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February 3, 2022

Bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University

Upcoming Events
Join Spark on Fridays at 10:30-11:20am for a weekly "Spark Talk" focused on methods and tools of social research. Spark Talks features an innovative speaker and encourages unexpected and inter-disciplinary connections between researchers, including faculty and graduate students. Learn more about upcoming Spark events at spark.mcmaster.ca/events

Spark Events - Winter Schedule 2022
Feb 4th 10:30- 11:20 am ET
The Future of Machine Learning is Qualitative
Dr. Laura Nelson

Register here
*Virtual Event*
Feb 11th 10:30- 11:20 am ET
Saving Lives with Better Sound
Dr. Michael Schultz


Register here
*Virtual Event*
UPDATED: Feb 18th 10:30- 11:20 am ET
Introduction to Interviewing to Measure Impact 
Allison Van

*Virtual Event*
Register here:
Feb 22nd - 25th 9am - 12pm ET
Interviewing to Measure Impact - 4 day Workshop 
Allison Van


*Virtual Event*
Registration Closed/Full
March 4th 10:30-11:20 am ET
A Win or a Flop? Measuring Mass Protest Successfulness in Authoritarian Settings
Dr. Kimberly Noel Turner

Register here
*Virtual Event*
March 11th 10:30-11:20 am ET
The Trump Election and Attitudes Towards the US in Latin America
Dr. Giancario Visconti & Dr. Regina Bateson

Register: here
*Virtual Event*
UPDATED: March 18th 9:30am - 12pm and 1pm-4pm ET
Identity in Research - Quantifying Individual Identities
Dr. Mosi Adesina Ifatunji

Registration Coming Soon
*In-person event*
 March 25th  10:30 - 11:20 am ET
Title TBD
Speaker TBD

*Virtual Event*


 
April 1st 10:30-11:20 am ET
A White Researcher in South Africa: Reflections on Positionality
Dr. Holmes


Register: here
*Virtual Event*
April 8th 9am- 12pm and 1pm-4pm ET
Identity in Research : Arts-Based Approaches to Exploring Identity
Dr. Carla Rice

Registration Coming Soon
*In-Person Event*


In case you missed it:


Conducting Cognitive Interviews Offline and Online
Cornelia Neuert
Check it out here:

 

Addressing Sensitivity Bias On Surveys
Matthew Nanes
Check it out here:

Resources for Researchers

Looking to pool software licences?

Now you can! Fill out this form and we will reach out if we can match you with others looking to pool licences.

We are also attempting a pilot in fall term allowing for virtual desktop access to several licenses for major Qualitative Data Analysis software, and will be seeking volunteers to test out the viability of this option.  FSS faculty, please email talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca if you're interested in participating.  

Research Conversations

We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to all McMaster researchers (students, staff and faculty) on every social research topic imaginable.  If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.   

Request a research consultation at https://forms.gle/7FciqxCtK5fN6AD97
 

Qualtrics Licences

If you are an FSS researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Gn2KvYgdebjo8d2W8.
 

Brighter Spark Applied Research

Spark offers custom research and evaluation, as well as highly skilled assistance in implementing virtually any social research method. Our cost-recovery services include methods and software training, custom research, state-of-the-art facilities, and taking on elements of your project to support its completion.

For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/brighter-spark

Spark Collaboration
Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to be showcased in our following newsletter.


McMaster Institute for Health Equity Seminar 

"Challenging Systemic Racism for Health Equity in Hamilton: Mobilizing Solidarities for Action"
Dr. Ameil Joseph
February 16th 2022 at 2:00-3:00pm ET

Register here: https://bit.ly/3G3T8tm

Student admissions OPEN for 2022-2023 MPP-DS Program

The Master of Public Policy in a Digital Society is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 offering (starting May 2022). MPP-DS is a 12-month professional graduate program that trains future policy leaders to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape by bridging public policy thinking with technical expertise.  

Application Deadline: February 24th, 2022
For more information and to apply visit: https://socialsciences.mcmaster.ca/master-of-public-policy 

Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship Workshop 

"Intro to Designing Effective Data Visualizations" 
February 10th 2022 at 1:30-2:30pm 

Learn to present your research in its best light in this beginner friendly workshop on the basic design principals and practices applied across visualization software and tools. 
Register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3651182

After the success of last terms workshops, the Sherman Centre is delighted to host 10+ sessions in Winter 2022. There is something for everyone (data visualization, StoryMaps software, two workshops on Microsoft Excel, and more). See the full event lineup and register here

Compute Canada: Annual Humanities and Social Sciences Series 

Details and registration now available. This online training will introduce advanced digital tools available through the Compute Canada Federation, as well as research data management (RDM) support and best practices. Several sessions will be hands-on workshops, providing the oppertunity for digital skill development for both novice and intermediate learners. You can attend as many or few of the 10 sessions. 

Online training offerings from February 22nd to 25th 
Session details and registration can be found here.

Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy Conference

The Department of Political Science at McMaster, in conjunction with the Canadian Research Chair in Public Policy and Globalization, Institute for Globalization and the Human Condition, and the School of Earth, Environment and Society are excited to present "Mapping the global dimension of policy 11- Multiple crises: Recovery, reform, transformation. This conference brings together graduate students whose research speaks to the questions raised in the fields of globalization and policy studies.

Conference dates: March 11-12th 2022.

For full conference details visit: https://bit.ly/3qiJ1N3

Kudos
In this new section, we want to celebrate the achievements of colleagues, friends, and those doing important social research with the potential to spark a brighter world.  We welcome recommendations for kudos features (including for yourself).  Please send them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.

A big shout out to Alex Hanna and Dylan Baker from Google's Ethical AI team who have resigned to work at the Distributed AI Research Institute! We applaud their efforts to ensure insights of social science inform the ethics of AI. To learn more about their work, check out the "Algorithmically Encoded Identities" session as part of Spark's Identity in Research Series here, and learn more about their decision to leave in the post by Alex Hanna here.

Kudos to Garima Sarkar (Phd Candidate, Political Science) for receiving the Inspiring International Student of the Year Award from CUPE 3906. This award is given to an international student for their impact, initiative for the betterment of society and spirit of generosity among the community of students at the University. 
Read more about Garima and the award here

Congrats to Maddie Brockbank (PhD Student, Social Work) for receiving the Mary Keyes Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to McMaster as part of the 2021 Graduate Student Recognition Awards. This award is provided in recognition of graduate students who give their time, spirit and energy to McMaster student societies, university committees and/or governing bodies. 

Congratulations to Adam Lavecchia (Economics) who was awarded a Polanyi Prize in Economic Science for his work to create more effective public policy that better supports individuals and family. This award is provided to those completing innovative, ground-breaking research which helps to create a better future for students, communities and the province. 
Read more about the award and recipients here

Shout out to Stephanie Ross (Labour Studies) for the feature in the CBC News article "Few signs of labour union resurgence, despite rising prices and worker shortages". Stephanie discusses why rising inflation and widespread staff shortages hasn't led to a dramatic labour union in Canada. 
Read the full CBC article here

Kudos to Jim Dunn (Health, Aging and Society) for the feature in the Globe and Mail Article "Housing advocates push for increased regulation of Canadian landlords". Jim poses that Canadian landlords need more regulation in order to shine a light on the true nature of rental housing. 
Read the full Globe and Mail Article here

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Spark: a centre for social research innovation

Website: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/
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Email: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca
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