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    Canadian universities place lower in international ranking

    Nine of the top 10 ranked Canadian universities fell in this year’s QS World University Rankings, including Queen’s. The overall decline comes at the same time as a change in the ranking’s methodology, affecting how it scores faculty research citations, particularly in the areas of life sciences and medicine.

    [Tricolour Globe]
    Queen's in the World

    Queen’s placed 206th globally in the 2015 QS rankings, down from 187th in 2014. Queen’s had moved up slightly in the QS rankings last year, along with most of the other top 10 Canadian universities.

    “There is always volatility in international rankings and this volatility can be heightened when there are changes in methodology,” says Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “No international ranking captures all of Queen’s strengths, particularly the high quality of its student learning experience.”

    Every international ranking uses a different methodology, with some relying heavily on measures of research output and some, including the QS rankings, also using reputational survey data.

    “Queen’s is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities and its medium size and vision as a balanced academy are great strengths for the university, but this does not necessarily help us in international rankings.  Some rankings include measures that do not adjust for size, for example overall research output, which will favour larger institutions,” says Harrison. “Ultimately, the university’s success internationally will be built upon what drives its success within Canada – a transformative student learning experience enriched by the excellence of its research-intensive environment.”

    Another international ranking, the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), was released in August and saw Queen’s maintain its standing within the 201-300 range of the world’s top universities. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking is expected to be released in early October.

    Queen’s continues to attract top students from around the world as it works toward a goal of having international students comprise 10 per cent of the incoming undergraduate class. Of the roughly 4600 students in this year’s first-year class, 318 are international students, an increase of 29.8 per cent over the same time last year. 

    Pick up your copy of the Sept. 22 edition of the Gazette

    The Sept. 22 edition of the Gazette is now available around Queen’s campus, as well as a number of off-campus locations.

    [Gazette Sept. 22, 2015]
    Read the Sept. 22 edition of the Gazette online.

    The newspaper is filled with interesting Queen's-focused items including:

    • The most recent faculty members to receive recognition from the Royal Society of Canada
    • A closer look at the make-up of the Class of 2019.
    • An interview with Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Alan Harrison about his time in office at Queen’s.
    • Updates on the latest research, awards and achievements of faculty, staff and students.

    The Gazette is published monthly during the summer months; the next edition will hit the newsstands on Oct. 6.

    Anyone looking to get a story, photo or information in the Gazette can contact the paper's editor Andrew Carroll or Senior Communications Officer Mark Kerr.

    Also visit the Gazette Online for more stories and photos and follow us on Twitter at @queensuGazette.

     

     

    Aiken joins College of New Scholars

    Elected for her research on health services and policies related to Canadian military personnel, veterans and their families.

    Alice Aiken (School of Rehabilitation Therapy) has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists for her research on health services and policies related to Canadian military personnel, veterans and their families.

    [Alice Aiken]
    Alice Aiken (School of Rehabilitation Therapy) has been elected to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

    “What this election to the RSC College of New Scholars means, most importantly, is that military, veteran and family health research is now firmly on the Canadian research landscape,” says Dr. Aiken, Director, Canadian Institute for Military & Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR). “This will allow us to broaden the reach and scope of the research to serve those who serve us.”

    After serving 14 years in the Canadian Forces – first as a ship’s navigator in the Royal Canadian Navy, then as a physiotherapist – Dr. Aiken pursued an MSc and PhD in rehabilitation science. In 2010, Dr. Aiken co-founded CIMVHR to support research and new policies, programs and practices to improve health outcomes for military personnel.

    Since its founding, CIMVHR has secured more than $30 million in funding and become a focal point for more than 35 Canadian universities and more than a thousand researchers and clinicians working to address the unique health research needs of the Canadian military.

    CIMVHR has also led the development of a whole new field of research into the unique health needs of veterans and their families. For example, since CIMVHR was formed, the number of peer-reviewed publications on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Canadian veterans has increased by 400 per cent – leading to new treatments and policy changes.

    In addition to her election to the college, Dr. Aiken has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work. She is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel for the 33 Health Services Group and was recently awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation for her work improving the lives of veterans.

    Members of the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists demonstrate, at an early stage in their career, a high level of achievement. It serves as a fourth entity, alongside the three existing academies of the RSC, and serves to address issues of concern for new scholars, artists and scientists. Up to 100 new members are elected every year and membership is for seven years.

    Kingston and region startups ready to grind

    Eight startups, including two QIC grads, set to take part in accelerator program.

