Highlights for this issue

• NEW — FGS/CPI grad courses: The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation (CPI) will offer two non-credit graduate level courses through the fall and winter terms:
The Theory and Practice of Service-Learning (GRST 5N02)
Instructor: Professor Gail Lynn Cook
Commences: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m. to noon, TH253 e-classroom (classes continue every second week)
The Theory and Practice of University Teaching (GRST 5N01)
Instructors: Jill Grose and Lianne Fisher, CPI
Commences: Tuesday Sept 16, 2 to 4:30 p.m., TH253 e-classroom (classes continue every second week)
Registration opens July 7
See more information on the 2014-15 Graduate Calendar

• NEW — The Policy on Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities: The policy was recently passed by Senate and is posted online as part of the 2014-15 Graduate Calendar. This document outlines fundamental or core graduate student rights and responsibilities. The intent of the document is to increase awareness and understanding, and to encourage dialogue among graduate students, faculty, staff and administrators in order to promote a collegial, respectful and academically sound relationship.
For more information please visit

• NEW — Brock 3MT Contest: Watch the videos from the contest held as part of the 2014 Mapping the New Knowledges Graduate Student Research Conference.
For more information please visit

• REMINDER — Schedule for e-Bulletin
The e-bulletin will reduce its distribution schedule from May to August with issues planned for July 24 and August 28.
The distribution cycle of every second week will resume in September.

• NEXT ISSUE: Thursday, July 24, 2014

Scholarships/Awards/Grants

• NEW — Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships: The 2014-2015 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships competition has been launched. These Fellowships provide $70,000 per year for two years for outstanding postdoctoral fellows. Banting requires that all institutions review all applications to ensure that only the highest caliber of candidates are put forward.  Interested applicants and their supervisors must submit the applicant's CV and a 2-3 page document outlining the proposed research project and the institutional environment at Brock in support of the candidate by July 21, 2014.  For additional information on the program and internal procedures, visit the ORS website or contact Carolyn Paterson (cpaterson2@brocku.ca, ext. 4291).
Internal deadline: July 21; Agency deadline: September 25.

• NEW — Brock's Bioscience and Social Science Research Ethics Boards (REBs) are recruiting graduate student members: These dynamic volunteer boards provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into human research ethics. The REBs are responsible for reviewing and assessing protocols for research involving human participants within the University or under University auspices. The REBs ensure that the physical safety and personal integrity of human participants in research are respected and protected by interpreting and applying the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2) and relevant legislation.
The boards are currently looking for two Master's or Doctorate level students (for each REB) to serve a one- or two-year term. Interested applicants should submit a current CV, an academic reference, and a cover letter outlining their research interests and why they are interested in joining the BREB or SREB.
Applications should be sent to: Research Ethics Office , Office of Research Services, Mackenzie Chown, D Block. reb@brocku.ca
Application deadline: Friday, July 18
For more information, please contact Lori Walker, Manager, Research Ethics, x 4876, or email reb@brocku.ca or see the  website

• SSHRC 2014 Impact Awards: The competition includes the Talent Award ($50,000) to recognize outstanding achievement by an individual who, at the nomination deadline, holds a SSHRC doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship or scholarship (including, but not limited to, a Canada Graduate Scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship or Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship). Find out more about the SSHRC Impact Awards.
If you are interested in nominating someone or being nominated for one of these awards, please contact Carolyn Paterson, Office of Research Services, at cpaterson2@brocku.ca or ext. 4291.

• Brock Library Open Access Publishing Fund: Open to Brock faculty, graduate students and postdocs. The purpose of this grant is to assist researchers in disseminating their research broadly via an Open Access (OA) journal. A minimum of four awards will be granted, to a maximum of $2,500 each [Total funds = $10,000]. This Grant is intended to support researchers with limited or no funding. If an alternate funding source is available that permits payment of submission fees (e.g. a research grant), that source must be used before applying to the OA Publishing Fund.
For more information contact: Barbara McDonald, Ext. 3949

Other Opportunities

• The Graduate Students' Association announces the following:

          • NEW — Subscribe to GSA news update: Brock graduate students can stay tuned with what's happening around the campus by going to the GSA webpage and entering their Brock email address and student ID to subscribe to GSA emails .

          • NEW — GSA Bursary and Conference Funding Applications: The deadline for applications for the Summer 2014 GSA Bursary and Conference Funding Assistance Awards, is Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m.   You can view the requirements and application forms online.
If office is closed, you can put your application under the office door.

