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    Queen’s remembers Marjorie Peart, former director of the commerce program

    Friday May 19, 2023

    Marjorie PeartThe Queen’s community is remembering Marjorie Peart (MPA’93), former director of the commerce program, who died on Jan. 6 in Kingston at the age of 80.

    Born and raised in Pittsbugh, PA, moved to Canada to study at the University of Toronto, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. After graduating she started her career as an English teacher and potter.

    She first arrived at Queen’s to work in the Faculty of Education and earned a Master’s of Public Administration in 1993. She would then join the business school in 1995 as associate chair of the commerce program and became director in 2000, serving in the role until her retirement in 2004. Marjorie then travelled the world with her husband, Peter, but always came back to her beloved island on Fourteen Island Lake in Verona, ON. Marjorie was also an avid quilter, chorister, piano player, scrabble, bridge and pickleball player.

    She was a dedicated volunteer with Hospice Kingston for more than 15 years, leading bereavement support groups and providing respite support for those in palliative care and their families. In 2014 she was inducted into the June Caldwell Circle of Outstanding Volunteers and received an Award of Distinction for her service to Hospice Palliative Care Ontario.

    With files from Smith Magazine and the family obituary.

    Tags: Business|Campus Community

    Queen’s places 3rd worldwide in 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

    Thursday June 1, 2023
    By Dave Rideout, Senior Communications Officer

    University secures its best performance to date with third consecutive top-10 finish.

    [Illustrative aerial drone photo Queen's University campus]

    For the third straight year, Queen’s has ranked among the top 10 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings – earning third place worldwide and first place in North America out of over 1,700 universities. Queen’s is the only Canadian university to achieve three top-10 placements since the rankings began in 2019.

    The THE Impact Rankings are a global measurement for assessing universities’ performance in advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were established by UN member nations in 2015 to guide global action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure shared peace and prosperity for all people by 2030.  

    "It is an honour to be recognized for our institution’s ongoing contributions to advancing the SDGs. These goals are reflective of the university’s mission and our desire to be recognized as a global institution," says Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. "The Impact Rankings have played an instrumental role in bringing together our community by creating a focus on the numerous ways Queen’s is engaged in solving the world’s most pressing challenges. Our performance in the rankings tells us that we are on the right track, and our efforts are having an impact."

    The 2023 rankings reviewed institutions from 117 countries, including 26 Canadian universities, and saw an overall increase of 11 per cent in worldwide participation over last year.

    "It’s really impressive what Queen’s University is doing to meet the goals and is a testament to how seriously it takes those critically important goals and how the whole sector is united in pursuit of a sustainable future for us all," says Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer with Times Higher Education. "The rankings are vital for millions of prospective students who are increasingly demanding to see evidence that the universities they consider for their education are committed to sustainability and to helping them to become sustainably minded citizens."

    Our performance

    The Impact Rankings evaluate universities’ activities across four important areas – research, teaching, outreach, and stewardship – using hundreds of quantitative and qualitative data points.

    Once again Queen’s submitted evidence for all 17 SDGs, and scored outstanding marks, in particular for advancing SDGs 2, 11, and 16. The university placed first in the world for its contributions to SDG 2: Zero Hunger; second in the world for SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; and seventh for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

    "Our performance in this year’s rankings confirms that Queen’s is realizing its aspirations to be a university that effects real, positive change at the local, national, and global level," says Principal Deane. "Our community is working together to improve our world and to help shape a better future for all of us and the planet."

