RESEARCH AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT - SUMMER NEWSLETTER

PURPOSE OF THIS NEWSLETTER
This newsletter introduces me and my job to new faculty, and gives new and existing faculty information that may be of interest. I will continue to send newsletters on a regular basis. I will send e-mails between newsletters when there are time-limited opportunities. Past copies of newsletters will be posted on the faculty development web-site http://www.stu.ca/facstaff/facdev/newsletter/index.htm

RESEARCH AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT - OFFICE AND OFFICE-HOLDER
My office is located in George Martin Hall, first floor, beside the door from the main car-park opposite the President’s Office. There is no number or name on my door but I am due to get a new nameplate soon. My phone number is 452 0481 and my e-mail address is clews@stu.ca. By the way, if you are phoning internally you can dial 481 and if you are e-mailing internally you can write “clews” Barb Greenman provides secretarial support and makes appointments for me. She is located at the other end of the corridor in the office of the Vice President (Academic). Barb’s telephone number is 452 0531 and her e-mail address is greenman@stu.ca.

My job is to facilitate the work of full time and part time faculty so if you would like to talk about your research, teaching, writing or other aspects of your work. I will be happy to listen and I will make suggestions if I can think of anything to say that might be useful. If you want someone to read a manuscript before you submit for publication I will do so myself or try to find someone more qualified. I act as Research Officer for the University so I read applications for external funding and sign off for the university (when required) before they are submitted. I administer the research budget and allocate small internal grants for travel and research to full time faculty through the Senate Research Committee which I chair. I help people to find external grants. I receive Applications for Sabbatical Leave and Sabbatical Leave Reports, Annual Reports, Course Outlines and copies of the Quantitative part of Course Evaluations. I am happy to talk to faculty about any of these documents. I meet faculty to discuss their work when they request it and at points of transition in their careers and I am trying to meet with all faculty as soon as I can. I write newsletters and I send e-mails. Please send me information that may be of interest to others - or post the information yourself on the facultyl@stu.ca.

Behind my door is a small magazine rack in which I store items mentioned in newsletters. I keep copies of publishers catalogues so if you want to send catalogues to me please do so. I have a number of personal reference books (sundry dictionaries, thesauruses [or is it thesauri?], publication manuals etc). Feel free to come and browse if my door is open but do not take material away.

I am a faculty member in the social work department and worked there for 6 years before taking up this administrative post a year ago - I still teach a course each year and have an active research agenda. I will talk about my research too much if you give me an opportunity. My research is qualitative, but I am a reformed positivist who has taught research methods courses so I have some understanding about quantitative approaches.

SOURCES OF RESEARCH FUNDING (CANADA)

I have information about the following programmes. Please let me know if you would like more information about any of them

SSHRC (Social Science and Humanities Research Council)
This is the federal funder that STU faculty approach most frequently. It is one of the three main funding councils for university research (others are NSERC and CIHR). This web-site describes funding programmes and you can download application forms from it: http://www.sshrc.ca/
I have two pamphlets that supplement this information.

CIHR (Canadian Institutes for Health Research)
The home page is as follows: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/index_e.shtml
From this home page you can access information about programmes and application procedures.
I will add information to this folder as it is received.

NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada)
The home page is as follows: http://www.nserc.ca/
From this home page you can access information about programmes and application procedures.
I will add information to this folder as it is received.

OTHER FEDERAL R & D FUNDING SOURCES
We have some good friends in the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs of NB. They have compiled information about $7.1 billion in federal dollars that is allocated for research each year. I have a copy of a summary of the programmes

CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
I am keeping information about the following awards made in 2003:
2003 Canada Council for Arts Molsom prizes
2003 Killam Prizes
2003 John G. Diefenbaker Awards
I will update it with new information when it is available

CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR PHILANTHROPY
Research projects are funded in four programmes “governance and leadership”, “government downloading”, “liability”, “social, economic, demographic and geographical trends”. Web site:
http://www.kdc-cdc.ca

ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“ ACOA is a federal government agency. Headquartered in the Atlantic Region, ACOA's goal is to improve the economy of Atlantic Canadian communities through the successful development of business and job opportunities.” There are some opportunities for research funding. Check the web-site http://www.acoa.ca/e/index.shtml

NBIF (New Brunswick Innovation Foundation)
Established in 2003 this foundation has $20 million to encourage innovation. Approximately $6 million goes to universities. Check the web-site www.nbif.ca Pay particular attention to the “Research Innovation Fund” and the “Research Assistants Initiative”.Please note: The deadline for applications for the next competition for Student Research Assistants will be September 12, 03 ($5000 for an undergraduate student over one year and $10,000 for a graduate student over 2 years).

