Author: Kueneman, Karen

Staff, 2015 Fall

Western University Graduate Symposium on Music

21st ANNUAL

WESTERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SYMPOSIUM ON MUSIC

CALL FOR PAPERS

The Society of Graduate Students in Music at Western University is pleased to announce its 21st annual Graduate Symposium on Music (WUGSOM), August 14th – 15th, 2020. This year Dr. Charles Garrett (University of Michigan) will deliver the keynote address titled ““Our AI Lets Humans Take Control”: Popular Music and Collaborative Artificial Intelligence.”

This year WUGSOM is going virtual! The conference will look quite different from what it is usually as it will be held entirely online. To make the conference more manageable as the organizers navigate this new digital format, submissions for this year’s symposium will be limited to only graduate students at Western. Though this will be a significant change of pace from previous years, it also presents new opportunities and organizers are hard at work developing ideas for how to best take advantage of the digital format and the more intimate scale.

The program committee invites Western graduate students of all disciplines to submit proposals for papers on any aspect of music, including but by no means limited to music theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, music cognition, music education, composition, and performance. They welcome papers on any topic and encourage a diversity of excellence in research across many fields.

The deadline for submission is Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 4:00 pm EST.

Presentations are limited to 20 minutes, with a 10-minute question period. All submissions must include the title of the paper and a proposal not exceeding 350 words. Proposals should not include supplementary materials or figures and should not include your name or other identifying information. Please send submissions in MS Word format (.doc or .docx) to wugsom2020@gmail.com. In your cover email, please include your name, program, year in program, and preferred email address. Further information will be posted to the conference website as it becomes available: http://sogsim.com/conference-2020/

Organized by: The Society of Graduate Students in Music, Western University, wugsom2020@gmail.com

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Mitacs – Updates to Programs and Information Webinar

Mitacs program updates for universities
(Webinar)

May 14, 2020
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7254032769048839436

As the effects of COVID-19 continue, Mitacs is working closely with government, academic, and industry partners on strategies to support the urgent needs of businesses, students, and postsecondary partners. In light of the pandemic and the support required to address its aftermath, they will share some new COVID-19 initiatives that may be of interest to faculty and students. On Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 3:30pm – 4:30pm ET, they will host a webinar to review these initiatives in detail.

Faster approvals and better leveraging for COVID-19 projects (deadline to apply is June 1, 2020): If you are involved in the battle against COVID-19, it’s vital that you continue to push ahead with your R&D as quickly as possible. Eligible industry and not-for-profit partners that are developing specific COVID-19 solutions may qualify for fast-tracked research review to get them the talent they need right away. And, if you are working with a small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME), Mitacs is increasing the funding leveraging — SMEs may contribute as little as $3,750 for one four-month internship. Learn more here

Small- to medium-sized enterprise discount (deadline to apply is July 1, 2020): Businesses, especially SMEs, are facing challenging times, which might jeopardize their R&D activity, so Mitacs is improving its leveraging for SMEs for a limited time. During this time, businesses can contribute $3,750 for a four-month internship, for a total award of $15,000. Learn more here

COVID-19 Industrial Postdoctoral Fellowship (deadline to apply is May 15, 2020): This is a one-year collaborative research award between universities and industry or not-for-profit partners that demonstrate a strong benefit to Canada in battling COVID-19 and addressing its aftermath. Eligible projects will be fast-tracked through the Mitacs approval process. Additional financial support is available to SMEs working to develop solutions to COVID-19. For a finite period, with an SME contribution of $15,000, Mitacs will provide a total award of $60,000 to cover the postdoctoral fellow’s salary and associated research costs. Learn more here.

Research Training Award: The Research Training Award (RTA) is an immediate and short-term opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a 12- to 16-week paid research training internship, valued at $6,000 per student. Student-led, these projects are designed to enhance their research skills as well as their interaction with faculty. Host institutions will be asked to contribute $3,000 towards the total award. These projects are intended to provide opportunities for students over the summer months, ideally starting by June 1, 2020, and no later than August 31, 2020.

