Peace and the pandemic

Peaceful Schools at Currie Primary School, Belfast, Northern Ireland/ North of Ireland

Can there be peace in the midst of conflict? Can peace flourish during a pandemic? And do we have an ethical obligation to teach peace education? Those were some of the questions posed at this year’s annual United Nations International Day of Peace conference. Dozens of participants came together under the auspices of Peaceful Schools International, Saint Mary’s University and Yale University, along with students from public and private schools in Halifax, Northern Ireland / North of Ireland as well as the United States.

The Faculty of Education at Saint Mary’s University has been particularly engaged and supportive of a wide range of peace education initiatives, projects and the provision of relevant academic courses over the past 15 years, including this most recent virtual conference. Saint Mary’s University Professor and President of Peaceful Schools International, Bridget Brownlow, noted that the pandemic posed issues for the conference itself, “Like so many organizations, we were tested by not being able to meet in person this year.  However our students and the partner schools rose to the challenge using videos and online technology to connect in a virtual setting.”

Bryn de Chastelain, President of the Saint Mary’s University Students Association (SMUSA) said, “The pandemic gives us a common issue and demands that we work together to develop common solutions. The pandemic has exacerbated problems and inequalities in our local community and around the world. Never before have we been so interconnected. It’s crucial that we focus on how we can work together as we priorize ongoing education and reflection.”

Peaceful Schools International is a not-for-profit network of educators and students which is housed within Saint Mary’s University and has over 380 member schools worldwide. Among many other projects and initiatives, the organization also provides university students with conflict resolution skills and enables them to travel internationally to the North of Ireland / Northern Ireland to teach these valuable skills in peace education to younger students in elementary schools. “Conflict resolution requires daily practice. We start learning at a young age, said SMU student, Salman Sadib, an Accounting major who has travelled to Belfast, Northern Ireland and credits the program with changing his life. “We want the world to be a better place for everyone; we learn to negotiate with peace in every situation.”

Dr. Bonnie Weir, representing the Department of Political Science at Yale University, also participated in the virtual conference. In February, 2020, she had the privilege of observing students from Saint Mary’s University facilitating peace education workshops in primary classrooms in Belfast and learned firsthand that we all have an ethical obligation to teach peace education to both children and adults, including the ability to understand others, respect for difference and the value of uniqueness. Dr. Weir is also a member of the Board of Directors for Peaceful Schools International.

Crystal Witter, a SMU Psychology major, said peace education should be taught at all levels of university, and included in business strategies and programs. “I now see how diversity and inclusion is so important for peace and harmony.”

For more information on Peaceful Schools International and the virtual conference please visit the website: http://peacefulschoolsinternational.org/

David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services celebrates Retail Month

Dr. David Sobey, CM at the National Retail Innovation Awards.

The David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services at Saint Mary's University is hosting a series of online events and discussions on the retail industry this October as part of Retail Month.

Retail Month, hosted by the David Sobey Centre, celebrates the retail industry and leads discussions to uncover the latest trends, practices and future predictions in retail.

"We have hosted several well-received Retail Weeks over the past several years, and one of the main comments we kept receiving was why only a week," says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, the director of the David Sobey Centre. "Retail Month offers industry leaders, and members of the retail sector increased opportunities to discuss trends and innovations they see in the sector. The pandemic has created unusual challenges and opportunities for the retail sector, making this year's Retail Month even more valuable."

Retail Month reach extends beyond the business community to students. There are many opportunities for university students and graduates in the retail sector.  With many companies promoting employees from within, recent graduates have extensive growth opportunities when joining the industry.

Speakers for Retail Month events include senior executives from national retail companies such as Sobeys Inc., Hudson's Bay Company, Staples, IKEA, and Dillard's. Representatives from these companies, and more, will be sharing their experience in various panel discussions. The topics are e-commerce and the future of retailing, women in retail, and sustainable retailing.

As part of Retail Month, the 4th annual National Retail Innovation Awards will occur on Thursday, Oct. 29. The National Retail Innovation Awards celebrates Canadian retailers' achievements and retailers who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in the industry. This year the award categories are retail business model innovation, retail technology innovation, and community service innovation. The award categories reflect the areas where retailers had to successfully adapt their business practices during the global pandemic.