    Queen’s submitted more than 400 pieces of evidence this year, highlighting institutional operations, policies, research, and strategy, and involving collaborative work by dozens of units across the university. Some examples of the evidence provided and evaluated this year include:

    • SDG 2 – Swipe it Forward Queen’s, an initiative to help address food insecurity on campus and provide short-term, immediate support to students in need. All students on meal plans have the option to donate up to five meals per semester to a student in need.
    • SDG 2 – The new Queen’s PEACH Market, a ‘pay what you can’ model where untouched food is packaged and made available to members of the university community.
    • SDG 16 – The John Deutsch Institute for the Study of Economic Policy in the Department of Economics informs policymaking in Canada and abroad by focusing on policy-relevant research in economics and related fields.
    • SDG 16 – Queen’s Model Parliament (QMP) is the oldest and largest model parliament in Canada. The student-led event sees about 300 students take over Canada’s House of Commons where they experience the legislative process by forming political parties, running for office, drafting bills, and debating them on the floor.
    • SDG 11 – Queen’s is committed to recording and preserving aspects of cultural heritage such as local folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge. Our Office of Indigenous Initiatives – Art on Campus program has installed artwork across campus from many different Indigenous nations, as well as an outdoor plinth that identifies the Indigenous land the university sits on.
    • SDG 11 – The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, or "The Isabel" as it is fondly known, hosts public performances, bringing local, national, and internationally renowned artists and performers of all genres to the local community, including musicians and performing artists.
    • SDG 11 – The Sustainable Transportation Sub-Working Group provides recommendations for the implementation of alternative transportation such as public transit options, parking pass options, and active transportation with a focus on benefits for the environment, human health, and the economy.
    • SDG 15 – The Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS) is one of the premier scientific field stations in Canada. For almost 70 years, researchers and students have gathered at QUBS to conduct leading-edge research and participate in courses spanning ecology, evolution, conservation, geography, and environmental science.
    • SDG 15 – Sustainability and biodiversity initiatives are core to the mandate of Queen’s Bader College (UK). The campus acts as a living laboratory, where students collect samples and perform experiments on the rich variety of ecosystems and land forms that are present.

    Learn more about Queen’s University’s performance in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and contributions to the SDGs.

    Tags: Arts and Culture|Arts and Science|Business|Campus Community|Education|Engineering and Applied Science|Graduate Studies|Health Sciences|Internationalization|Law|Research Prominence|Student Learning Experience

    National Day of Mourning offers Canada a chance to rethink worker health and safety

    Thursday April 27, 2023
    By Julian Barling, Distinguished Professor and Borden Chair of Leadership, Smith School of Business, and Alyssa Grocutt, PhD Candidate in Organizational Behaviour, Smith School of Business

    Workers helmets stored in a cage

    Canadians go to work each day expecting to return home safely, but for too many workers and their families, this expectation is unrealistic. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were 1,081 workplace fatalities in 2021 alone.

    The ConversationEach year on April 28, Canadians remember and honour those who have been killed or suffered injuries or illness at work. This day, known as the National Day of Mourning, was established by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1984 and made official in 1991.

    Four decades have passed since the National Day of Mourning’s first observance, and the annual toll from workplace fatalities in Canada continues to remain high. But just how deep and pervasive is the problem? And what can we do about it?

    Widespread suffering

    Those who consume news media can be forgiven for thinking the number of murders in Canada each year vastly exceeds the number of work-related fatalities. One reason for this is the excessive news coverage of murders relative to other causes of death like workplace fatalities.

    The real numbers tell a different tale. About 700 people are murdered annually in Canada, while close to 1,000 people die at work each year. But one study from the Journal of Canadian Labour Studies argues the actual number could be 10 to 13 times greater.

    The suffering goes well beyond the 1,000 workers who die each year. Within the workplace, colleagues who have witnessed horrendous tragedies are affected, as are leaders who have to break the awful news to family members and motivate surviving employees.

    Outside the workplace, the emotional and financial burden on family members has been ignored for too long. What if the news media devoted as much attention to workplace safety incidents as we did to murders? Would the public demand that management, workers and government authorities work together to enhance workplace safety?

    Myths about worker control

    The National Day of Mourning presents us with an opportunity to reflect on workplace fatalities and the enormous toll they take on affected families, co-workers and organizational leaders, and commit to making a difference.

    We can start by dispelling some major misconception that are inhibiting progress in workplace safety and health. One misconception among managers is that, because workplace safety is so important, every aspect of employees’ work requires control.

    Yet, based on extensive interviews with senior managers and employees and an analysis of documentation from 49 manufacturing firms in the United Kingdom, researchers found the opposite is true.