          • NEW — Save the date: GSA Baseball Tournament and Marble Slab Sundae Bar, Thursday, Aug. 21 — more details to follow — check website and GSA Facebook page.

• Publishing Springer Science Review: The Springer Science Review invites submissions of thesis literature reviews from PhD students in the research area of biomedical sciences, earth sciences, geography, energy, environmental sciences and life sciences. More information is available on the Springer Review website

Academic and Professional Development

Academic and professional development program for graduate students provided in partnership with nine campus units.

 Some of the May highlights for the Academic + Professional Development partners include:
• 1st Annual SHIFT Graduate Student conference was held on May 1. Over 16 workshops were offered covering a wide range of professional development, career building and career agility themes.  Jennifer Polk, University Affairs, blogger of "From Phd to Life" was one of three opening plenary speakers, alongside Kara Renaud, Career Services and Mario Dedivitiis (Leadership Niagara).  Keri Damen, Director of MaRS was the closing plenary speaker who spoke on the value of cultivating an entrepreneurial approach in all facets of one's personal and work life. Twenty sectoral partners participated in conversational workshops responding to questions from graduate students on a range of topics; work-life balance, leadership and harmonizing talent and passion with opportunities. Sixty graduate students attended.

• CONGRESS Career Corner was developed and coordinated by Faculty of Graduate Studies, Program Coordinator, Karin Perry.  Over 300 attendees of Congress participated in an 18-workshop series facilitated by Brock faculty and staff.  Career Corner was co-sponsored by University Affairs and Brock University.  A full listing of Career Corner workshop topics is available here.

• Brock Graduate students of the Social Innovation Researcher Associate training Program (SIRAP), (a community researcher training pilot project of FGS and Niagara Connects) facilitated discussions to prioritize community indicators during round tables on Tuesday, June 17. Please see FGS Facebook.

Please continue to visit our website, as new Fall programs and workshops will be posted throughout the summer.

• Promote your workshops to graduate students with us: If you are hosting a workshop or event related to graduate student professional development that may interest graduate students from within or outside of your faculty, please send us notice to have your event posted on our calendar OR submit the event directly by simply uploading the details into the online form.
The number of participants can be monitored and capped through our online registry. Specific learning outcomes and the competencies that align with your workshop or information session can also be tracked.

Conferences

• NEW — Call For Papers — 15th International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations, July 15 to 17, 2015, University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong SAR, China: The conference will focus on a variety of disciplines and perspectives to discuss diversity through the following themes: Identity and Belonging; Education and Learning in a World of Difference; Organizational Diversity; Community Diversity and Governance; Affirming Diversity for Social and Educational Justice
Proposal Submissions and Deadlines: July 3, 2014
For more information please visit

• NEW — Call for participants to the EURAXESS Science Slam: The contest is open to researchers of all levels from PhD students onwards and from all disciplines (including social sciences and humanities). The experience gives researchers based in North America the chance to showcase their research projects to their peers and the wider public in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
Submission deadline: August 10, 2014
Find out more on the EURAXESS website.

• Call for Papers, International Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (ISTEC), December 18 to 20, 2014, Sakarya University, Doha, Qatar: ISTEC aims to provide a multinational platform where the latest trends in science and technology can be presented and discussed in a friendly environment with the aim to learn from each other.
Deadlines:
Abstract: Until December 5, 2014
Final Registration: Until December 6, 2014
Full Article: Until December 13, 2014
Registration Fee: Until December 14, 2014
For more details

• Call for Papers, International Distance Education Conference (IDEC), December 18 to 20, 2014, Sakarya University, Doha, Qatar: IDEC aims to provide a multinational platform where the latest trends in distance education can be presented and discussed in a friendly environment with the aim to learn from each other.
Deadlines:
Abstract: Until December 5, 2014
Final Registration: Until December 6, 2014
Full Article: Until December 15, 2014
For more details

• Call for Papers to the International Educational Technology Conference (IETC 2014), CHICAGO, September 3 to 5, 2014: IETC 2014 seeks a diverse and comprehensive program covering all areas of educational technology. The program includes a wide range of activities designed to facilitate the exchange of expertise, experience, and resources with colleagues. These include keynote and invited talks, full and brief paper presentations, panels and round table discussion sessions.
Abstract Deadline: Saturday, July 5
Full Article Deadline: Sunday, July 20
Registration Fee Deadline: Tuesday, August 5
More information available online

Upcoming Thesis Defences

All are welcome to attend but seating is limited.