    Eight high-potential startups have been selected to participate in the GrindSpaceXL-Kingston program at Innovation Park after participating in a competitive pitch on Sept. 2. This is the third cohort of the GrindSpaceXL program to take place in Kingston.

    Participants in the GrindSpaceXL fall cohort at an orientation meeting in early September. Eight startups, including two QIC grads, set to take part in accelerator program (Credit: Garrett Elliott Photography).

    “Queen’s University is delighted to continue its support of GrindSpaceXL,” says Dr. Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “Through this partnership we are helping to expand the programs and services available to accelerate innovative startups emerging from our campus and across the region.”

    The accelerator program offers early-stage ventures the opportunity to work in a group environment with assistance from mentors and advisors. Participants are given a personalized development plan that is created following a company-specific needs assessment, and have set deliverables and checkpoints to assess progress. Content focuses on helping startups become customer-focused and investor-ready.

    Two of the teams selected for this fall’s cohort are graduates of Queen’s Innovation Connector programs.  Glynt, a mobile application that provides a live feed of what people are thinking, seeing and doing, was referred to GrindspaceXL-Kingston after completing the Queen’s Innovation Connector’s QYourVenture program.

    The team behind Atria, a mobile platform that motivates you to get active by letting you raise money for charity through exercise, took part in this past summer’s Queen’s Innovation Connector Summer Institute (QICSI) and received seed funding from Launch Lab.

    “The QICSI program provided us with pivotal resources and mentorship to start our own company and get to where we are today,” Said Victor Li, Sc’15, co-founder and CEO of Atria. “We are extremely excited by the opportunity to further surround ourselves with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts through the 2015 GrindspaceXL program.”

    GrindSpaceXL-Kingston was born out of the earlier Invest Ottawa program and is delivered by Queen’s University with funding assistance from the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) administered by the National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and in collaboration with PARTEQ Innovations, L-Spark and Launch Lab.

    Participants have access to numerous resources including partnership development support and shared lab and office space at Innovation Park through interaction with Queen’s. They also benefit from intellectual property and financial expertise available through PARTEQ Innovations and mentoring and coaching services provided by Launch Lab. Queen’s, PARTEQ and Launch Lab also provide support to participants following their graduation from GrindSpaceXL, including facilitating access to funding opportunities. Selected graduates have the opportunity to pitch their business to the Southeastern Ontario Angel Network.

    The successful companies gathered for an orientation day followed by individual intake meetings on Sept.  14 and 15. Regular programming will commence on Sept. 22 and run until early December. For more information on the GrindspaceXL program, visit the website.

    Queen's Legal Aid expands service with new funds

    Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA) will expand all of its services and broaden its outreach initiatives in Kingston and the surrounding area thanks to additional funding from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO).

    LAO recently announced it would provide an additional $100,000 annually for each of the seven student legal aid services in the province. QLA will use the resources to expand its current services, launch new outreach initiatives, and improve the learning experience for law students.

    [Queen's Legal Aid]
    Jana Mills (middle), Acting Senior Review Counsel with Queen's Legal Aid (QLA), discusses a case with law students. QLA will expand its services with additional funding from Legal Aid Ontario. (Greg Black Photography)

    “Thanks to the increased investment from Legal Aid Ontario and the Ontario government, we will have additional capacity to provide legal services to low-income residents of Kingston and the surrounding area, and students at Queen’s and St. Lawrence College,” says Faculty of Law Dean Bill Flanagan.

    The areas of practice at QLA include relatively minor criminal offences, serious provincial offences, landlord/tenant disputes, provincial social assistance, Canada Pension Plan appeals, Small Claims Court and Criminal Injuries Compensation Board claims. With the funding increase, QLA will expand to handle applications and appeals to the Ontario Human Rights Commission and represent clients in employment law cases.

    In addition, QLA will move forward with new services including public legal education outreach initiatives aimed at advising local residents of their legal rights and helping them avoid unnecessary legal interventions. The overall QLA program will grow with the training of new caseworkers, the hiring of a new review counsel, and making use of technology to enhance the legal learning process for students and clients.

    “Law students working at QLA under the supervision of review counsel receive invaluable hands-on experience,” says Jana Mills, Acting Senior Review Counsel, QLA. “They take pride in providing high quality legal services to members of our community who could not otherwise access their rights. Under the umbrella of Queen’s Law Clinics, QLA looks forward to the expansion of services this new funding permits.” 

    Established in 1971, QLA recently co-located to the LaSalle Mews building in downtown Kingston with the faculty’s other law clinics: Business Law, Elder Law, Family Law, and Prison Law.

