Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Researchers named Royal Society of Canada fellows and members of the College
This article originally appeared onthe Office of Research website.
Five University of ݮƵ researchers have been named fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and members of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
They are among 87 new fellows elected by their peers for outstanding scholarly, scientific, and artistic achievement and 50 new members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists across Canada.
ݮƵ’s new RSC fellows and members are:
Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada
Susan Horton(School of Public Health and Health Systems; jointly appointed with the Department of Economics) isknown internationally for her work on global health economics. Her work on economics ofnutrition contributed significantly to successful efforts to emphasize nutrition investments in internationalpolicy. Her current work on economics of cancer and of diagnostics aims to increase attention to these topicswithin the Sustainable Development Goal for Universal Health Coverage. She is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy ofHealth Sciences.
Imre Szeman(Communication Arts) is an internationally acclaimed cultural theorist. His landmark research establishes the shaping influence of fossil-fueled dependency on modern society.Professor Szeman’s work propelled a new discipline - energyhumanities - which grapples with the cultural transformations required for a global shift to sustainable andrenewable forms of energy. A highly collaborative, interdisciplinary and public-facing scholar, he is the co-founder of thePetrocultures Research Group and numerous initiatives advocating for energy transition.
Members of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artistsand Scientists
Jay Dolmage(English Language and Literature)isthe Founding Editor of the highly impactfulCanadian Journal of Disability Studies. Winner ofthe 2015 PROSE award, Professor Dolmage’s work brings together rhetoric, disability studies, and critical pedagogy,in an accessible yet ground-breaking body of articles, talks, and workshops. A fierce advocate for disabilityrights, Dolmage is committed to publishing Open Access and accessible material and helped to author the internationalguidelines for accessible electronic books.
Josh Neufeld(Biology)is an ecologistwhocharacterizes microbial communities in terrestrial, aquatic, and host-associatedhabitats. By developing and combining cultivation-dependent and molecular techniques, his lab explores the“microbes that matter” to connect these novel microorganisms with the important roles that they play in theircommunities. His passion for microbiology and its communication has resulted in authorship of a microbiology textbook,multiple teaching awards, and service as Chief Editor for The ISME Journal.
Maria Strack(Geography and Environmental Management) is aCanada Research Chair in Ecosystems and Climate who leads an internationally recognized researchprogram investigating greenhouse gas exchange in peatland ecosystems - the world’s largest natural terrestrialcarbon stores. This work includes participation in some of the first peatland reclamation projects in Alberta’soil sands. She works closely with industry, government and non-governmental organizations to translate her findings intoimproved land management in the face of climate change.
Grand Expressions: Bringing Indigenous youth voices to THEMUSEUM
Youth creating pieces during the art camp on February 15, 2020.Adriana Johnson workson 'drought', one side of a two-sided collaborativepaddle work titled of 'Two Points of the Problem' (page 14 in the virtual tour).Clinton Bomberry-Smith works on his untitled painting on canvas.
This article was originally published onthe Water Institute's website.
In July of 2018,a discussionbetweenPaul General,then-Wildlife Manager at Six Nations of the Grand River,and Elaine Ho,PhD Candidate in ݮƵ’s Social and Ecological Sustainability program andCollaborative Water Program, resulted in theidea to engage theSix Nations communitythrough the arts.Elaine thenworked with co-creatorRichelle Miller, Coordinator of Music for the Spirit and Indigenous Visual Arts,to develop the Grand Expressions exhibit - a projectto capture the perspectives of Indigenousyouthin a culturally appropriate and relevant way that would educate Canadian communities while informing water managers.
“The objectives of Grand Expressions were to feature young Indigenous people’s voices and creative works in a publicly accessible way, and to capture their relationships with water to inform management,” said Ho. “The stories range from personal experiences – such as lack of access to safe drinking water on reserve – to sharing teachings that have been passed down through generations.”
Ho’s PhD research focuses on the lower section of the Grand River, Southern Ontario’s largest watershed. The river, and many of the major cities around it, are situated in the Haldimand Tract – land promised to the Six Nations community to enjoy and control in perpetuity in return for their alliance during the American Revolution. However, only about 5 per centof the original Tract remains in the hands of the Six Nations. Representatives of the Six Nations are not typically included in decision-making related to the management of the Grand River or other local natural resources, and, when engagement opportunities occur, many community do not have the procedural knowledge, technologies, or funding capacity to fully participate.