The Sustainability Case Competition is also taking place during Retail Month. Students will participate in a case competition to support a local, sustainable retailer. This competition is in partnership with the 2nd Annual Sobey School of Business Responsibility Conference hosted by the Sobey School of Business.

For more information on Retail Month and the speaker series, visit: https://www.bigmarker.com/series/retail-month-20201/series_summit.

Saint Mary’s joins universities nationwide to take action on anti-Black racism

Saint Mary’s University is joining universities and colleges across Canada to take action on anti-Black racism in the post-secondary sector. Saint Mary’s will join the University of Toronto and numerous others in a national dialogue taking place on October 1st and 2nd. This dialogue will be the first of a series of sessions called National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. 

“This conversation is an important early step to a broader national discussion about the impacts of racism, and the actions we can take to address anti-Black racism,” says Deborah Brothers-Scott, Chair of Saint Mary’s University President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism. “I am confident that this series of dialogues will serve as a strong foundation for self-reflection as a sector and inform the systemic changes needed on the path towards equity.”

The sessions will discuss various topics and make recommendations on subjects such as access to post-secondary and ensuring success, supporting faculty and staff, inclusive learning, representation, and the best practices around race-based data.

A national coordinating committee will carefully review the conversations and recommendations and provide a charter of principles and actions for participating institutions. Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray is a member of this committee and is actively supporting this work.

“Since I first came to Saint Mary’s University, I have embraced the diversity of our community as our strength,” says President Summerby-Murray. “This comes with the responsibility to do everything within my power to ensure we are supporting equitable opportunities and treatment for everyone in our community.”

“We are not without challenges in this regard, but these are challenges that we must work to address and overcome,” adds President Summerby-Murray. “This is why I have dedicated myself to this national initiative, in addition to my involvement with the education committee for BlackNorth, and our university’s standing committee on the prevention of racism.”

While Saint Mary’s has often engaged in discussions and dialogues on racism and discrimination against First Nations and persons of African descent, these efforts have been placed into sharp relief by the events of recent months, notably Black Lives Matter and the Anti-Black Racism movement. Saint Mary’s is fortunate to have significant faculty research expertise and community engagement, including through the Department of Social Justice and Community Studies. With support from their colleagues across the university and now recognized across the country, faculty members are leading meaningful and frank discussions of the challenges facing Canada, Nova Scotia, Halifax, and Saint Mary’s when it comes to racism, discrimination, and equity and the actions needed to address it. A prime example of this work is the rising prominence of these discussions at university events such as Homecoming and the event Back to the Classroom: Anti-Racism led by Dr. Rachel Zellars.

While faculty members are working to create change, the university also recognizes the importance of anti-racism action. Earlier this year, the university convened the President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism, a key recommendation of an earlier 2019 ad hoc committee. Among other recommendations from the ad hoc committee, the current committee has a key mandate to raise awareness and oversee the implementation of other recommendations, including:

• the recent successful hiring of a full-time African Nova Scotian/Black Student & Community Liaison staff position, a role that will help better support Black students on campus;

• education and training to ensure we can identify, report, investigate and respond to incidents of racialized discrimination on campus;

• holding more workshops to help educate and combat racism;

• a revision of the SMU Code of Conduct to ensure it clearly addresses issues of racism;

• developing a retention strategy focused on Indigenous and racialized students; and

• recruiting more racialized faculty and staff members.

Efforts have already begun with a series of listening sessions that have taken place and will continue through the Fall term to give the committee insight into the first-hand experiences of members of the SMU community. Similar to the national dialogues, these sessions form an essential part of the process to inform change.

Listening is only the first step; the university knows more action is needed.

To learn more about the upcoming sessions or share your feedback, comments, or questions, email The President’s Standing Committee on the Prevention of Racism at anti-racism@smu.ca. All emails are treated with the utmost confidentiality. 

SMU joins Atlantic universities offering region-wide virtual events for student entrepreneurs

Seven universities in Atlantic Canada are co-ordinating efforts to engage and support student entrepreneurs by hosting virtual workshops this fall.

Five virtual workshops and an additional three virtual fireside chats for female-identifying students will be hosted by different participating institutions. Students across all campuses are eligible to attend for free.

The fireside chats, titled Women Leading Startups, are in partnership with the Canadian Ecosystem Gathering and aim to provide additional support and inspiration for female-identifying students, who are traditionally under-represented in entrepreneurship. The chats will introduce students to women who have founded high-growth startups in Canada and allow them to network in a safe and dedicated virtual space.

Two of the workshops, How do I entrepreneur? and Stayin’ lean, are supported by Propel, an online accelerator for technology startups in Atlantic Canada.

The post-secondary institutions participating in these workshops include:

·       Cape Breton University

·       Dalhousie University

·       Memorial University of Newfoundland

·       Mount St. Vincent University

·       Saint Mary’s University

·       University of New Brunswick

·       University of Prince Edward Island

Florian Villaumé, director of the Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship at Memorial University in St. John’s, N.L., says the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to reach more students through virtual events and by co-ordinating efforts between all the universities.

“Having most students studying online has opened new opportunities to inspire and enable aspiring student entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Villaumé. “With the support of Propel and Canadian Ecosystem Gathering, we are collectively investing in the future of student-led startups. This collaboration will create a strong connection between entrepreneurial students across the region, thus making the foundation of the Atlantic Canada startup ecosystem stronger.”

The workshops include topics such as: How do I entrepreneur?, Uncover the right idea; Stayin’ lean and Take on tech.

“Creating a culture of innovation and increasing awareness of available programming across the Atlantic region is amplified by this effort,” said Jeff Larsen, executive director of innovation and entrepreneurship at Dalhousie University. “By working collaboratively, we are able to expand our networks and reach to allow students, academics and community members exposure to the markets, opportunities and experiences that exist outside their home institution.”

The first workshop, How do I entrepreneur?, will be held on Sept. 24.

Saint Mary's wins United Way award

Saint Mary's University has been selected to receive the Local Love award for Fundraising Innovation from the United Way Halifax!

United Way committee co-chairs Roberta Graham, Manager, Custodial Services and Tricia MacPhee, Supervisor, Payroll & HRIS heard the good news via an email from Nicole Cameron, Development Officer with United Way Halifax. Cameron has worked closely with the SMU committee on previous annual campaigns.

“There's a million reasons you deserve this award as an incredible group of dedicated and caring volunteers,” said Cameron. “Your research into finding a virtual 50/50 platform was exceptional as was your ability to dive in and try new things and work collaboratively. Your leadership will benefit other organizations looking for new ways to fundraise virtually this year.

“You also helped the staff at United Way Halifax gain new skills and expertise in the area of virtual fundraising (which little did we know would be critical a few short months later).”

Saint Mary's is featured in the United Way Halifax 2020 annual report at the following link:

https://www.unitedwayhalifax.ca/annual-report-chapter/2019-celebrating-our-workplace-partners/ 

Two Saint Mary’s University scientists receive $795,000 in research funding

Two researchers in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s have received a total of $795,000 in funding from two government organizations.

Dr. Erin Adlakha and Dr. Erin Cameron will have their work, on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits and soil invertebrates, respectively, funded in equal parts by grants from Canadian Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund and from Research Nova Scotia.

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Dr. Erin Cameron : “Global change impacts on soil invertebrates”

A researcher in the department of Environmental Science, Dr. Cameron’s work focuses on increasing understanding of the impacts of climate change and land use on below-ground ecosystems.

Dr. Erin Cameron

“Much of our understanding of these impacts in terrestrial ecosystems is based on aboveground organisms,” explained Dr. Cameron. “In contrast, although soils support high levels of biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services such as decomposition and carbon storage, we have a limited understanding of global change effects below ground.”

Her research seeks to address this gap in our knowledge by examining how climate change, land use change, and invasive species (earthworms) affect communities and ecosystem services (e.g., carbon dioxide flux) in Nova Scotia, Canada's North, and globally, using a combination of field observations, experiments, lab analyses, and modelling.

In Nova Scotia, her work will focus on examining how human disturbances may be affecting soil biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by soil in forests, and on examining the spread and effects of non-native earthworms. This work will increase understanding of impacts of global change on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and inform effective management of climate change and invasive species in Canada.

Read more about Dr. Cameron’s recent cover story in the prestigious Science Magazine, in which she studies the global diversity and biogeography of earthworms.