GRANT FOR FEMALE DOCTORAL STUDENTS
I have the 2002 Application form for this grant. This form contains eligibility criteria. The 2003 form will probably be similar. The programme is administered through the Canada Student Loans Programme of HRDC

INTERNATIONAL POSSIBILITIES

IRAN
I have information about the Kwarizmi International Award. This is an award for work already completed.. The web-site is www.irost.org

US
The Canada-US Fulbright Awards “seeks to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries and contribute to the establishment of long-term international linkages.” the deadline for applications is November 15th and information is available on www.fulbright.ca I have some of the information in hard copy.

AFRICA
I have an AUCC book titled “University Collaboration Opportunities with Africa as Identified by African Rectors”

ASSOCIATION OF COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITIES
I have information about 3 programmes.
1.ACU Quality of Life Awards
2.British Academy/ACU Grants for International Collaboration
3.ACU Titular Fellowships
In all instances there must be a partnership between a British researcher and one or more researchers from Commonwealth countries. Funding is for one year. The application is made by the British partner for the first two programmes. The programmes each provide grants of $5000. Application forms can be downloaded from the web-site: www.acu.ac.uk and the deadline is May 1st 2004 (I have the 2003 forms available)

PUBLICATION POSSIBILITIES

CANADIAN REVIEW OF SOCIAL POLICY
The editorial committee of this journal has issued a call for articles that “critically explore the context for moving forward to develop and advance a transformative social policy agenda for Canada for the 21st century . . .” Articles should be no more than 5000 words long and use APA format. The deadline is October 1st. Check the web-site for more information is www.yorku.ca/crsp - Suzanne Dudziak (sdudziak@stu.ca) is on the Editorial Board.

EXPLORATIONS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
This newsletter of the International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning accepts articles from members and non-members. Articles should be approximately 1000 words in length . Articles are peer reviewed. More information from editor susanhenry@mail.clayton.edu I have the most recent issue (which contains an article by Ray Williams)

JOURNAL ON EXCELLENCE IN COLLEGE TEACHING.
“The journal is a peer-reviewed journal published by and for faculty at universities and two- and four-year colleges to increase student learning through effective teaching, interest in and enthusiasm for the profession of teaching, and communication among faculty about their classroom experiences”. Special focus issues are planned on “Teaching with Case Studies”, “The Scholarship of Teaching”, “Web-based Teaching”, and “Preparing Future Faculty.” More information from: http://ject.lib.muohio.edu/

PUBLISHERS CATALOGUES
I have catalogues from the following publishers:
Fernwood
Garamond
Guildford (Human Services)
National Association for Social Work
New Society
New Star
Oxford (Social Work)
Temeron
Thomson/Brooks/Cole

PUBLICATIONS/INFORMATION RECEIVED
(These publications will remain in the magazine rack/resource index until the section is full or until the next newsletter)

CANADIAN COMMON CV
At present each of the three main federal funding councils require different CVs. This will change. A “Common CV” format is gradually being introduced.

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
I have this research bulletin.

GENDER REPRESENTATION IN CANADIAN RESEARCH CHAIRS
This contains a number of papers relating to the current concern that a disproportionate number of men have been appointed as Canadian Chairs.

GRADUATE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
Information from the Tri-Council (SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC) about plans for graduate education. (Presentation at a conference)

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES FEDERATION OF CANADA
Sundry material that includes demographics of faculty, research support etc.

KILLAM LECTURE 2002
“Building a Civil Society: A New Role for the Human Sciences” by Martha Piper. Some people love it, some people hate it - but lots of people quote it!

RESEARCH ETHICS
This background paper introduced a conference session by Dr. Caroline Weber, from Health Canada (the federal department that has recently assumed responsibility for research ethics in “research involving humans”).

RESEARCH IN ACTION
I have two newsletters that contain interesting short articles on different subjects by the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. The newsletter also has a “publications” section.

SSHRC - THE FUTURE
1.SSHRC Transformation-The Business Case!!! Twelve months of focussed consultation began in June 2003. A fundamental transformation is expected so that SSHRC can “make full and effective contributions to the evolution of Canadian society, the economy, cultural life and public and private institutions . . .”
2. SSHRC Future Issues (Copies of transparencies from a presentation by SSHRC)

GRANTSCRAFTING
1. I have a folder containing documents that give general suggestions about preparing proposals for research grants.
2. This folder contains materials that relate to preparing SSHRC applications.

OTHER INFORMATION

COPIES OF NEWSLETTERS 2002-2003
I have copies of the longer newsletters I sent last year. I haven’t kept all the e-mails!

