you're in your first year or nearing graduation, being informed about tenant rights is an essential life skill. A  well-informed tenant is a happy tenant. See you there! 

How to register: For the upcoming virtual session on October 19, visit the WUSA website to register.

For all other sessions,  please visit: 

• November 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – in-person in the Black & Gold Room;
• November 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – in-person in the Black & Gold Room; and
• December 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – in-person in the Multi-Purpose Room. 

"Remember, seats for one-on-one consultations are limited and fill up fast," the WUSA announcement reads. "Reserve your spot today."

This is a reminder that the Indigenous Speakers Series continues today with a lecture by Niigaan Sinclair. Sinclair is a professor, writer, and activist who holds the Faculty of Arts Professorship in Indigenous Knowledge and Aesthetics at the University of Manitoba. The event happens today from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Theatre of the Arts, Modern Languages. Registration is appreciated but not required. Join the livestream via this MS Teams link.