Western Research Scholars Academy Events


A room full of people are looking to the left at what is presumed to be a speaker on that side of the room.

Upcoming Events

This web page will be updated throughout the year as information becomes available.

2024: A Work in Progress

Jonathan Sterne
Postponed

In 2017, Mara Mills and I published an essay entitled “Dismediation” as an afterward to Liz Ellcessor and Bill Kirkpatrick’s edited collection Disability Media Studies. This talk (and the new essay on which it is based) reimagines and updates our arguments for the present. Seven years after the publication of our original essay, media studies is still structured by a sanctioned ignorance regarding disability. What would it mean to incorporate disability more fully into the field? Dismediation treats media as constituting dimensions of disability; and disabilities as constituting dimensions of media. Work on dismediation therefore presumes communicative and medial difference; it privileges the human variety. This talk will explain our concept of dismediation and then move through some of the widespread epistemological and methodological implications of our approach: from integrating ambivalence more fully into our theories of technology and instrumentality; to challenging the field’s preferences around error, glitch, noise, jamming, and brokenness as resistance; to rethinking central concepts like agency, access, representation, and affordances.


Past Events

TOPIC SPEAKER(S) CONTENT DATE
Navigating the Research Ecosystem: Getting to the Heart of your Research Success Yolanda Hedberg, Godwin Arku, and Bipasha Baruah Q&A Panel: Scholars will speak to their personal journeys navigating the research ecosystem and reflect on some challenges encountered along the way. Through a series of questions and facilitated discussion we hope scholars will share professional and personal perspectives, especially as it relates to unique challenges faced by equity-deserving scholars navigating academia August 2023
Developing and Leading Multi-Institutional Grants: Partnership David Muir and Kate Huner-Johnson Connecting research with partnerships for research success, including fostering relationships and working with industry, government and community partners October 13, 2023
Gathering Kindling: Toward the Emerging Indigenous Scholars Circle Shauneen Pete The research focus was on Indigenous faculty experiences and mentorship.  The study was conducted in 2022. The findings formed the foundation for the faculty development plan for the Emerging Indigenous Scholars Circle at Royal Roads University. Please RSVP here. January 19, 2024 Recording
Awards and Informal Calls for Service Julaine Hall, Alyson Watson, Dr. Valerie Oosterveld, and Dr. Daniel Ansari Julaine Hall, Manager of Research Awards & Distinctions, and Alyson Watson, Program Coordinator (Awards & Distinctions), will share insights into upcoming relevant award opportunities, effective positioning strategies, and the support services offered by Western Research. Dr. Daniel Ansari and Dr. Valerie Oosterveld will speak on their personal experiences seeking awards and balancing this with their research and teaching obligations. March 18, 2024 Recording
How is AI Changing Research? Mark Daley

In this talk, we'll dive into the dynamic world of generative AI and its growing impact on every element of society. We begin with a definition of generative AI: a straightforward look at what it is and its capabilities and limitations.

We then transition to practical insights, examining how AI tools are currently being used in a wide variety of settings. This will include some instruction on how you might adapt generative AI to your own needs and use cases.

The final part of the talk looks forward, discussing the near-future implications of AI in research.

March 25, 2024 Recording
Gender-Based Violence & The Sustainable Development Goals: Research & Knowledge Mobilization to Drive Change Nadine Wathen and Kaitlynn Mendes

Professors Kaitlynn Mendes and Nadine Wathen will discuss their current research programs in the area of gender-based violence, and how they relate to key SDGs. Mendes’ research works to better understand and combat gender inequalities and their relationship with digital technologies, while Wathen works to develop, test and mobilize policy and practice interventions to prevent and respond to violence against women.

With a forward-looking and interactive approach, they will outline the current challenges and opportunities in their respective areas, and recent and current activities underway to address these. The audience is invited to consider challenges and opportunities in their own fields, as we aim for a robust discussion about doing research and knowledge mobilization on complex topics to drive change. Factors to consider for discussion include the nature of interdisciplinary research; being an effective research partner in service to community and academic goals, and proactive approaches to safe and effective knowledge mobilization, especially of content with the potential to (re)traumatize.

April 18, 2024
Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Social Media Archana Sridhar

This presentation will address social media expression and activities of faculty members. The session will review data about academics’ social media usage, explain the legal landscape in this new area, explore the differences between academic freedom and free speech, and use case studies to illustrate risks and tips to support faculty colleagues engaging in social media.;

When online flare-ups occur - for example, in situations involving public health debates, political issues, or equity, diversity, and inclusion topics - university and hospital administrators are sometimes asked to navigate complex policies and novel situations. The presenters will encourage participants to engage in discussions to promote community understanding in advance of online challenges that may arise. Ideally, after this session, participants will feel more prepared to engage in social media activities for professional purposes, and more empowered to do so in ways that foster safety and well-being.

April 24, 2024
From Tenure to Full (& Beyond): Choosing Your Own Path Lauren Cipriano and Donna Kotsopoulos

Donna Kotsopoulos and Lauren Cipriano will discuss the many opportunities and challenges of life after tenure. They will discuss how the balance of investments and the selection of specific opportunities open (and close) doors to career progression and leadership opportunities within and outside of Western. They will also discuss specific challenges faced by women and minorities in academic leadership.

May 22, 2024 Recording