    Queen’s Faculty of Law is a leader in providing excellent experiential learning opportunities through its clinical programs. Last year, the faculty launched the Queen’s Family Law Clinic with the financial support of LAO.

    When each clinic reaches its target enrolment, 100 upper-year students – approximately 50 per cent of the class – will have the option to earn academic credit from a clinical law course every year. Furthermore, more than 70 students volunteer annually with QLA.

    Visit Queen’s Law Clinics for more information.

    Football Gaels fall to Mustangs; Perfect weekend for soccer teams

    [Gaels vs. Mustangs]
    Queen's Gaels players Nelkas Kwemo (left) and Ejaz Causer (right) tackle Tom Marshall of the Western Mustangs during Saturday's OUA football game in London. (Photo by Dev Vasile)

    FOOTBALL

    The Queen's Gaels (2-2) were in London on Saturday afternoon to take on their rival No.3 Western Mustangs (4-0). Quarterback Nate Hobbs finished with three touchdowns on 336 yards passing while adding another 62 yards on the ground but the Gaels were upended 48-25. Nelkas Kwemo had a game-high 9.5 tackles for the Gaels.

    WOMEN’S RUGBY

    The No.2 Queen's Gaels women's rugby team (2-0) had no trouble getting past the Trent Excalibur (0-2) on Saturday in Peterborough taking a dominant 54-0 shutout win. Hannah Greenwood and Katie Garland both picked up their first tries in tricolour.

    MEN’S RUGBY

    The Queen’s Gaels men’s rugby team (2-1) charged to a convincing 76-14 win over the Warriors (1-1) Sunday afternoon in Waterloo. Benjamin Oppenheimer led the scoring for the Gaels with three trys.

    MEN’S SOCCER

    The Queen’s Gaels men's soccer team (3-1-2) finished the weekend road trip to Toronto with a pair of wins, capped off by a convincing 4-1 victory over the No. 2 Ryerson Rams (6-1-1) 4-1 on Sunday. A day earlier, the Gaels got a late goal from Conor Hannigan to top the Toronto Varsity Blues (4-2-1) 2-1.

    WOMEN’S SOCCER

    The Queen's Gaels Women’s soccer team (3-1-3) also notched a pair of wins in Toronto thanks to a 3-0 win over the Ryerson Rams (2-4-2) on Sunday and a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues (4-2-1) on Saturday.

    WOMEN’S HOCKEY

    The Queen's Invitational women's hockey tournament kicked off at the Invista Centre in Kingston on Friday afternoon with the Montreal Carabins taking down the McGill Martlets 4-0 followed by the Queen's Gaels winning 2-0 over the UBC Thunderbirds. On Saturday McGill picked up a 3-1 win over Queen's and Montreal beat UBC 5-1. On Sunday, UBC defeated McGill 3-2 followed by the Gaels losing to Montreal 7-2. A s a result, Montreal claimed the title with a perfect 3-0 record, while the three other teams finished 1-2.

    MEN’S HOCKEY

    The Queen's Gaels scored a 3-1 win over RMC in the annual Lou Jeffries exhibition game in Gananoque on Sunday. Slater Doggett, Blair Wentworth and Cory Genovese scored for the Gaels.

    Water, lab air shutdown to affect Duncan McArthur Hall

    A domestic water and lab air shutdown is planned for Duncan McArthur Hall A-wing on Saturday, Sept. 19 between 8 am and 12 pm while contractors perform work associated with the removal of lab benches from room A339.

    Please note the following pertaining to this shutdown:

    • There will be no water available for hand washing, flushing toilets, kitchen or lab use in A-wing.
    • There will be no lab air available to lab benches throughout A-wing.
    • There are no fire safety implications arising from this work.
    • Domestic water will remain available in B-wing while this work is completed.

    Any questions regarding this planned work should be directed to Fixit by phone at extension 77301 or by e-mail.

    Queen's remembers Andrea Mariano

    [Andrea Mariano]
    Andrea Mariano

    Queen’s University regrets to inform the community of the death of Andrea Mariano, 18, from Thornhill, Ont. Ms. Mariano, a first-year student in the Faculty of Arts and Science, died at Kingston General Hospital on Sept. 18.

    Andrea’s family has indicated that the cause of death was related to an anaphylactic allergic reaction.

    “I would like to express my deepest condolences to Andrea’s family on behalf of the Queen’s community,” Principal Daniel Woolf says. “We are saddened by the loss of this promising young woman.”