    Among the five key types of human resources approaches, only one was associated with fewer workplace injuries: higher levels of empowerment, which included autonomy and employee participation. Even managers that ceded small, incremental amounts of control to employees had a positive impact.

    Myths about safety costs

    A second common misconception is that government safety inspections can be costly; yet again research suggests otherwise.

    According to a comparison of more than 400 workplaces that were not targeted for safety inspections in California, and an equal number that were randomly selected for inspections between 1996 and 2006, random safety inspections work.

    Five years after random inspections, companies saw a 9.4 per cent reduction in injury rates, and a 26 per cent reduction in costs associated with the injuries.

    These gains in safety were achieved without any cost to employment numbers, sales, credit rating or likelihood of firm survival, which are frequent concerns in the face of government safety inspections.

    Given this, policymakers should feel reassured that increasing the number of safety inspectors is a wise investment in both injury reduction and cost reduction.

    Myths about sick leave

    The National Day of Mourning’s calls for reconsideration of workplace safety are particularly relevant in the era of COVID-19. The pandemic highlighted the misconception that paid sick leave hurts organizations.

    Year-after-year, more people die at work from health-related issues, such as respiratory diseases and occupational cancers, than from safety incidents.

    A 2020 study from Ontario’s Peel region revealed that 25 per cent of the employees surveyed went to work when they had COVID-19 symptoms; 88 workers even did so after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

    Why? Because they could not afford to lose any pay. If we are to protect employee health and limit the spread of infection, we need to de-politicize perceptions around basic workplace programs such as paid sick leave.

    Worker health programs and policies need to be implemented based on the best of evidence, rather than being a subject for negotiations between labour and management or the whims of the government.

    Paid sick leave policies and programs are primary tools in preventing the spread of infections, thereby benefiting employees and protecting organizations and their communities. Employees should be reassured that they will not lose pay when they protect themselves and others by staying home when ill.

    A new approach is needed

    We need to change the widespread perceptions that workplace safety requires the tight grip of management, that random safety inspections hurt organizations and detract from profitability, and that paid sick leave is an expensive luxury.

    On the contrary, employee autonomy and engagement, random safety inspections, and paid sick leave are some of the practices that management should welcome to develop safe and healthy workplaces.

    Another small action that could have wide-ranging benefits is to change the very language of occupational safety. For too long, “workplace accident” has been the term used for any workplace safety incident or injury.

    Why is this problematic? By definition, “accident” implies an event that is unpredictable, unplanned and uncontrollable. If that is indeed the case, we should be forgiven for not taking any action.

    Yet post-injury and inquest reports tell us that the opposite is true: these incidents are invariably predictable, preventable and controllable. The time has come to change how we think about occupational health and safety.The Conversation

    _____________________________________

    Julian Barling, Distinguished Professor and Borden Chair of Leadership, Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Ontario and Alyssa Grocutt, PhD Candidate in Organizational Behaviour, researching workplace safety, at Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Ontario

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The Conversation is seeking new academic contributors. Researchers wishing to write articles should contact Melinda Knox, Director, Thought Leadership and Strategic Initiatives, at knoxm@queensu.ca.

    Tags: Business|Research Prominence

    Telling their research stories

    Friday April 21, 2023
    By Jake Harris, University Relations Intern

    Three Queen’s graduate students have made it to the Top 25 in a national Storytellers Challenge.

    [Photo of a microphone]

    Across Canada graduate students are working to advance groundbreaking research every day, but the immediate and long-term impact of this research is not always obvious to the public. For the past ten years, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Storytellers Challenge has asked students to communicate their research creatively, with emphasis on telling compelling and accessible stories about research impact. In either three minutes or up to 300 words, participants must use video, audio, text, or infographic to illustrate how their work is making a difference. Three Queen’s researchers Hannah Hunter (Geography and Planning), Madison Robertson (Health Quality), and Michalina Woznowski (Management) have been selected as Top 25 finalists, out of over 200 entries in the 2023 competition.

