L to R: Dr. Meike Wernicke, Dr. Wendy Carr, Commissioner Raymond Théberge, Dr. Joanne Robertson, Susan Ankenman
On February 13, Dr. Wendy Carr (LLED) addressed French second language educators, government officials and media during the Commissioner of Official Languages’ (the Commissioner) launch of their national report on French teacher supply and demand in Canada.
One of the main responsibilities of the Commissioner is to promote linguistic duality in Canadian society. To help meet this responsibility, the Commissioner raises Canadians’ awareness of the benefits of linguistic duality and carries out research, studies and public awareness activities to help inform all Canadians of the status and importance of Canada’s official languages.
Key findings in the report include the need for ongoing professional development (in French language development as well as teaching methodologies) so that French teachers build confidence as well as competence. The LLED French teacher education team led by Dr. Meike Wernicke and Dr. Joanne Robertson with Susan Ankenman are already focussed on providing this professional support for practising teachers as well as teacher candidates through immersive weekend events called Séjour UBChttp://lled.educ.ubc.ca/sejour/
Educators from 23 school districts around British Columbia participated in a three-day institute to prepare them as mental health literacy trainers in their districts and schools. The Faculty of Education is leading this provincial initiative based on the pioneering work of Dr. Stan Kutcher (Dalhousie) to proactively address the growing concerns about youth mental health. This professional learning for BC educators parallels the integration of mental health literacy education for UBC teacher candidates and is guided by a provincial steering committee that comprises leaders from our Faculty, the BC Teachers’ Federation, School Superintendents, BC Counsellors, Principals & Vice Principals, Ministries of Education and Mental Health & Addictions, Foundry BC and BC Children’s Hospital.
This was the third of three institutes dedicated to preparing district-based mental health literacy trainers, bringing the total number of districts engaged to 58 out of the province’s 60. Research conducted in BC districts as well as at UBC show the impact of this professional development in increasing knowledge about mental health and mental illness, reducing stigma, and improving help-seeking.
A free online course, TeachMentalHealth, is available to teacher candidates or anyone else interested in developing their mental health literacy, and a MOOC, Bringing Mental Health to Schools, is available for practising educators. UBC’s Professional Development and Community Engagement are also offering two summer institutes in mental health literacy in July.
Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is excited to announce the launch of its Call for Funding Applications: 2020 to 2023 in support of key themes under its Northern Science and Technology (NST) and Polar Knowledge Application (PKA) Programs.
The Northern Science and Technology (NST) Program aims to anchor a strong research presence in Canada’s Arctic. This program will create an environment in which both Indigenous and local knowledge and science contribute to addressing challenges in the Arctic.
The Polar Knowledge Application (PKA) Program aims to promote and further strengthen science and technology nationally and internationally and build science capacity through training, outreach, increased knowledge sharing and learning opportunities. The program aims to enhance and build awareness of the polar regions across Canada through fostering collaborations with other organizations to promote Canadian northern science and technology and advance the next generation of researchers and highly qualified personnel.
The maximum amount of funding considered per project is $150,000 per year for up to 3 years. The total request for funding for each project cannot exceed $450,000.
For more information and to apply, please visit POLAR’s website at Funding for Researchers .
For any questions, please contact grants-contributions@polar.gc.ca and include “Polar Knowledge Canada – Call for Funding Applications 2020-2023” in the email subject line.
The I2C Program provides funding to support BC health researchers as they move health innovations towards practical application to improve health outcomes, benefit society, and enrich the health innovation ecosystem.
Each award provides up to four years of funding which can be used to support activities directly related to implementation of a commercialization plan, and/or cover a portion of the award recipients’ salaries to protect time to progress their innovation.
Now in its third year, the program has already funded exciting products and technologies in the development stage, from a liquid skin substitute to support chronic wound healing, to a wearable exoskeleton to increase the mobility of people with lower limb disabilities.
This year, we are pleased to be continuing our partnership with Mitacs to offer an expedited application process for supplemental Mitacs Accelerate internship funding for graduate students or post-doctoral fellows working on the proposed I2C project.
