Entrepreneurship, Student Support
Emily LeBlanc
Access Ability: inclusive growth for ...
Faculty of Arts, Research, Alumni
Emily LeBlanc
Halifax Memory Maps research offers a new look ...
Sobey School of Business, Research, Partnerships
Emily LeBlanc
Health Data Analytics Symposium showcases ...
Entrepreneurship, Student Success, Media Release
Emily LeBlanc
Saint Mary's student team wins $10,000 in ...
Emily LeBlanc
Saint Mary’s University unveils ambitious new ...
, ,

Students tackle health care, food security issues with Wicked Problem Lab awards  

, ,

Four Saint Mary’s students are gearing up to tackle some thorny issues in health care, food security and sustainability thanks to an award program from the Wicked Problems Lab.  

Now in its second year, the LeaderVision Atlantic Wicked Problems Lab Awards (sponsored by SMU alumnus Douglas Coll BComm’89), provide $2,500 to two undergraduate students who present a compelling idea to address a challenging problem. The Wicked Problems Lab grants two additional awards of the same value to one graduate and one undergraduate student.  

“Wicked problems, like poverty or climate change, are by definition almost impossible to solve because they are complex and always evolving, with no real end point,” says Dr. Mat Novak, a professor in the department of Geography and Environmental Studies and director of the Wicked Problems Lab. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to address them. These awards inspire and encourage students to work towards solutions.” The Lab supports the students by providing data, analytical software and expertise. 

Twelve projects vied for the award this year. The successful candidates began working with Drs. Novak and Matsumoto–the WPL’s Research Analyst–shortly after they were notified of their prize and will continue to develop and implement their idea this winter. Surveys, spatial analysis and census data will help inform their projects along with meeting local partners to carry out their ideas. Students will showcase their projects at the end of the term. 

Congratulations to the winners:

Lydia Lee 
Bachelor of Commerce, Sobey School of Business 
Project: Sustainable Seconds 

Sustainable Seconds aims to address food insecurity by delivering affordable and sustainable home meal kits. Using second products from local farmers and donated ingredients to create affordable and sustainable meal packages, it’s a cost-effective solution with pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes.

Sorav Sogy 
Bachelor of Commerce, Sobey School of Business 
Project: CARE ETA 
 
Sorav Sogy, along with fellow BComm students Vaishali Sachdeva, Ishaan Singh and Aarav Sen Mehta, want to tackle healthcare wait times through the development of an interactive app. CARE ETA aims to improve the experience of patients waiting in lengthy queues in emergency hospitals by implementing a real-time system that lets people stay informed about their status.

 

Melissa sits on a boardwalk on a sunny day

Melissa Alvarez Del Angel 
Bachelor of Science, Psychology major 
Project: Palm Oil Reduction and Healthier Food on Campus 

Melissa Alvarez Del Angel is promoting healthier food options to the SMU campus. In response to the environmental impact of widespread palm oil production, Melissa has proposed a comprehensive strategy for reducing the use of palm oil and advocating for healthier food alternatives at SMU.

Hasib poses in a button up shirt


Hasib Ahmed 

Master of Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
Project: Wellnex 

Hasib Ahmed is developing a platform to make blood collection more accessible. This project seeks to enhance urban and rural mobility by introducing a doorstep blood sample collection service facilitated by a visiting nurse/phlebotomist, eliminating the need for individuals to commute to the hospital.

About the Wicked Problems Lab 

Established in 2020, the Wicked Problems Lab harnesses the power of data and advanced analysis to address the world’s wicked problems. 

The lab is equipped with the latest software and curated datasets and is staffed with a full-time analyst to help address your wicked problem.  

The lab offers: 

  • One-on-one research help 

  • Undergraduate and graduate-level problem-based learning activities 

  • Workshops, seminars and group training 

  • Self-directed tutorials for data and software, including GIS 

  • Community-research help assistance 

,

History professor joins International Science Council Fellowship

,

Dr. Karly Kehoe

The International Science Council has appointed Dr. Karly Kehoe as an ISC Fellow, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to promoting science as a global public good.

