Wicked Problems Lab Research Awards for Students: Apply by Nov 11

The Wicked Problems Lab is offering funding and assistance for Saint Mary’s students in addressing issues at home and around the world.  

Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to pitch their ideas to tackle wicked problems. Proposals will be evaluated on the aptness of the issue and the feasibility of the plan to address it. 

Four awards are available:

• 2 x $2500 for undergraduate students

• 2 x $2500 for graduate students

All applicants are invited to use the Wicked Problems Lab’s resources, including workstations, software and research analyst throughout the year. 

The LeaderVision Atlantic Wicked Problems Awards are generously funded by SMU alumnus Douglas Coll.

Students must register their intention to apply by November 11 using the following link:   

https://forms.office.com/r/5iZvJPqQGg

Saint Mary's University rises to third in the nation according to Maclean's rankings

Saint Mary's University's investments in students, faculty and programming have propelled the university to third in Canada for the 2023 Maclean's University Rankings undergraduate category. For the second successive year, Saint Mary's University is the top-ranked primarily undergraduate university in Nova Scotia. 

"Saint Mary's University continues to excel, propelling the increased recognition of our institution's national and international prominence," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Our first-place ranking in student awards and second-place in scholarships and bursaries directly reflects our focused investments in student supports. While we recognize the significance of achieving our highest ever ranking, we will continue to focus on building the best undergraduate experience for our students." 

The Saint Mary’s University campus in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Over the past several years, Saint Mary's has climbed the rankings and maintained the fourth-place ranking for two consecutive years before finishing third this year. 

Supporting students is a priority for Saint Mary's, and the university has invested significantly in scholarships, fellowships and bursaries over the past five years. Since 2018, the university has more than doubled its investment in student scholarships, fellowships and bursaries, rising from $6.8 million to $15.7 million. This unprecedented level of support has positioned the university as the top-ranked primarily undergraduate institution for student awards and second place for scholarships and bursaries. The university ranked second in library acquisitions, which includes an institution's commitment to updating its collection and digital access—the creation and distribution of knowledge that is the foundation of a university's purpose.   

"At Saint Mary's, community is at the heart of all that we do," adds President Summerby-Murray. "We know success requires our entire community's time, talent, passion and commitment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Santamarian community—our students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors. We continue to rise and achieve excellence through your support and efforts." 

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Information for future students

Learn about the wide range of programs available at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate, graduate and professional development.

Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month at Saint Mary's

October is Mi’kmaq History Month! All month long, communities across Nova Scotia hosts activities, educational sessions and events that showcase the Mi’kmaq history. Nova Scotia are encouraged to attend events and increase their knowledge of Mi’kmaq culture, history and heritage.

Mi’kmaq History Month Committee, lead in the interim by the The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, draws on the expertise of representatives from the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq communities and organizations, as well as the Federal and Provincial governments.

See the list below for events and resources

Events

On-Campus Mawio'mi

Sunday, October 2
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Our Wikewiku's (October) Kick-off Mawio'mi was on Sunday, October 2nd, from 11 am-3 pm, in the Homburg Gym to celebrate Treaty Day and kick off Mi'kmaq History Month! Everyone was welcome, and we encouraged you to wear orange for residential school survivors, victims, and their descendants. Please keep in mind this is a drug and alcohol-free event as it is a sacred gathering. Students, faculty, and alumni were welcome to wear their regalia and join us on the dance arena when instructed by the Master of Ceremonies, Aaron Prosper.

Check out images from the event!

Free Film Screening: Is the Crown at War with us?

Friday, October 21
1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Join us for a free screening and discussion of Alanis Obomsawin’s film, Is the Crown at War with Us?, documenting the 2000 Mi’kmaw fishery crisis in Burnt Church, NB.

Resources and related links:

The Patrick Power Library will display a collection of books and videos for learning more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Mi’kmaq History Month. These collections are available online and in-person, and all items on display can be borrowed. The in-person display will include an interactive element that asks people to reflect on the meaning of truth and reconciliation. All are welcome to participate!

Saint Mary’s Indigenous Community

Mi’kmaq History Month

Saint Mary’s research into sustainable agriculture and more efficient 3D modeling receives federal funding

The Science Building at Saint Mary’s University.

Research into sustainable agriculture and more data-efficient 3D modeling will benefit from newly announced federal funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF).

