March 31, 2022
Bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University
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Identity in Research : Arts-Based Approaches to Exploring Identity
Dr. Carla Rice and Dr. Ingrid Mündel University of Guelph, Re-vision Centre
Friday April 29th 2022 - free:
9:00am - 10:00am - Keynote: "Difference Reimagined through Digital World-Making" (Hybrid; In-person and zoom)
10:00am - 4:00pm Workshop: "The Work of Stories in the World" (in person only, lunch break from noon to 1pm)
Keynote: Difference Reimagined through Digital World-Making
In this talk we give an overview of the work of the Re•Vision Centre in generating and mobilizing critical theory and creative methodologies for liberatory ends. Motivated by the question of how we create a world where difference is not only tolerated but welcomed as critical to the story of humanity, we interrogate the possibilities and problematics of affirmative approaches that seek to disrupt normative standards and systemic inequities.
Workshop: The Work of Stories in the World
In this workshop we introduce Re•Vision’s new on-line storymaking site, revisionstorymaking.ca. We offer a conceptional overview of Revision’s storymaking methodology and engage partipants in hands-on storymaking activities. Through play, participants have opportunity to investigate the power of the arts, and especially story, to open up conversations about systemic (rather than individualized) injustices in health care, education, the arts and other sectors.
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Ingrid Mündel (right) is the Managing Director of the Re•Vision Centre. Ingrid holds a PhD in Literature and Performance Studies from the University of Guelph and is an experienced community-based researcher, facilitator, and educator with a particular interest in art-based approaches to community dialogue and social change.
Carla Rice (left) is the Tier I Canada Research Chair in Feminist Studies and Social Practice at the University of Guelph. She is an internationally known feminist scholar whose scholarship focuses on non-normative embodiments, feminist and intersectionality studies, and arts-based research methodologies.
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APPLY NOW - New Spark Applied Research Apprenticeship for Students:
Spark is excited to announce the opening of 4 positions to join the inaugural Applied Research Apprenticeship and become an active member of the Brighter Spark Applied Research team at Spark: a centre for social research innovation.
Open positions include: a Marketing/Communications Associate (Job ID #43504), Videographer (Web Assistant, Job ID #43502), and two Brighter Spark RA positions (RA III, Job ID #43734; RA II, Job ID #43447).
A position for RA IIII coming soon.
- We are seeking exceptional students with strong social research skills to join Brighter Spark through our paid Applied Research Apprenticeships.
- This is a new unique opportunity which offers not only traditional research and training opportunities but practical experience, leadership, creativity and action-oriented impact with projects both within McMaster and those within the community.
- Work with clients, observe stakeholder dialogue and learn more about what they want/need while also making a difference in your community
- Those selected will utilize and build invaluable research skills through direct involvement at all stages of the research project while working collaboratively as a member of the Brighter Spark Applied Research Team
To apply for one of the above positions: Visit McMaster Mosaic, Career opportunities, Student Work Program, search keyword "Spark" OR Specific Job ID.
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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
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Spark Events - Winter Schedule 2022
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April 1st 10:30-11:20 am ET
Standing out and blending in: Contact-based research, ethics and positionality
Dr. Holmes
Register: here
*Virtual Event*
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April 29th 9am- 10am(Public Talk) and 10am-4pm (Workshop)
Identity in Research : Arts-Based Approaches to Exploring Identity
Dr. Carla Rice and Dr. Ingrid Münel
Register for the hybrid public talk here
Register for the in-person workshop here
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Applied Social Research: Insights and Opportunities with Brighter Spark Applied Research
Brighter Spark Team
Check it out here:
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The Trump Election and Attitudes Towards the United States in Latin America
Dr. Giancarlo Visconti and Dr. Regina Bateson
Check it out here:
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Resources for Researchers
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Health tech: The politics and policies of remote rehabilitation
This discussion will consider how during the pandemic there has been a proliferation of new health technology initiatives that allow for remote rehabilitation outside of a formal clinic setting. Using the case studies of respiratory and reproductive care, the discussion will blend academic, policy and entrepreneurial perspectives to identify policy priorities related to responsible innovation and the commercialization of homegrown health tech.
Hosted by: IRPP and Master of Public Policy in Digital Society, McMaster
Panel includes: Dawn Bowdish, Rachel Bartholomew and Vass Bednar.
Moderated by: Eva Salinas.
April 1st 2022 at 11-12pm ET
Location: Hybrid (both in-person, McMaster and Online via Zoom).
Event details and registration here
Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship Workshop
"Intro to R Programming"
April 11th 2022 at 1:30-3:30pm (online)
R has a powerful suite of high-level statistical functions, but sometimes you need lower-level control over the functionality of your script. In this workshop, you will learn how to write programs in R using functions and control flow. We will cover functions, conditional blocks, loops, and debugging.
Register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3667897
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
Emerging Municipal Leaders Forum
Taking place as part of the 2022 Good Roads Conference, hear from professionals in Ontario's municipal transportation and infrastructure sector about what a career in this field looks like. There is a $40 (+ HST and fees) cost to attend this event. Those who register will also be granted access to all Good Roads sessions throughout the week.
Sunday April 10th 2022 at 2-5pm EDT
Learn more and register here
Summer Institute in Computational Social Science, Rutgers University
The purpose of the Summer Institute is to bring together graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and beginning faculty interested in computational social science. Will involve lectures, group probelm sets and participant-led research projects. There will also be outside speakers. Participants expected to fully attend in person (may shift online if necessary due to COVID).
Application Materials DUE by March 22, 2022
Summer Institute: June 20th to July 1st, 2022
Full details and registration can be found here.
2022 ICPSR Summer Program
For summer 2022, the ICPSR Summer Program will offer its renowned training program either in-person in Ann Arbor, or as a fully online format. The 2022 Program will feature a broad curriculum ranging from introductory to advanced courses in a variety of methods and techniques.
Registration for the First Session will close on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Registration for the Second Session will close on Sunday, July 10, 2022.
Learn more about the summer program here
Data Matters : Data Science Course Series
A week-long series of one and two-day courses aimed at students and professionals in business, research and government. Data Matters gives students the chance to learn about a wide range of topics in data science, analytics, visualization, curation and more from expert instructors. Registration is now open, reserve your spot now!
Data Matters will be held virtually via zoom on August 8th-12th 2022
Learn more and register here
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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.
Kudos Tina Fetner (Sociology), who was one of the experts interviewed in the series "The Big Sex" from CBC which explores the Canadian landscape of sexuality. You can now watch the series on demand from CBC Gen.
Learn more here
A big congratulations to Vass Bednar (MPP-DS) and colleague, who was featured in the Conversation article "Provincial competition law needed to address the power of gig work platforms"
Read the full article in the Conversation here
Kudos to Aaron Parry (Graduate of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies) who designed the Black Student Success Centre Logo. The Centre officially welcomed students in February. The Centre's goal is to support and champion McMaster's Black students in every aspect of their lives.
Read more about the Centre and new logo here
Congratulations to Marisa Young (Sociology), who was recently featured in a McMaster Brighter World story titled " Watching the war in Ukraine is testing the limits of people's psychological strength, expert warns"
Read the full feature here
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