Monthly report (February 2018)

My second month in the position of Executive Lead of Research at Algoma University has shown me that research by our faculty is both of high quality and important for the community, locally, regionally and beyond. In the past month, the Office of Research received external requests for expert advice in key pressing topics in various areas such as the economy (NAFTA negotiations), the environment (invasive species, climate change, water quality) and healthy communities (Truth and Reconciliation with First Nation peoples). 

Faculty at Algoma University is not merely interested in teaching by simply reproducing existing information. Instead, they strive to generate new knowledge through research and this is demonstrated by the number and quality of publications and scholarly work put out in 2017 alone (see the link provided below).  It is also demonstrated by the number of enquires the Office of Research is receiving from faculty regarding the establishment of international institutional research partnerships, IP agreements, grant applications, publications, etc. Such research activity is offering our students a high level of quality in post-secondary education by exposing them to the latest knowledge as well as opportunities to be involved in new discoveries. Furthermore, research these days is highly collaborative at the global scale, which further creates unique opportunities for our faculty and students to expand their horizons at other Universities. 

I am really happy that the Office of Research is well positioned to keep responding to the needs of our faculty and students and, in turn, to those of our community. Our call for proposals for the Algoma University Research Fund is currently out and for next year we are budgeting for a new University Innovation Fund, with the goal of enhancing the Office of Research's capacity to respond to new and emerging research opportunities in a timely manner. Furthermore, in the coming months we'll see improvements in physical space and additional capacity in communications. It is exciting to work in a team that understands and supports research and innovation as reflected in our institutional strategic plan.  


LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 2017
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TEU8NcXGPU_0xD660htMhCpwgMUsDqOZ8_Gk9hG0a3U/edit?usp=sharing

Monthly report (January 2018) - Executive Lead (Research)

It has now been approximately one month since I started a new position as Executive Lead Research at Algoma University. Since this is a new position for the institution, I think it’s important to regularly clarify why it is relevant. As such, this blog is an opportunity for me to reflect on my activities in this position and to communicate openly with the University community. Algoma University has a solid vision for what it wants to achieve in Research and Innovation, reflected in its strategic plan. However, specific short and long-term objectives and key metric indicators for the Research Lead and the Office of Research need to be developed for direction and accountability. I am doing this using a three pronged approach. First, by considering the current budget and thinking about future budget needs for the office. Second, by working with my team, Sue Harnden and Tiffany Gallivan), who have a wealth of experience and, third, by hearing from my colleagues in the three Faculties and Institutes. To this effect, over the next few weeks I will be meeting with the Faculties and Institutes to hear their opinion on the following: 1) actions the University needs to take through the Office of Research; 2) things the Office can do to serve everyone better; 3) particular institutional partnerships we should be considering; and 4) any additional ways the Office of Research and faculty can work together. 

Over the past month, a number of specific activities and projects were initiated:

Internal

The institutional webpage dedicated to research has been and will continue to be updated and improved

We are hiring an intern to enhance our capacity to work on specific projects (e.g., seeking specific community partnerships that can result in student research opportunities)

We created a shared online document and folder where faculty can list and upload their publications and scholarly work. This will be used to for the creation of materials (e.g., a newsletter) for external communications. Considering that Algoma University prides itself on engaging its students in research, student co-authors will be highlighted

We created a new logo and a new Twitter account for the Office of Research which can be found @algomaresearch . Our motto is - ‘The Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences - travelling from the past into the future’

Celebrating research success is important to ensure that those involved know they are valued and that everyone knows about all the great projects and talent we have at the University.

This month we started working on a nomination for highly prestigious award in the Humanities.

We are reinstating the Algoma University Seminar Series after Senate. The goal is to rotate speakers among the three Faculties and we will have an annual budget to allow inviting external speakers.

We are initiating a project that will result in the production of professionally designed posters highlighting individual faculty expertise for all faculty. These posters will be displayed near each appropriate department across our campuses

We provided support in the search process for a Canada Research Chair nomination

 Partnerships

We are in the process of strengthening our partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Academic Medical Association

Planning was initiated to create a (goal driven) research network with Research and Academic institutions in the community

We are pursuing external funding for a new Research Chair in an area that can better position Algoma University as a leader in a specific area that is critical to the local economy.