Funding for biology researcher Dr. David Chiasson will allow him to explore sustainable agriculture practices in a project titled “Symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume plants.”  

Dr. David Chiasson

“A central goal of sustainable agricultural practice is to provide nutritious food and plant products while minimizing the impact on the environment,” says Dr. Chiasson. “Legume plants such as beans, alfalfa, and clover are a key component of sustainable agriculture since they do not require nitrogen fertilizer for growth. This unique group of plants forms a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria called rhizobia. Rhizobia can convert nitrogen gas from the atmosphere into nitrogen fertilizer for the plant in a process termed nitrogen fixation. This association therefore reduces the need for applied nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture.”

The production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers consumes vast quantities of fossil fuels, and their application leads to negative environmental outcomes such as greenhouse gas emissions and contaminated water resources. Coupled with the rising price of fertilizers, farmers are increasingly turning to legumes as a sustainable means of adding nitrogen to the soil.  

“The long-term goal of this project is to increase the productivity of legume plants,” explains Dr. Chiasson. “This research will provide the knowledge base for strategies aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the agricultural sector while increasing the productivity of our crops. An improved understanding of the nitrogen-fixation symbiosis is both timely and essential as we move towards a future of more environmentally responsible farming practices in Canada.”

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri, a researcher in the mathematics and computing science department, received funding for a project titled “Research Infrastructure for Large-scale 3D Geometry Acquisition and Modeling.”  

“The CFI fund will be used to set up the lab and purchase research equipment including an AI server, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner and high-performance workstations capable of acquiring and processing large-scale three-dimensional data,” says Dr. Poovvancheri.

Dr. Jiju Poovvancheri

Current practices in city modeling include acquiring raw measurements of the physical world using LiDAR sensors and turning the sensor data into three dimensional meshes. Large-scale meshes created in this manner normally contain trillions of triangles, putting a huge burden on rendering, data transfer and storage of applications. Furthermore, most of the reconstructed meshes lack geometric details and therefore do not represent a good choice for 3D navigation, and AR/VR.  

“High fidelity digital representations of cities are essential for modern-day applications such as urban planning, 3D navigation, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR),” explains Dr. Poovvancheri. “This project aims at bridging existing gaps in urban modeling pipeline by developing an AI (Artificial Intelligence) driven urban modeling software ecosystem consisting of algorithms, tools, and data for creating lightweight and highly detailed 3D urban models.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced more than $64 million to support 251 research infrastructure projects at 40 universities across Canada.

Competition to solve freshwater issues begins in Atlantic Canada

Field sampling is an important part of the work Environmental Science students do in classes and in research work with professors. Photo Credit: Dr. Linda Campbell

A competition to solve Atlantic Canadian water issues through technology, innovation and entrepreneurship begins this week. The competition is organized by AquaAction in partnership with Saint Mary’s University. 

“We are excited to bring the AquaHacking Challenge back to Atlantic Canada,” says Dr. Anne-Pascale Richardson, AquaHacking Challenge Program Manager at AquaAction. “AquaAction’s mission is to restore freshwater health in North America. We do this by engaging with local communities to empower talented young innovators and support them as they work to improve freshwater in their region. The first Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge was a great success, and we look forward to this year’s competition.” 

Atlantic Canada is home to a spectacular system of dynamic freshwater and marine environments. Water is core to ecosystems and communities across the region. The Atlantic Canada AquaHacking Challenge brings students, developers, designers, scientists, programmers, engineers, technology enthusiasts and entrepreneurs together to form interdisciplinary teams to tackle different freshwater challenges facing these important ecosystems. 

The issues they’ll be focusing on are:  

1. Innovations for alteration projects in Lakes and Rivers
   Water Issue Leader: Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change - Water Branch

2. Affordable Automated Water Quality Monitoring
   Water Issue Leader: Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc.

3. Saltwater Intrusion
   Water Issue Leader: Clean Foundation’s Clean Coasts team

4. Aquatic Invasive species
   Water Issue Leader: Coastal Action

5. Green Infrastructure (Stormwater Prevention)
   Water Issue Leader: ACAP Saint John

“AquaHacking is the type of interdisciplinary competition that allows students and young people to apply their knowledge to practical, real-world situations,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre (SMUEC). “We are proud to partner with AquaAction to bring this great competition back to Atlantic Canada.” 