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Dr. Erin Adlakha: “Characterizing Alteration Footprints of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Using Super Light Element Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence” 

A faculty member and researcher in the Department of Geology at Saint Mary’s, Dr. Adlakha’s research focuses on hydrothermal ore mineral deposits, which we mine for the metals that we use in everyday life. Part of Dr. Adlakha’s research is to understand the source of fluids and metals, and identify the chemical or physical “traps” that cause ore deposition.

Dr. Erin Adlakha

“These deposits precipitate from fluids (e.g. seawater, meteoric water, magmatic fluids) that circulate through Earth’s crust along structures — faults, fractures, mineral grain boundaries —and dissolve metals from the rocks that they pass through,” explained Dr. Adlakha. “When the fluids encounter a chemical and/or physical change, a reaction may occur that triggers the precipitation of economic minerals.”

“I am also interested in the mineralogy and chemical variation of un-economic alteration minerals that form as different fluids circulate through Earth’s crust, as they guide exploration geologists to find new deposits,” she added.

This CFI award will be used to purchase a Super Light Element Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer to characterize the complex ore and alteration systematics of different ore systems, including polymetallic Co deposits in Nova Scotia, Canada; W skarn deposits of the Canadian Cordillera; and polymetallic deposits of the Nonacho Basin, Northwest Territories.

“The results of this research will be used to develop deposit models that describe how hydrothermal ore deposits form, and provide exploration vectors for these deposits, thus contributing to the longevity and sustainability of Canada's exploration and mining programs,” said Dr. Adlakha.

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About the Canadian Foundation for Innovation

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) was built on the ideals of thinking big and investing in areas that matter to Canadians. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has ensured Canadian researchers have the tools — the cutting-edge labs, facilities and equipment — they need to push the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines, and to contribute to the full spectrum of research — from discovery to technology development.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund enables excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development, aligned with their strategic priorities. 

Research Nova Scotia

Research Nova Scotia (RNS) is a not-for-profit corporation established to enhance research capacity and align research funding with provincial priorities. RNS invests in research that builds and translates knowledge to help ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Nova Scotia. This support for the research community in our province helps to advance strategic growth in Nova Scotia, and contributes to innovation in the healthcare system in Nova Scotia. 

Saint Mary’s partners with Nova Scotia Health on new testing centre

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of the Saint Mary’s community have been the primary focus of the university. 

The Santamarian community has come together to provide PPE to health care workers, look at new ways to create PPE and related products such as sanitizers locally, and research the pandemic's economic, psychological, and societal impacts.

On Monday, August 17th, another step in ensuring the Saint Mary’s community is supported move forwards when Nova Scotia Health begins operating a testing centre for COVID-19 located at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness. The university has worked closely with Nova Scotia Health to ensure that the testing centre is secure and appropriately spaced from campus activities.

“Our university prides itself on putting community at the heart of all that we do,” says Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “In challenging times, our values are tested. We know that testing is a vital part of the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to partner with Nova Scotia Health and to do our part in helping to keep our community safe.”

By partnering with Nova Scotia Health, the university ensures that members of both the local community and campus community have a safe and secure centre in their community to be tested for COVID-19 when directed by 811.  With the counselling centre and student health centre available to students and residence students, this represents another investment in ensuring that students can receive the healthcare they need when they need it.

SMU Chemistry students, faculty help create rapid test kit for COVID-19

(L-R): Jacob Hoare, Thomas Steele, Olivia Singer, Kalei Crowell, and Jacob Campbell.

When students and faculty at Saint Mary’s were starting the winter 2020 term in January, the plan was for a normal busy university term of classes and labs. Two months later students, faculty and staff were adjusting to the new normal of working and studying from home during a quickly-evolving global pandemic, and the world looked very different by April.

That same month, a small team of Chemistry researchers, including undergraduate students, was quickly formed at Saint Mary’s to start working on a vital contribution to a rapid, point-of-care, Covid-19 test kit created by a startup company in Dartmouth, NS.

Sona Nanotech was creating a new test kit for the direct detection of the virus responsible for Covid-19 and required ready access to a critical precursor. Thanks to a chance conversation about chemistry at a student conference last summer, Sona Nanotech found their expert at Saint Mary’s, namely researcher and professor Dr. Rob Singer.

Dr. Singer has known Dr. Gerry Marangoni, a Scientific Advisory Board member at Sona Nanotech and Professor of Chemistry at St. Francis Xavier University, from previous collaborations. Dr. Marangoni knew that his colleague had the capability to create the critical precursor that Sona Nanotech needed to produce their inexpensive, point-of-care, rapid-response test kit in a matter of minutes.

