Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Entrepreneurial solutions to environmental challenges
Turtle Island Institute Wayfinders retreat in Montreal, 2017.
This isthe latest poston President Feridun Hamdullahpur's blog.
At ݮƵ, we pride ourselves on our determination to take on the world’s biggest problems, and no challenge is more urgent than climate resiliency. As one of the world’s top innovation universities, we can have a positive impact on the planet’s survival.
In fact, our Faculty of Environmentwas selected to take on a challenging new role as host of theNational Network for Canada, with its launch scheduled for summer 2018.ݮƵ will share knowledge, activate research and help solve the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world.
The SDSN works closely with United Nations agencies, multilateral financing institutions, the private sector, and civil society. In turn, this will open exciting new collaboration opportunities for ݮƵ.
With Canada’s largest Faculty of Environment, we are a natural host for the SDSN. Encouraged by a distinctly entrepreneurial culture, ݮƵ students, alumni and researchers are widely known for coming up with big ideas, creating products that solve problems and making the world a better place.
We have created an opportunity for Environment students that want to transform their sustainable business and social venture ideas into reality. The Faculty of Environment recently hired an Entrepreneur in Residence, former䷡Brock Dickenson, to guide and mentor students with transformative environmental ideas.
Our Faculty of Environment has joined forces with the entrepreneurial expertise of Velocity, the largest free incubator in the world, to create Velocity Start@Environment, which has itstonight (Oct. 25). Environment is also supporting opportunities for students that want to bring green ideas to life by working with partners at St. Paul’s GreenHouse, Accelerator Centre, Communitech and EvolvGREEN.
Of course, no one aspect of climate change has dominated recent news like the catastrophic damage caused by wind and rain from hurricanes. ݮƵ’sBlair Feltmate, head of our, is working to protect Canadians and their homes from floods. His efforts led to the Home Flood Protection Program and he is working on national standards for designing new flood-resilient communities.
In another great initiative, graduate studentMelanie Goodchildcreated an Indigenous-led social innovation through theݮƵ Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience. Theaims to solve our most wicked social-ecological problems – challenges like food security and climate change – using Indigenous ways of knowing.
ݮƵ’s commitment to the environment is interdisciplinary, with two of our Engineering professors receivingmedals for outstanding research achievements.
Keith Hipelis the recipient of the 2017 Miroslaw Romanowski Medal. He is renowned for his pioneering contributions to environmental systems engineering.
Zhongwei Chenis the recipient of the Rutherford Memorial Medal in Chemistry. He is also the Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy.
In addition to impacting the outside world, ݮƵ’s commitment to environmentalism drives our day-to-day work to make our campuses more sustainable. Tomorrow (Oct. 26) our annual Sustainability Report will be released. It documents our successes in making ݮƵ more green.
As well, in the coming weeks, look for our Sustainability Strategy from thePresident’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainabilitywith its plan to improve our environmental performance in the years ahead.
At ݮƵ, our innovative spirit constantly drives us to answer the global challenges facing our planet.
Velocity Start @Environment kicks off today
Have you ever had an exciting idea for a startup but didn’t know where to begin? Velocity and Environmentare here to help!
Velocity has partnered with the Faculty of Environment tooffer startup coaching and entrepreneurship workshops to students throughVelocity Start @Environment.
Students can access free 1-on-1 coaching with experienced business advisors out of room 2004 in Environment 2 (located in the student centre of EV2), as an alternative to resources offered at Velocity Start in SCH. Students from any faculty canto mentor you as you explore entrepreneurship and seek guidanceon how to build a business.
Join Velocity and the Faculty of Environmenttodayfor the Velocity Start @Environment Kickoff with an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to socialize over refreshments, featuring remarks from Dean of Environment Jean AndreyandDirector of VelocityJay Shah. Following the reception, Velocitywill host a panel discussion with several startup founders, entrepreneurs, and Environment alumni who will share their experiences and insights about the path to entrepreneurship and where it might lead.
The event takes place at 5:30 p.m. in EV2-2002.
Determining the market price of water; other notes
Space is still available to attend the second of theFall 2017 Research Talks series, “Global Assessment of Payments for Watershed Services” with Economics Professor Roy Brouwer.Please register to attend.
Learn why the assessment of payment schemes for watershed servicesis importanttodeterminingthe appropriate market priceand how it will impact the conservation of water resources.