Youth from the Music for the Spirit and Indigenous Visual Arts program together with Elaine Ho, withposters andsignage from the Grand Expressions in-person exhibit. Rattles and a water drum represent cultural aspects of the program, while the two beaded belts (wampum) represent historical treaties. The dish with one spoon wampum sits in the background, while the two-row wampum - representing Indigenous and settler nations living side by side - joins the youth and researcher in the foreground.
Initially planned as an in-person experience, Grand Expressions is now being offered virtually through a tablet at THEMUSEUM’s ALARM exhibit. The project has resulted in new community relationships, empowered Indigenous youth, and sparked discussion among staff from local municipalities and the Conservation Authority. Specifically, the project inspired a commitment to a meeting between the youth and the Canadian Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth.
“The art exhibit was originally scheduled to rotate between nine events at eight venues across five cities over six months,” said Ho. “However, due to COVID, all venues shut down after our first location launched successfully. We converted the exhibit to a virtual tour and are thrilled that THEMUSEUM held true to their commitment to the youth, offering us a space alongside their highly-publicized ALARM exhibit so that the youth's work may have exposure to roughly 50,000 patrons over the next six months.”
Waterlily's Unraveling, digital drawing (11" x 14"), Adriana Johnson - pages 23-25 in the virtual tour.
Grand Expressions will be offered as part of the ALARM exhibit at THEMUSEUM until January 2021..
Grad House reopens, athletics attractions and other notes
TheGraduate Student Association has announced thatthe Graduate House is open for businessas of Thursday, September 10, open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
"As per guidelines from the University of ݮƵ Safety Office and health guidelines from the province, the Graduate House operations are aligned with COVID-19 requirements, and strict protocols will be in place to ensure safety of members and patrons," says a note from the GSA.
Athletics and Recreation has announced that registration is open for.There are8 leagues for students to choose from (6v6 indoor soccer, 7v7 soccer, beach volleyball, disc golf, spikeball, ultimate indoor, ultimate outdoor, and volleyball). Registration is open now until Monday, September 14..
In addition,is now open for the fall term.There are11 different esports to choose from (League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Fifa 20, Smash Ultimate, Smash Melee, Hearthstone, Catan, NHL 20, NBA 2k20, Madden 20). Registration is open now until Monday, September 14..are scheduled to take place onOctober 3, November 7, and November 30, so get those thumbs twiddling.
Athletics is also hosting a freeonMonday, September 14 at7:00 p.m.Emailgsa-wellness@uwaterloo.cafor more information.
Plant Operations has modified services in placethat are changing regularly to support campus.For further information related to their modified services and support (including details of revised cleaning schedules, COVID-19 supplies, etc.) please refer to their website at/plant-operations/.
Beyond the Bulletin Podcast Episode 59
The latest episode of the Beyond the Bulletin Podcast.While September is about starting a new academic year, some at ݮƵ are already working on next year. Scott O’Neill tells us the ways student recruitment is changing with the times.UW 2025 ݮƵ offers delivery and pickup. UݮƵ becomes one of the first 5G smart campuses in Canada. And watch out for phishing scams.
Linkof the day
When and Where to get support
Studentscan visit theStudent Success Officeonline for supports including academic development, international student resources, leadership development, exchange and study abroad, and opportunities to get involved.
Instructorscan visit theKeep Learning websiteto get support on adapting their teaching and learning plans for an online environment. The following workshops are current offerings from the KL team (CTE, CEL, ITMS, LIB):
Getting Ready to Facilitate Online Courses: TA Training, beginning July 13.
Remote Course Design Essentials, beginning August 26.
Independent Remote Course Design Essentials.Continuous self-enroll course in LEARN.
LEARN for TAs,Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m.
LEARN for TAs,Wednesday, September 16, 2:00 p.m.
Employeescanto help them work remotely, includingmanaging University records and privacy of personal information
Interested in learning more about engaging your students in an online course?The Centre for Extended Learning has created a new resource for you called
ThisOpen Educational Resourcewas designed for post-secondary instructors and teaching assistants who would like to better understand the critical role of facilitation in online course delivery, and build practical skills and strategies that are relevant, effective, and authentic.
Here are sometips for staying healthywhile working from home.
The Writing and Communication Centreis rolling out virtual services and programs for fall term:
- Undergrad students-- work with us to brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish assignments by meeting with our writing advisors in virtual appointments. Chat with our friendly and knowledgeable peer tutors in our virtual drop-ins and PJ-friendly writing groups. Or experience an online workshop at your own pace.
