Colleagues,
Although in some ways the term is winding down, with the last day of classes on April 4, exams will begin on April 9 and carry through until April 24, which will be right around the time of my next monthly update!
You will see from this month's newsletter that there is a lot going on and a lot to celebrate in AHS, and across campus, now and throughout the coming month.
You will notice a change of layout to the monthly update as well. Please feel free to pass on any comments regarding the layout and future content ideas to Eugenia Xenos Anderson, AHS Manager, Marketing and Communications.
Highlights I Events I Nominations and more
Some highlights from this month
Great showing in Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Tina Chan from the School of Public Health and Health Systems came in second overall in the Waterloo 3MT competition, beating out 12 impressive presenters from other Faculties. She presented her research on improving peer-to-peer support with gamification techniques with confidence and enthusiasm. Congratulations, Tina!
Productive HeForShe year
Corey Johnson reports that our 'AHS gender listening tour' has resulted in several recommendations for instructors on how to create a more inclusive classroom for those who might have a non-dominant gender and/or sexual identity. I will be distributing these PowerPoint slides through the executive committee and department chairs. The Associate Vice President for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion has also suggested that these be adopted University-wide.
AHS's HeForShe committee also continues to work with local child-care centres to introduce and donate the Boy Story dolls that help socialize boys to playing with dolls and learning values like ethics of care. Thank you to our AHS graduate students, who have been the primary movers and shakers on this initiative.
Leisure studies first in Canada for second year in a row
Let's congratulate the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies for once again offering the number one program in Canada in the fields of hospitality and leisure, according to the UK firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The program also ranked in the top 20 in the world for the second year in a row.
Two new Early Researcher Awards for AHS
Sharon Kirkpatrick in the School of Public Health and Health Systems and Laura Middleton in Kinesiology have won Early Researcher Awards from a Government of Ontario program that provides funding to new faculty to build a research team. They will receive $140,000 each over five years, as well as another $50,000 from the University. Kirkpatrick will study how to inform strategies to support healthy eating, and Middleton’s research will create exercise opportunities for people with (or at risk for) dementia.
Susan Horton part of global Lancet series
Susan Horton in the School of Public Health and Health Systems was one of three international researchers to launch a special series for The Lancet at an event in New York City. The topic was affordable access to quality medical diagnosis in low- to middle-income countries, with Horton presenting her research and eight global recommendations on overall financing and planning.
Interdisciplinary team wins Spark grant
A $50,000 Spark Program grant from the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) will enable an interdisciplinary research team that includes Richard Hughson (Kinesiology) to test the effectiveness of a promising new technology developed by Hughson and Engineering Professor Sean Peterson. The lead investigator on the project is James Milligan of the Centre for Family Medicine and the Schlegel Specialist in Mobility and Aging.
Upcoming events
Cerebral Hypoperfusion Summit: April 4-5
The Research Institute for Aging (RIA) is hosting some of the world’s experts in geriatric medicine in April. Full program and registration information on the Cerebral Hypoperfusion Summit page.
Lecture honouring William J. Forbes: April 6
UBC Sociology Professor Anne Martin-Matthews will be speaking on ‘A (self) reflexive lens on gerontology: Over time, through change, in aging’ at an inaugural lecture in honour of William Forbes, a pioneer in the field of gerontology and the founding director of the Gerontology program at the University of Waterloo. This event is hosted by the Network for Aging Research. For more information on the keynote and to register, see the Network for Aging Research event.
Health Disclosure and Pre-Tenure Women: April 6
Join your colleagues as they present and discuss results from a recent study exploring why some pre-tenure women at the University of Waterloo do not access the leaves and accommodations that they are entitled to. Supported by Applied Health Sciences (AHS) HeForShe and a University of Waterloo Gender Equity Research Grant. Registration is required for lunch, but all are welcome.
University of Waterloo Brain Bee: April 7
The annual University of Waterloo Brain Bee is an exciting opportunity for high school students to learn about the brain and the importance of brain research. It also gives them the chance to visit the University and to meet some of our students and professors in Kinesiology, neuroscience and other areas.
50th anniversary closing celebration: April 19
I hope you’ve received your invitation to join us for the closing celebration to mark the end of our 50th anniversary. We’ll have a courtyard dedication, lunch, and more. If you are faculty, staff or a graduate student, and haven’t received your invitation, please contact Eden Mekonen.
Symposium on Aging Research (SoAR): April 25
This symposium is a one-day meeting for graduate students from any discipline to present on and dialogue about aging research with fellow students, faculty, research partners and older adult community members. The keynote address is by Dick Moore, Toronto Senior Pride Network, on LGBTQ issues in aging. Register before April 20 at Symposium on Aging Research (SoAR) 2018.
Graduate Leisure Research Symposium: April 26-27
Hosted by the Graduate Association of Recreation and Leisure Studies (GARLS), the Symposium is a chance for graduate students in recreation, leisure, tourism studies and therapeutic recreation to come together and share research and ideas. Please register in advance.
KIN@50: Looking Back, Moving Forward: April 27-28
Here to celebrate the science and practice of kinesiology is keynote speaker Ron Zernicke, PhD, from the University of Michigan, who will speak on ‘Skeletal Adaptation: Synthesis and Beyond.’ Please register in advance for the presentations, posters, banquet and professional development sessions.
Workplace violence and harassment workshop
Finally, I'd like to encourage everyone to become familiar with current legislation and university policies regarding workplace violence and harassment. Not only is it important to know what to do if you should see or experience it, but even more so, how to prevent these situations in the first place. Access the online module here.
Nominations, awards and more
Teaching Excellence Fund
Instructors are invited to apply to the AHS Teaching Excellence Fund for spring 2018. Details and the application can be found on the Teaching Fellows website.
Teaching Assistant Awards
Also, if you had an outstanding Teaching Assistant this term, the Teaching Fellows invite you to submit a nomination for the Applied Health Sciences Teaching Assistant Award. Details and the application form can be found on the award website.
AHS Alumni Awards
Nominations are now open for the Young Alumni Award and the Alumni Achievement Award; they close April 30. If you have questions about the awards or wish to bring a nominee forward, please contact Karry Kwan.
AHS Scholarships Fund
You may have already seen an appeal for the AHS Scholarships Fund in the 50th anniversary issue of News to You. Right now, you can double the impact of your gift — we have $15,000 in donor funds available to match new contributions to the Fund dollar for dollar, so this may be a great time to make a donation.
Tips from the AHS Advisory Committee on Health and Well-being
As the winter term winds down and routines begin to change, it’s a great time for all of us to think about our own health and well-being. We are all human and vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and other issues that affect our productivity and emotions. Do what works for you, but a few ideas are to walk and talk during a conference call, have lunch with friends or colleagues, get outside and enjoy some sunshine, swap out your electronic device for a book you’ve been meaning to read, try something new through Warrior Recreation or UW Fitness, or take advantage of open gym times at the Manulife Wellness Centre. As well, a reminder that the University offers the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), which provides confidential counselling services, as well as information and coaching for a myriad of concerns. The EFAP is offered at no cost to employees.
Wishing everyone a productive month ahead,
Jim
James W.E. Rush, PhD
Professor and Dean
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences