Category: FIMS

Social Network Analysis – Are you interested in this methodology?

Social network analysis (SNA) is a unique field of study that looks to better understand the relationships and social networks of a defined group of individuals and/or organizations. In research, applications of social network analysis are myriad. People from many disciplines might have use for social network approaches, ranging from biology to computer science, psychology, sociology, healthcare, and public health (as only a few examples).

In an effort to enhance the depth and scope of expertise locally at Western, a series of talks and workshops led by experts in this field is being planned.

The initial talks will introduce the essentials of social network analysis including the theories and methods of analyzing social interactions such as inter-individual, inter-organizational, partnership, and social support. After this, there will be a series of workshops where scholars can develop a proposal with peer support and expert facilitation choosing and adapting the optimal data collection and analysis techniques for their research.

No prior knowledge in SNA is required.

As a way to gauge interest in potential future methodological workshops it is important to identify the spectrum of researchers who are currently engaging in or wish to engage in social network analysis/approaches.

Interested Western University faculty, post-doctoral scholars, trainees, PhD candidates and staff are asked to complete a brief survey which will remain open until February 26th. The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

Contact for more information:
Anna Gunz, Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics
Mariam Hayward, mariam.hayward@uwo.ca, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager, Western Research

Envirocon 2021 Call for Abstracts

Western University invites graduate students to submit abstracts for presentations and speed talks for the 2021 EnviroCon research conference.

The following is copied from The WIRE:

EnviroCon is an annual interdisciplinary conference organized by the Centre for Environment and Sustainability. It offers an opportunity for graduate students to present their work to a diverse audience of researchers focusing on environment and sustainably issues. We welcome students from any and all departments and disciplines.

The virtual conference will take place on March 26, 2021, and there are no fees associated with this event.

Presenters and attendees are required to register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/envirocon-2021-tickets-140285171725

Abstracts can be submitted HERE (deadline for abstracts is February 26, 2021).

LEARN MORE

Questions can be directed to uwoenvirocon@gmail.com.

Canadian Digital Research Infrastructure – Needs Assessment

The New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization (NDRIO) is pleased to announce the launch of a nation-wide survey, as part of the Canadian Digital Research Infrastructure Needs Assessment. This survey is open to all Canadian researchers, regardless of their current use of digital infrastructure, and will be available until Monday, February 22.

From undergraduate students and early-stage researchers to established scholars, scientists and researchers – no matter the discipline – the hope is to reach the broader Canadian research community to understand their unique, individual needs as relates to digital research infrastructure (DRI). While the survey is specifically targeted toward DRI end users, NDRIO welcomes feedback from all members of the research community.

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and will help inform the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

NDRIO works with its partners to harmonize and improve Canada’s DRI services and tools for Canadian researchers to support scientific excellence, academic research and innovation across disciplines.

If you have any questions about the survey, or the ongoing Needs Assessment consultation process, please contact us at research_recherche@EngageDRI.ca.

Western’s Open Access Task Force Consultations

Open access (OA) refers to freely available, digital, online information. Open access scholarly literature is free of charge and often carries less restrictive copyright and licensing barriers than traditionally published works, for both the users and the authors. 

You are invited to share your thoughts about Western’s Open Access and Scholarly Communications, as the Provost’s Task Force begins its consultations for the development of a university-wide open access policy.

Thursday February 11that 1:30 p.m. –http://www.events.westernu.ca/events/libraries/2021-02/open-access-policy.html

Thursday February 25that 10:30 a.m.–http://www.events.westernu.ca/events/libraries/2021-02/open-access-policy-feb25.html

(A Western ID is required to attend these online consultations; no pre-registration necessary)

Building upon the previous work of the task force, at these sessions you will learn about institutional policy options and considerations for Western. The Task Force wants to hear your questions about open access policies, your perceptions of the benefits or any concerns you have about a Western open access policy, and your specific recommendations for this type of policy at Western. Input from Western’s faculty, researchers, and all members of the university community will help shape the future of Open Access at Western.

