Category: FIMS

Mandatory Human Ethics Training – Reminder

Western Research has implemented mandatory human research ethics training for all study team members. This includes faculty, librarians, archivists, students, postdoctoral scholars and staff listed on new submissions to Western’s human research ethics boards.

Proof of completion of one of the acceptable options for training must be uploaded and acknowledged by the Manager, Research Compliance Programs and Education, prior to starting any study-related activities.

Deadlines:

NEW research projects: As of January 1, 2021, all students, faculty, librarians, archivists, staff and postdoctoral scholars listed on new research projects submitted to the human research ethics boards must confirm completion of training prior to beginning any study-related activities.

EXISTING research projects: All students, faculty, librarians, archivists, postdoctoral scholars and staff on existing research projects must confirm completion of training by the time of submission of their Continuing Ethics Review (CER), between January 1 and December 31, 2021.

To access acceptable options for training, information about confirming completion through OWL and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the human research ethics workshops and seminars page.

Please do not send your certificate of training via email. Your certificate should be uploaded in OWL as per the instructions on the Workshops and Seminars page. As spot checks may be performed, principal investigators must also maintain copies of certificates for all study members.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Grace Kelly, Manager, Research Compliance Programs and Education, 519-661-2111 ext. 84692.

Western Research – Red Zone Guidelines for Research

Middlesex-London has moved to Red (control) level of the COVID-19 response framework, effective Monday, December 14, 2020. As a reminder, research-related guidelines for this Phase are copied below:

Red: All animal, bench and remote research continues. Human face-to-face as per Yellow phase but restrictions now include studies requiring high ventilation rates (e.g., heavy exercise) and exercise training models. Exceptions for critical research must receive decanal support. Examples of issues to consider in adjudicating critical research include COVID-specific studies, student progress, industrial contracts, clinical trials with large investments, etc. Field research must receive approvals from Western (decanal and VPR office) and the research site. Continue contact tracing for all people entering research areas. 

Please ensure that all research activities adhere to current physical distancing and PPE recommendations.

Please continue to be vigilant within your research spaces and do not hesitate to address questions to your Dean, Associate Dean (Research), and/or department delegate. You may also wish to visit Western’s Frequently Asked Questions and to refamiliarize yourself with the Research Recovery Plan.

Western Research COVID-19 Update December 4, 2020

The Province of Ontario has announced that the Middlesex-London Health Unit will move to the Orange Restricted level of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework effective Monday, December 7, 2020.  This level of restriction includes enhanced public health measures and that information can be found here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open

However, note that this shift in public health measures and restrictions will not affect current research guidelines, activities or restrictions. The current guidelines can be found here: https://www.uwo.ca/research/covid19_updates.html 

Please continue to adhere to the safety standards established for our research areas and initiatives, ensuring the safety of all research personnel and stakeholders.  

2021 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarships

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program will help shape researchers into engaged leaders who are conscious of the impact of their research, connected to the realities of the communities in which they work, and open to non-conventional forms of knowledge. The Foundation is seeking candidates who are audacious, original, and forward-thinking. The Scholarship includes a stipend, and a research and travel allowance.

NEW THIS YEAR! Interested students apply directly to the Foundation. In the past, universities selected a shortlist of nominees, a step that will no longer be part of the process in 2021.

The deadline for students to apply directly to the Foundation is January 5, 2021 11:59pm EST

Eligibility:

  • Must be already accepted into, or currently enrolled in, year one, two, or three of a full-time doctoral program in the humanities or social sciences (broadly defined; please see the FAQ for more details on this https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/faq 
  • Doctoral work must relate to at least one of the Foundation’s Four Themes: Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, People and their Natural Environment
  • Must be a Canadian citizen studying at a Canadian or foreign institution, or a non-Canadian (permanent resident or foreign national) enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution

Application: A step-by-step guide on applying for the Scholarship is available on the Foundation’s website  https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/become-scholar

Contact: Please direct all inquiries about this competition and eligibility to apply to the Foundation at bourses@fondationtrudeau.ca 

Western’s Knowledge Exchange School

You are invited to attend Western’s second-annual Knowledge Exchange School, which will be held virtually December 2, 9, and 16, 2020, with morning and afternoon ZOOM sessions offered each week. Topics will include:

  • An overview of knowledge exchange;
  • Enhancing academic writing for dissemination;
  • Developing knowledge exchange plans;
  • Engaging policy-makers;
  • Sharing research through geographical information system (GIS) mapping; and,
  • Writing a pitch for The Conversation Canada.

