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Announcements, events, and news from Spark

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March 27th 2025

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

Centre News

Join Us in a Celebration

After 6 years supporting research quality and innovation in social sciences, Spark: a centre for social research innovation will be closing. Before we go, please join us in celebrating impactful social research, and the contributions of our amazing team of Sparklers and many deeply valued partners. You have made these years a joy.

Date:

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Time:

3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Location:

Spark CoLab – LR Wilson, 5803.

McMaster University

Link to Directions

RSVP here

Upcoming Events

“Decolonizing Academic Funding: Reimagining Power, Equity and Access in Indigenous Research Funding”

In this presentation Cathy Fournier will provide an overview of an Indigenous community-identified and led collaborative funding initiative undertaken at a major university in Canada in 2020. She will highlight the successes and challenges of this initiative in meeting its overarching goals: Indigenous research sovereignty and self-determination while focusing on the key themes that emerged in her research:

The importance of using Indigenous principles in this funding initiative.

The importance of community identified research.

The reduction of administrative barriers due to the initiatives collaborative nature.

Perceived power imbalance between academic and community researchers.

Cathy Fournier (she/her) is the Director, Indigenous Homelessness Prevention at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. Her current research involves working with Indigenous communities examining Indigenous homelessness and homelessness prevention through a lens of anti-colonialism, social justice and Indigenous knowledges.

Register for this Spark Talk here.

This video is a preview video for Cathy Fournier's Spark Talk on April 4th, 2025.

“Taking Care: Tools for Balanced Work”

Many of us in academia struggle mightily with the idea of work-life balance amidst the expectations of others, our own ambitions and passion for the work. This talk discusses in-depth an approach to finding something like balance that the speaker uses to manage her own life and research.

Allison Van is the Executive Director of Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University. She specializes in mixed-methods complex systems analysis, community/academic partnerships, and the translation of research into social change. Her career has traversed sectors and disciplines, including extensive work in agricultural and rural development, poverty, child welfare and juvenile justice, social entrepreneurship, and medical innovation. Uniting these experiences was a common approach to applied research and experimentation, allowing Allison to transform radically different systems and organizations. Previously, she was the Associate Director of Evaluation at the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute at University of North Carolina. Prior to that she worked at Winrock International, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the National Rural Funders Collaborative. Allison Van is currently building the Spark into an international model of innovation in social science research support.

Register for this Spark Talk here.

This video is a preview video for Allison Van's Spark Talk on April 11th, 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.

Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications

Following two years of review and engagement, the Tri-Agency released a draft, revised Tri-Agency Open Access (OA) Policy on Publications ("OA Policy") for public feedback in late February. Feedback can be provided via an online form until March 31, 2025.

The draft policy suggests some key changes for Open Access compliance, applicable to all awards granted after January 1, 2026:

Agency grantees and chairholders must acknowledge Agency contributions in all research outputs.

Agency grantees and chairholder award recipients must deposit their research article in a Canadian institutional repository at the time of publication even where the article is freely available on the publisher website.

By accepting the Terms and Conditions of their grant or award, grantees and chairholders must retain rights over the dissemination of any peer-reviewed research article arising from agency-funded research.

Researcher feedback is critical to ensuring that the revised OA Policy aligns with and supports Canada's research enterprise, so please consider completing the form.

Connection Grants Competition

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is now accepting applications for the Connection Grants competition.  SSHRC has established the following deadlines for Connection Grant competitions:  February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Connection Grants are expected to respond to the objectives of the Research Partnerships program. These grants support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives. These events and activities represent opportunities to exchange knowledge and engage with participants on research issues they value. Events and outreach activities funded by a Connection Grant can often serve as a first step toward more comprehensive and longer-term projects.

SSHRC will accept applications for the Research Data Management Capacity Building Initiative during the May 1st, 2025 competition.

Application Process

If you intend to submit an application, please contact Amanda Graveline, Senior Advisor, Development, ROADS, at [email-masked]  by March 3, 2025.