Business Strategy Internship: For a limited time, undergraduate and graduate business students can undertake internships to apply their business expertise to real-world decision-making in SMEs. Projects will be structured to undertake a strategic analysis of an SME to help them restore or modify their business operations in a new business environment disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These paid internships are valued at $10,000 per student. SMEs and host institutions will each contribute $2,500 towards the $10,000 award. This exciting opportunity allows business students with broader training and career opportunities while providing support to SMEs who need additional assistance in modifying their business operations to adapt to the new economic reality.

Canadian Science Policy Fellowship COVID-19 (deadline to apply is May 31, 2020): To support the development of evidence-informed policy with access to scientific expertise from Canada’s academic sector, Mitacs is opening a Canadian Science Policy Fellowship (CSPF) COVID-19 call. This cohort will address Canada’s response to COVID-19, recovery, and preparation for future pandemics.

This CSPF COVID-19 call is a modified version of the standard CSPF program aimed at quickly connecting government with academic researchers meaning a faster matching process from a pool of qualified and pre-approved candidates, all of whom hold PhDs. This call will be open to provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments.

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Mitacs Elevate – PostDoc Program

Mitacs Elevate is now accepting proposal submissions for two years of postdoc funding valued at $60,000/year plus extensive customized professional development training ($7,500/year non-cash value).

Postdocs will:

  • Manage a long-term collaborative research project with a company or not-for-profit
  • Develop business-ready skills in leadership, financial literacy, management and negotiation, project management, problem solving and much more

Deadlines:
June 10, 2020 — Deadline to submit draft application for pre-review and (if applicable) conflict of interest declaration at 5 p.m. PT
July 22, 2020 — Deadline to submit full application at 5 p.m. PT

For questions or more information, please contact Mitacs at elevate@mitacs.ca.
 
Mitacs recognizes that due to the pandemic and the uncertainties it’s created, you may be operating with limited ability to plan future research projects. If you feel that you cannot submit an Elevate proposal at this time due to the pandemic, please reach out to elevate@mitacs.ca.

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(IDRC) Doctoral Research Awards 2020

Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) assists Canadian graduate students to undertake their thesis research in the field of international development. IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian and developing-country capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an international perspective.

Amount: up to $20,000

Deadline: June 17, 2020

Doctoral Research Awards support research aligned with IDRC’s mandate and thematic priorities.

Your field research must be relevant to one of six development outcome areas to which IDRC aims to contribute through its work. These are:

  • Health equity
  • Inclusive governance
  • Sustainable and inclusive growth
  • Climate resilience and sustainable food systems
  • Inclusive education
  • Strong science and innovation systems

Eligibility: Open to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing doctoral studies at a Canadian university.

More information…

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Ontario NVivo Research Network

Virtual NVivo Research Network meetings are being scheduled to connect researchers during this time of social distancing. To register for the virtual meeting with fellow researchers in Ontario, please see details below.

The NVivo Research Network objectives:

  • Create a community of practice around qualitative and mixed methods research, plus NVivo
  • Connect with colleagues within and across disciplines  
  • Create a network to identify grant and funding partnership opportunities

Ontario NVivo Research Network Meeting Details
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Time: 1- 2 PM EDT
Register: https://go.qsrinternational.com/e/346611/register-7013863144977100045/ps91mg/541156131?h=PjhQ3GHupfCN-NMHNrravEq_BxMldSNrh4Zi4K5_65I
Topic: Best practices for NVivo collaboration with colleagues and research teams

There is no fee to attend. 

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Research Western Update: Restrictions to Fieldwork

April 7, 2020

Given ongoing concerns related to social distancing and the impact of travel on communities, non-essential fieldwork should remain on hold for the immediate future. To continue, this work must first be declared essential by your department chair or Dean, as relevant, and fulfill requirements set by your faculty.

Final sign-off must also be provided by the Vice-President (Research), using the linked form. [PDF]

Research Western appreciates the impact these decisions have on your research projects and programs, particularly for graduate students. Our first priority is to protect Western’s students, trainees, staff, faculty and our surrounding communities.