Based in Paris, the ISC is the largest international scientific organization and the Fellowship is the highest honour it confers on individuals. Dr. Kehoe is among 100 new ISC Fellows appointed from around the world, and just one of four Canadians who recently joined the esteemed group.

Along with 123 previous appointments, the new ISC Fellows will “support the Council in its mission at a critical moment for science and sustainability as we enter the UN’s International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development in 2024,” said the December 19 announcement.

Kehoe is a Professor of History at Saint Mary’s University, and the Canada Research Chair in Atlantic Canada Communities.

“I was so pleased to have been nominated by the National Research Council—and then delighted to be one of four Canadians appointed,” she says. “It’s significant for me because it demonstrates the value the international science community is placing on the humanities; on the perspectives we provide. The ISC recognizes that interdisciplinarity is a necessity.”

The ISC Fellowship was created in 2022 to recognize eminent social and natural scientists, engineers and thought leaders who have made impactful contributions to science and society.

“Saint Mary’s is proud to have Dr. Kehoe as one of our Canada Research Chairs, devoted to Atlantic Canada studies while at the same time making such a large global impact. It shows the true strength of her scholarly work to engage communities and inform policymakers,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, the university’s Associate Vice-President of Research and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

As a historian, Kehoe has long been an advocate of science diplomacy. She serves as a member of the ISC’s Freedom and Responsibility in Science Standing Committee and sits on the InterAcademy Partnership’s (IAP) Policy Advice Development Committee, and the Science in Exile’s steering committee (a partnership of UNESCO-TWAS, ISC and IAP).

As an ISC Fellow, “my main focus will continue to be science diplomacy through research and advocacy,” she says. “The benefits of research need to be made available to everyone, and the scientific community has a responsibility to be honest brokers in enabling access. This is my priority—it’s the only way to rebuild and retain trust in science.”

Among many other achievements, Kehoe was president of the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (2020-2022) and is the founder and lead of the RSC’s At-Risk and Displaced Academics and Artists (ARDAA) program. She also co-founded the At-Risk and Academic Refugee Membership programme (Young Academy of Scotland) and the At-Risk Scholar Initiative (Global Young Academy).

"The ISC Fellowship recognizes individuals who are ambassadors and advocates working tirelessly for science internationally and for the vital importance of evidence-informed policymaking,” Professor Terrence Forrester, Chair of the ISC Fellowship Council, said in the announcement. “ISC Fellows hail from wide-ranging geographies, sectors, disciplines and career stages, and we look forward to working with them all in multiple capacities in the coming months and years."

In her research at Saint Mary’s, Kehoe explores settler colonialism and how religious minority migrants acquired and exercised colonial privilege in the north Atlantic world between 1750 and 1850. She also examines the complex links between Catholic colonialism in the Caribbean and what would become Atlantic Canada. Her most recent book is Empire and Emancipation: Scottish and Irish Catholics at the Atlantic Fringe (University of Toronto Press, 2022).

Kehoe has also held research fellowships at Trinity College Dublin, Durham University, Middle Tennessee State University, Yale University, and the University of Guelph. She is the Convenor of the Scottish Historical Review Trust and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. She is the board chairperson and academic lead of the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies.

Related links:

, ,

Sobey School globally recognized for supporting UN initiative

, ,
PRME Champions 2024. Three women stand together outside the Sobey School building.

The Sobey School of Business has been named PRME Champions for 2024-2025. This is the third time the school has been reaffirmed as one of the world’s leading business schools, supporting the United Nations initiative - Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). 

“Once again, we are proud to be recognized as PRME Champions,” says Interim Dean, Mark Raymond. “The recognition places the Sobey School in a select group of business schools across the globe who are committed to sustainability and to educating the business leaders of tomorrow to make a positive impact on the world.”

