December 15th 2023
Bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University
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Tis the Season from Spark:
As the autumn leaves drop and the winter chill sets in, the end of another term at Spark is upon us. Researchers have wrapped up analyses, written reports and submitted papers. Students have finished assignments, studied for exams and are packing up their notes.
It's been a productive few months: exploring new ideas, questioning old assumptions and gaining fresh insights from collaborations across disciplines. We've enjoyed lively seminars sharing findings and thought-provoking works-in-progress. Thanks to all who've contributed to another successful term of sparking scientific progress and rigorous inquiry.
Now is a time to recharge as the holidays approach. However, you observe the season or enjoy the short days, we hope you make special memories with loved ones and take a well-deserved break. Come what may in the new year, we're thankful for our Spark community and look forward to more learning when the winter term begins. Wishing you peace, joy, and rest – see you in 2023 for another term of discovery!
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McMaster Holiday Closure:
McMaster University will close for the holiday break at the end of the workday on Friday, December 22nd and will reopen Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024.
Read more here: https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/articles/winter-holiday-campus-closure-2023/
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Save the Date: Full Winter Schedule of Spark Talks
As always, all Spark Talks will be on a Friday from 10:30 to 11:30AM EST and will be accessible via Zoom. However, if you feel like joining us in person, you can visit us at L.R. Wilson Hall, where you can network and connect with members of our team directly and treat yourself to some refreshments!
Jan 12: Salome Do (École Normale Supérieure, PSL University)
Topic: "The Augmented Social Scientist: Using Sequential Transfer Learning to annotate Millions of Texts with Human-Level Accuracy"
Do presents an automated content analysis method utilizing supervised machine learning and transfer learning, showcasing a case study on strategic framing in the press. Attendees will learn how this approach augments traditional content analysis, enabling the annotation of millions of texts with high accuracy.
Register Now
Jan 19: Rod Little (University of Michigan)
Topic: "Handling Missing Data in Social Science Studies"
Little reviews various methods for managing missing data in social science studies, discussing different approaches like weighting, maximum likelihood, and multiple imputation. He also explores robust inference methods for missing data potentially not at random.
Register Now
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Resources for Researchers
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Research Conversations
We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to any researcher (students, staff, faculty or community) on every social research topic imaginable. If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.
Request a research conversation here
Qualtrics Licenses
If you are an Faculty of Social Sciences researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please fill out this form
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.
Methods Demonstrations
Faculty in Social Sciences may request demonstrations, short trainings, or code-along sessions from Spark staff for Research Methods or Professional Skills courses. We're happy to discuss any needs and have already developed trainings for Literature Review, Interviewing, Survey Development, Focus Groups, Data Visualization. Email us at talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to discuss if there's a fit for your course.
CoLab
Research on research innovation (yes, it's very meta) points to a simple truth. Being in the same physical space and able to informally interact significantly increases cross-disciplinary collaboration and discovery. The Spark CoLab aims to be such a space. It is a free, open co-working space for graduate students, research staff and faculty. You can learn more on our website or stop by from 9 am - Noon or 1 pm - 4pm on Tuesday or Thursday for a tour and orientation.
SEAL
Some data is critical to addressing major research questions, but is also profoundly sensitive and must be secured. SEAL is a high security data repository that allows approved researchers worldwide to access highly sensitive data securely. Data owners can use it to engage researchers in using their datasets and researchers can access data that otherwise would not be available to them.
Learn more about SEAL at: https://seal.mcmaster.ca/
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.
Digital Citizen Initiative Funding Opportunity
Recently, Minister Pascale St-Onge announced a $7 million call for proposals through the Digital Citizen Initiative (DCI). The DCI aims to aid civil society groups and researchers in producing evidence-based resources to support Canadians in staying safe and informed online. The call for funding confirms that universities and post secondary institutions are able to apply for this funding. The Program is offering successful applicants up to $380,000 per approved project, the Program may award up to $1,000,000 in funding for some projects with budgets of over $1,000,000.
Projects must start in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and all funds received from this call for proposals must be spent by March 31, 2025.
More details can be found here.
Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging – Seminar Series Talk
The Gilbrea Centre is excited to host Dr. Irene Blackberry in Canada at McMaster for a hybrid seminar on January 10th 2023 at 2:30pm. Join us in-person in L.R.Wilson Hall Room 1003 or virtually via zoom. Dr. Blackberry has over 20 years of research experience across the Care Economy in Australia and abroad, predominantly in healthcare, aged care, and informal care sectors. Her research examines access to care and models of care that are innovative, effective, and sustainable, building skills in individuals and greater capacity of the whole-of-community to support people from diverse backgrounds and rural communities.
Zoom link: https://bit.ly/48hPTwY
Fostering a community of belonging at McMaster University
The Equity and Inclusion Office at McMaster University is hosting webinars about inclusion, effective intragroup dialogue, and human rights. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend a series of webinars entitled Fostering A Community of Belonging at McMaster University, presented by the Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO) along with campus partners, including Student Affairs, Faculty of Health Sciences and Employee & Labour Relations.
STUDENT WEBINARS:
FACULTY AND STAFF WEBINARS:
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Let's 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 any features you would like us to mention by emailing us at: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.
Kudos to McMaster University which continues to be one of Canada’s most research-intensive universities in the annual ranking published by Research Infosource. Read more about McMaster’s impact here:
Read more here.
Kudos to the team connected with McMaster’s Social Science Community Research Platform, who have been exploring new social work programs at Hamilton Public Library. Learn more about this vital work in The Conversation’s article titled “Program at Hamilton Public Library shows how libraries can expand the social services they provide”. Read it here.
Congratulations to the McMaster University Anthropology Department who in 2024 will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary of Anthropology at McMaster.
Shout-out to McMaster Indigenous Research Institute’s (MIRI) Dawn Martin- Hill, who was quoted in the Globe and Mail Article “Indigenous services minister to table First Nations water bill as early as Monday”. Read the full article here:
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