Participants should have an interest in problem solving, collaborating with students from various faculties and applying innovative solutions to bring impactful change to communities in the Atlantic region. They are required to be between 18-35 years of age, a resident of Canada within the Atlantic region and enrolled in a post-secondary institution or be a recent graduate. The entire team doesn’t need to be residing in the Atlantic region, but the majority of the team should be within the Atlantic region.  

“Our students are excited and ready to challenge the freshwater issues facing Atlantic Canada,” says Adam Khamis, the Project Coordinator of Skills, Development and Training with SMUEC. “This competition is a dynamic blend of entrepreneurship, social action and science that offers students a unique opportunity to work with people in areas they may not otherwise have discovered.”  

After working on their pitches for nine months, all teams will have the opportunity to pitch their solution during the AquaHacking semi-final event. The top teams are selected from these pitches to go on to phase two of the program.  These finalists receive $2,000 to support the continuation of their work as they refine their solution in preparation for their pitch at the AquaHacking finale. All five finalist teams are winners, receiving kick-start business training, leadership training, a spot in a local incubator, Lavery Lawyers credits and seed funding based on their final ranking. 

For more information about the challenge, how to participate and the great partners that support the competition, visit https://aquaaction.org/challenge/atlantic-canada-2022-23/.  

About AquaAction 

AquaAction is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the health of freshwater by engaging young innovators in solutions creation and supporting the activation of their technologies. Its flagship program is the AquaHacking Challenge, a tech innovation competition which aims to engage university students in developing new solutions to water issues. Recently AquaAction developed the AquaHacking alumni and AquaEntrepreneur Québec. Across Canada, 36 water technology startups have emerged from the Challenge. AquaAction was established by the De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation in 2015, is powered by the RBC Foundation since 2018, accelerated by Ovivo since 2017 and supported by several partners including IBM Canada, Lavery Lawyers, and Mitacs. 

Celebrating UN International Day of Peace at Saint Mary's

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed worldwide on September 21. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. Achieving true peace requires that all of the societies and their members feel as though they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.

The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” Saint Mary’s University invites students, faculty and the community to work towards a world without racism or racial discrimination. We hope to see a world of peace, equity, diversity and inclusion.

Several units on campus worked together to prepare events to mark this day. See the list below for events and resources.

Poetry and Peace

Kimberly M. King, RSCJ, Director of Barat Spirituality Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.   

Patrick Power Library 
Room LI135 
9:30–10:30 a.m. 

Join Kimberly M. King, RSCJ, Director of Barat Spirituality Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her keen passion for language and its possibilities makes her a translator, as well as a writer of the blog of poetry and essays for the last fifteen years. At one time a teacher of literature and religion as well as being a librarian, Kim has also recently hosted the podcast For the Sake Of.

Progress and Possibilities for Peace: 
Youth perspectives from Northern Ireland to Nova Scotia and beyond

Presented by Peaceful Schools International 
Virtual Conference 
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 

Register at: psiconferences@gmail.com 

Making Peace

Atrium 340 
2:30–4 p.m. 

Join us for this panel discussion about how we all have a role to play in fostering peace. Moderated by Dr. Rohini Bannerjee and featuring guests: 

• Dr. Catherine Baillie Abidi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Study at Mount Saint Vincent University with over 20 years of peacebuilding, violence prevention, and humanitarian experience. 

• Shahrzad, a graduate student from Iran in the Faculty of Education at Saint Mary’s University, certified meditation teacher and reiki specialist. 

• Renée Babin, Saint Mary’s University alumni and an MPA/JD candidate at Dalhousie University, is actively involved in entrepreneurship with the aspiration to spread knowledge and provide equitable practices. 

Film screening: Peace by Chocolate
Scotiabank Theatre 
6:30 p.m. 

Based on Tareq Hadad family’s true story, Jonathan Keijser’s narrative feature debut encompasses the themes of immigration, refugees from a war-torn country, the power of food to bring people together and the “Canadian Dream” of growing a small business, one PEACE of chocolate at a time.  

Trailer: https://peacebychocolate.ca/blogs/news/our-movie-trailer-officially-released

Dr. Madine VanderPlaat Appointed Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research

Dr. Madine VanderPlaat

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce that Dr. Madine VanderPlaat has been appointed as Interim Vice-President, Academic and Research.