Open to faculty, staff, trainees, and postdoctoral scholars

For more information about sessions and registration, please visit the Knowledge Exchange School website. For more information about the school, accessibility or to request accommodations, please email Mariam Hayward, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Manager.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Online Events

GIS and digital mapping can be incredibly useful tools for researchers. On Nov. 16 – 19 the first Ontario-wide Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Days will be available for researchers.

This free, online event is open to all levels of GIS knowledge. Students, staff, faculty, and the general public are welcome to attend.

Visit the GIS Day main page for presentation topics, webinar links, and schedules.

Tune-in to lightning talk presentations, demonstrations, and tutorials throughout the week including:

  • The Geography of Pokémon Go
  • How a Kiwi surveyor ends up doing GIS in Scotland
  • GIS Applications in Astronomy
  • Mapping Canadian Tornadoes
  • Historical GIS and Virtual Environments for Immersive Gamed Pedagogy
  • The Discovery of Insulin
  • … and more!

It’s your chance to:

  • Discover how to take advantage of mapping technology in your research, education, or for your next job interview
  • Check out the latest GIS projects and research
  • Draw for a digital door prize
  • Join one of the networking sessions or the virtual trivia evening (Nov. 18)

All are welcome!

The Conversation Canada – Resources

As promised during the October 20 webinar, The Conversation Canada‘s CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Scott White, has supplied Western Research with their one-pager, A Quick guide to writing for the Conversation Canada.

Additionally, for those who were unable to attend—or had to leave early—Western Research has uploaded the recording of the meeting and it is accessible by all Western faculty, students and staff to view at their leisure. Watch the video.

Going forward, all of this information can be found on Western Research’s website. If you have more questions about The Conversation Canada—or its pitch and writing processes—please reach out to Will Kinchlea, Communications and Systems Coordinator at Western Research.

Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Awards

The CFUW  provides funds for a range of post graduate awards and fellowships to women.

Amount: Varies by award

Deadline: December 14, 2020

Eligibility: Women; Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident in Canada

List of Awards…

Note: There is a “filing fee” for each application.

New Human Research Ethics Guidance Documents – Remote Consent

With the continued risk of COVID-19 exposure and as Public Health and institutional directives such as physical distancing continue to be mandated, researchers must think about converting studies involving in-person contact into remote methods of data collection. Modified study procedures may be carried out with Research Ethics Board approval when feasible (and only when appropriate).

The Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) is aware of the urgency to provide the research community with guidelines to support continued research activities. To that end, they have developed two new guidance documents:

Ethical considerations for remote consent and assent : This guidance document was developed by the OHRE in collaboration with six other institutions, including local hospitals, Western’s privacy office and the Lawson Health Research Institute. It provides guidelines for our research community for alternative consent processes, as opposed to the traditional in person consent process. In addition, it also provides a board framework for different consent options and documentation.

Western Qualtrics for electronic documentation of consent: Working closely with Western’s privacy office as well as Western’s Technology Services they have developed a guidance document that addresses specific requirements for the use of Western Qualtrics to document consent (electronic consent).

When conversion isn’t possible: There may be instances when it is not appropriate to make a specific change to your data collection (e.g. conducting in-person interviews about a sensitive topic and with a vulnerable population). In these instances, study activities may have to remain on hold until physical distancing requirements are not required.

Please remember that during these times, the logistics for any prospective research must be carefully considered. For more information, please see the past communication, Considerations for New Initial REB applications and Amendments for ongoing studies.

If you would like to review any previous memoranda or other communications, you can find them on the website under Communications and Memos. To review all guidance and template documents, please visit the Guidance and Templates page, or go to WREM (under HELP > Templates).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at ethics@uwo.ca or 519-661- 3036.

Western Libraries Research Skills Workshops for Graduate Students

Western Libraries is excited to offer a series of free Research Skills Workshops that can help you better understand your research impact, how to retain your copyright as an author, scholarly publishing, data, and more!

These offerings will be of particular interest to graduate students. However, faculty, staff, and undergraduate students are welcome to attend.

Register Today! 

If you have any other ideas for workshops that could be offered, email them to: Western Libraries, Research & Scholarly Communication Team, Email:rsclib@uwo.ca