2020 in Review: Faculty News
Donna McKinnon - 16 December 2020
Peter Sabo, Belzberg Family and Jewish Federation of Edmonton Professor in Jewish Studies
In a Faculty as diverse, as engaged and as robust as ours, there is a never-ending stream of news stories profiling our groundbreaking research or marking the achievements of our distinguished faculty, students, and alumni. Here now are the Faculty-specific news stories that captured your attention this year!
Steve Patten Appointed Interim Dean, Faculty of Arts
On March 24, Steven Dew, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), announced that Dr. Steve Patten had been appointed Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts for a two-year period, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.
2020 SSHRC Competition Results Announced
In July, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) posted the results of the 2020 Insight, Insight Development, and Connection Grant competitions. These notifications were preceded by the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship announcement in June 2020, the New Frontiers in Research Fund in March, graduate student competition results, and other funding announcements in February 2020 and October 2019
Edmontonia Trading Cards a showcase for local artists, local history
The Edmontonia Trading Cards are the most Edmonton thing to happen to this city since a stack of silver balls met the Quesnell underpass. The cards, the latest project by writer and publishing wunderkind Michael Hingston, is a celebration of all things Edmonton, capturing our history and lore in 60 trading cards designed and illustrated by local artists, including several with direct ties to the Faculty of Arts.
The 2020 Faculty of Arts’ 2020 Killam Laureates
In October, the 2020 Faculty of Arts Killam Laureates were announced, including sociologist Amy Kaler (Killam Annual Professor); Rob McMahon (Killam Accelerator Award); and doctoral student recipients: Rezvaneh Erfani Hossein (Sociology); Lisa Martin (English and Film Studies); Oghenevwarho Ojakovo (Music); and Amanda Spallacci (English and Film Studies).
New funding reinvigorates Jewish studies at the University of Alberta
A new infusion of funds thanks to a generous donation from the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, in partnership with Irving and Dianne Kipnes Foundation, and the Belzberg Family Foundation will ensure that Jewish studies at the University of Alberta will continue in perpetuity.
New Certificate in Applied Social Science Research benefits students, community partners
For students in the social sciences, a strong foundation in research methods and the ability to interpret the findings of others are essential. The new Certificate in Applied Social Science Research, offered for the first time in the Winter 2020 term, provides this foundation. Students will learn quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as have opportunities to engage in hands-on research in the community.
Arts experiential learning programs unite to offer transformative experiences for students
On July 1, 2020, Faculty of Arts initiatives that support experiential learning opportunities for students were brought under one administrative structure, reporting to Allen Ball, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning. More recently, after consultation with students, the new unit was given a name, Arts EXP+, Experiential Learning Beyond the Classroom. Same amazing experiences – new, expanded collaborations.
How can universities contribute to anti-racist education?
Aya Fujiwara, Director of Prince Takamado Japan Centre, examines the experiences of racialized people in an ethnically pluralistic society.
Humanities 101, CJSR partnership brings educational programming to underserved communities
When the University of Alberta shuttered its doors to in-class learning in March, Humanities 101 — a Community Service-Learning supported program — collaborated with CJSR FM 88.5 to deliver their free, university-level courses to adult learners in communities around Edmonton.
Meeting the moment in the time of pandemic
It’s pure coincidence that J.R. Carpenter, whose artistic and literary practice has been largely online, assumes the role of the Department of English and Film Studies’ 2020-21 Writer-in-Residence at a time when classrooms at the University of Alberta and around the world have gone online. Carpenter has been using the internet as a ‘medium for creation and dissemination of experimental texts’ for two decades.