Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
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Colin MacLeod receives Clifford T. Morgan Distinguished Leadership Award
A message from the Faculty of Arts.
Dr. Colin MacLeod, Distinguished Professor Emeritus from the Department of Psychology, has received the 2023Clifford T. Morgan Distinguished Leadership Awardfrom the Psychonomic Society, the major international organization for cognitive psychology. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of cognitive psychology and who have demonstrated sustained leadership and service to the discipline. The Society annually recognizes individuals with this award named after one of the founders and the first Chair of the Governing Board.
Throughout his career, MacLeod’s research has emphasized the broad domain of human cognition, with particular focus on the interplay between attention and memory, and the role that learning plays in that interaction. MacLeod has been an integral member of the Psychonomic Society since joining in 1976. He and his students have each year presented their research at the annual meeting of the Society in November. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Society’s journalMemory & Cognitionfrom 2001-2005 and served as an elected member of the Governing Board from 2010 to 2015. During that time, he was also Chair of the Publications Committee. In that role, he oversaw the Society’s six journals and was in charge of searches for Editor-in-Chief of all of the Society’s journals.
Recipients of theClifford T. Morganaward have demonstrated a commitment to scientific and methodological rigor in the community of researchers at the forefront of the experimental study of cognition. Recipients also have demonstrated commitment and dedication to developing and advancing the Psychonomic Society in itsmission tofoster the science of cognition through the communication of basic research in experimental psychology and allied sciences. Awardees are permanently recognized on the Society’s website.
MacLeod was also recognized for his leadership of the Canadian society most closely associated with the Psychonomic Society: the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Science for which he served as President in 2009-2010. That association had previously recognized him with itsRichard C. Tees Distinguished Leadership Awardin 2017. Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2016, Dr. MacLeod also received theGold Medal Award for Distinguished Lifetime Contributions to Canadian Psychologyfrom the Canadian Psychological Association in 2018.
ݮƵ hosts underrepresented future students for overnight campus experience
A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).
On July 14and 15, the Marketing andUndergraduate team hosted 36 prospective students who identify as historicallyunderrepresented, marginalized, or otherwise excluded on campus for a two-day, one-night experience. The students stayed in residence, participated in a lecture and related activity with faculty members, and tried out some of our athletics facilities. Under the night sky, the students learned about astronomy and located stars from our campus observatory, and spent time exploring Kitchener-ݮƵ on Saturday before returning to campus to participate in an Amazing Race-style campus tour.
Community partners and students were incredibly thankful for this event, and everyone involved hopes that we’ll continue to offer this opportunity to prospective students.
A number of community and campus partners made this event possible. Becca Tanouye, Outreach and Admissions Specialist who works with the Ontario Postsecondary Access and Inclusion Program (OPAIP) grant, aims at creating opportunities that address community needs to help encourage historicallyunderrepresented, marginalized, or otherwise excluded students to access postsecondary education. If you’re interested in working with our local KW community and partnering with Becca, please email her atbtanouye@uwaterloo.ca. She is currently looking for content from staff, faculty, and students to be included in her upcoming fall catalogue, which is a selection of free workshops that are offered to local K-12 schools that fall under her umbrella of care.
August begins, classes end, and other notes
Spring term classes and lectures come to an end today, and exams are right around the corner. Pre-examination study days are set for Wednesday and Thursday, this week, with the examination period set to begin on Friday, August 4. And in the distance, a long weekend beckons.
So, what else is new?
August 1 is, which also kicks off. "Emancipation Day August 1 and the Emancipation month (August) is a significant occasion for members of Black communities," writes Dr. Christopher Taylor,Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism in a blog post on the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism website. "The day commemorates the abolition of slavery and symbolizes our ongoing struggles for freedom, equality and justice.Canada's acknowledgment of Emancipation Day and Month aligns with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which emphasizes the promotion and protection of the human rights of approximately 200 million individuals of African descent in the Americas."
"Emancipation Day is not just a date on the calendar. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on the history of enslavement in Canada. The Slavery Abolition Act came into effect onAugust 1, 1834, abolishing slavery throughout the British Empire, includingwhat is now Canada. The Act made enslavement officially illegal in all provinces and freed the last remaining enslaved people in Canada."
"The remnants of hundreds of years of enslavementmeans the racism is still pervasive in present day societies. To make progress in eradicating anti-Black racism, and all other forms of racism and oppression, it is our responsibility to engage in a process of learning and unlearning. This will enable us to uncover the truths surrounding Canada's role in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and Emancipation. By acquiring knowledge, we can break down the barriers that hinder our understanding of how anti-Black racism persists and impacts the lives of Black communities today."
Read Dr. Taylor's full statement on theEquity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism's Heritage Month websiteand check out the Emancipation Month resources that are available.
The Office of Indigenous Relations and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in theFaculty of Health areco-hosting a presentation by Bobbie Chew Bigby, a ݮƵ postdoctoral fellow today entitledIndigenous Internationalism: Journeys of meaningful connections between Countries, communities, and cultures.
"Beginning by first sharing some personal stories from her background and home base in Oklahoma Indian Country, Bobbie aims to sketch some of the many lines of connection between the lands and communities of the ݮƵ area and Oklahoma," says the event's background info. "Turning next to an overview of her learning journey, research trajectory, and recent PhD dissertation, Bobbie will highlight her work documenting Indigenous-led tourism and resurgence across Indigenous Australia and beyond."