REQUESTS FOR COMMENT
There is a request for comment by the federal “Interagency Panel on Research Ethics” about the functioning of the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. The deadline is August 8th! I can give more information.

WEB-SITE
Check out http://www.gnb.ca/legis/leglibbib/links-e.asp for a useful reference tool

SSHRC APPLICATIONS
1. SSHRC STANDARD RESEARCH GRANTS The internal deadline to submit applications for SSHRC Standard Research Grants will be 29 September. Please contact me asap if you intend to submit an application
2. SSHRC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE SSHRC have changed the Research and Development Initiative Programme. It is now intended for projects at an earlier stage of planning than the Standard Research Grants. I can explain the difference between these programmes to anyone intending to submit a SSHRC application in 2003. The SSHRC deadline is December 15th and our internal deadline for RDI applications will be December 1st. The web-site for RDI grants is http://www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/program_descriptions/rdi_e.asp

SOME PROJECTS IN PROCESS

If you would like any more information about these projects, or if you would like to contribute to any of them, please let me know.

APPLICATION FOR CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR
A subcommittee of the Senate Research Committee that was joined by volunteers began work on an application we will submit in December. We have elicited comments from faculty and we will be working hard on this application over the next few months. Thirty universities and colleges have been invited to make applications and 10 chairs will be awarded.

RESEARCH AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT WEB-SITE
A few months ago I worked with faculty volunteers to discuss this site. We want it to be a one-stop-shop that will have links to other parts of the STU web-site and complement the Faculty Handbook that is being updated. The site where it is located is as follows: http://www.stu.ca/facstaff/facdev/index.htm You will note that there are links to”Research”, “Teaching”, “University Service”, “Career Progress”, “Frequently Asked Questions, and the Newsletter. Ask questions (frequently) and I will include answers that may be relevant for others on the site. Please let me know about information that should be included

BOOK LAUNCHES
We have a tradition of “launching” faculty books to celebrate faculty success. We gather together on Friday at 3.30, have light refreshments and learn about the work of our colleagues. Faculty have been busy with book-writing lately and we have a backlog of about 8 books to launch so we will be busy in the fall. Please let me know if you or a colleague has published a book recently. Also, please let me know about other faculty successes and I will share it with our community .

STUDENT RESEARCH FAIR
As previously notified, we will be hosting a Student Research Fair in the spring 2004. We will be working out details in the fall. It will be an opportunity for students to present their research to others. Please bear this in mind as you are preparing course assignments. We will select one student to present at the Student Research Fair at the St. Thomas University in Houston, Texas next spring http://www.stthom.edu/

FACULTY RESEARCH/WRITING
Qualitative researchers from UNB and STU have been meeting together for the last year to discuss issues relating to qualitative research. For more information and to join the list please check http://www.StThomasU.ca/~jmckendy/qual/ I have read several manuscripts lately. A number of faculty have suggested that it would be beneficial to have an interdisciplinary forum where we can discuss our research-in-process, share manuscripts at various stages of completion, and generally give each other supportive feedback on our research and writing. If you are interested in this idea please let me know.

TEACHING DEVELOPMENT
Faculty Development is more than faculty research! The promotion of excellence in teaching is an institutional priority at STU. I liaise closely with the Learning and Teaching Development Committee. Please consult with the Learning and Teaching Development Officer (Ray Williams rwilliam@stu.ca) , Roger Moore, Chair of the Learning and Teaching Development Committee (rgmoore@stu.ca) or myself to discuss your own teaching or to suggest ways that we can enhance and celebrate good teaching in our community. Did you know that one third of the submissions for the Atlantic Showcase Teaching Conference due to be held in Cape Breton from 24-25 October were submitted by STU faculty?

METROPOLIS
“Metropolis” is an international federation of policy research centres that focus on issues relating to immigration and diversity. There are four centres in Canada funded by the federal government led by Citizenship and Immigration, Canada. A group of interested people from the Atlantic Region have been meeting for the last two years to develop a proposal for a Metropolis Centre in the Atlantic Region. There has been a lot of interest in our STU community about this project. STU has been identified as one of the four lead institutions for a Metropolis Centre (the others are St. Mary’s University (Halifax), Dalhousie (Halifax), and the University of Moncton. If funded STU will lead two Metropolis domains, in Education (led by Heather Richmond) and Human Rights/Social Justice (led by Michael McGowan). We are experiencing funding problems at the moment but we are hopeful that we will resolve them.

Rosemary Clews (Assistant Vice-President, Research and Faculty Development)
August 1, 2003