    "We are very proud that Hannah, Madison, and Michalina will be representing Queen’s on this national stage," says Betsy Donald, Associate Vice-Principal (Research) and the SSHRC research lead for Queen’s. "Their work effectively captures the mission of the Storytellers Challenge to communicate the value of research and the difference it makes to the lives of Canadians. Queen’s wishes them all the best and we will be cheering them on!"

    Submissions to the Storytellers Challenge are judged on the creativity, persuasiveness, and clarity of their story, with the top 25 entries receiving $3,000 each. On May 29, the 25 finalists will present in front of a live audience at the Congress for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the largest academic gathering in Canada, at York University where they will be narrowed down to a final five and be eligible for additional prizes.

    "This is just another great example of how our graduate students showcase how social sciences and humanities research changes the world for the better," says Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. "The depth of talent we have across disciplines at this level of research is astounding and I join my colleague in congratulating them all."

    Queen’s Finalists

    [Hannah Hunter]Hannah Hunter is a PhD student in Geography and Planning. Her submission, "Listening to Birds at the End of the World," explores the history of wildlife sound recordings and what they can tell us about human-nature relationships, extinct species, and the ecological heritage of the world. Alongside traditional research methods, Hunter is creating a podcast series called Last Call for Lost Birds where she will bring extinct birds back to life using audio storytelling.

     

    [Madison Robertson]Madison Robertson is a PhD student in Health Quality. Her work "Till Death Do Us Part: Spousal Separation in Long-Term Care" analyzes the effects of separation on spouses who cannot live together in long-term care facilities because of different health needs and care requirements. Using a participatory action research method, she will explore feelings of loneliness and depression in elderly patients who become separated from their significant other while in long-term care.

     

    [Michalina Woznowski]Michalina Woznowski is a PhD student in Management at the Smith School of Business. Her project "Multicommunicating During Team Meetings and its Effects on Team Functioning" analyzes the positive and negative outcomes that stem from multicommunication in the workplace. Multicommunication is a specific form of multitasking that refers to when, for example, an employee is taking part in a virtual or in-person meeting while also engaging in another form of virtual communication like texting, emailing, or direct messaging. The goal of her study is to support both managers and employees in implementing multicommunication in a way that is beneficial for everyone.

    To learn more about these projects and other Top 25 Finalists, visit the SSHRC Storytellers Gallery.

    Tags: Arts and Science|Business|Graduate Studies|Health Sciences|Research Prominence|Student Learning Experience

    $2.5M gift creates ESG professorship at Smith School of Business

    Thursday April 20, 2023
    By Communications Staff

    Francisca and Mike Quinn’s gift to Smith School of Business will train future leaders to expertly navigate environmental, social, and governance issues. 

    Donors Francisca Quinn and Mike Quinn (Com’88) stand with Wanda Costen, Dean, Smith School of Business
    Francisca Quinn and Mike Quinn (Com’88), seen here with Wanda Costen, Dean of the Smith School of Business, have made a $2.5-million gift through the Quinn Family Future Foundation to establish the Quinn Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Professorship.

    Mike Quinn (Com’88), and Francisca Quinn believe it is critical for the next generation of business leaders to understand climate change and sustainable development concepts.

    That’s why they have made a $2.5-million gift through the Quinn Family Future Foundation to Smith School of Business to establish the Quinn Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Professorship.

    The professorship will enhance Smith School of Business curriculum to further develop the next generation of business leaders and positively contribute to an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable society where organizations respect planetary boundaries. 

    “Revitalizing our curriculum will better prepare our students to positively contribute to an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable society,” says Wanda Costen, Dean of Smith School of Business. “Smith is a key provider of talent for today’s businesses, so we must offer exceptional learning experiences to equip students to be fluent in sustainability concepts and strategy.”

    Sustainability is already a key strategic goal at Queen’s. The university is committed to furthering the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Queen’s was recently ranked in the top 10 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings, which measured the actions of more than 1,500 post-secondary institutions from around the world that are trying to advance the UN’s SDGs. The gift allows Smith School of Business to hire an ESG scholar who will play a leadership role in the development of ESG curricula across programs.

    The Quinns have dedicated their careers to sustainable development. Francisca is the president and founder of Quinn+Partners (a North American Environmental, Social and Governance advisory firm) and Michael is the co-founder of RP Investment Advisors LP.

    “Climate change and social issues are not only significant threats to Canadian business, they can also be tremendous opportunities for organizations and entrepreneurs,” says Francisca Quinn. “We want to equip every student at Smith to expertly navigate ESG – whether in business strategy, accounting, finance, technology, or organizational systems.”

    Mike Quinn’s commerce degree benefited him tremendously in his career and he is happy to help his alma mater by giving back.   

    “I’m very honoured and excited to be able to contribute to Smith School of Business writing its next chapter,” he says.  

    “Thank you to the Quinns for their commitment to finding solutions to some of the challenges facing our world such as climate change and sustainability,” says Queen’s Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci’94. “Their gift and this professorship will train future leaders to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social progress.”

    Tags: Business|Research Prominence

    Rivalry hockey game raises $200,000 for cancer research

    Tuesday March 14, 2023
    By Communications Staff
    Cure Cancer Classic team celebrates after hockey game
    Cure Cancer Classic organizers celebrate after raising more than $450,000 for cancer research during the current campaign. (Supplied Photo/Jackie Li)

     

     

    The organizing team from the Cure Cancer Classic – a student-run, not-for-profit initiative – wrapped up an incredible year of fundraising with the annual Commerce-Engineering Rivalry Game on Thursday, March 2 at the Leon’s Centre.

    With nearly 5,000 fans filling the arena, rival hockey teams made up of students from the Smith School of Business and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science battled it out for a good cause. While the Commerce team came out on top 4-0, the real winner was the Canadian Cancer Society and cancer research, with more than $200,000 being raised from the game.

    Approximately 5,000 students and fans filled the Leon's Centre.
    Approximately 5,000 students and fans filled the Leon's Centre. (Supplied Photo/Jackie Li)

    “It was truly inspiring to watch 5,000 Queen's students, alumni, faculty members, and local community members passionately come together on a night that raised $200,053 and spread awareness for cancer research,” say Amy Janes and Robert Hume, this year’s Cure Cancer Classic co-chairs. “The energy in the building was both electric and heartwarming, with the highlight being when Bria, a young cancer survivor, dropped the ceremonial puck.”

    Through organizing a number of sporting events – including the rivalry game, a golf tournament, and two hockey tournaments – the Cure Cancer Classic team has raised more that $450,000 this year and topped the $1 million mark overall.

    Created in 2005 by a group of Smith School of Business commerce students, the dedicated team of volunteers has continued to raise funds by hosting the events. Through a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, Cure Cancer Classic is helping fund cancer research at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), headquartered at Queen’s.

    Visit the Cure Cancer Classic website to donate and learn more.

    Members of the Commerce team line up before puck drop at the Commerce-Engineering Rivalry Game.
    Members of the Commerce team line up before puck drop at the Commerce-Engineering Rivalry Game. (Supplied Photo/Jackie Li)

     

    Tags: Business|Campus Community|Engineering and Applied Science

    Queen's remembers Professor Emeritus Edwin (Ted) Neave

    Monday February 13, 2023

    Professor Emeritus Edwin (Ted) NeaveThe Queen’s community is remembering Professor Emeritus Edwin (Ted) Neave, a long-time faculty member at Smith School of Business, who died Feb. 6. He was 87.

    Dr. Neave arrived at Queen’s in 1971 and retired in 2005. After receiving a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia he would go on to University of California, Berkley, where he would earn his PhD in 1968.

    After several years at Northeastern University Dr. Neave was recruited by Queen’s, where he would remain for the next 44 years.

    Following his retirement Dr. Neave was inducted into Smith’s Faculty Hall of Fame in 2009. A prolific researcher, he developed and implemented simulation-based teaching modules for the Institute of Canadian Bankers that are used in more than 40 countries. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.

    During his career he authored numerous articles and books focusing on asset pricing and the theory of financial systems.

    Dr. Neave was known as a champion and mentor for junior faculty and graduate students. In 2014, shortly after his wife passed away, he established the Elizabeth Neave Fellowship for master’s students to support “innovative research that fosters social progress”. It remains one of the largest fellowships in the program.

    A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. at Arbor Memorial in Kingston.

    Tags: Business|Campus Community

    Bringing research into focus

    Wednesday February 8, 2023
    By Kayla Dettinger, Special Projects Officer

    The annual Art of Research photo contest will continue to showcase how the Queen's research community is advancing the United Nations' SDGs and introduce a new video category to capture research in motion.

    [Collage photo with text: Art of Research Photo Contest]

    Taking us behind the scenes of the lab, fieldwork, and the archives, the Art of Research photo contest brings to life the unseen moments of the research process. This year, the hallmark initiative is returning with a new twist: A new video category that will challenge participants to creatively share their research in 30 seconds or less.

    "Through the Art of Research we have catalogued hundreds of images that illuminate what our researchers experience in the pursuit of new knowledge," says Michael Fraser, Vice-Principal (University Relations). "Expanding to video will add another dimension to our storytelling, allowing us to reach and engage new audiences with our research."

    With one video and five photo categories, the contest will once again look at research though lens of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This focus aligns with the mission and vision of the Queen’s Strategy and our participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure an institution's impact on society, based on their success in delivering on strategies that advance the SDGs. Queen’s ranked in the top 10 globally in both the 2021 and 2022 Impact Rankings.

    Photo submissions will be accepted from Feb. 8 to March 10, 2023.

    Mobilizing research to new audiences

    For the past six years, the Art of Research has been an opportunity for Queen’s researchers to share their work through compelling visuals and engage the public in seeing their research in new ways. Previous contests have received local and national media attention for their role of showcasing the breadth and diversity of research endeavors at Canadian universities. Here at Queen’s, the images are used to support various aspects of research and SDGs storytelling – across websites, social media, and print collateral.

    "It is important that we find creative and accessible ways to promote our research beyond the academy," says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal (Research). "The Art of Research has been an effective tool to demonstrate the impact of our work in addressing the challenges of society at home and around the world. I encourage members of our community to participate!"

    Eligibility and prizes

    The contest is open to Queen’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Research depicted in the submissions must have been completed at Queen’s or while the submitter was affiliated with the university. Five SDG-themed photo categories and one video category will be offered this year. These add up to a total of six prizes of $250 each for the top submission in each category. More information about contest rules can be found on the Research@Queen’s website.

    2023 categories:

    Good health and wellbeing

    Research that advances our understanding and the improvement of human health and supports the wellbeing of all global citizens.

    Inspired by SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)

    Climate action

    Research that seeks to protect our planet’s natural resources, including water, biodiversity, and climate for future generations.

    Inspired by SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), and 15 (Life on Land)

    Creative and sustainable communities

    Research that helps us to understand our past and present to help build resilient, sustainably-focused, and creative communities.

    Inspired by SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

    Partnerships for inclusivity

    Research that promotes just and inclusive societies through partnerships and community-based research.

    Inspired by SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

    Innovation for global impact

    Discovery- and curiosity-based research and innovations that addresses wicked, complex global challenges.

    Inspired by SDGs 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

    Research in motion

    A video 30 seconds or less that captures the pursuit of your research in action and shows us behind the scenes of where it takes place, from the lab to the field or the archive.

    The contest closes on March 10. To submit an entry and explore winning images from previous contests, visit the Research@Queen’s website.

    Tags: Arts and Science|Business|Campus Community|Education|Engineering and Applied Science|Graduate Studies|Health Sciences|Law|Research Prominence

    Student-led initiative has raised more than $1 million

    Tuesday December 20, 2022
    By Andrew Carroll, Gazette Editor


     

    Cure Cancer Classic, a student-run, not-for-profit initiative, has raised more than $1 million to support cancer research over the past 17 years.

