A newsletter for members of our vibrant college
No images? Click here
CSSH Newsletter
October 2024
College Dean's Message
Greetings all,
Wow — I can’t believe it’s the end of October already! The past month has been a whirlwind of activities, and it looks like the busy pace will continue into November.
Here is a recap of some of the October activities I have been involved in:
I spent the first part of October supporting the Alberta Business Family Institute at its Signature Events in both Calgary and Edmonton. This year’s event honored the Sunner Family and their inspiring adventure of acquiring and building Durabuilt Windows and Doors.
Following the Signature Events were preparations for a meeting with the major donors and advisory board members for the Peter Lougheed Leadership College (PLLC). Though I was not part of the meeting itself, I am grateful to be involved in the happenings of PLLC. I’d also like to take a moment to thank Richard Field and Leo Wong for their amazing contributions to making the leadership certificate a success. As the current director for PLLC, Richard Field has done a remarkable job improving the program to ensure program and student success.
This month, I (along with the other college deans) also participated in preliminary discussions on the University-Wide Services budget for Fiscal Year 25/26. The faculties will be having their discussions in December, and I am sure many of you reading this newsletter have been busily preparing for those.
The College also organized its own signature event: a panel discussion with Coalition for a Better Future. The coalition has been touring different campuses in Canada, providing insights into what the youth of Canada think about a variety of topics of importance to Canada’s future prosperity, and it was wonderful to have them at the U of A. I’d like to extend special thanks to Vanessa Grabia, Jasmine Irvine, and Holly Nichol for all their efforts in bringing this event to life. If you were unable to attend the event, be sure to check out pictures under the Office of Education section of this newsletter.
The month ended for me with two events. The first is our quarterly senior leadership meeting. The theme for this meeting was our integrated enrollment growth plan and our people strategy. Great discussions were had on both topics as the university plans for growth while also seeking to connect and care for our people. The way I look at growth planning is like a running race. You have to get to the starting line and be ready to run BEFORE the gun goes off. So even if we aren’t planning on growing our student body next year due to a variety of reasons, it is still smart for the university as an institute to “get to the starting line” by thinking through all of the complexities that growth will bring.
One of those complexities that I hope you will join me on is how will space look when we are 60,000 strong. I co-chair the Built for Purpose strategy and we have two town halls (scheduled for October 30 and October 31). I invite you to attend those or some of the focus group meetings that are scheduled for November as we begin to think deeply about how our campuses will look in 10-20 years.
On a lighter note, as I finish writing this message I am off to go find a Halloween costume for my 4-year-old who is torn between an astronaut, Black Panther, or Fix-It Felix (a character from the Wreck-It Ralph movies). So, if you see a 4-year-old with one of those costumes on October 31, say hi as there is a chance it may be my son.
Enjoy the last couple of days of October!
Best Regards,
Marvin
Office of Education
In Photos: Coalition for a Better Future Panel Discussion
Recently, the Office of Research was thrilled to welcome members from the Coalition for a Better Future to the U of A as part of their Campus Tour series. Students, faculty and staff gathered in the U of A Council Chambers to discuss strategies for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada as well as how decisions made by policymakers, businesses, community leaders and individuals influence Canada’s future prosperity.
Check out the photos and learn more about this event at the button below.
Office of Research
Sign up for Supports for the Insight Development Grant Competition
Working with the OVPRI’s Research Partner Network to support applicants for the Insight Development Grant (IDG) competition, the College Office of Research is coordinating both pre-submission peer review and the new budget justification review service to streamline the registration process. Sign up here to register for either service or both services no later than November 15.
And a reminder that the College Office of Research website contains a less-than-10-minute video on preparing a grant budget and quick tips to help avoid common mistakes. There’s also video guidance on what SSHRC means by knowledge mobilization. Videos are found here. For funding competition-specific support, the Research Partner designated as the key contact for the IDG competition is Dr. Sylvia Ijeoma Madueke.
Thank You to All the Peer Reviewers!
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our peer reviewers for the recent SSHRC Insight Grant competition. We have no doubt that your help positively impacted the total number of SSHRC IG applications submitted from the University of Alberta. This year, 33 faculty members from 10 faculties across all three colleges participated in the program.
Visit Us at the Sound Studies Institute
SSH: The Podcast was recorded with the generous and very capable support of the Sound Studies Institute. With knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities evolving to include recordings, whether of a guest lecture, an interview, or an entire series, come visit us at the institute to find out how this is done on Thursday, November 7, from 3:00-4:00 at the Sound Studies Institute, 3-47 Arts Building. There will be cookies (pictured above)!
Help RPNet Fund a Week of Groceries for the U of A Community Pantry
The Univerity of Alberta Research Partner Network (RPNet) is participating in "Adopt a Week" for the U of A Community Pantry. Our team is raising funds to purchase and drop off food throughout a week in February 2025. Click here to help us keep the pantry full and support food security within the campus community. There will also be a fundraising bake sale in CCIS North Atrium happening on October 30 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
College News
Maclean's Ranking Highlights U of A Excellence
Five programs (including our very own Faculty Education and the Alberta School of Business) ranked among the finest in Canada, showcasing expertise in a range of fields.
Episodes 3 & 4 Out Now
Two new SSH: The Podcast episodes are now out for your listening pleasure! In episode 3, Canada Research Chair in Reimaging Teacher Education with Indigenous Wisdom Traditions Dwayne Donald speaks on the ways Indigenous knowledge can enhance understanding, change how we train teachers, and contribute to the building of relationships. In episode 4, Canada Research Chair in Energy Economics and Policy David Brown discusses market regulation, renewables, electric vehicle charging, and the use of technology to unlock demand-side flexibility and lower costs in the electric power sector.
The Making of SSH: The Podcast
Interested in learning how SSH: The Podcast was conceived and the behind-the-scenes work necessary to create this innovative podcast?
College of Social Sciences + Humanities
Expanding the boundaries of knowledge and understanding to foster a creative, equitable, inclusive, just and democratic society, with opportunity and well-being for all.
 |