As PRME Champions, the Sobey School is integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across curriculum, research, and partnerships. Currently, the school’s research agenda is aligned to support the SDGs as faculty generate insights on issues such as corporate social responsibility, poverty-climate change nexus, social entrepreneurship, and the role of gender in venture capital funding. The research intensity associated with the SDGs is a strong point of distinction for the school. Nearly 50% of the faculty have contributed to the portfolio of research aligned with the SDGs with 65% of all research-active faculty engaged in SDG-related research.

The school has also adapted its curriculum to meet PRME objectives and in response to student demand. Professor Miguel Morales notes, “Over the past three years, we have strategically adapted the Bachelor of Commerce curriculum to embed sustainability as a core component. The renewed Program Learning Outcomes place a strong emphasis on sustainability, and in Winter 2024, we are introducing two dedicated sustainability courses. These core courses serve as pillars for developing a deep-rooted awareness of sustainable business practices early in students' academic journeys.” As a result, Sobey School students graduate with a distinct advantage; they are prepared for the new world of business, one that requires responsible leaders to rise to global challenges in new, integrated ways.

For the 2024-2025 PRME programme cycle, the Sobey School has committed to the refreshed Seven PRME Principles and, in keeping with the new principle on Practice to “adopt responsible and accountable management principles in our own governance and operations”, is championing the university’s completion of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Sobey is one of only four business schools from Canada to be considered a Champion of PRME. There are 46 other business schools from around the world to be named Champion. The Sobey School is the oldest and the most accredited business school in Atlantic Canada offering the largest portfolio of disciplines and programs graduate programs east of Quebec.  

Opt-out/Opt-in dates for SMUSA health plan

All students taking at least one academic credit are automatically billed and enrolled in the Extended Health and Dental plan.

New winter term and/or transfer students beginning their studies in January with alternative and comparable private extended health and dental coverage can apply to opt out.

International students are also automatically enrolled in the Basic Health Plan. Students must meet one of the three criteria to submit an opt-out for the Basic Plan (hold active MSI, visiting/exchange student with coverage from their home university, or a sponsored student).

 The opt-out applications are available on the Student VIP website until January 25, visit:  www.studentvip.ca/smusa

New students/transfer students can apply to opt-in their dependants during the winter opt-in period for an additional fee. Dependants are a spouse, common-law partner, and/or children.

The opt-in applications are available on the Student VIP website until January 25, visit: www.studentvip.ca/smusa

Questions? Healthplan.smusa@smu.ca

,

Career Week 2024

,
Career Week February 5-9, 2024

Join us for Career Week 2024, from February 5-9, 2024! Over these five days, you will have the opportunity to attend fun interactive sessions, network with employers, meet SMU alumni, prepare for graduation, participate in skill-developing workshops and more! This week is designed to teach you what's next for your job or future career at any point in your degree.

See the event descriptions below for registration details.

Career Week 2024 Events

Event title and information over photo of students sitting together

Careers in Corrections

Monday, February 5 | 4-5:30 p.m.
Loyola 188

Cancelled due to the weather-related campus closure.

Summer Job & Career Fair

Tuesday, February 6 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Loyola 290

Are you interested in learning about employment opportunities or finding a summer job?

The Summer Job & Career Fair provides students with an opportunity to connect with a diverse range of hiring employers to share their skills, ideas and talents. Students who are eager to put their skills to good use in new roles will get a chance to interact and learn about opportunities from employers in their desired fields.

Event info laid over photo of graduates celebrating outside McNally building

Grad Expo

Wednesday, February 7 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Loyola 290

2024 graduates can stop by the Grad Expo to learn about alumni benefits, grad photos, student loan repayment, convocation, resources for new graduates and more!