    Visitations will take place at Fratelli Vescio Funeral Homes, 8101 Weston Rd., Woodbridge, Ont, on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm, and Friday, Sept. 25 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm. Funeral service will occur at St. Joseph the Worker, 191 Wade Gate, Concord, Ont., on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 am. Internment to follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, Ont. 

    Flags on campus will be lowered in Andrea’s memory. Details of an on-campus memorial service will be announced at a later date.

    Anyone in need of support is encouraged to contact Student Wellness Services at 613-533-6000 ext. 78264 and/or University Chaplain Kate Johnson at 613-533-2186. After hours, students are encouraged to contact Campus Security at 613-533-6733.

    Sketch comedy troupe coming back to Queen's

    [She Said What]
    She Said What is an all female sketch comedy troupe made up of four Queen's graduates – from left, Megan MacKeigan, Marni Van Dyk, Emma Hunter and Carly Heffernan. (Supplied photo)

    They’re all women, they’re all graduates of Queen’s and, now, they are all returning to the university.

    Award-winning sketch comedy troupe She Said What will be at Queen’s on Monday, Sept. 21 for a series of workshops with current students of the Department of Drama and Music, as well as a performance at Theological Hall in the evening.

    The troupe is made up of four alumni – Emma Hunter, Marni Van Dyk, Carly Heffernan, and Megan MacKeigan, all Artsci’07 – who met while performing with Queen’s Players. Following graduation, they each moved to Toronto and formed their own group as a way to continue doing comedy and to create their own performance opportunities in Toronto.

    As Ms. MacKeigan explains, the four are very much looking forward to performing again at Queen’s, particularly for the three others who either majored or minored in Drama.

    “It’ll be great to go back and, I didn’t but all the others performed on that same stage so it’ll be quite nostalgic to come back and perform, especially for the Drama 100 class at 1 pm on Monday,” she says. “They all took that class when they started at Queen’s so it’ll be neat to see these budding young students in their second week of class.”

    Ms. MacKeigan studied Applied Economics and is now a lawyer.

    She Said What has performed in the Toronto and Chicago Sketch Comedy Festivals, won the Second City best of the fest at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival and was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for best sketch troupe.

    They were invited back to Queen’s by Director of the Queen's School of Drama and Music Craig Walker. He says it was an easy decision to ask them to come back.

    “She Said What is a very funny, very entertaining sketch comedy troupe. They really put the lie to the stupid old canard that ‘women aren’t funny,’” he says. “So the main reason I invited them is that they will be very entertaining.  But the other reason I invited them is that they are terrific examples of successful alumni.”

    Since graduating, the members of the troupe have had interesting and successful careers, Dr. Walker points out, adding that they have accomplished this by being “resourceful and flexible and often by creating their own work in a remarkably joyous way.”

    Ms. Hunter has appeared on CBC's Mr. D as well as CTV's Spun Out, Pop Quiz, Match Game. Ms. Heffernan is also a Second City alumni and now writes and teaches with the company as well as a number of television shows. She also is a very active voiceover actor. Ms. Van Dyk  is a television producer, writer and producer of short films. She is also an actor on a number of web series and other television shows. Ms. MacKeigan is the new chair of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, vice-president Queen's Players Toronto and a partner in a law firm.

     She Said What will perform at Theological Hall at 8 pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.

    Celebrating Science Literacy Week

    Queen's University Library is celebrating Science Literacy Week from Sept 21-25.

    [Stayffer Library]
    Queen's University Library is celebrating Science Literacy Week from Sept 21-25. (University Communications)

    Science Literacy Week is an annual event aimed at bringing Canadians together, as well as the Queen’s community, to celebrate science and share an appreciation for the insights, inventions and ideas that shape our world.

    “Hosting Science Literacy Week activities is a natural fit for the library, says Tatiana Zaraiskaya, Public Service and E-Science Librarian. “We like to reach out to students and faculty with opportunities to engage with others in their own and different fields. The students get a real sense for how the things they are learning about apply to real life.”

    Currently scheduled lectures include a talk on enhancements to Web of Science by Stephen DiGiulio from Thomson Reuters, and “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Just Toys or Science Tools?” by Dr. Alexander Braun, Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering.

    There will also be science book displays, tours of the Miller Museum of Geology, the Museum of Health Care at Kingston, as well as other presentations, including a 3-D printing demonstration by graduate student Jaryd Traer, a Ground Penetrating Radar and a magnetometer.

    For the full schedule, please contact Tatiana Zaraiskaya, or see the schedule of events.

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