The series, hosted by the Office of Research, celebrates research and provides an opportunity for staff, faculty, and students to learn more about some of the life-changing research underway at ݮƵ.
Light refreshments will be provided but feel free to bring your lunch. Research Talks is supported by theResearch Support Fund.
The Writing Centre isextending the deadline for the2017 HeForshe Writing Contestto Monday, October 30.
The theme for the 2017-2018 contest isIntersections. Participants are asked to consider how gender equity fits into the larger equity story. Where are the overlaps and connections between gender and race, ethnicity, age, ability, class, faith, and/or sexuality? How do the perspectives of gender equity connect to the goal of equality for all people? Can working towards gender equity help to advance equity conversations more broadly?
The contest is open to all ݮƵ students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Submissions must not have been previously published. Pieces submitted as part of course work will be accepted.
Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 30.
On Wednesday, November 1,Transformative Quantum Technologieswill host aQuantum Quest Seed Fund (QQSF)information sessionbetween noon and 1:00 p.m. in QNC 1201.
The purpose of this session is to familiarize prospective applicants with theQQSFprior to the upcoming call for applications, which is set to openNovember 6, 2017. The QQSF promotes the development of new ideas and applications for quantum devices. It provides funding up to $50,000 per year for two years andis intended to uncover opportunities from diverse fields, outside the scope of researchers working day-to-day with quantum devices.Researchers with an existing tenure-track appointment within the Faculty of Math, Science and/or Engineering are eligible to apply.
The information sessionwill include a brief presentation followed by Q&A. A light lunch will be provided.(to support event and refreshment planning). All prospective applicants are welcome to join the session.
TheUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)Annual General Meetingis being held this weekon Thursday, October 26 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., with doors opening at 8:45 a.m. for light refreshments in DC 1302.
If you can't join in person and haven't already submitted aProxy Formyou can. Virtual attendance does not count towards quorum or the prize draws.
The newly-elected board members will be introduced, including twodirectors and a president-elect. All staff are welcome to attend.
For more information about the AGM agenda,visit the UWSA website.
Employers on campus next week hostingemployer information sessionsinclude,and.
Arts Undergraduate Office closure
The Arts Undergraduate Office will be closed today from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for a staff meeting.
Linkof the day
When and where
Open Access Day, Wednesday, October 25.
NEW -,Wednesday,October 25, 9:30 a.m., TC room 2218.
Department of Music presentsNoon Hour Concerts:Songs For My Mother, Wednesday, October 25, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel Chapel.
!, Wednesday, October 25, 1:30 p.m., TC 2218.
NEW -, Wednesday, October 25, 3:30 p.m., TC 2218.
Vision Science Research Seminar Seriesfeaturing Dr. Vincent Billock, The Ohio State University, “Visual psychophysics and theoretical neuroscience,” Wednesday, October 25, 4:30 p.m., OPT 347.
Velocity Start @ Environment kickoff, Wednesday, October 25, 5:30 p.m., EV2-2002.
“Wednesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2ndFloor.
UWSA Annual General Meeting,Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m.to10:00 a.m., DC 1302.
NEW -Professional and Post-Degree (PPD) Day: a fair of college and university professional and post-degree programs, Thursday, October 26, 11:00 a.m., SLC Great Hall.
Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)presents "Demystifying ergonomics in the modern office," Thursday, October 26, 1:00 p.m., Sun Life Financial Auditorium (Room 1621),LHI.
NEW -The Centre for Teaching Excellence presents Statements of Teaching Philosophy–graduate students only,Thursday,October 26, 1:30 p.m., TC 1208.
WaterTalk: From the Exxon Valdez oil spill to the BP Deep Water Horizon oil spill: A story of economic damages from major environmental contamination events, presented by professor Kevin Boyle,Thursday, October 26, 2:30 p.m., QNC 0101/1103A.
NEW -Masters of Mathematics Professional Development Workshops: Session 3 of 3 –graduate students only,Thursday, October 26, 2:30 p.m., RCH 110.
FAUW and the ݮƵ Way – 60 Years of Collegial Governance:The Faculty Association’s 60thAnniversary Celebration, Thursday, October 26, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.
Predatory publishing workshop, Thursday, October 26, 12:00 p.m., LIB 329.
Retirement celebration for ManfredGrisebach, Thursday, October 26, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Federation Hall. RSVPto Michelle Mank -mank@uwaterloo.ca.