    Created in 2005 by a group of Smith School of Business commerce students, the dedicated team of volunteers has raised the funds through rivalry hockey games as well as golf and hockey tournaments.

    The most recent event, the Queen’s Classic hockey tournament hosted in late November which brings together teams from across the university, raised more than $120,000, pushing the grand total to over $1 million.

    For the current executive team, led by commerce students Amy Janes and Robert Hume, reaching the goal is both a moment to remember and motivation for moving ahead.

    “There is a great sense of accomplishment and pride, and we feel incredibly honoured to have carried on the legacy and lead the team that achieved this monumental milestone,” Janes says, pointing to the hard work put in by the 35 members of the executive team. “Every executive member has a personal story with cancer and achieves purpose by providing hope to loved ones battling, living with, and moving past the disease. We feel extremely fulfilled by the ability to continuously generate impactful change and support the Canadian Cancer Trials Group.”

    Through a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, Cure Cancer Classic is helping fund cancer research at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), headquartered at Queen’s.

    Janes and Hume have both been part of the Cure Cancer Classic team for three years and have worked to increase participation in the events and fundraising.

    The year’s Queen’s Classic tournament drew 175 players from across the university and also attracted an increased number of sponsors from the Kingston community and beyond. The effort led to a record-breaking result.

    Getting to this point has taken a massive amount of dedication from student volunteers, the co-chairs explain, elevating the initiative from a class project 17 years ago to where it is now.

    “We have to thank every single person that has been a part of Cure Cancer Classic since Day 1,” Hume says. “Our team recognizes and is grateful for the efforts of those who built the organization's foundation and supported the year-over-year growth and advancement that has positioned us to where we are now. We hope everyone who has journeyed with CCC since 2005 can feel the same level of pride and achievement as we do today.”

    Currently, Cure Cancer Classic comprises four events: the Queen’s Classic tournament; the Commerce Classic, a hockey tournament bringing together teams from business schools across Canada; the Cure Cancer Classic golf tournament – the newest addition; and the Comm-Eng Rivalry Hockey Game.

    The rivalry game is played at the Leon’s Centre in March and features two teams made up of students from the commerce and engineering programs at Queen’s. This year’s event was a sell-out at the 4,700-seat arena and raised $340,000.

    With more events to come there is room for growth and more fundraising to support cancer research.

    “The Canadian Cancer Society is so excited and fortunate to be working closely with the Cure Cancer Classic team again this year,” says Doug Kane, Director Independent Fundraising and Sports Alliances for the Canadian Cancer Society. “The entire CCC team continues to show us the power of collaboration and teamwork. They are an extremely dedicated, innovative, and passionate group of students having a significant impact on the cancer landscape. The funds they raise support the amazing cancer research being conducted at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group located here at Queen’s and Kingston.”

    Visit the Cure Cancer Classic website to donate and learn more.

    Tags: Business|Campus Community

    2022: The year in research

    Thursday December 15, 2022
    By Catarina Chagas, Research Outreach and Events Specialist

    We are celebrating the milestones and accomplishments of Queen’s research community over the past 12 months.

    From January to December, our researchers, students, and staff enjoyed being back to in-person events, celebrating funding for groundbreaking projects, and connecting to our community beyond campus. As we approach the end of year, let’s take time to review some of the highlights from 2022.

    Memorable moments

    As Canada gradually reopened after pandemic shutdowns, we had the chance to once again hold on campus events to celebrate research and innovation. In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade Vic Fedeli, and other dignitaries came to Queen’s to announce a $1.5 billion investment in an EV battery facility in Eastern Ontario that will create hundreds of jobs and partnership opportunities for the university, and boost Ontario’s economy. The podium party also took the opportunity to interact with Queen’s researchers and students.

    [Group photo of Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Champagne, and Queen's researchers]
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister François-Philippe Champagne meet with Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, and Queen's researchers at Ingenuity Labs Research Institute.

    In November, Queen's hosted the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. He met with students, senior leadership, and members of the research community. The same week, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) president Ted Hewitt visited the campus to meet with Queen's senior leadership and early career researchers, including scholars in Indigenous and Black Studies research.