• NEW — Jan Bosak, PhD student in Biotechnology, will present his thesis defence on Friday, July 4, 12:30 p.m., in CRN 207.
Title: "The molecular consequences of CK2-mediated Phosphorylation of the TGA2 Transcription Factor within systemic acquired resistance of arabidopsis thaliana"

• NEW — Carolyn Dyer, MA student in Applied Health Sciences (Health and Physical Education), will defend her thesis on Tuesday, July 8, 1 to 4 p.m., South Block 361.
Title: "The meaning of multiple mediation use in adults: a qualitative study"

• NEW —Travis Hodges, MA student in Psychology, will defend his thesis on Wednesday, July 9, 1:30 p.m., PL600F.
Title: "Effects of social context on endocrine function and Zif268 expression in response to an acute stressor in adolescent and adult rats"

• NEW — Steffannie Hancharyk, MA student in Applied Health Sciences (Health and Physical Education), will defend her thesis on Thursday, July 10, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Walker Complex 203. Title: "The search for scholarship in elementary education"

• NEW — Paula Miotto, MSc student in Applied Health Sciences (Health Sciences), will defend her thesis on Tuesday, July 15, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Walker Complex 203.
Title: "Effects of a high fat diet on body composition and bone development in male offspring"

• NEW — Matthew Belgiorgio, MSc student in Applied Health Sciences (Kinesiology), will defend his thesis on Tuesday, July 15, 2 to 5 p.m., South Block 361.
Title: "The relative age effect in minor ice hockey: Investigating the 'Underdog Effect' "

• NEW — Laura Castelli, MSc student in Applied Health Sciences (Health Sciences), will defend her thesis on Tuesday, July 22, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, South Block 361.
Title: "Maternal high fat feeding: Impact of female offspring body composition and bone health"

• NEW — Kelly Rizzo, PhD student in Educational Studies, will present her thesis defence on Friday, July 25,10 a.m., in WH 147 (Welch Hall). Title: "A mixed-method study of educator knowledge and practice related to student socio-moral development"

• NEW — Stewart Rose, MA student in Applied Health Sciences (Sport Management), will defend his thesis on Tuesday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in South Block 361.
Title: "Best practices of a sport-for-development: A case study of an African organization"

• NEW — Samantha Micsinszki, MA student in Applied Health Sciences (Community Health), will defend her thesis on Thursday, July 30, 1 to 4 p.m., South Block 361.
Title: "The lived experience of mothering a child with autism: a hermeneutic phenomenologic understanding"

• NEW — Antje Thamm, PhD student in Biological Sciences, will present her thesis defence on Wednesday, July 30, 1 p.m., in CRN 207. 
Title: "Identification and characterization of a Catharanthus roseus mutant altered in monoterpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis"

• NEW — Roya Mirabdolbaghi, PhD student in Chemistry, will present her thesis defence on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1 p.m., in PL 600F. 
Title: "A DFT guided/experimental approach to asymmetric allylation and phase-transfer catalysis"

• NEW — Kiera Newman, MSc student in Biological Sciences, will present her thesis defence on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1 p.m., MC H313.
Title: "Feeding and oviposition preferences of the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on six Brassicaceae host plant species"

• NEW — Katia Ciampa, PhD student in Educational Studies, will present her thesis defence on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m., WH 147 (Welch Hall). 
Title: "Mobile Books:  Effect of engagement on students' motivation and cognitive strategy use"

• NEW — Rebecca Zak, PhD student in Educational Studies, will present her thesis defence on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. in WH 147 (Welch Hall). 
Title: "Raising Creativity:  Exploring how creativity can be nurtured in educational contexts"

Please check department program websites to confirm dates, times and locations in the event of changes to the information.

News & Events

• NEW — Faculty of Graduate Studies recognizes class of 2014

• NEW — Decision pays off for international Goodman graduate

• NEW — Universities need to better prepare grad students for job market: Congress panel

• NEW — Prestigious new scholarship program invests in Canada's next generation of global leaders

• NEW — Brock graduate student Leslie Nash one of 11 finalists as Canadian 3MT competition begins

• NEW — A corps of Brock graduate students volunteer at a Congress 2014 Expo booth called "The Curiosity Shop" to help generate a wide range of conversations about research.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies e-Bulletin is distributed every two to four weeks. Past issues are posted online.