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Announcements, events, and news from Spark

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February 13th 2025

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

Centre News

Polish Your Graph Challenge - Week 2

This is Week 2 of the Polish Your Graph Challenge.  This challenge invites readers to submit a graph that you are not thrilled with, and we will polish it up, and record in real time what we’re doing and why.

Too Much for One Graph

In preparing a talk on Qualitative Data Visualization, we ran across this example of what’s called an X-Shaped Matrix that looks at multiple dimensions of a situation all in one graph – in this case dealing with manufacturing products.

Before:

From: https://eggplantstudios.ca/2012/indesign-using-and-styling-tables-for-matrices/

It’s a clever design, but also overwhelming to the eye, and because of the coloring, the eye automatically goes to the categories and not the individual volumes at each intersection of row and column.  So, to re-make this in a more user-friendly way, we can alter the visual slightly by using simple color coded tables – and instead of having 1, have 4 small tables – this approach of putting similar data into graphs packed together is referred to as small multiples. It has the same advantages of more complex matrices in that you can look at different dimensions together, but in a way that is easier to scan and interpret quickly.

The After:

If you have a graph or text and are curious what could be done to visualize it, please send it, any underlying data, and what you wish to convey with the graph(s) – the takeaway – to [email-masked] by February 24th.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date!

Spark is saying goodbye in style.  Come celebrate social research with us on April 10th at 3 pm.  Details and registration to follow.

“Recomposing Consciousness”

Drawing on perspectives from disability studies, medical anthropology, and psychological anthropology, we argue that what has taken to be “normal” models and ideals of human consciousness arbitrarily exclude ways of being in the world that are atypical. Reviewing ongoing research projects on disability and communication and mental illness and aesthetic movements, we demonstrate how more capacious models of consciousness provide the foundation for more inclusive politics that act against biologically reductive approaches.

John Marlovits is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at San Jose State University. His work focuses on psychiatry, affective geographies, and how mental health shapes aesthetic experience.

Matthew Wolf-Meyer is Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is the author of The Slumbering Masses: Sleep, Medicine, and Modern American Life, Unraveling: Remaking Personhood in a Neurodiverse Age, and American Disgust: Racism, Microbial Medicine, and the Colony Within.

Register for this Spark Talk here.

This video is a preview video forJohn Marlovits and Matthew Wolf-Meyer's Spark Talk on March 7th, 2025.

Resources for Researchers

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 contact us here.

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 [email-masked] 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.

For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit here.

Spark Collaborations

Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: [email-masked] to be showcased in our following newsletter.

Rotary Peace Fellowship at the MA level

Rotary offers very generous fully paid Peace Fellowships to study abroad. There are two Peace Studies programs – an MA program at one of 5 universities and a Certificate Program at 2 Universities. The value of the MA Peace Fellowships averages $87,000 USD and the Professional Certificates average $15,000 USD. Applications open February 1, 2025 with a closing deadline of May 15th, 2025 for the 2026 academic year.

Our Rotary District has been very successful mentoring qualified candidates with their applications for these programs. This is part of our commitment to serving our community. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree with good grades and three years of related work experience together with a drive to become a leader for peace and development in their community and beyond. Past fellows have included health care workers, social workers, educators, NGO executives, journalists, lawyers, police officers among others. Experience advocating for anti-oppression, poverty relief, housing, disability rights  and equity would be an asset.

This opportunity is open world-wide and is not limited to residents of Canada.

Here is the link describing the Fellowship Program: Peace Fellowships | Rotary International

ICPSR Summer Program

From May through August, the ICPSR Summer Program offers more than 80 courses in statistics, quantitative and qualitative methods, and data analysis for researchers across the social, behavioral, and health sciences. Courses cover a wide range of topics and techniques, from introductory statistics and regression analysis to advanced multilevel models and Bayesian analysis to machine learning, among others. The broad curriculum is designed to fulfill the training needs of researchers throughout their education and careers. Both our in-person and online courses feature extended access to lecture recordings and course materials after the course ends. At the ICPSR Summer Program, you will learn how to understand your data while gaining valuable research skills that will help you address real-world problems and advance policy solutions. Instruction features hands-on, applied work in several popular statistical software packages. You will also get individual feedback and guidance in one-on-one consultations with our respected faculty.

McMaster is a member of the ICPSR, and therefore, McMaster affiliates are eligible for significant discounts on Summer Program fees. The Deadline for Scholarships is Feb 28, and to go to the scholarship info page, click here.

Provisional Guidelines on the Use of Generative AI in Research

Guidelines for the use of generative AI tools for McMaster researchers – Read more about McMaster's guidelines for the use of Generative AI in Research here.

Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network’s (CBITN) Ontario regional hub

Brock University is host to the Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network’s (CBITN) Ontario regional hub. We are pleased to share that we will be hosting our second networking conference on March 15, 2025.

The Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network (CBITN) is a CIHR-funded pan-Canadian training platform aimed to support the development, testing, and delivery of behavioural interventions. CBITN represents more than 100 members from 48 organisations across Canada. In addition to providing innovative training opportunities, it also provides direct funding to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. For example, within the past two years, CBITN has granted scholarships to over 40 trainees from 20 institutions across 6 provinces.

This conference is designed for networking with academic and non-academic experts in field of behavioural trials and interventions. This conference will be a single-day event taking place on Saturday March 15th, 2025, in Jordan, ON. We will be hosting the event at the Inn on the Twenty – a gorgeous venue in the heart of Niagara’s wine region.

Event purpose: to provide high quality training and networking opportunities for those who work in the field of behavior change and behavioural medicine. We have invited faculty, graduate students, government officials, and those who work in industry or at non-profit organizations to attend this networking event.

Spaces are limited for attendance. If you are interested in attending this conference, please complete the Qualtrics survey below to be considered. All successful applicants will be contacted by February 21 to confirm their attendance. We have a limit of approximately 40 attendees and spaces can not be guaranteed.

Register at the link below:

https://brock.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6eUbAAzFG8fq0GG

Bridging the Gap: Evaluating the Impact of Research Resources on Undergraduate Research Experiences at McMaster University.

You are invited to complete a brief, 12-question online survey that will take between 10 and 30 minutes of your time, depending on the depth of your responses. This study is conducted by thesis student, Raiyan Rubab, under the supervision of Dr. Jason Brodeur of the McMaster University Libraries and the School of Interdisciplinary Science.

The survey aims to gather employee and faculty input on the effectiveness of McMaster's resources in supporting undergraduate research experiences. The findings will help identify gaps and guide the development of a system that better supports and enhances undergraduate research opportunities.

To be eligible for this study, you must be an employee in a McMaster department or organization who provides support for undergraduate research experiences. Support may be provided in the form of resources such as guides, research templates, tip sheets, writing support, etc. or services such as research consultations, research advising, career counselling, etc.

To learn more about the survey and the research study, particularly in terms of any potential risks or harms associated with the survey, how confidentiality and anonymity will be handled, withdrawal procedures, how to obtain information about the survey’s results, etc., please read the accompanying Letter of Information and Consent. The survey will be open until March 1st, 2025.

You can access the survey by clicking on the following link: https://surveys.mcmaster.ca/limesurvey/index.php/571393?lang=en. You will be presented with a brief description of the study followed by a consent preamble before the survey begins.

We would like to thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

If you have any questions about the study, please contact:

Raiyan Rubab                                   Dr. Jason Brodeur

[email-masked]                 [email-masked]

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance from the McMaster Research Ethics Board (Project # 7306).

Statistics Canada Workshops

Statistics Canada is offering valuable workshops designed to enhance your understanding of statistical methods and economic frameworks. These workshops are ideal for beginners or those seeking a refresher.

Workshop: Statistics Canada's Supply-Use Framework

This workshop provides an overview of Statistics Canada's Supply and Use Tables, including GDP calculations and economic impact models. It's geared towards those interested in understanding macroeconomic concepts and how they are applied.

Cost: $550 per learner

Target Audience: Ideal for those with a basic understanding of macroeconomics; may be too basic for advanced users.

Registration: Available in-person in English (Jan. 28 and 29) and in French (Mar. 5 and 6) in Edmonton, and in English (Mar. 5 and 6) in Vancouver.  Register Here

Kudos

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: [email-masked].

Congratulations to the many wonderful individuals, groups, and organizations involved in the many successful Black History Month events at McMaster so far. Black History Month “gives us cause to reflect upon how Black people have shaped histories across countries and across the diaspora,” said Barrington Walker, vice-provost of Equity and Inclusion. Read more about this here.

Kudos to Jeffrey Denis and MSU DEN for completing a successful and insightful study on Racism on Campus. Read more about their findings here.

Congratulations to Nathan Andrews, associate professor in Political Science, and Ameil Joseph, associate professor in Social Work were awarded the one-year SSHRC Connection Grants. These research grants are worth a total of $49,581. Read more about this here.

Congratulations to the 2024 edition of the Social Sciences Food Drive, who raised $10,567.92 in funds for the Hamilton Food Share Program. Read more about this here.

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