A partnership was quickly formed between the company and the university, and within days testing and production of this critical material began in a Saint Mary’s lab. The work was also made possible by Springboard Atlantic, which contributed funding towards the research.

Crediting the collaborations that come from working within a small university for the success of this venture, Dr. Singer explained how beneficial it was to work with a local startup and collaborators. “It was so efficient, and most importantly, we were able to get undergraduate students involved right from the start.” he explained. “These students are involved in relevant, potentially world-changing research here at a small university.”

The team at Saint Mary’s, including undergraduate students Jacob Hoare and Olivia Singer, recent alumni Kalei Crowell and Jacob Campbell, and PhD candidate Thomas Steele, have so far created just over 6 kilograms of the critical precursor, and they have the ability to keep producing at this industrial level as needed. “Of course, we were going to help when they asked. Our mentality was that we were going to assist this company as much as, and in any way, we possibly could.” said Dr. Singer.

Sona Nanotech’s test uses its proprietary nanotechnology in a disposable lateral flow test platform to create a new rapid, point-of-care test kit for the direct detection of the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19. It works in a similar way to home pregnancy tests, by identifying the presence of a biological marker, but the technology can also be used to detect a range of viruses and infectious diseases including hepatitis, HIV and Ebola. This method is faster and cheaper than other testing technology, and could be used for in-home testing and by medical staff, and to screen people in large gatherings. Click here to read more.

Saint Mary’s research in psychology, management, and history receives federal funding

Saint Mary’s University researchers have received federal funding for projects totaling $300,000 from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Insight Grants competition.

“Research in the social sciences and humanities is a fundamental element of how society understands and interprets itself, providing the insight needed to critically explore the true impact of our established institutions, both positive and negative,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, dean of Graduate Studies and associate vice-president of Research at Saint Mary’s University. “These grant recipients are all challenging key aspects within our culture – from the criminal justice system, to sexual abuse cover-up within the Catholic Church, to workplace incivility, to examinations of medical malpractice. I am very proud of our recipients for their willingness to challenge conventions and engage in this research that enriches both our local and global communities.”

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The following is a list of Saint Mary’s Insight Grant recipients:

Recipient: Dr. Meg Ternes (Psychology)
Title: Lie Detection in the Criminal Justice System: Exploring Deception Cues in Field and Laboratory Studies

Dr. Meg Ternes

Description: Most of us are not good lie detectors; lie detection accuracy is usually at chance level. Yet, lies accompanied by powerful emotions and false emotional displays can have major consequences, especially in the criminal justice system where the perceived credibility of an alleged victim’s distress or an offender’s remorse can inform decisions concerning verdicts, sentencing, or parole. For this project, Dr. Ternes and her team will examine the efficacy of nonverbal, verbal, and facial cues to deception (together and separately) using laboratory and field research approaches. The laboratory study will consider emotionally-laden lies and truths told by undergraduate students under controlled conditions, while the field study will consider lies and truths told by criminal suspects in police interviews. The results of these studies will improve our understanding of which combinations of cues contribute the most to deception detection. These results will be shared with professionals in the criminal justice system who have to make these important credibility judgements on a regular basis.

Dr. Cathy Driscoll

Recipient: Dr. Cathy Driscoll (Management)
Title: Exploring Collective Moral Disengagement in Cover-up of Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church

Description: The broad aim of my research project is to better understand, and effect change in, organizations that are engaged in potentially contradictory practices to their principles, mission, and values. Specifically, this project will focus on institutional and leader moral disengagement in the context of the cover-up of clergy sexual abuse (CSA) of minors in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). Using content and discourse analysis, I will study current and historic RCC leader discourse from 1990 to 2020 across four countries. Better understanding insights into the organizational dynamics and discourse strategies in this context can provide valuable applications to the RCC with an estimated 1 billion members, as well as to other organizations’ crises, control dynamics, corruption, and misconduct issues (e.g., banks and public sector).