- First-year Warriors!Check out ݮƵ Ready to Write to build your skills for writing success.
- Graduate Students-- meet with an advisor in a virtual appointments, take an online workshop, join the grad writing community at our Virtual Writing Cafés and #ݮƵWrites groups, develop your academic voice at Speak Like a Scholar, or make progress on your thesis at Dissertation Boot Camp.
- Instructors and faculty-- Request and access WCC workshops for use in your courses, join a virtual writing group, or speak with a writing advisor about a writing project.
We understand that these circumstances can be troubling, and you may need to speak with someone for emotional support.Good2Talkis a post-secondary student helpline based in Ontario, Canada that is available to all students.If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact theUniversity’s Campus Wellness services, eitherHealth Servicesor Counselling Services. You can also contact the University'sCentre for Mental Health Research and Treatment.
The Libraryhasonhow to avoid information overload.
TheFaculty Association of the University of ݮƵ (FAUW)continues to advocate for its members.for more information.
TheUniversity of ݮƵ Staff Association (UWSA)continues to advocate for its members.Check out the UWSA blogfor more information.
WUSA supports for students:
food hampersare currently available from the Turnkey Desk on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.in the ݮƵ Centre. If you have any questions please email us atfoodsupport@wusa.ca.
– Now open by appointment for your bicycle repair and rental needs in the ݮƵ Centre.For more information or to schedule an appointment, please go to:
Centre for Academic Policy Support-CAPS is here to assistݮƵ undergraduates throughout their experience in navigating academic policy in the instances of filing petitions, grievances and appeals. Please contact them atcaps@wusa.ca. More information at
WUSA Commissionerswho can help in a variety of areas that students may be experiencing during this time:
- Equity –equity@wusa.ca
- Co-op and Experiential Affairs –coop.affairs@wusa.ca
-Seeking legal counsel can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time facing a legal issue.The legal assistance helpline provides quick access to legal advice in any area of law, including criminal. Just call1-833-202-4571.
is a confidential mental health and wellness service that connects students with qualified counsellors 24/7. They can be reached at1-833-628-5589.
When and Where (but mostly when)
NEW -.Free programming including Online Fitness, Health Webinars, Personalized Nutrition and more from Warriors Athletics and Rec. Open to students, staff, faculty and alumni..
ITSeminar:Mandatory 2FA!, Friday September 11,9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m..
NEW -.8 leagues for you to choose from (6v6 indoor soccer, 7v7 soccer, beach volleyball, disc golf, spikeball, ultimate indoor, ultimate outdoor, and volleyball). Registration is open now until Monday,September 14.
NEW-.11 different esports to choose from (League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Fifa 20, Smash Ultimate, Smash Melee, Hearthstone, Catan, NHL 20, NBA 2k20, Madden 20). Registration is open now until Monday,September 14.
NEW -.Free zumba class for all grad students happening Monday, September 14,7:00 p.m.. Emailgsa-wellness@uwaterloo.cafor more information.
Monday, September 14 toFriday, September 18.
Portage-Global Water Futures Research Data Management webinar series:” Wednesday, September 16, 1:00 p.m. Registration detailscan be found.
More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training for Faculty and Staff,Tuesday, September 22, 9:30 a.m., Online – Register on.
Women in MathVirtual WelcomeEventsession 1, "What I Wish I Knew Then...", Tuesday, September 22, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m..
Women in MathVirtual Welcome Eventsession 2,"What I Wish I Knew Then...", Tuesday, September 22, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m..
PhD oral defences
Applied Mathematics.Joe Pharaon, "Challenges in epidemiological modelling: from modelling socio-virulence dynamics to HIV interventions in MSM populations." Supervisor,Chris Bauch. Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defenceMonday, September 14, 1:00 p.m.
Applied Mathematics.Nadine Stritzelberger, "Coherent delocalization in the light-matter interaction." Supervisor, Achim Kempf.Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, September 28, 9:00 a.m.
Computer Science.Alexandra Vtyurina, "Supporting Voice-Based Natural Language Interactions for Information Seeking Tasks of Various Complexity." Supervisors,Charles Clarke,Edith Law.Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, October 5, 9:00 a.m.
Computer Science.Ivana Kajic, "Computational Mechanisms of Language Understanding and Use in the Brain and Behaviour." Supervisor, Chris Eliasmith.Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, October 5, 9:30 a.m.