2017 Eby Lecture, “When Good Intentions are Not Enough: Confronting Ethical Challenges in Peacebuilding and Reconciliation,” Thursday, October 26, 7:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
University of ݮƵ 2017 Gem and Mineral Show, Friday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. to6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EIT 1stand 2ndfloor.
Halloween Luncheon Buffet, Friday, October 27, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.
Research Talks Series,featuring Economics Professor Roy Brouwer, Friday, October 27, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., DC 1302. Pleaseregister. Seating is limited.
, Friday October 27, 6:00 p.m., PAC Main Gym
CrySP Speaker Series on Privacy, “,” Lex Gill, The Citizen Lab, Friday, October 27, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
Knowledge Integration seminarfeaturingPatricia Melville, Senior Manager, Leadership Development, Bell,“Building Effective Mentoring Relationships”,Friday, October 27, 2:30 p.m., EV3-1408.
Science Open House, Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., STC.
,Saturday October 28, 12:00 p.m., PAC Main Gym.
Distinguished Lecture Series, “Jeff Ullman, Stanford University, Monday, October 30, 10:30 a.m., QNC 0101.
NEW -Exploring Career Pathways, Monday, October 30, 12:30 p.m., TC 1112.
NEW -ݮƵ Architecture 50th Anniversary Conversation Series, “Within a more-than-human world, how can the study of building technology interrogate the appropriateness of technology itself?” Monday, October 30, 6:30 p.m., School of Architecture Larry Cummings Lecture Theatre.
Board of Governors meeting, Tuesday, October 31, 1:30 p.m., NH 3407.
NEW -The Writing and Communication Centre presents Research Statements for Academic Job Applications–graduate students only,Tuesday,October 31, 1:30 p.m., TC 1208.
PhD seminar, “,” Parsiad Azimzadeh, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Wednesday, November 1, 11:00 a.m., DC 2314.
Department of Music Noon Hour Concert: Bach Suites, Chimera,Wednesday, November 1, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel.
Algorithms and complexity seminar, “,” Sebastian Wild, postdoctoral fellow, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Wednesday, November 1, 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
Faculty of Environment Graduate Program Open House, Wednesday, November 1, 4:30 p.m., EV3 3rdFloor.
NEW -, featuring Andrew Feinstein, author, Wednesday, November 1, 7:00 p.m., CIGI Auditorium, 67 Erb St. W.
Lectures in Catholic Experience Special Event, “Dorothy Day: An Intimate Portrait of my Grandmother,”featuring Kate Hennessy, Writer, Granddaughter of Dorothy Day, Wednesday, November 1,7:30 p.m., St. Jerome’s University, Academic Centre Vanstone Lecture Hall. Register in advance at.
Wednesday, November 1, 7:30pm Velocity Start, SCH 2ndFloor.
Positions available
On this week's list from the human resources department, viewable on theUݮƵ Talent Acquisition System (iCIMS):
- Job ID# 2017-1974 - Administrative Assistant - Centre for Teaching Excellence, USG 6
- Job ID# 2017-1960 - Associate Vice-President, Communications - VP University Relations, USG 17
- Job ID# 2017-1916 - Director - Home Flood Protection Program - Dean of Environment Office, USG 12
- Job ID# 2017-1917- Director - Infrastructure Adaptation Program- Dean of Environment Office, USG 12
- Job ID# 2017-1962- Graduate Studies Marketing andRecruitment Specialist - Dean of Environment Office, USG 9
- Job ID# 2017-1966– Institutional Analyst - Institutional Analysis & Planning, USG 8 – 13
- Job ID# 2017-1909 - Manager - Intact Centre - Dean of Environment Office, USG 9
- Job ID# 2017-1969 - Student Service Specialist - Student Service Centre, USG 5
- Job ID# 2017-1942 - Support Services Coordinator – Economics, USG 5
- Job ID# 2017-1956 - Undergraduate Recruitment Co-ordinator - Arts Undergraduate Office, USG 8
Internal secondment opportunities:
- Job ID# 2017-1965 - Institutional Analyst - Institutional Analysis & Plan, USG 8 – 13
- Job ID# 2017-1972- Student Relations Officer - AHS-Student & Information Services, USG 7
- Job ID# 2017-1973 - Executive Officer, Administration - VP Advancement, USG 9