Register for the Grad Expo

Event info over photo of students sitting together

Your Next Chapter Abroad: Insights for International Students

Wednesday, February 7 | 3:30-5 p.m.
Loyola 290

Do you have questions about staying in Canada after graduation and how to prepare? Join us for an insightful panel discussion designed for international students preparing for graduation. Our expert panel of young alumni and industry experts including representatives from the International Centre and Office of the Registrar will share valuable insights and advice for a successful transition to your professional life after graduation.

Register for Your Next Chapter Abroad: Insights for International Students

Event info over photo of campus

Drop-In Career Exploration for Arts Students

Thursday, February 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Arts Commons, McNally Main 214 

A "feel good" event for Arts students. Drop by the Arts Commons to find out more about the power of your Arts degree as you transition out of university and into a career. Explore whether grad school might be for you, learn tricks and tips on how Arts students can job hunt successfully, and do some inner exploration on your values, beliefs and goals. You have more options than you think!

LinkedIn Photoshoot
Thursday, February 8 | 3-5 p.m.
Student Centre, 4th floor

Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a new professional photo! All students are invited to get a professional headshot taken by a photographer for free at the Career and Experiential Learning office on the 4th floor of the Student Centre between 3-5 p.m. Remember to dress in professional attire!

Sign up in advance to book your spot for the LinkedIn Photoshoot

Event info over photo of business people sitting on a stage

Bring Yourself to Work: Authenticity and Inclusivity in the Workforce

Thursday, February 8 | 4-5:30 p.m.
Unilever Lounge (Sobey 422)

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring recruiters, employers and industry professionals as they share invaluable insights on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) in the workforce. This event is tailored for students who are eager to understand the crucial role of EDIA in shaping thriving workplaces and building successful careers.

Register for Bring Yourself to Work: Authenticity and Inclusivity in the Workforce

Event info over photo of hands typing on a keyboard

How to Apply for the Government

Friday, February 9 | 12-1 p.m.
Online event 

This virtual session will go over the application process for government jobs. If you're thinking about working for the Government of Canada, you don't want to miss this online event!

Register for How to Apply for the Government and receive an online link to the session by email.

Event info over photo of two women speaking in an office

Job Search and Resume Support Webinar

Friday, February 9 | 2-3:30 p.m.
Online event

This virtual session will provide an overview of formatting, structure and best practices for building a resume and searching for work opportunities.

Register for the Job Search and Resume Support Webinar and receive an online link to the session by email.

Students compete to win $10,000 with innovative ideas

The Innovation Cup, a 10-week experiential learning program, was launched at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre this fall. Thirty Saint Mary’s students from the faculties of Arts, Commerce and Science competed for a grand prize consisting of $10,000 to develop their start-up idea and a summer job opportunity. Through the weekly events, the participating students connected with industry experts to increase their business understanding, skills and network. 

After several elimination rounds, four teams made it to the semi-finals on December 8:

  • GalPal, a safety-enhancing mobile application that empowers women to stay alert and stay safe;

  • SeaCycle, a water filtration system designed to remove plastic waste, ranging from water bottles to microplastics, using a multistage gravity filter, while also providing automated water quality reports;

  • CareETA, a comprehensive digital platform revolutionizing healthcare by providing real-time insights for waiting room well-being;

  • Plastarch Packaging, a bioplastic alternative made from set-to-be-wasted root vegetables, solves the need for environmentally friendly cutlery and food packaging.

The semi-finals saw these teams give their best pitches to the panel of judges, who did not hold back with their questions and feedback. Following a 15–minute discussion, the judges decided that GalPal and Plastarch Packaging would move to the finals.

The finals, also on December 8, were energetic and both teams had improved pitches to present to the panel. With two unique and fascinating business ideas, the judges and the audience had a tough time choosing the winner.

Ultimately, the winner of the first Innovation Cup was Plastarch Packaging, with a team comprised of Madeline Bristol, Susan MacInnis and Mya MacDonald. The team had a compelling pitch, backed by the numbers and validation, paired with the team’s passion for developing sustainable solutions.