“Dr. VanderPlaat brings considerable experience and institutional knowledge and is a strong voice for teaching excellence and research accomplishment,” says Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice Chancellor. “Her understanding of the university and the trust and confidence she engenders in the university community will be definite assets in the conduct of her duties. I have no doubt that Dr. VanderPlaat will succeed in this new role.”

Madine VanderPlaat is a Professor of Sociology whose research focus is on marginalized populations, citizen participation, social inclusion and community resilience. She has extensive experience working in multidisciplinary, inter-sectoral research environments at both the national and international level. Dr. VanderPlaat has served on a wide range of university and Senate committees including the University Appointments, Review and Budget Committees and the Senate Curriculum, Regulations, Academic Integrity and Academic Planning Committees.  Her administrative experience at Saint Mary’s includes Chair of Sociology & Criminology, Associate Dean of Arts, Acting Dean of Arts, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Enrolment Management and Acting Vice-President, Academic and Research.  She was the Chair of Senate 2017-2019 and is currently the Academic Discipline Officer.

Dr. VanderPlaat’s mandate is to focus on enrolment growth, curricular and teaching innovation, and supporting the strengthening of the university’s research capacities. She began her two-year term on September 7, 2022.

Art project draws inspiration from campus conversations

If you spot Christopher Webb BA’97 on campus over the next month, make sure you have a chat with him—about anything. Experimenting with a new creative process, the artist and entrepreneur is collecting conversations at Saint Mary’s as inspiration for his next solo exhibition.    

He has spoken with 40+ people so far, from student athletes to President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, and researchers in academic disciplines across the university. His project is supported by a Creation Grant from Arts Nova Scotia. He began in June with weekly visits and is here almost daily through August, working in a makeshift studio space beside the Arts Commons. 

“It’s really been enjoyable to have conversations with people who are so passionate about what they’re doing across many different disciplines,” says Webb. “It’s meant to be a break in the day, a chance to discuss non-linear concepts but one of the real connectors has been that everyone in their work is trying to discover a truth of some kind. That’s something that I’m also trying to discover as a human being. I’m here to voice my truth and investigate my purpose.”  

Webb, who has long been an acclaimed landscape painter, is also co-owner/creator of PAVIA Gallery - Espresso Bar & Café. His art practice took a multidisciplinary turn last summer when he was the Artist-in-Residence with the Annapolis Royal Community Arts Council, perhaps also inspired by a nearly two-year stint as host of The Visual Arts Abstract features for Global Halifax. Visual art is still a huge part of his work but writing and sound are now core elements as well.  

“The work is really coming together,” says Webb. Ideas and concepts from the dialogues funnel into his own prose, which then informs his sketches and paintings. He’s also planning collaborative sound and performance aspects as he did with his spring exhibition “And You” at Gallery 78 Fine Art in Fredericton, which had contributions from musicians and spoken word artist Clyde A. Wray.  

Thematically, his work deals with spirituality, morality and mortality. While “And You” explored topics of life and love, here at Saint Mary’s he seems to be zeroing in on topics relating to values and truth. All conversations are confidential, so he’s not quoting people directly in his work; he wants everyone to feel comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions.  

He’s aiming to wrap up the writing portion of his project later this month, with 14 to 16 paintings and other elements coming together by mid-autumn for a fall exhibition at a downtown gallery.  

Webb invites faculty, staff and students to connect with him at info@cwebb.ca to set up a time and place to talk. He also encourages faculty members to consider bringing him into their classrooms this fall for discussions on the impact of creativity in all disciplines.    

Follow his art project updates on Instagram at @thechristopherwebb.  

— Marla Cranston, Faculty of Arts

Equity, diversity and inclusion resources for SMU faculty and staff

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion is a Canadian organization that focuses on diversity and inclusion, and human rights and equity, specifically in Canada's workplaces and schools. Saint Mary's University is an employer partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) which provides us with several benefits that will support us on our diversity and inclusion journey.

The following benefits are available to all faculty and staff:

• Monthly newsletter, Diversity Ink.
  CCDI’s monthly newsletter provides information about CCDI events and research, and other pertinent news from the Canadian diversity and inclusion realm. Subscribe here. You can view past editions of their Diversity Ink newsletter here.