The initial draft of the application and letters of support are due to the Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS), by 9:00 am on April 10, 2025.

The final draft, and a completed and signed Application Approval Form, are due to ROADS by 9:00 am on April 24, 2025. Please note, applications received after this date may not receive a full review.

More information:

Additional information regarding the Connection Grants Program can be found on the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) website at:

http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/connection_grants-subventions_connexion-eng.aspx.

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.

Workshop: Turning Statistics into Stories

Description: Stories resonate with audiences while numbers alone may overwhelm. Join us for an introductory workshop that will help you to communicate the messages emerging from your data in a more effective manner. During this workshop, you will focus on your target audience, use statistics to present your story and put numbers into a context to help your audience understand your messages. Along the way you will learn some useful tips on how to use tables and graphs to illustrate your story.

Intended Target Audience: This is an introductory workshop; it may be too basic for advanced data users.

Registration Information:

For more information and to register for a session, please go to this link: Workshop – Turning Statistics into Stories P0001044 (statcan.gc.ca)

Cost: $325 per learner

Workshop: How to Use Census Data

Description: Conducted every five years, the Census of Population is the most comprehensive source of data on the demographic, social and economic characteristics of Canadians. The Census workshop is designed for those new to working with Census data or those who want to further develop their abilities in working with Census concepts, methodology, geography and analysis. The workshop material will explore the depth and breadth of data available and enhance participants’ ability to use the 2021 Census resources effectively.

Intended Target Audience: This is an introductory workshop; it may be too basic for advanced data users.

Registration Information:

For more information and to register for a session, please go to this link: Workshop – How to Use Census Data P0001156 (statcan.gc.ca)

Cost: $325 per learner

Analysis 101: Steps of the Analytical Process

How can you identify the right questions to tackle in your data projects?

Or translate data into useful insights for decision-makers?

One of our flagship courses, Analysis 101 introduces participants to the steps of the analytical process, to ensure policy or context-motivated data questions, so that participants learn to build a solid plan to interpret the data and share findings for different audiences. Through applied exercises and coaching from a top researcher, you’ll continue to build your analytical and storytelling skills.

Dates:

English: May 20-21-22, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (ET) each day

French: December 9-10-11, 2025, from 1:00pm to 3:30pm (ET) each day

Cost: $500 per learner

Format: Instructor-led, 100% virtual on MS Teams, maximum 25 participants

Working with Disaggregated Data for Better Policy Outcomes

How can disaggregated data analysis empower the policy community in their work, such as addressing social and economic inequities?

What are the key tenets of a good disaggregated data story?

NEW course developed by top analysts and educational experts with specialization in vulnerable groups. Through interactive activities, a showcase of key disaggregated data sources and applied learning, participants will improve their ability to leverage disaggregated data to achieve better outcomes for Canadians, work through common data challenges, and communicate findings effectively.

Dates:

English: June 17-18-19, 2025, from 10:00am to 3:00pm (EST) each day

French: January 13-14-15, 2026, from 10:00am to 3:00pm (EST) each day

Cost: $500 per learner

Format: Instructor-led, 100% virtual on MS Teams, maximum 25 participants

If you are interested in attending these workshops, please email us at [email-masked].

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 Social Work PhD student Maddie Brockbank who made the finals of SSHRC Storytellers Challenge. The challenge, organized by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), has scholars from across Canada communicate their research in 300 words or three minutes. Read more abut this here.

Congratulations to McMaster Stelida Naxos archaeological project that will host their first exhibition in Canada. The exhibition at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will explore the work of the Stelida Naxos Archaeological Project (SNAP), which has been operating on the island since 2013. Read more about this here.

Congratulations to those who participated in McMaster’s first student-run polling station at the 2025 provincial election. “Youth are often under-represented in elections,” said the fourth-year political science student. “By hosting a student-run polling station on campus, we hope to foster civic engagement in young people and the broader Hamilton community.” Read more about this here.

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Spark: a centre for social research innovation, McMaster University · 1280 Main St W · Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8 · Canada