Highlights for this issue

• NEW — Grad Plus: Energize your brain and spark creative thinking, as you lean into the demands of the semester.  Join us for the final professional development workshop presented by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and explore personal strategies for innovative thinking. “Thinking Entrepreneurially,” presented by Dr. Marilyn Rose, Tuesday, April 2, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Pond Inlet. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP to gradplus@brocku.ca
Also see Grad Plus section for more workshops.

• NEW — Mapping the New Knowledges Conference:
A record number of graduate students — approximately 125 — will participate in Brock’s annual showcase of graduate student research and scholarship. All are welcome to attend the day-long conference with events centred around Plaza 300 and 400 levels. The conference kicks off with an opening address by Dr. Janet Conway, Canada Research Chair in Social Justice, followed by oral and poster research presentations, Brock’s first Three Minute Thesis Contest, and the presentation of the Graduate Student Mentorship Awards. The day’s events will wrap up at the Graduate Students’ Association Social in Isaac’s.
More details about the schedule and the presentations will be posted online soon.

• GSA Election: The 2013-2014 GSA Executive Election will take place on Tuesday, March 26 and Wednesday, March 27.
More details

• International Funding Opportunities: Go to the Brock International website for details about international funding opportunities.
More information

Scholarships/Awards/Grants

• NEW — Fulbright Canada: As a member of the prestigious worldwide Fulbright family, Fulbright Canada offers a wide range of programs that support Canadian students and scholars who wish to study, conduct research, or lecture in the United States.  For students at both the undergraduate and graduate level, the United States offer an unparalleled diversity of programs and residential experiences at academic institutions of the highest calibre that provide easily transferable course credits.  For scholars, the United States offer world-class research facilities and networks, along with unique opportunities to do comparative work and develop collaborative relationships within North America. 
All Fulbright Canada grantees become part of a well-organized, highly integrated program.  In addition to the cash award, Fulbright Canada provides basic health insurance and a range of administrative services.  Additional benefits include an opportunity to attend a regional orientation program with Fulbrighters from around the world, an opportunity to apply for mobility funding for in-country professional development, and the opportunity to apply for our Eco-Leadership Program ($2,000-$4,000) and Community Leadership Program (up to $8,000).
Fulbright Canada’s website offers comprehensive information about all of its programs, as well as direct contact information for the officer responsible for each program.

• Programs in France Call for Applications:

Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Cachan: This international scholarship program is aimed at international students who are currently studying or have studied and obtained their latest degree outside of France, who have a proven high academic level and who aspire to a career in the research and/or high education fields. Grants available at master’s and PhD levels.
Deadline: March 25, 2013
More information

• Canadian Liver Foundation: The CLF 2013 research grant competition is now open including funding for graduate studentships.
Application and Criteria Forms are available online
Deadline: Tuesday, April 2, 2013

• CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards: The Call for Nomination is open. The awards recognize Canadian doctoral dissertations that make unusually significant and original contributions to their academic field. There are two awards: one for engineering, medical sciences and natural sciences; and one for fine arts, humanities and social sciences. The Awards are granted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) and are sponsored by Proquest-UMI (University Microfilms International). They include a $1,500 prize, a Citation Certificate, and travel expenses of up to $1,500 to attend the 2013 CAGS Annual Conference (Montréal, Québec).
Deadline: Tuesday, April 2, 2013.
More information

• 2013 Manitoba Gambling Research Program: The program supports the development of high quality research that enables the evidence-based advancement of responsible gaming programs, and problem gambling prevention and treatment. Research opportunities are available for researchers across Canada.
Grant Submission Deadlines: Small Grants (up to $50,000) — February 20, 2013; Studentship Grants (up to $60,000) — March 6, 2013; Letter of Intent (LOI) for Large Grants (up to $450,000) — March 20, 2013; Conference Grants (up to $2,000) — accepted year-round
More information

• 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

• 2013 Henry Mandelbaum Graduate Fellowship: Supported by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, the fellowship recognizes excellence in social sciences, humanities or arts. It is awarded to a full-time graduate student at a publicly-assisted Ontario University who has demonstrated academic excellence, shows exceptional academic promise, and has provided significant community service in his/her university career. Financial needs of students may be a selection factor.
Information and inquiries: kwheeler@ocufa.on.ca
Deadline: April 1, 2013
Application Form

• Paul Stothart Memorial Scholarship in Mineral Economics (valued at $3,500):
This award is intended for students interested in mineral economics/commerce. Bachelor and Master of Economics students, as well as those taking a MBA are eligible to apply.
Deadline: April 15, 2013

• Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO): HEQCO has introduced an Opportunities to Innovate Fund, and has invited organizations and individuals to submit interesting project ideas for potential funding. To be considered for funding, proposed projects must be consistent with at least one of the three mandated areas of HEQCO activity: Accessibility, Quality or Accountability of postsecondary education. More information and the application form.