Proposed fieldwork must consider the following:

  • Limit field work to essential, time-sensitive tasks
  • Follow directives of all governments, municipalities, communities and public health boards, including by respecting wishes to limit visitors to and from the area
  • Adhere to public health guidance related to social distancing
  • Minimize the number of participants at a given time and location
  • Limit interaction with the general public
  • Where possible, travel directly from home to the field site
  • Where impossible to travel in separate vehicles, maximize seating distance and use separate entrances in multi-row vehicles
  • Disinfect and avoid sharing equipment
  • Use hand sanitizer regularly
  • Do not participate in field research if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19

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COVID-19: Western Libraries Resource Guides

Currently, all of Western’s library locations are closed; however, all services are moving to online, including collections, research help, and consults. They have a rich online collection of databases, e-journals, e-books, and other online academic materials for your online teaching, learning, and research.

Western Libraries have recently compiled two library guides, and you may find them helpful:

·       Open Resources for COVID-19 Research with a variety of reliable, up-to-date resources on COVID-19 and related research; 

·       Expanded & Freely Available Resources with a list of expanded & freely available resources to support online teaching and learning.

Research help is available for faculty and students through chat and email. They also provide library consultations via Zoom (freely available to all with Western ID) or another strategy that works for the librarian and the faculty/students.  Check this webpage for changes to library services, and if you have any questions regarding library services, please contact library@uwo.ca. 

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Research & COVID 19 – Clarification on Face-to-Face Data Collection / Meetings


Western has advised researchers that if they cannot maintain appropriate social distancing in their facilities, they must prepare to close down their labs (see https://www.uwo.ca/coronavirus/research.html for the latest guidance). While this messaging has been directly largely toward labs in the STEM disciplines, social science researchers must be aware that these guidelines apply also to their research, labs, and research groups.

All face to face data collection should cease immediately: any protocols that currently involve in-person interaction must be modified to eliminate the necessity for face to face interaction between researchers, participants, or participants and researchers. Research labs and research groups (including faculty, graduate students, and research lab personnel)  must meet virtually (using Skype, Zoom, or other technologies) rather than conducting face to face meetings.

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COVID19 Research Ethics Board Work Instructions for Researchers

March 19th, 2020
Given the evolving circumstances with COVID19 Western’s Research Ethics Boards (REB) encourage all researchers with active protocols to evaluate the necessity of ongoing study activities at this time, and if needed, to make appropriate (and applicable) revisions to their study in response to Public Health Ontario recommendations until further notice – maintaining compliance to all institutional, provincial and federal guidelines.

The Principal Investigator (PI) on the application is responsible for exercising sound judgment in determining when ongoing study activities are appropriate, taking into consideration: (a) the objective of the research; (b) the mandate to protect all participants, research staff and the community at large; and (c) the resources available (e.g., access to study sites, personnel, technologies, etc.) to carry out ongoing activities.

  1. Are ongoing study activities essential at this time?
  2. If ‘yes’, what study activities must continue?
  3. Are any modifications to approved study procedures needed to responsibly carry out these activities?
  4. If ‘yes’, will these modifications increase any risk to participants, researchers, the community at large or the institution?
  5. If ‘yes’, what steps will be implemented to minimize risk to all involved?

Western’s Research Ethics Boards (REBs) recognize the with a wide range of research across campus will necessitate diverse modifications to facilitate research activities during this time.

Below are some technologies Western makes available which may help facilitate social distancing and minimize travel to campus and face-to-face interactions, while still allowing research teams to communicate with each other and with participants as needed.

  • Consent modifications: verbal consent via telephone (required: verbal script and evidence of documented consent such as via audio-recording); written consent received via email attachment; online consent via Qualtrics (mysurveys.uwo.ca).
  • Videoconferencing options: Western Zoom and hospital options
  • Office 365 Suite: deemed secure for collection, transfer, storage of sensitive information (e.g., de-identified research data)

As per the Memo sent on March 13, 2020, researchers must report these modifications to the REB within 5 days of implementing the change if not possible to do so before. These reports must be submitted as a Reportable Event in WREM (see Actions: “Create Sub-Form”), selecting “For Your
Information (FYI)” in Q1.8 of the application form.

You must go into WREM and use the correspondence feature to message the specific Ethics Officer (EO) assigned to your file to efficiently communicate with the REB about your own individual studies. It will be much faster and the most efficient way to ensure your message gets to the most appropriate person. The messages go right to the email for the EO assigned to the file.

Office of Human Research Ethics Phone: 519.661.3036, Email: ethics@uwo.ca

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