The Innovation Cup will be back next fall for all the young entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas!

, , ,

Student launches Black haircare and beauty supply vending machine on campus

, , ,

Queen-Esther Okundonor, a fourth-year Marketing and Finance student from Nigeria, has a passion for helping people. This passion led her to launch her new business, QTress Beauty Supplies, a vending machine located in the Loyola Academic Building on campus. QTress Beauty Supplies aims to provide convenient and easy access to hair and beauty care products for the diverse student body at Saint Mary’s University and Halifax at large. 

Before opening in October, Queen-Esther had spent three years thinking about starting her own beauty supply business after learning about other vending businesses. At first, she was hesitant to make business plans while balancing her schoolwork and tuition payments, but she decided to give it a try.

Although Queen-Esther faced some ups and downs throughout the journey of planning and envisioning her business idea, she did not give up on her project. Instead, she worked harder. She learned to pivot when things did not work out. To Queen-Esther, the whole process was worth it because she was able to meet many supporters and gain a community.

This fall, friends, students, staff and faculty, including Saint Mary’s President Robert Summerby-Murray, gathered at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and celebrated the launch of QTress Beauty Supplies. The new vending machine, which carries a variety of beauty and hair care products for different hair and skin types, is located on the first floor of the Loyola Academic Building.

The story of Queen-Esther’s entrepreneurship journey inspired many students, igniting a spark of motivation and encouraging them to chase their own dreams. “When you look your best, you feel your best, and this should not be only a luxury,” says Queen-Esther.

Watch a CTV News story about Queen-Esther Okundonor and QTress Beauty Supplies: Easy access to Black beauty supplies | CTV News

, ,

Alumnus brings local holiday tradition to life through 3D printing

, ,

Woody the Talking Christmas Tree (Paul Hollingsworth/CTV Atlantic)

It's that time of year again when the mall fills with holiday shoppers, dazzling lights and a magical talking tree from the North Pole. Woody, the talking Christmas tree, returned to the Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth in 2021, after a 15-year hibernation. Woody has a fresh new look, and it's not just because he's been getting plenty of beauty sleep.

Mohammed Issa BComm’16

Mohammed Issa BComm'16, the founder of Eureka Technologies Inc., has restored life to Woody's face through 3D printing. Woody also owes his magical abilities to Eureka Technologies Inc., who designed and built all the mechanical elements that bring Woody to life.

Although Rome was not built in a day, Woody was constructed in just two weeks. The mall had initially contacted Eureka Technologies Inc. in March of 2021 to inquire if they could take on the Woody project but then decided to move forward at the end of October.

"Woody arrives at the mall the day before Remembrance Day and wakes up the day after (November 12). So, we only had two weeks to construct and assemble Woody," says Mohammed.

No stranger to challenges, he was confident that his team would deliver.

Mohammed was a mature student studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Saint Mary's. With three small children at the time, he enrolled in the business program to gain the knowledge required to start a completely different business venture he had in mind.

"I purchased my first 3D printer intending to create a prototype for my new business idea. However, I realized I could also generate extra income by providing 3D printing services using Kijiji." This led to the birth of Eureka Technologies Inc. in 2015. As a full-time student, Mohammed utilized his entrepreneurial spirit to support his family with his printer, which ultimately led to the success of his business today.

Today, Mohammed is passionate about growing the entrepreneur in others, and he does so by collaborating with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. Together, they offer a robotics class where Eureka Technologies Inc. provides each student with 3D-printed robot kits. The students get to build and program their robots in this class.

"Learning entrepreneurship through this class is expanding the mindset of our students from diverse backgrounds across different faculties," says Mohammed.

Mohammed's dedication to Saint Mary's students and his entrepreneurial mindset is evident through his active participation in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. The Saint Mary's University Alumni Association has recognized his exceptional work with Eureka Technologies Inc. and his unwavering support for young entrepreneurs by awarding him the Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year for 2023.