• Expanded Mitacs –Accelerate Program: New pilot provides added flexibility
Funding now available through Mitacs Accelerate InDev to collaborate with industry on development-focused projects. Projects undertaken by grad students and post-docs from ALL research disciplines. Applications accepted throughout the year – no deadlines to apply. COS PIVOT (formerly COS - Community of Science) is a comprehensive, editorially maintained database of funding opportunities combined with a unique database of three million pre-populated scholar profiles. Pivot's proprietary algorithm compiles pre-populated researcher profiles and matches them to current funding opportunities in the expansive COS Pivot database. Create your Pivot Account to take full advantage at pivot.cos.com/register. Register for user training or view a webinar at your convenience.

Internships

• Council of Canadian Academies Internship Program: The Council provides graduate students at all levels, as well as post-doctoral fellows, an opportunity to gain relevant experience in the area of science and technology policy through its Ottawa-based internship program. During the six-month program, interns engage directly in the Council’s assessment process – from panel meeting organization to research and writing, document production, and Board approval processes.
The program offers an internship stipend of $17,625 that is intended to offset living expenses for the period of the internship.
The Council of Canadian Academies is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that supports evidence-based, expert assessments to inform public policy development in Canada.
Deadline: April 30 for the summer session (beginning in July); October 31 for the winter session (beginning in January)
More details

• Connect Canada
A new internship program that links graduate students and Canadian companies for research placements. Categories of research include: natural science, engineering, economy, social science, health, environment and ethics. Each internship is four-to-six months and is completed by a graduate student at the master’s, PhD or post-doctoral fellow level. Connect Canada internships are funded by $5,000 from the company, which is matched by Connect Canada for a total intern stipend of $10,000 for the entire internship.
Click here for more information.

Grad Plus

Grad Plus is a professional development skills training service for graduate students provided in partnership with nine campus units.
Check out the NEW Grad Plus website and visit our blog.
Befriend us on facebook
And connect with us on LinkedIn
Contact: Karin Perry, Grad Plus Coordinator, x 6129 or gradplus@brocku.ca

Upcoming Workshops

• Friday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 27: Polish your Presentation Skills
Facilitator: Academic Zone
March 22: 1 to 2 p.m. in Classroom B (LC)
March 27: 11 a.m. to12 noon in Classroom B (LC)
learning@brocku.ca

• Grad Plus ‘Class Speak’ Request: Grad Plus Coordinator, Karin Perry, is looking for opportunities to speak with graduate students to promote Grad Plus offerings and learn about professional development needs, interests and preferences. Please contact Karin (gradplus@brocku.ca) to arrange for her to spend about 10 minutes during class, or as part of group meetings, to talk about professional development and Grad Plus.

Conferences

• NEW — 2013 International Summer School on Trends in Computing (SSTiC 2013), July 22 to 26, 2013, Tarragona, Spain: SSTiC 2013 will cover the whole spectrum of computer science by means of more than 75 six-hour courses dealing with hot topics at the frontiers of the field. SSTiC 2013 will be an open forum for the convergence of top class well recognized computer scientists and researchers as well as graduate students. The school is organized by Rovira i Virgili University.
More information and registration details online.

• Call for Proposals to CONNECT 2013: Canada's First National K-12 & Higher Education Learning and Technology Conference invites Brock graduate students whose research is related to the use of educational technology to submit a poster proposal. The conference will be held May 6 to 7 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Presenters receive complimentary conference admission.
For more information

• International Distance Education Conference (IDEC) Call for Papers: The conference will be held July 15 to 17, Suwan, Korea. It 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 — July 1, 2013; Full-article — July 10, 2013; Registration Fee — July 10, 2013
More Information

• Call for papers for the International Educational Technology Conference (IETC 2013), May 13 to 15, 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
IETC 2013 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 your colleagues. These include keynote and invited talks, full and brief paper presentations, panels, and round table discussion sessions.
Abstract Deadline: Until May 6, 2013; Full Article Deadline: Until May 8, 2013; Registration Fee Deadline: Until May 6, 2013
Please visit their website for more information.

• Call for papers: International Conference on New Horizons in Education (INTE 2013), June 25 to 27, 2013, Rome, Italy
The conference aims to provide a multinational platform where the latest trends in education can be presented and discussed in a friendly environment with the aim to learn from each other. Prospective presenters are encouraged to submit proposals for papers and posters/demonstrations that offer new research or theoretical contributions. Presentations should be in Italian, Turkish, English, Czech, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian languages and should address both theoretical issues and new research findings.
Abstract Deadline: Until June 18, 2013
Full Article Deadline: Until June 19, 2013
Registration Fee Deadline: Until June 19, 2013
Visit their website for more information.

