College Dean's Message

Greetings All,

Hopefully, you have enjoyed the wonderful weather that we have had in September. Alas, with the turn from summer to fall, we can feel cooler temperatures arise. And as the calendar is turning, my days at the U of A are also coming to an end as I begin my journey as dean of the Beedie Business School at Simon Fraser on October 1. I am really excited to “pass the baton” off to Chris Andersen. I have known Chris since the late 2000s, as I spent some time in the Faculty of Native Studies on many of their governance committees. I am confident that the college is being passed over to good and capable hands. 

As we move through September, we prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30. It is a time to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home and reflect on the ongoing impact of residential schools. In our college, our work is guided by Braiding Past, Present and Future and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and I am encouraged by the ways each of our faculties is recognizing this month through their own activities and reflections. I encourage you to take this time to learn, reflect and carry the work of reconciliation into the year ahead.

Besides my transition to new adventures, September has been a busy month.  We have made a couple of changes at the college. The first is the creation of a new unit called the Peter Lougheed School for Politics and Democracy (PLSPD). This first-of-its-kind school will engage both students and the community in thinking of politics from a multi-partisan perspective (I learned that word from former Premier Rachel Notley, who sits on the external advisory board) and will engage in pluralistic thinking to support involvement in the political process. As part of this process, we are also renaming the Peter Lougheed Leadership College to become the Peter Lougheed School for Leadership (PLSL). Both schools will be housed in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.  There is a formal launch of PLSPD that will be hosted at the Banff Center on October 2 and 3. This initiative will also start the building of a relationship between CSSH and the Banff Center. In the future, look out for more information about the PLSPD as well as initiatives between CSSH and the Banff Center. 

We are moving into the next phase of the Canvas implementation. The last numbers that I saw reported that 95% of all of the courses that were on E-class have transitioned to Canvas (we suspect that the remaining 5% of courses might be courses that are no longer offered). Expect some information soon on how to obtain ongoing support for new instructors as well as for existing Canvas users who might want to modify their courses. 

I also wanted to share that the Disability Cultures and Access (DCA) Hub launched on August 15 as part of a university-wide effort led by the Office of the Vice-Provost (Access, Community & Belonging) and shaped by the Council for Disability Cultures and Access (DCA). Built with units across campus, including Student Success and Experience, the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and Enrolment Systems and Service Innovation, the Hub connects our community to resources for accessibility, accommodations and disability cultures. The Hub is part of DCA’s broader work, which has already supported more than 50 projects to reduce barriers and create more inclusive experiences across the university.

As I close my part of this newsletter, I want to say thanks! Thanks to everybody for the support, the challenges, the meetings and discussions that we have had over the past 2+ years. I have learned so much about all of the great work that is happening at CSSH and am truly grateful that I got a chance to be the person to tell the world about CSSH.

Best regards,

Marvin

College Announcements

Opening Doors to Black Excellence

Celebrate the grand opening of the Black-Led Research Network Initiative’s new space. On October 17, meet and connect with leading Black faculty showcasing their research and community impact. Join us in building connections, collaboration, and future possibilities at BRNI. RSVP by visiting this link. 

Survey Data in Polarized Times: Insights from Viewpoint Alberta

On September 26 from 10:00-11:00 am in-person in Tory Building 1-061 or virtually over Zoom, please join the Transforming Research for Social Impact Hub for the first methods seminar of the fall term. Feo Snagovsky and Evan Walker in the Political Science Department will be discussing Survey Data in Polarized Times with a special focus on the Viewpoint Alberta Surveys, collected as part of the UofA Common Ground initiative.  

Office of Access, Community and Belonging

Smudging and Indigenous Ceremonial Practices

As we start the fall semester, a reminder that smudging and other Indigenous ceremonies are a valued part of life across our campuses: in classrooms, residences, events, and community gatherings. The Smudging and Indigenous Ceremonial Practices Guidelines provide helpful direction to ensure these practices are welcomed and supported in our spaces. Please take a moment to review the guidelines as you plan your teaching, meetings, or events this year. Feel free to connect with us if you have questions. 

CSSH Shout Out!