"I plan to continue giving back to the community and supporting students the way that I was helped as a student," said Mohammed, expressing his gratitude for the recognition of his efforts.

To learn more about Eureka Technologies Inc., visit www.eurekatec.ca/about.

Check out Woody's Twitter account to join in on the magic!

,

Psychology professor studies the silent epidemic of burnout in healthcare

,

Healthcare workers are stressed and overworked—the pandemic only made it worse. Dr. Debra Gilin and her team study the effects of burnout in healthcare.

Dr. Debra Gilin works with Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley and a team of psychology graduate students to research burnout in healthcare workers.

Within the sanitized halls of hospitals and clinics, a silent epidemic is wreaking havoc among the very caregivers we depend on.

Burnout within the medical field has become an alarming concern across the globe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where uncertainty and growing hospitalization numbers impacted the well-being of healthcare professionals who worked tirelessly to slow the spread of the virus.

According to Dr. Debra Gilin, professor of psychology and graduate program coordinator for the Department of Psychology at Saint Mary's University, burnout among healthcare workers has been going on long before the pandemic.

“Doctors and nurses were already burnt out from the normal structure of the healthcare system, and then you added COVID, where people were dying,” she explained. “So, the stakes were really high, and they experienced what they described as a ‘moral distress,’ because they couldn’t help the person the way they should be able to under medical oath.”

A close photo of Dayna, who has olive skin, long black hair and black rimmed glasses

Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley

Together with her colleague, Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley, and a team of graduate students specializing in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Dr. Gilin and her team decided to study the effects of burnout in healthcare workers. The 2020 study—funded through a collaboration with the Nova Scotia Health Research Coalition/ Research Nova Scotia— focused specifically on burnout during COVID and how the pandemic compounded the existing crisis that healthcare workers are experiencing. 

“We wanted to use the knowledge we gained [through the study] to create some intervention courses that could actually help leaders and the people that they lead in healthcare, not get as burned out during the pandemic,” she said.

How do you measure burnout?

Burnout is more than just being tired. It’s a complex and multifaceted condition that includes emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment.

But how does one measure these emotions?

Using homecare nurses, nursing leaders, and medical faculty leaders as participants, Dr. Gilin and her team embarked on a seemingly Sisyphean mission.

“We couldn't change that people were being re-deployed to other health units, we couldn't change that they weren't always getting good communication or didn't always have PPE,” she said. “But we could help leaders realize that sometimes what they need to do is just be honestly validating and supportive, and that's materially useful, not only to themselves but to the people that they lead.”

The study groups had to take a six-week course over Zoom, where they learned about supportive leadership skills, the science of a brain under stress, how to recover from burnout, and leadership skills around conflict and empathy. Funds from the Research Coalition/Research Nova Scotia, and partner organizations, helped further refine their study.

“With the funding, we were able to give them a Fitbit, and we tracked their self-reported burnout, their health behaviors and their stress response, as measured by their resting heart rate during sleep,” Dr. Gilin explained.

The participants were broken into two groups: those who started the course earlier and those who took it later and served as a control group. The team saw that those waiting for the course had escalated resting heart rates as they tried to navigate the stress of the pandemic and avoid catching the disease. Once they started the course, their resting heart rates would level off and then start to come down.

“This is being recorded during sleep, so there’s nothing you can do to fake that,” said Dr. Gilin. “And the self-report surveys they were answering gave the same story… we had biological data and survey data that corroborated one another, so we felt like we were onto something.”

Systemic challenges and the way forward

While burnout is a personal experience, its root causes are deeply intertwined with systemic challenges within the healthcare industry.

Excessive workload, long on-call shifts, inadequate staffing levels, unfair policies and unpredictability in the workplace, are a few of the factors that healthcare workers have to deal with daily.

“We’re not so naïve as to assume that we’re able to change the healthcare system,” Dr. Gilin explained. “There are things about how funding happens and how people are trained that can lead to an unhealthy culture and unhealthy workload, but I think there’s been a shift in recognizing that working people so hard is counter-productive.”