Mapping the New Knowledges Conference

Mark your calendar now for the 2012-13 Mapping the New Knowledges events:

• Mapping New Knowledges Graduate Student Conference: Wednesday, April 10, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Plaza Building.

• Graduate Mentorship Awards 2013: Graduate students are invited to submit nominations. Two Graduate Mentorship Awards will be presented as part of the program for the Mapping the New Knowledges Graduate Student Conference

Upcoming Thesis Defences

All are welcome to attend but seating is limited.

• Taha Haj-Ahmad, PhD student in Biotechnology, will present his thesis defence on Tuesday, April 2, at 1 p.m. in Plaza 600F. The title of his thesis is “Prostate Cancer Diagnostics and the Search for Novel Biomarkers.”

• NEW — Jacob Berman, MSc student Biological Sciences, will present his thesis defence on Monday, April 8, 9:30 a.m., WH147 (Welch Hall), 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Title: "Characterising Thermoregulation in the Bearded Dragon: The Role of TRPM8"

• NEW — Eric Humes, MSc student in Biotechnology, will present his thesis on Wednesday, April 10, 1:30 p. m., WH147 (Welch Hall). Title: "Methoxypyrazine removal in grape juice:  Development of a removal system using odorant and pheromone binding proteins coupled with bentonite fining"

• NEW — Brendan Browne, PhD student in Educational Studies, will present his thesis defence on Monday, April 15, 2 p.m., in WH 147 (Welch Hall). Title: "Inviting Leadership From a Belfast Bedroom: Invitational Theory in Contemporary Schools"

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

Events and News

• NEW — CBIE webinars — Canadian Bureau for International Education presents the following five webinars, now open for registration. Except where noted, webinars are available at a cost of $110 (members) / $155 (non-members).

Developing Responsive Proposals for International Projects and Partnerships
Presented by: Meg Savory, Vancouver Island University and Abbas Sumar, CBIE, Wednesday, March 27, 1:30pm (ET)
To Register

International Students and Mental Health Concerns: Recognizing and Responding to Students in Distress: Presented by Dr. Michael Condra, Queen’s University; Facilitated by Sjors Reijers, Mental Health Commission of Canada; Tuesday, April 2, 1:30pm (ET)
To Register

Working Successfully with Education Agents: Presented by Sarah Mines, ICEF, and Mike Henniger, Thompson Rivers University; Friday, April 19, 1:30pm (ET)
To Register

• NEW — Studies in Comparative Literature and the Arts colloquium: The Novels of Umberto Eco as ‘Historiographic Metafiction,’ Tuesday, April 2, 1 tp 5 p.m., Sankey Chamber. Sessions:
Jonathan Hart, University of Alberta, presents Between Story and History: Umberto Eco in Text and Context
Norma Bouchard, University of Connecticut, presents, Umberto Eco’s Semiotic Imagination and the Writing of the Historical Novel
Annarita Primier, University of Toronto, Looking Back: Umberto Eco and Narrative Memory
Rocco Capozzi, University of Toronto, Revisiting History: Conspiracies in Eco’s The Prague Cemetery
Calendar of Events  

• GSA Self-Defence Coffee Connection: The Graduate Students' Association invites graduate students to attend a practical self-defence course on Thursday, April 4, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in Pond Inlet. This free workshop will be led by Sensei David Honey, 8th dan, and will focus on pressure points, joint locks, quick escapes and counter attacks. Space is limited, so please contact gsainternal@brocku.ca to sign up before April 1. Please dress in comfortable clothes. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

• GSA Social: All graduate students are welcome to the Graduate Students' Association GSA Social at Isaac's Bar & Grill on Wednesday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., following the Mapping the New Knowledges Research Conference. Free food and fun.

• Life in 2030, April 16, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Trius Winery at Hillebrand, 1249 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake: Brock University and the Council of Ontario Universities are hosting a panel of researchers from across Ontario who will be discussing future trends in their research areas. Speakers include: Debbie Inglis, Brock University; Tima Bansal, Western University; Lionel Catalan, Lakehead University; and Rupp Cariveau, Windsor University. This event is sponsored by the Council of Ontario Universities and is part of a wider campaign – called "Research Matters" – to raise the profile of research in society.
More details

• Graduate student’s research aims to help people living with epilepsy

• Jack M. Miller Excellence in Research Awards

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