Recipient: Dr. Camilla M. Holmvall (Psychology and Management)
Title: Examining how workplace incivility impacts leader well-being: The moderating role of leader gender

Description: Workplace incivility has been highlighted as highly prevalent in organizations and also highly damaging to employee attitudes, behaviours, and well-being. Research has focused predominantly on mistreatment directed from supervisors toward subordinates, and between coworkers. However, supervisors, managers, and leaders can also be targets of disrespect. Understanding how, and when, leaders’ well-being is impacted by workplace incivility has significant implications, in part due to leaders’ influence on the achievement of the objectives of the organization as well as on their followers’ performance and well-being.  In this 5-year mixed-methods grant, we draw on relevant theory (e.g., selective incivility, stereotype activation and threat) to examine the possible different experiences of male and female leaders in terms of both their likelihood of experiencing incivility as well as on its impacts on their well-being. 

Recipient: Dr. Blake Brown (History)
Title: A History of Canadian Medical Malpractice Law, 1935-1980

Description: This research will break new and exciting ground in historical research in Canada. It will produce the first history of medical malpractice law in English Canada from 1935 to 1980. One of the most contentious areas of law in the mid twentieth century, malpractice law developed in significantly different ways in Canada than in the United States. The project will explain key changes and trends, and also consider the impacts of technology and the roles of gender, ethnicity and race in shaping the results of malpractice lawsuits. The study ends in 1980, by which time Medicare and the emergence of professional self-regulation complaint systems altered how governments, the medical profession, and individuals approached negligence issues. Focusing primarily on actions against physicians and surgeons, the research will also explore how hospitals and other medical professionals became entangled with litigation. This research will interest historians and also legal scholars, medical professionals, lawyers, policy makers and the general public, since medical malpractice is an important and pressing policy issue.

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The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Insight Grants support research excellence in the social sciences and humanities. Funding is available to both emerging and established scholars for research initiatives of two to five years. Stable support for long-term research initiatives is central to advancing knowledge. It enables scholars to address complex issues about individuals and societies, and to further our collective understanding.

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and research training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing on developing talent, generating insights and forging connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world.

The work SSHRC supports encourages the deepest levels of inquiry. It spurs innovative researchers to learn from one another’s disciplines, delve into multiparty collaborations and achieve common goals for the betterment of Canadian society. Research outcomes are shared with communities, businesses and governments, who use this new knowledge to innovate and improve people’s lives.

Unveiling the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network

Saint Mary’s University has unveiled the Sobey School of Business Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network.

Established as a recovery network for communities and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, the Sobey School Community Revitalization & Prosperity Network puts the university’s academic and industry experts’ perspectives into service, supporting the recovery of the regional economy. 

Experts are drawn from faculty, research centres, alumni and partners in industry. They will tackle subjects including how data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence can serve in business recovery; how retirement savings will be affected; and how the retail industry can recover.  

“People describe our current situation as unprecedented, but universities have come through these sorts of times before,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. “The successful universities have done so by embracing transformation and harnessing the dynamics of extraordinary circumstances to help their communities. This prosperity network brings our experts into the community at a time when they are needed most.”

Through this network, the University will foster a resilient community of innovation and support for Nova Scotia’s businesses and communities and provide resources for entrepreneurs and business leaders, including:

• experts businesses and governments can consult to help navigate the economic recovery;

• evidence-informed free webinars to help communities and businesses recover from the pandemic;

• an opportunity to receive discussion papers and advance invitations to online events; and

• blog posts and opinion editorials with which to engage, and share thoughts and knowledge.

Saint Mary’s University has been actively engaged in responding to the pandemic—providing  personal protective equipment, COVID-19 related research and free business coaching and expert advice for entrepreneurs, businesses and government. The Sobey School of Business and the Entrepreneurship Centre have been at the forefront of these efforts, in keeping with their roles and long tradition as a driver of business excellence, entrepreneurship and economic strength in the region.

“We must come out of this crisis stronger, and we know that will take a coordinated effort across all sectors of our economy,” says Harjeet Bhabra, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “We anticipate this project will enable meaningful collaborations between our Sobey School researchers, industry experts and those on the frontlines, sparking the innovation that will revitalize our economy. We want our joint efforts to produce a more prosperous province for all Nova Scotians.”