The team is also working with web developers to create apps and offer the six-week course to health practitioners outside of Nova Scotia who are looking to manage their burnout as well.

“We plan to cut up the course into little videos and activities that people can complete every day,” said Dr. Gilin. “We have a mock-up ready and have the funding to continue moving these courses to a more accessible format for workplaces across Canada.” The team is currently conducting a research study on the effectiveness of the app-based course. Leaders who are interested in participating in the research will get access to the app for free. For more information contact phs@smu.ca, debra.gilin@smu.ca, or DrDayna@impactme.app.

For those experiencing burnout— regardless of profession— Dr. Gilin advises to actively take the time to rest and find joy through hobbies, activities and other social interactions.

“Take some time to reflect on what are the more energizing and fulfilling aspects of the work that you do,” she said. “Try to find a creative way to shift the balance, so that what makes you show up every day becomes a reasonable part of your day.”

, ,

TransCoastal Adaptations helping coastal communities become resilient to climate change

, ,

TransCoastal Adaptations is building on the success of a program that helps homeowners in coastal communities protect and revitalize their shorelines, thanks to an injection of funding from the provincial government.

More than $2.45 million from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund will support seven community-led projects that are helping Nova Scotians prepare for and respond to climate change impacts. One of those projects is the Green Shores for Homes program with TransCoastal Adaptations: Centre for Nature-Based Solutions at Saint Mary’s University.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Timothy Halman announced the funding at an event in Mahone Bay on November 23.

“This summer was a heartbreaking reminder of the destruction and loss that climate change is causing,” said Minister Halman. “It was also a reminder that all Nova Scotians must work together to protect each other, our homes, communities and natural areas from climate change. These projects–many of which involve best practices in using nature-based solutions–show exactly the kind of community-led, all-hands-on-deck action that is needed to make our communities and ecosystems more resilient to climate change and to protect all that we hold dear.”

With $238,098 from the fund, TransCoastal Adaptations (TCA) will be able to expand its Green Shores for Homes program, bringing it to coastal communities such as the municipalities of West Hants, Barrington and Pictou County. The new funds will also allow TransCoastal to provide free shoreline assessments for waterfront homeowners in those areas.

“We are thrilled to help increase our local communities’ coastal resilience through the Green Shores for Homes program thanks to this funding, which will ensure that Green Shores helps more vulnerable communities and trains homeowners with nature-based strategies to protect their shorelines in the face of climate change and sea level rise,” says Kelly Umlah BES’17, TransCoastal’s Education and Outreach Coordinator.

Umlah spoke at the funding announcement, thanking the provincial government and Federation of Nova Scotia Municipalities for supporting the project, “Building Community Coastal Resilience in Nova Scotia with Green Shores for Homes”.

British Columbia/Nova Scotia partnership

The Green Shores for Homes program originated with the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia, which partnered with TransCoastal Adaptations to broaden the program’s reach to the Maritime provinces.

Through the training, coastal property owners learn to use nature-based solutions to address issues such as shoreline erosion, sea level rise and climate change adaptation. With programs also created for local governments and commercial developers, the Green Shores initiatives promote sustainable maintenance, restoration and stewardship of healthy, resilient shorelines.

On December 7, all are welcome to learn more in a Green Shores webinar, “Practical strategies and lessons learned from nature-based project implementation in the Maritimes and British Columbia,” co-presented by TransCoastal and the Stewardship Centre for B.C.

Since the expansion of the Green Shores program to the Maritimes, TCA has trained over 150 municipal staff, contractors and members of the public in Green Shores Level 1, with many continuing their training with Level 2. Working with partners in government and NGOs, TCA has provided technical expertise on a few living shoreline projects that will soon be certified Green Shores for Shoreline Development sites. The new funding will allow more time for outreach to homeowners for smaller-scale projects on private properties in need of shoreline protection and habitat, Umlah said.


Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund

The provincial government created the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund to support community-led action and leadership, as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act. Launched in November 2022, the fund helps municipalities, non-profit/community groups, post-secondary schools and Mi’kmaw communities respond to and prepare for climate change impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

The projects announced last week were funded through the first round of the program; the call for projects for the second round closed on November 14. Funding was also announced last week for the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation in Mahone Bay, Friends of the DesBrisay Museum in Bridgewater, Bonny Lea Farm in Chester, Waterfront Baddeck, Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy Association, and the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq Aquatic Resources and Fisheries Management.

“Communities across the province continue to experience the effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events,” Juanita Spencer, CEO of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities said at the announcement. “These projects will build resilience in communities and natural habitats, make community infrastructure energy efficient, give us carbon storage research and demonstrate the power and effectiveness of locally-led action on tackling climate change. We are pleased to support these homegrown solutions which will play a role in shaping a more sustainable future for all.”


Read more

Rise to the Climate Challenge: Accounting for the Future of Agribusiness  

The Sobey School of Business recently held its fifth annual Responsible Leadership Day on November 17, 2023, attracting over 120 attendees, including students, faculty, alumni, researchers, industry experts, and government partners. The event centered around the theme "Accounting and Sustainable Business," sparking in-depth discussions on food security and the pursuit of a more sustainable future through the new international sustainability reporting standards. 

Renowned climate and energy policy expert, Diana Fox Carney, set the tone with a stark assessment of climate challenges in agribusiness. "This year marks the hottest on record, and it's only set to get hotter," she emphasized. Highlighting the vast implications, she stressed, "Extreme heat affects farm workers, floods and storms disrupt supply chains—there's much cause for concern." 

Fox Carney pivoted the conversation to address agriculture's significant impact on the climate. "Despite incredible yield increases, agriculture's sustainability is wavering," she cautioned. "Currently, agriculture monopolizes over 70% of the world's water, a concerning statistic." 

Following the keynote, an expert panel -- moderated by Nancy Foran from ESG Partners and Sobey School Advisory Board Chair -- explored actionable solutions for climate concerns in agriculture. Panelists, including Charles Cho from York University’s Schulich Business School, Jean-Benoit Deslauriers from Benjamin Bridge winery, John MacQuarrie from Cavendish Farms, and Stephenie Fox from CPA Canada, emphasized the direct effects of climate change on Canadian business. The discussion also touched upon redefining sustainability in business, stimulating an engaging dialogue with the audience. 

As the conference concluded, the discussions revealed a collective call for innovation in transforming agriculture. There was an emphasis on the need for companies in the agribusiness sector to devise transition plans to get to Net Zero, support product carbon footprint labeling, and avoid overreliance on regenerative agriculture without a comprehensive understanding of its harms and benefits. As Fox Carney suggests, “If we are going to overcome the challenges inherent in transforming agriculture – producing more nutritious food with far fewer emissions, at a reasonable cost while also protecting water supplies, nature, nutritional content, etc. – we can’t rely on existing technologies and practices alone; we are definitely going to need innovation.” The collective sentiment highlighted the urgency and importance of collaborative efforts toward sustainable practices in the agribusiness industry. 

 The 2023 Responsible Leadership Day continued with the Sustainability Case Competition, presented in partnership with the CPA Nova Scotia Education Foundation, with $2,500 in prizes. A team of SMU BComm students: Katherine Hanscom, Mark Mitton, Pasang Sherpa, and Douglas Vincent placed first out of the eight teams.  

About Responsible Leadership Day   

Responsible Leadership Day is a flagship event for the Sobey School of Business. It brings together students and researchers with industry and government partners. It highlights the school’s commitment as signatories of PRME, a UN initiative that promotes Principles for Responsible Management Education. The Sobey School of Business is committed to upholding sustainability, as demonstrated by its research, student projects and course content.