Bobbie Chew Bigby is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Based primarily in Oklahoma, she has recently completed her PhD through extended fieldwork at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Nulungu Research Institute in Broome, Western Australia. This doctoral project focused on comparative Indigenous tourism, culture and resurgence. Through the current Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Bobbie has commenced at the University of ݮƵ, she is engaged in multiple projects that expand upon themes of Indigenous-led tourism and resurgence, particularly relating to Indigenous-led toxic tourism and Indigenous interpretations of animals and the living world through tourism.
The event takes place today from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. inEXP 1689, with a meet and greet scheduled for 3:30 p.m. afterwards.
Writing and CommunicationCentre offices closed this week
"Due to ongoing HVAC issues affecting temperatures in the Writing and Communication Centre's offices, the WCC offices and The Write Spot in South Campus Hall will be closed again this week (July 31 - August 4)," says a note from the WCC. "All appointments will be moved online, drop-ins will be held virtually, and other programs will be moved or rescheduled. Please visit ourfor more information."
Link of the day
When and Where
Spring and Summer camps available for Boys and Girls ages 5-18. Baseball, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Hockey and Multi-Sport and Games..
Half Price Climbing and Fitness Membershipfor the remainder of the term..
Student Health Pharmacyin the basement of the ݮƵ Centre is now offering Covidbooster shots (Pfizer and Moderna)and flu shots. Call 519-746-4500 or extension 33784 for an appointment. Walk-ins always welcome.
Make-up day for May 23, Tuesday, August 1.
Classes and lectures end, Tuesday, August 1.
Integrated Renewable-based Power, Electrified Transport, and Hydrogen Systems, Tuesday, August 1, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., E7 4043.
Bobbie Chew Bigby - Indigenous Internationalism: journeys of meaningful connections between countries, communities, and cultures,Tuesday, August 1, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., EXP 1689.
Pre-examination study days, Wednesday, August 2 and Thursday, August 3.
Gustav Bakos Observatory Tour,Wednesday, August 2, 9:00 p.m., PHY 150, telescope viewing at 9:30 p.m., third floor.
Graduate Seminar, "Materials innovation by learning from nature: bio-based, bio-derived, bio-mimetic strategies", by Professor Qingye Lu, Thursday, August 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., E6 4022.
NEW -Chemistry Seminarfeaturing Prof. Elena Baranova,Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Director, Nexus for Quantum Technologies (NexQT) Institute, University of Ottawa,“Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis: Challenges and Opportunities,” Thursday, August 3, 3:30 p.m., C2-361.
Final examination period, Friday, August 4 to Saturday, August 19.
August Civic Holiday,Monday, August 7, most University operations and buildings closed.
Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project,, Tuesday, August 8, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Physiological Measures for Games and VR: Novel Tools and Approaches, Wednesday, August 9, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., EC1 1323 and online.
Machine Talk: Speech in Human-Agent Interaction, Thursday, August 10, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., EC1 1323 and online.
Graduate Student Seminar, "A unified strategy for chemical and biological process scale-up", by Syed Soheil, Thursday, August 10, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., E6 4022.
Ontario Mennonite Music Camp, Sunday, August 13 to Friday, August 25, Conrad Grebel University College.
, Monday, August 14 to Friday, August 18, Balsillie School of International Affairs.
Centre for Teaching ExcellenceNew Faculty Teaching Days, Tuesday, August15 to Friday, August18. Registration isrequired.
Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability Project:Weaving Together with the Land Nature Walk, Saturday, August 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Music Ensemble Auditionsstart on Wednesday, September 6.
When and Where to get support
Check out the support listings for faculty, staff and students.
PhD oral defences
School of Pharmacy.Gurmeet Lall, “Design and Characterization of Various Gemini Surfactant, Lipid, and Polymer – Based Vectors and DNA as Non-Viral Delivery Systems for Gene Therapy Applications.” Supervisor, Dr. Shawn Wettig. Please visit the Faculty of ScienceThesis Submission Noticeswebsite for details on requesting a copy. Oral defence Wednesday, August 9, 11:00 a.m., remote via MS Teams.
Physics and Astronomy.Brendan Bramman, “Ablation loading and qudit measurements with barium ions.” Supervisor, Dr. Crystal Senko. Please visit the Faculty of ScienceThesis Submission Noticeswebsite for details on requesting a copy. Oral defence Wednesday, August 9, 2:00 p.m., Quantum Nano Centre (QNC) Room 2101.
Computer Science.Yuqing Xie, "Design of Neural Models for Domain-Specific Retrieval- Based Information Access Systems." Supervisors, Dr.Ming Li, Dr.Jimmy Lin. Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Friday, August 11, 9:00 a.m., online.
Statistics & Actuarial Science.Mingren Yin, "Risk measures of stop-loss and limited random variables under distribution uncertainty with applications in insurance." Supervisors, Dr.Fangda Liu, Dr.Jun Cai.Thesis available from MGO -mgo@uwaterloo.ca. Oral defence Monday, August 14, 8:30 a.m., online.
Physics and Astronomy.Sainath Motlakunta, “Developing a Large-Scale, Programmable Trapped Ion Quantum Simulator with In Situ Mid-Circuit Measurement and Reset.” Supervisor, Dr. Kazi Rajibul Islam. Please visit the Faculty of ScienceThesis Submission Noticeswebsite for details on requesting a copy.Oral defence Tuesday, August 15, 9:00 a.m., Physics Building (PHY) Room 352 and remote.