• CCDI Knowledge Repository
  As part of the “Members Only” portal on their website, CCDI has an e-library with over 1,000 documents containing Canadian-specific and international diversity and inclusion research, reports, toolkits and news, which are indexed and searchable by multiple parameters (e.g. by keyword, by topic, etc.). This e-library is an evergreen resource and new content is continually being added. If you would like access to the Knowledge Repository, you can self-register here.

• Monthly webinars
  CCDI offers educational webinars which are free for all of our employees. Registration is currently open for the 2021 calendar year. Click here to see a list of topics and dates. Previously recorded webinars can be accessed via the Knowledge Repository.

• In-person events
  CCDI hosts best-practice forums and Community of Practice events in 18 cities across Canada twice per year. Check this page regularly to see when new dates have been added.

  Questions? Please contact Dr. Rohini Bannerjee, AVP Diversity Excellence or Deborah Brothers-Scott, Director Diversity Inclusion and Wellness, People and Culture.

Upcoming webinars

Register now for the third and fourth webinars in our LGBTQ2+ Inclusion in the Workplace series.
These events are open to all and offered at no charge. Pre-registration is required.

Reconciling Identity: A discussion about Two-Spirit people within the LGBTQ2+ communities
Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 1 p.m. Eastern

All the T: A discussion on gender within the LGBTQ2+ communities
Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern

Summer fun: Annual Food Drive competition and Faculty and Staff BBQ

Both the sun and the barbeques were sizzling at the annual Faculty and Staff BBQ, held on the Oaks lawn last week.

Organized by the Alumni team as a thank you to faculty and staff for their ongoing support, the event also serves to announce and celebrate the winners of the 8th Annual Food Drive competition.

This year, 9 teams participated, raising over 1,488 pounds of food an $175 in monetary donations for the SMU Community Food Room. Located on the 5th floor of the Student Centre, the Community Food Room offers access to safe, nutritious, and personally acceptable foods in a welcome environment, as well as working to improve food security, equity and literacy.

This year’s bragging rights went to Accounting Matters, the winning team from Accounting department at the Sobey School of Business that donated 482 pounds of food! A special shout-out went to the EIT team for their donation of $95 to the SMU Community Food Room allowing some flexibility in making purchases of much-needed items.

A summer of starlings: students benefit from summer research opportunity

Summer student researcher Gabi Armstrong says her starling research focuses on the nests they use to raise their young. She is examining the materials they incorporate into their nests, including natural (e.g., feathers, greenery, sticks, etc.) and anthropogenic materials (e.g., human-made materials) like garbage. 

Alyssa Wells (shown here steadying the ladder for Armstrong) credits a fourth-year biology course with Dr. Barber as the reason she fell in love with the field of behavioural ecology. She was fascinated with how researchers create observational studies to find out information based on the choices that organisms make to survive and find mating success.

Over the years the research has progressed really well according to Armstrong. It has answered many questions involving paternal investment and mate choice among the starlings along with other research questions involving ectoparasites, urbanization and much more.

Wells (left) is focusing her research on how brood condition and parental investment influence mate fidelity within the starling population.

Both students credited the opportunity to do hands-on fieldwork as an important part of why they were excited to participate in this research project.

The beautiful birdcalls of starlings are a fixture of the Saint Mary’s University campus. The more than 40 starling nest boxes across campus are part of a research project led by Dr. Colleen Barber. The boxes were erected almost two decades ago and have provided research opportunities for numerous students and field assistants. This photo gallery shows Saint Mary’s students Gabi Armstrong and Alyssa Wells checking on the starling boxes and shares some insight into their roles as student researchers.

Additional reading

• The sounds of starlings: SMU team gets to the heart of how they mate

Making it Mya event photo gallery

June is Pride Month. Wednesday, June 15, the SMU community gathered for Making it Mya: A Drag Dialogue with Dillon Ross at the Patrick Power Library.

DILLON ROSS BComm’17 completed a double major in Human Resource Management and Marketing from the Sobey School of Business and a minor in French from the Faculty of Arts.

In addition to working as an HR professional, Dillon also performs as Mya Foxx, a Halifax-based drag performer known for her high-energy performances and choreography. From live performances to dance workshops to inspirational talks, Mya strives to ensure opportunities and accessibility for the 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.