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Announcements, events, and other news from Spark

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August 15th 2024

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

Centre News

Kickstart Your Research Journey: Why Now is the Perfect Time to Dive In

As the summer winds down and the start of the school year approaches, there’s a palpable energy in the air—a sense of renewal, anticipation, and readiness. This transitional period is more than just a prelude to the academic year; it's an opportune moment to lay the groundwork for your research projects. Whether you’re an experienced researcher, a faculty member looking to expand your portfolio, or a student gearing up for your first major project, now is the time to get ahead.

At Spark, we believe that the key to successful research lies in early and intentional planning. With the hustle and bustle of the school year just around the corner, setting aside time now to focus on your research can pay dividends later. The quieter days of late summer offer the perfect environment to immerse yourself in deep thinking, explore new ideas, and start those important research conversations that will shape your work in the months to come.

So, what steps can you take to make the most of this time?

Engage in Research Conversations Early

One of the most effective ways to refine your research ideas is to engage in meaningful conversations with your peers, mentors, and collaborators. Whether you’re discussing theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, or potential challenges, these conversations can provide invaluable insights and direction. At Spark, we provide up to 4 hours per school year of FREE research methods advice and coaching to anyone doing or thinking about doing research (students, staff, and faculty from any Faculty at McMaster, community-based researchers, those at other institutions) on any social research topic. Beyond 4 hours, we remain available to assist at $150/hour.  We can help with virtually any method, software issues, research ethics applications, data management plans, reviews of methods sections for grants and knowledge mobilization activities. Book a Research Conversation with Spark's Executive Director and resident research methods dork, Allison Van, here.

Take Advantage of Other Resources

Spark offers a wide range of resources designed to support your research journey. From our state-of-the-art Qualitative Suite to our secure data enclave (SEAL), we have facilities to support your research ambitions. Now is the perfect time to familiarize yourself with these resources, schedule a consultation, or go ahead and book. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you have everything you need to hit the ground running in September.

Set Clear Goals and Milestones

The beginning of the school year can be overwhelming, with classes, meetings, and other commitments competing for your attention. By setting clear research goals and milestones now, you can create a roadmap that keeps you on track throughout the year. Break your project down into manageable tasks, assign deadlines, and hold yourself accountable. This proactive approach will not only help you stay organized but also reduce stress as the academic year progresses.

As we prepare to welcome a new cohort of students and embark on another year of academic discovery, we invite you to take full advantage of this pivotal moment. We wish you an amazing 2024-25.

Schedule a Free Research Conversation

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.

Research Ethics Training Opportunity: Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS)

The Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS) have developed a short workshop aimed at faculty who supervise the research of students at all levels. The workshop guides you through the ethics application process and identifies areas where students may have confusion or may make mistakes. The goal is to help you guide your students through the application process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Some of these tips may make your own applications easier as well.

Duration: 1-2 hours

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Time: MREB aims to hold multiple sessions of the same workshop at the end of August in order to work with different schedules.

If you are interested, you can sign up here or contact Nicole Gervais ([email-masked]) for any questions.

Upcoming Funding Opportunity: SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is now accepting applications for the Partnership Engage Grants September competition. These grants provide short-term support for partnered research activities that will inform decision-making at a single partner organization from the public, private, or not-for-profit sector.

Key Dates:

Intent to Apply: As soon as possible

Draft Application Due: August 26, 2024 (9am)

Final Application Due: September 9, 2024 (9am)

Sponsor Deadline: September 15, 2024

These grants are valued at $7,000 to $25,000 over one year and offer unique opportunities for partnered research. For more details and to apply, visit the Partnership Engage Grants Funding Opportunity.

For further assistance, contact Amanda Graveline, Senior Advisor, Development, ROADS, at [email-masked].

Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship (SCDS) - Graduate Residency: Applications Open

The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship (SCDS) is at the forefront of empowering graduate students to explore digital scholarship through its Graduate Residency in Digital Scholarship. The program offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to advance their digital scholarship projects through expert consultation, research mentorship, skill sharing, comprehensive training opportunities, dynamic interdisciplinary collaboration, and a supportive digital scholarship community, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking to amplify their research impact and scholarly pursuits.

The residency has seen diverse representation from various programs across McMaster, including Global Health, Earth, Environment, and Society, Communication Studies and Media Arts, English and Cultural Studies, Medical Science, Engineering, Social Work, Neuroscience, and more!

Applications for the 2024-2025 residency cohort are now open until August 30, 2024.

Learn More about the Graduate Residency.

Learning Cohort on Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Fundamentals of OCAP® Training

The Fundamentals of OCAP® course introduces the importance of First Nations ownership, control, access, and possession of First Nations data. This online, self-guided course consists of six modules, each taking 30-50 minutes to complete, with participants having six months to finish. The 2024 Learning Cohort, facilitated by McMaster's AskResearch team, is an optional, asynchronous companion to the OCAP course. The course costs $500 before taxes, with a 30% discount for groups of 10 or more.

Looking to join a group? Contact Angela Di Nello at [email-masked]

Call for Papers: Canadian Journal of Communication (CJC)

Special Issue of the Canadian Journal of Communication (CJC) - Reimagining Canadian Communication Thought invites scholars to reflect on and reimagine the concept of "Canadian Communication Thought" nearly 25 years after the publication of Robert Babe's foundational work. The issue seeks to challenge and expand the traditional canon by incorporating diverse voices and contemporary perspectives. Contributions are welcomed in two formats: full-length research articles (7000-8000 words) and shorter interventions (2500-3000 words).

Key Dates:

Abstract Submission Deadline: September 30th, 2024

Final Draft Contributions Due: March 15th, 2025

Issue Publication: Summer 2026

Cost: No fee for submission

Relevant for: Scholars in media, communication, technology studies, and those interested in Canadian intellectual history, particularly from diverse and marginalized communities.

For more information read here.

Call for Participants: Statistics Canada Workshops

Statistics Canada is offering two 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: Introduction to Basic Statistics

This 8-hour workshop, spread over two days, covers essential statistical measures and hypothesis testing methods, making it perfect for those new to statistics or in need of a refresher. Participants will learn about Descriptive and Inferential statistics, measures such as margin of error, and Z-tests and Chi-Square methods.

Cost: $325 per learner

Target Audience: Ideal for beginners; may be too basic for advanced users.

Registration: Available in both English and French from October to November. Register Here

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 both English and French in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal from September to November. 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].

Let's give a warm welcome to Rochelle Maurice, who has joined the Faculty of Social Sciences as an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work! We’re thrilled to have her expertise and passion at McMaster and look forward to the valuable contributions she'll make to the School of Social Work. Read more here.

And another welcome to Jarita Greyeyes, the newest addition to the Faculty of Social Sciences! Jarita joins the team as an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Studies. We’re thrilled to have her on board and excited to see how her academic background and research interests will contribute to the growth and development of the faculty. Read more here.

Let's have a big congrats for Dr. Melanie Heath, a Spark Advisory Board member and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Social Scientists! Dr. Heath's book, Forbidden Intimacies: Polygamies at the Limits of Western Tolerance, was recognized with the 2024 Distinguished Book Award from the Sociology of Sexualities Section of the American Sociological Association.

Finally, a big shoutout to McMaster’s faculty and staff for their incredible dedication and hard work throughout the year! The recent Ice Cream and Thank You Social was a sweet success, bringing together thousands of team members to enjoy a well-deserved break. President David Farrar and other senior leaders rolled up their sleeves to serve nearly 2,800 frozen treats, making the event a memorable celebration of the people who make McMaster an extraordinary place to work and learn. Your commitment to excellence truly makes a difference every day—thank you for all that you do! Read more here.

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