Saint Mary’s University and the Sobey School of Business have long been committed to making a positive impact on local and global business practice and the region’s economy. In the Sobey School’s strategic plan, Elevating Impact, the school committed to “Engage with the broader community to enrich learning and discovery, and address issues of local and global significance.” The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic effect on the economy around the globe. Governments protected their citizens by curtailing public life, including commerce. Lives have been saved, and peoples’ health protected by these means. As the region begins the hard work of restarting the economy, the Sobey School of Business is prepared to play an essential role in helping Nova Scotia businesses and communities cope. 

The first free webinar is scheduled for July 16: Business in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: Using Data Analytics to Achieve Sustainable Recovery and Growth.

In addition to the no-cost resources offered by the Sobey School of Business Prosperity Network, there are paid courses offered through the Sobey School of Business Executive and Professional Development program that address some of the specifics around coping with COVID-19, including financial planning during the pandemic’s uncertainty; mindfulness and stress; new manager skills; and leading virtually.

Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair goes virtual for 2020

The 2020 Nova Scotia Heritage Fair is going virtual and is open to all Nova Scotian students in Grades 4 to 9.

"It was very important to us to find a way to continue, despite school closures,” says Dr. Kirrily Freeman of the Saint Mary’s Department of History, who coordinates the Provincial Heritage Fair each year. “Students work so hard on their projects throughout the year to prepare for this. Holding a virtual fair will be a good way to keep a connection with the kids, showcase their wonderful work, and highlight our youth and community, as well as our history and heritage, in these challenging times."

Every year, schools across the province hold fairs featuring heritage and history-themed projects by students in Grades 4 to 9. Winners go on to participate in the Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair, usually held over two days in early June at Saint Mary’s University with educational workshops, awards and a public showcase.

Africville is the 2020 honouree for the provincial heritage day and heritage fair. The close-knit community was built on the shores of Bedford Basin by descendants of the Black Loyalists and Black refugees who came to Nova Scotia in the late 1700s and early 1800s. See the Nova Scotia Heritage Day website for information and videos.

Students are invited to submit their projects on any aspect of Canadian history or heritage to kirrily.freeman@smu.ca  before June 1, 2020.  Any parents or students with questions can also send an email to the address above.

Submissions should include:

• 2-3 digital photos of the project;

• captions explaining each photo and describing the research for the project; and

• project information and parent consent form.

Projects will be displayed publicly throughout the month of June on the Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair Instagram site, @nsprovincialheritagefair. Any students looking for inspiration can check out these highlights from the 2018 and 2019 Provincial Heritage Fairs.

Updates from the Nova Scotia Provincial Heritage Fair will be posted on its website, on Facebook at @novascotiaheritagefairs, and on Instagram at @nsprovincialheritagefair.

New international research study asks: Is COVID-19 changing the way we cook and eat?

It might sound familiar: flour, pasta and yeast are more difficult to find than in the past, and you cannot ignore the photos of homemade bread or desserts circulating on social media. It seems for many that the approach when it comes to meals is completely different than before the emergence of the coronavirus. This has not escaped the notice of several researchers, either.

This change in cooking habits has led to a partnership between Saint Mary's University and the Food, Media & Society (FOOMS) at the University of Antwerp in Belgium to launch a research study into the matter. The Corona Cooking Survey is a large-scale international survey study into the impact of COVID-19 on how people deal with food and food-related media. This study allows the shifts brought on by the coronavirus in terms of buying, cooking and eating habits, to be identified. More than 30 countries have already confirmed that they will participate in the research project. 

Dr. Maryanne Fisher

"This is a really exciting project to be involved with for many reasons. Academics around the world have very quickly come together to explore one of the most basic parts of our daily life: eating," says Dr. Maryanne Fisher, a professor of Psychology at Saint Mary's and part of the study's project team. "The number of people who have turned to baking bread - one of the most basic skills that has endured for centuries - is simply amazing. But how did they learn how to make that bread, and what prompted them to do so?"

In Belgium, the survey has received more than 6,000 respondents in less than two weeks.

"We know from previous research that family and friends play an important role in people's relationship with food. Just think of the typical "family classics" or all the tips that friends and colleagues share about food," says Dr. Charlotte De Backer, an Associate Professor at the University of Antwerp and the study's project leader. "Other sources, such as influencers on social media, celebrities on television or recipes in magazines also have an impact on our food choices. That's why we want to use this study to investigate whether our habits have changed since the preventative measures were taken, and what role various media and people play in these changes."

Interested in participating in the survey? Click here.