The Graduate Certificate Program is designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of those involved in the broad field of adult learning and education. Are you responsible for providing adult learning opportunities in your workplace, union, professional organization, community, advocacy group, non-profit society or business? Are involved with designing learning programs for adults, exploring what their interests and needs are, creating a program that enables adults to develop their knowledge and learn new skills, and assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of such learning? Are you wanting to study at the graduate level but do not have the time or resources to complete a full master program? Then this program is for you.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Education (UGCALE) is designed to introduce the broad field of adult learning and education to those who anticipate being involved with or who may already be designing, planning, implementing, teaching and evaluating educational and training programs for adults as part of their lifelong learning and professional practice. The certificate will appeal to people who facilitate adult learning or practice adult education in a broad array of formal, non-formal and informal settings. In particular, they will appeal to community workers, trainers in business and industry, people working in health-related fields (nutritionists, nurses, kinesiologists, dental hygienists), sports (personal trainers, coaches), teachers of English Language Learners, those involved with development work overseas, community college employees, school teachers contemplating a career in adult education or anyone thinking of entering a university graduate program in adult learning and education.Do you want to get a certificate that documents your studies in Adult Learning and Education and that is recognized by employers, but do not have the time or resources to complete the Diploma?
This award enables faculty to pursue full-time research during a recognized study leave, during which Dr. Metcalfe will examine the early histories and public policy contexts of three leading research universities in the “Cascadia Innovation Corridor”: The University of British Columbia – Vancouver, The University of Washington – Seattle, and the University of Oregon.
Congratulations to Dr. Nancy Perry, Professor in ECPS, for her appointment as the Dorothy Lam Chair in Special Education for a five-year term (May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2024). The Chair supports research and scholarly leadership in the area of special education through mentorship, conduct of an on‐going research program and working collaboratively with faculty and graduate students.
Dr. Perry will continue her research on the role of self regulation and self-regulated learning in promoting positive outcomes for children and youth who are vulnerable in learning and life, including children with specific disabilities and children whose struggles relate to a wide range of adversities. With the resources the Chair provides, Dr. Perry will continue working with school and community partners to support children’s development as self-determined, goal-directed, adaptive, and effective learners both in and beyond school.
This endowed Chair was established in 1990 with the support of the David and Dorothy Lam Foundation and emphasizes scholarship that both advances knowledge and improves educational practice in the area of special needs education.
Congratulations to Dr. Daniel Cox, Associate Professor in ECPS, for his appointment as the Myrne B. Nevison Professor in Counselling Psychology for a five-year term (February 1, 2019 to January 31, 2024). The Professorship supports applied research in counselling psychology to advance preventive approaches in counselling for marginalized and at‐risk youth. Dr. Cox will build on his work using process-outcome research to develop a comprehensive understanding of online crisis counselling for at-risk youth.
The Professorship was created in memory of Dr. Myrne Burdett Nevison, professor and later head of the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology. Dr. Nevison’s work reflected keen understanding that the aim of counselling services and counsellor education programs is to address educational, social, career, and psychological needs of individuals and groups that have an impact on the broader community.
Applications for the Innovative Projects Fund are now open. The Innovative Projects Fund, funded by the VP Students Office and coordinated by the AMS, began in 1996 to support the development of programs, projects, and ideas that enrich and enhance the University for students. This fund is unique in providing funds directly to students to help them creatively enhance their UBC experience.
Applications are accepted from students, staff, and faculty at the University for a maximum of $3,500 per year. Students are asked to submit applications via the AMS Clubhouse system, and Faculty and Staff without Clubhouse access are welcome to submit applications (in PDF format) via email to fundsandgrants@ams.ubc.ca.
Projects should be innovative in approach, provide benefit to a significant number of students, be visible within the campus community, and involve students in the creation or co-creation of the initiative in a significant and meaningful way. Recently funded projects include a networking event at the African Business Forum through the UBC African Business Club, development of a solar car through UBC Solar, and support for the first prototypes of the Tree Canopy Bus Shelters in the redeveloped UBC bus exchange.