Western Libraries Research Skills Workshops

Western Libraries is offering a series of free Research Skills Workshops to help you navigate scholarly publishing, access data sources including social media and COVID data, systematic reviews, geospatial tools and analysis (GIS), reference management tools and more! 

To Register…

Degrees of Success: Exploring the challenges and lived experiences of PhD students and recent graduates

Join the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) for:

Degrees of Success: Exploring the challenges and lived experiences of PhD students and recent graduates and their entries into the workforce

12 p.m. (EST) on February 4, 2021

by

Elizabeth Cannon O.C., PhD, FRSC, FCAE
Emerita President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Calgary
and Chair of the Expert Panel on Labour Market Transition of PhD Graduates

The findings from the CCA’s latest report, Degrees of Success will be presented at the 58th annual Canadian Association of Graduate Students Conference (CAGS). The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A moderated by Eric M. Meslin PhD, FRSC, FCAHS, President and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies.

The report describes how Canada could be sitting on a significant untapped resource, as the number of PhD holders in this country rises, but persistent barriers make it hard for them to put their skills to work. PhD graduates play a critical role in the Canadian economy, but many are missing out on important opportunities to contribute their expertise and bolster growth and innovation.

While the CAGS conference is a paid event, this session is available at no cost. Registration is required – REGISTER

Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation 2020-2021

Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation are offered by The Simons Foundation Canada and the International Security Research and Outreach Programme (ISROP) of Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Amount: $5,000 – A total of four awards are available to Canadian Master’s and/or Doctoral candidates to support the independent research and writing of an academic paper responding to a specific Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament (NACD) topic.   Awards also include domestic travel support to Ottawa where successful candidates will present their completed papers during a special event at Global Affairs Canada Headquarters in Fall 2021 (TBC).

Deadline: Complete applications must be received by the close of business (PDT) on March 15, 2021 and should be sent to Elaine Hynes at The Simons Foundation Canada by email to: ehynes@thesimonsfoundation.ca.

Applications must include:

  • Your resume, including proof of citizenship status.
  • A complete, official transcript of your grades (including undergrad).  Electronic copies of official transcripts are acceptable.
  • An academic paper (approx. 1,500 words, MLA format) responding to one of the specific Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament topics shown at the link below.

Eligibility: This competition is open to Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants currently enrolled in a graduate programme.  In order to expand the community of Canadian scholars working on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD) issues, employees of Global Affairs Canada, and previous recipients of a Graduate Research Award are not eligible.

Applications and more information: www.thesimonsfoundation.ca OR ISROP

Awards are offered by The Simons Foundation Canada and the International Security Research and Outreach Programme (ISROP) of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with a primary objective to enhance Canadian graduate level scholarship on disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation issues.

COVID-19 Data – Research Workshop from Western Libraries

Are you doing research on COVID-19?

Are you interested in learning more about the data being collected on the pandemic?

Join Western’s data librarians as they review sources of COVID-19 data. This workshop will have two areas of focus. Librarians will highlight available COVID-19 data dashboards and the sources they use, looking at data accessibility, reliability of the data, and how it is displayed. They will also review surveys, patient data, and social data collected to evaluate the impacts of the pandemic on people’s health and their social and economic well-being, looking at key Canadian and international datasets that have been shared for reuse.

Thursday, January 28, 2021
10:00 – 11:00 am

Register by Wednesday, January 27 for this online workshop here.

2021 Canadian Japanese Mennonite Scholarship – Human Rights

Every year Mennonite Central Committee Canada, in partnership with the National Association of Japanese Canadians, offers the Canadian Japanese Mennonite scholarship to a student enrolled in a graduate degree program that is engaged in research concerning human rights in Canada.

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 1, 2021

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled in a graduate program the fall of the following year
  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or international student studying at a Canadian university in Canada
  • Doing research that will help protect minority or human rights in Canada

More information and applications at mcccanada.ca/scholarships.