College Dean's Message

Greetings all,

By the time you read this, you will have hopefully spent some time outside enjoying the milder parts of this winter! As with so many months these days, February was very busy.

The faculty deans and I (along with the advancement partners in the faculties) had a wonderful session understanding the fundraising priorities as they relate to improving the student experience on campus. We also had our second strategic Research Initiatives Fund (SRIF) adjudication meeting. If you are unfamiliar with this fund, it is set up to provide seed funding, bridge funding, or match funds on research projects that align with our Research Strategic Plan (Forward with Purpose).  At our first committee meeting, we were able to fund three projects in CSSH.

I also want to share a new initiative from our college’s Office of Education: Teaching Squares.  Designed to provide and support profs who want to improve their skills in the virtual and/or face-to-face classroom, this initiative brings together small groups of instructors from our college who are interested in developing their teaching practices through structured peer engagement. I really like how the square of this project symbolizes our four faculties coming together to connect and learn. If you would like to learn more about this new initiative and learn how to be involved, check out the Office of Education section of this newsletter. 

Tomorrow, February 27, is the PLLC Leadership Speaker Series with Dr. Emerson Csorba. An expert in geopolitics, Dr. Csorba will explore the growing need for Canada to assert its independence, especially in the face of increasing American aggression and US-China competition. Consider attending if your schedule allows it. 

Although February is quickly coming to a close, it might not be too late to look at the micro-course Black Canadians: History, Presence and Anti-Racist Futures. There was a really nice write-up about the course from the student union president. If you have time, there is a great college keynote talk tonight with Dr. Jerome Cranston (who is a Faculty of Education alumni) called Why Anti-Racism and Equity Initiatives Still Matter. I myself have reflected on Black History Month through offering a variety of reflections, lectures, and presentations. I'll end the month with a keynote for the Black Graduate Students’ Association.  

Next month many of our college community members are participating in Ramadan. I encourage you all to check out this resource, well-written by a member of our college.

Also for next month, a lot is going on in our college that I’d quickly like to bring your attention to. At the beginning of March, the Wirth Institute is presenting Jewish Studies week, with many talks and events for the first week of the month. Our college’s Dean’s Office will also be marching in the upcoming Pride Parade. Consider joining the celebration on March 10 and connecting with the university community at this event. Our office hopes to see you there!

For more happenings in our college, don’t forget to check out the CSSH events and deadlines calendar often.

Wishing you a productive end to the month.

Best Regards,

Marvin

College Updates

You're invited: March Virtual 1-on-1 Sessions for CSSH Academics

Register for a virtual 1-on-1 session with IST on March 4 and 5 for help with digital storage, email archiving and file organization. Get personalized support beyond standard Google storage training materials, whether you’re in the field or prefer tailored guidance. These sessions ensure your research, teaching and service storage needs are met efficiently. Reserve your spot now.

Office of Education

Introducing Teaching Squares

Looking to connect with other instructors from our college to exchange ideas, refine teaching skills and explore pedagogical approaches? The College of Social Sciences and Humanities is excited to launch Teaching Squares, an initiative aimed at enhancing teaching development, strengthening collegiality and building interdisciplinary connections through structured peer engagement for tenured, tenure-track faculty and Career ATS instructors.

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

Office of Research

Research Administration Pop-Up

The Research Partner Network would love to meet you in person. Drop by with any of your research administration queries. These could include questions about different research policies, working in the Researcher Home Page, eligibility for expenses, applying for funding, etc. Registration is not required. Join us on February 26 from 1 - 3 pm, 6-40 General Services Building.

Not able to attend this month?  Let us know where you would like us to pop-up next by emailing rsoinfo@ualberta.ca.

Performance Corner

This March the Department of Art & Design hosts visiting Cherokee/Muscogee (Creek) artist, musician, and performer Elisa Harkins. Elisa will be performing her multidisciplinary piece, Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ on March 10 at 7 p.m. in the Timms Centre for the Arts. You can view the poster for this free event HERE. Meanwhile, in the FAB Gallery, be sure to check out Tamara Deedman's MFA in Printmaking exhibition investigating how inherited objects hold the physical and emotional weight of human connection, memory, grief, and trauma. Crowded by Your Absence runs until March 15. You can find out more about the show HERE.

Studio Theatre in the Department of Drama is hard at work this month preparing to bring The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman to the Timms stage April 4-12. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this groundbreaking play. You can find out more about the show and how to purchase tickets at this link. The Drama 457 class is also hard at work on their production of Mary Zimmerman's Argonautika. Produced in its entirety by members of the class, Argonautika runs in the Second Playing Space at the Timms Centre for the Arts March 20-23. Tickets will be available soon. Check uab.ca/onstage for more information.

Take in a free concert in Convocation Hall over your Monday lunch-hours this month. Hosted by the Music Students' Association, the Music at Noon concert series features free concerts from Department of Music students. You can find a complete listing of the March concert schedule at this link. And on March 7 and 8, The Department of Music's Opera Theatre Workshop brings three performances of Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring: A comic opera in three acts to Convocation Hall. The production is "pay-what-you-wish" at the door, and is perfect for first-time opera-goers. Find out more about the show and book your ticket ahead of time HERE. 

So, you want to know the TRUTH about Residential Schools

Our CSSH community is encouraged to attend as Faculty of Law alumnus Chief Wilton Littlechild joins us for this annual lecture supported by the Faculty of Arts.

From the Ermineskin reserve, Maskwacîs, Littlechild spent fourteen of his early years in residential schools. In that time, he witnessed and was subjected to the tangible darkness that was brought about by these institutions. Grounded in traditional and cultural ways, Littlechild decided to pursue post-secondary education in physical education and law, here at U of A. Littlechild served as a commissioner to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2009 – 2015). The task was difficult and the work culminated with the final report and the 94 Calls to Action. The contributions made by Littlechild are many and he has received many honors.

On March 6, he will be honouring us with his story.

College News