For our September CSSH Shout Out, we want to do something a little bit different, but a lot special. This month, we are shouting out Dean Marvin Washington for his commitments to access, community, belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion while serving as college dean & vice provost of our college. While there are many things we could recognize, we particularly want to shout out:

• Establishing the inaugural associate dean, Access, Community & Belonging in CSSH

• Projects that were launched under his leadership of the College:

  • Rainbow Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (REKH)

  • Transforming Research for Social Impact Hub (TRSI)

  • The first participation of CSSH in the University’s Pride Parade 

Marvin has also been a strong supporter of other projects, like the Black-led Research Network Initiative (BRNI), Black Youth for Social Innovation (BYSI), Forward Together: The University of Alberta People Strategy, Built for Purpose: The University’s Strategic Campus Plan, and more. 

Marvin's steady commitment to creating community in the college has made a difference. 

Office of Education

Teaching Squares Winter Cohort

Looking to connect with other instructors from our college to exchange ideas, refine teaching skills and explore pedagogical approaches? After a successful inaugural cohort, the Office of Education invites you to join the Winter term cohort of Teaching Squares, an initiative aimed at enhancing teaching development, strengthening collegiality and building interdisciplinary connections through structured peer engagement.

For those interested in learning more, reach out to us using this form by December 1.

Office of Research

Inaugural CSSH Celebration of Research

All CSSH faculty researchers are invited to participate in our college-wide Celebration of Research Event, Research in Uncertain Times: A celebration of research in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. 

Happening on October 16, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm in Education North - 4th Floor Lounge and Studio, the event gives researchers a chance to:

• Showcase their research with a poster, arts performance, or short presentation
• Attend the event to learn about the latest research across the four faculties: Arts, Business, Education, and Law
• Network with colleagues within the college

If you are interested in presenting your research, please register here by October 1. For further information, please contact Oliver Rossier, orossier@ualberta.ca

Research Administration Education Series

One way the Research Partner Network strives to support researchers and administrators is by providing education and training. Our Research Administration Education Series (RAES) continues this Fall with the following webinar:

Series 1, Session 1: Finding and Applying for Funding (via Zoom)
Monday, September 29, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM    Register

Funding Opportunities

CIFAR is now accepting applications for the 2026-2028 cohort of the CIFAR Global Scholars Program. This program offers early-career researchers the opportunity to develop and lead high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research, expand their professional networks and receive focused leadership training in their pivotal first years as independent investigators. CIFAR welcomes applications from candidates across the natural, biomedical, and social sciences. 

The Women in Technical and Applied Arts Scholarship supports women pursuing post-secondary education in technical roles within cultural industries, who are often underrepresented in these fields. Students can be studying outside of Alberta. 20 women will be awarded $2,500 for their studies.

The Persons Case Scholarship supports Albertans studying in the arts, humanities and social sciences fields whose work advances gender equality or who are studying in fields where their gender is underrepresented. Students in undergraduate programs must be attending a program at a post-secondary institution located in Alberta, while those in post-graduate programs may study at a program out of province. 40 students will be awarded $2,500 for their studies.

Performance Corner

Department of Drama: Studio Theatre continues the 2025-2026 season with The Moors by Jen Silverman. This dark comedy about love, desperation, and creating a legacy is directed by MFA Directing candidate Alissa Watson, and runs at the Timms Centre for the Arts from Oct. 9-18. Find more information about the show and how to book tickets at uab.ca/onstage.

Department of Art & Design: FAB Gallery hosts the VASA (Visual Arts Student Association) annual Art Auction on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 - 8 p.m. Purchase some amazing art, support the Art & Design community of artists, and help raise funds for the 2026 BFA Graduation Show. Upcoming exhibitions, Monstrous & Tender and The Forest - Where We Belong open Oct. 14. Find out more about current and upcoming FAB Gallery shows at uab.ca/fabgallery

Department of Music: Join the Department of Music for the Visiting Artist Masterclasses series in Convocation Hall as we welcome Edmonton-based theatre and opera director Brian Deedrick on Oct. 6, and acclaimed Canadian pianist and conductor Ian Parker on Oct. 14. Find more information about the 60th Anniversary Season as it's released at uab.ca/concerts.

College News