Western Research Virtual Conference
For registrants not able to make sessions, or for registrants looking for resources mentioned in the sessions, we've created a conference resources page.
Post-session videos, materials, and resources will posted within a few business days of each session.
Post-session videos, materials, and resources will posted within a few business days of each session.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Western Research has elected to move to a virtual conference model. As more information is finalized, details will be posted here.
Previous Session Themes
Sessions fall under one of three themes:
- Western Research: Supporting scholars
- Inclusive spaces and mental well-being
- Partnerships and knowledge exchange
Sessions dates, descriptions and registrations below.
Session Theme 1: Western Research: Supporting scholars
Western Research exists to help equip researchers for success at every level of their research projects. This theme focuses on helping researchers acquaint and reacquaint themselves with Western Research's personnel, services, and processes.
Introduction to Western Research
Join us to learn about the various services Western Research offers to faculty members to set up their unique research programs and interest. including:
- Proposal & grant support
- Capital development
- Research contracts and partnerships
- Knowledge exchange
- Research compliance
- Ethics
- Animal care
- International research
- Technology transfer and business development
- Research communications
- Research safety
Ask an Ethics Officer
Following a brief intro with updates from the Office of Human Research Ethics, Ethics Officers from both the Health Sciences REB and Non-Medical REB will be available to answer your questions. Remember: No question is too big or too small! Depending on the number of attendees and themes of questions, the group may break out into smaller discussion groups as needed.
Post-approval quality assurance review
This educational session includes an introduction to the new human research post-approval quality assurance review process and would include information on how to prepare for this review, lessons learned from the first review performed at Western, principal investigator/researcher considerations and what the review entails.
Session Theme 2: Inclusive spaces and mental well-being
An inclusive research environment can only be achieved when informed and intentional equitable practices are adopted. Western’s commitment to inclusive spaces and mental well-being in research includes tool and resource development that supports researchers seeking to implement EDI practices into their research programs or projects.
Land acknowledgement workshop
At Western, our Land Acknowledgement strives to rise above mere words and instead seeks to inspire action and commitment towards recognizing and furthering our relationships with Indigenous communities. But why are these words necessary? What words do we use? When and how do we use them? When spoken, how can they be most respectfully and properly presented?
Facilitated by Sara Mai Chitty from Western's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, this workshop will begin with a short presentation, followed by time for attendees to work on developing their own land acknowledgement in break out rooms.
Facilitated by Sara Mai Chitty from Western's Office of Indigenous Initiatives, this workshop will begin with a short presentation, followed by time for attendees to work on developing their own land acknowledgement in break out rooms.
Inclusive research spaces
Two researchers, Dr. Melanie-Anne Atkins and Dr. Jeff Preston, will speak about research physical space and positive mental health space for ALL Western staff, students, and faculty.
When we hear the word “accessible” we typically think of the physical environment—ramps, lowered counters, power door openers. But how often do we consider the role ‘accessibility’ can play in our research? Especially accessibility that may fall outside physical environment? In this presentation the principles of Disability Studies and Universal Design will be explored to inform not just how research projects can be accessible for researchers and participants but the types of research we most urgently need to contemplate on the road to a fully accessible Ontario by 2025.
The idea of Universal Design will be extended into our interactions with research participants, including opportunities for co-design of the study, selection of participants, research and analysis with participants, and dissemination of study results. Specific examples of applying recovery-oriented strategies that “privilege the needs and aspirations of people with mental illness over other population groups” and “acknowledge the expertise of individual lived experience” (Piat and Sabetti, 2012, p. 25) will be shared.
When we hear the word “accessible” we typically think of the physical environment—ramps, lowered counters, power door openers. But how often do we consider the role ‘accessibility’ can play in our research? Especially accessibility that may fall outside physical environment? In this presentation the principles of Disability Studies and Universal Design will be explored to inform not just how research projects can be accessible for researchers and participants but the types of research we most urgently need to contemplate on the road to a fully accessible Ontario by 2025.
The idea of Universal Design will be extended into our interactions with research participants, including opportunities for co-design of the study, selection of participants, research and analysis with participants, and dissemination of study results. Specific examples of applying recovery-oriented strategies that “privilege the needs and aspirations of people with mental illness over other population groups” and “acknowledge the expertise of individual lived experience” (Piat and Sabetti, 2012, p. 25) will be shared.
Keynote - Breaking the silence on researcher mental health
In a competitive environment with shrinking funding opportunities with stressors coming from everywhere, many researchers are experiencing mental health struggles, which for the most part continues not to be discussed in the open. To attempt to begin to break the silence, Professor Thomas Telfer of the Faculty of Law will share his experience of depression and how mindfulness was beneficial to him and ultimately to his students.
Session Theme 3: Partnerships and knowledge exchange
This theme delives into how best to partner with, and communicate to, our larger community and global contexts.
Technology and innovation partnerships
This session will highlight the support provided by WORLDiscoveries and also include tips on how to identify and promote your own intellectual property to potential partners and end users.
Integrating knowledge exchange into grants
How do you create a robust knowledge exchange plan? is it called knowledge exchange or translation or mobilization and what does that really mean? This session will highlight tips and tricks of grant writing while integrating knowledge exchange and emphasizing research outcomes.
From micro to macro: SSHRC partnership programs
This session provides an informational overview of the SSHRC Partnership Grants spectrum of opportunities: Partnership Engage, Partnership Development, and Full Partnership. Key information will be provided on partner and proposal development, project management strategies, requirements, and other considerations. Participants will be provided with a Q&A session following the presentation.
How to establish, formalize and sustain your international partnerships
In this session, we shall delve into the processes, best practices and supports at Western for establishing, formalizing and maintaining viable and sustainable international research partnerships.
Contact
For more information, or questions relating to the Western Research Conference, please contact Natalie Wu, Director, Research Services (519-661-2111 ext. 81572)
