Highlights for this issue

• NEW — SSHRC Impact Awards: The SSHRC Impact Awards are a renewal of a series of prizes previously awarded by SSHRC. The five annual awards (Gold Medal; Talent Award; Insight Award; Connection Award; and Partnership Award) recognize the highest achievements in social sciences and humanities research, knowledge mobilization and scholarship in areas supported by SSHRC.
An information sheet is posted online
For potential Brock graduate student nominees: Please e-mail one page of material (point form is fine) to the Dean of Graduate Studies via Joanne Kremble indicating which award you are nominating a student for, and based on what is required for the nomination, on what basis the nominee would be a strong applicant from Brock for this award.
Complete details regarding these awards are available online

• NEW — Mapping the New Knowledges: A record number of graduate students — approximately 125 — gave research presentations at Brock’s eighth annual Mapping the New Knowledges Graduate Student Research Conference.
See Brock News for highlights from the event including stories on the first Three Minute Thesis contest and the Graduate Mentorship Awards.

• REMINDER — Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Medals: Applications are now open for the Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Medals to recognize graduating students who best exemplify Sir Isaac Brock's spirit. One graduate level award will be made to each of the academic Faculties — Applied Health Sciences, Business, Education, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social Sciences.
Students must fill out a paper application found on the Brock University Student Award Website Award Search at or directly here.
Deadline: Applications must be received in the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 3.

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

Scholarships/Awards/Grants

• NEW — Aspen India- Avantha International Fellowship 2013: This unique program has been conceptualized to serve as an innovation lab for knowledge sharing and capacity building for two international students during the summer of 2013. The fundamental aim of the fellowship is to foster prospective leaders and to increase their responsiveness to national and international issues facing India. The two selected fellows will be based in the Aspen Institute, India’s office, over a period of two months, from June 1 to September 15, 2013 (dates are flexible depending on international university schedules).
For more information about the program and general queries, please write to niyati.tripathi@aspenindia.org
Deadline: May 5, 2013
Visit the Aspen Institute website.

• NEW — The 19^th annual Norm Bromberger Research Bursary; The bursary will provide $2,000 each year to encourage research in the area of co-operatives and credit unions. The award is sponsored by the Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan.
Deadline: June 30, 2013
Information and application form online

• Traditional Fulbright Student Awards: Fulbright Canada offers opportunities for Canadians to study, research, collaborate, and teach in the United States including the Traditional Fulbright Student Awards. The Award is for graduate students, prospective graduate students, and junior professionals who wish to enroll in a graduate studies program, continue their current course of graduate study and research, or pursue an independent research project for a period of nine months in the United States.
Competitions open May 1, 2013, and close November 15, 2013.
The Fulbright Canada website offers comprehensive information about all of its programs, as well as direct contact information for the officer responsible for each program.
Fulbright Canada's Website

• 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

• 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

• Monday to Wednesday, May 6 to 8, Instructional Skills Workshop – SPRING: The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is a 25-year-old, peer-based, experiential instructional development program and is one of the most successful approaches to pedagogy in post secondary institutions. Held over three days, the ISW is designed to enhance the teaching effectiveness of both new and veteran instructors.
Brock Faculty/Instructor Fee: $150
To register online go to the registration page.
Brock Graduate/Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Fee: $50 (must have an active TA contract/TAship).

Conferences

• NEW – Call for papers: Sakarya University will host the International Conference on Quality in Higher Edcuation (ICQH 2013), December 12 to 14, 2013, in Sakarya, Turkey. The ICQH aims to provide a multinational platform where the latest trends in quality in higher education is presented and discussed in a friendly environment. Prospective presenters are encouraged to submit proposals for papers and posters/demonstrations that offer theoretical contributions of research results. Presentations should be in Turkish or in English and should address both theoretical issues and research findings.
Details online
Abstract Deadline : December 01, 2013
Full Article Deadline : December 30, 2013

• World Biotechnology Congress 2013 (WBC 2013), June 3 to 6, 2013, Boston, U.S.: The conference will provide a platform for eminent scientists and biotechnology professionals to share ideas and present their latest research and industrial applications of biotechnology. Focal issues of the conference will be pharmaceutical biotechnology, vaccines, CNS, cancer, antibodies, protein engineering, plant and environmental technologies, transgenic plant and crops, bioremediation, and microbial diversity research.
Further details of the conference can be viewed online.

• 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.

Upcoming Thesis Defences

All are welcome to attend but seating is limited.

• Ellen Robb, PhD student in Biological Sciences, will present her thesis defence on Friday, April 26, 9 a.m., CRN 207. Title: “Cellular Mechanisms of Resveratrol’s Interaction with Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism”

• NEW — Georgann Cope Watson, PhD student in Educational Studies, will present her thesis defence on Thursday, May 16, 10 a.m., WH171.  Title:  “Part-Time University Teaching in Ontario: 
A Self Study”

• NEW — Amber (Alexis) Kerr, a MA student in Applied Health Sciences (Leisure Studies), will defend her thesis on Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in South Block 361. Title: "Influences on students ability to acquire observation skills necessary to conduct a therapeutic recreation assessment."

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

Events and News

• NEW — Chancellor's Chair for Research Excellence Lecture Series: Dr. Ryan Plummer, Department of Tourism and Environment, Director, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, will present Pursuing Sustainability in a Complex World: Governance Strategies for Social-Ecological Systems, April 22, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. A light lunch will be served. Please RSVP for lunch by e-mail: orsadmin@brocku.ca or by phone x5686.
More information

• Child and Youth Studies master’s student heads to provincial thesis presentation

• “Selfless” professors recognized with Graduate Mentorship Awards

• Graduate student’s fall prevention research benefits local health organizations

• Liquid assets: Assessing water’s contribution to Niagara

• Brock researcher named innovator of the year

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