    Support for groundbreaking research

    Cathleen Crudden (Chemistry) kicked-off 2022 with $24 million in support from Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund to advance research on molecular coatings designed to significantly extend the lifespan of vital metals.

    In August, the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Major Science Initiatives Fund also announced key support for two research facilities affiliated with Queen’s. Combined, SNOLAB – Canada’s deep clean astroparticle research laboratory – and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) Operations and Statistics Centre were granted $122 million, representing around 20 per cent of the total funding announced to support Canada’s major research infrastructure. Vice-Principal (Research) Nancy Ross travelled 2 km underground to host the announcement, which included Minister Champagne and Mona Nemer, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor.

    [Photo of Queen's researchers and government officials travel to SNOLAB]
    Dr. Nancy Ross accompanies Queen's Emeritus Professor and Nobel Laureate Arthur McDonald, Minister François-Philippe Champagne, local Members of Parliament, and SNOLAB administration on their way to the facility 2 km underground.

    Other funding that will support Queen’s future research include:

    [Art of Research photo Aging with Oasis by Riley Malvern]
    Queen's Art of Research photo contest winner: Aging with Oasis by Riley Malvern, Staff (Health Services and Policy Research Institute), Kingston, Ontario.

    Several Queen’s researchers were also recognized with prestigious awards and prizes. John McGarry (Political Studies) was the 2022 laureate for the Pearson Peace Medal, an award designated by the United Nations Association of Canada to recognize a Canadian who has made outstanding contributions to peace and prosperity around the world.

    Nobel Laureate and Professor Emeritus Arthur McDonald (Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) received the inaugural Canadian Association of Physicists Fellowship for lifetime achievement. Kerry Rowe (Civil Engineering) was awarded the inaugural NSERC Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research, which recognizes outstanding research that has led to exceptional benefits for Canadian society, the environment, and the economy. Early-career researcher Farnaz Heidar-Zadeh (Chemistry) earned Ontario’s Polanyi Prize for her research advancing innovative computational molecular design techniques.

    Other recognitions included fellowships from of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Faculty members were also appointed or reappointed as Canada Research Chairs, the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning, and as the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) Chair of Artificial Intelligence. Queen’s students and postdoctoral fellows received Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, two of the most prestigious national awards for future researchers. Internally, three researchers received the Queen’s Prizes for Excellence in Research, which are granted to early-career researchers who have demonstrated significant contributions to their fields.

    [Clockwise: Fateme Babaha, Mackenzie Collins, Jessica Hallenbeck, Joshua Kofsky, Sandra Smeltzer, Jodi-Mae John, Michael P.A. Murphy, Chloe Halpenny.]
    Queen's 2022 Vanier Scholars and Banting Fellows [clockwise] Fateme Babaha, Mackenzie Collins, Jessica Hallenbeck, Joshua Kofsky, Sandra Smeltzer, Jodi-Mae John, Michael P.A. Murphy, Chloe Halpenny.

    In the news

    The Gazette published dozens of research profiles and stories that highlight some of the groundbreaking research undertaken by faculty and students. Our community is addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, like climate change, with programs on carbon dioxide conversion technology and sustainable finance.

    Queen’s experts are responding to challenges worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, like health professionals’ mental health struggles, and working to create new technological solutions for human problems, including robots that can improve human mobility. They are also advancing the field of neuromorphic computers and figuring out new ways to manage obesity.

    We continued our partnership with The Conversation Canada, an online news platform that pairs academic experts with experienced journalists to write informed content that can be shared and repurposed by media outlets worldwide. Over spring and fall, Queen’s hosted members of their editorial team for four workshops for researchers and graduate students.

    This year, 69 Queen’s researchers published 76 articles and garnered over 1.7 million reads on The Conversation. Some of our most read articles covered topics like the impacts of housework imbalance in women’s sexual desire, the power of routines, the relationships between eating rhythms and mental health, and the causes for lung damage in COVID-19.

    [Art of Research photo: The Tiniest Tree of Life by Dr. Elahe Alizadeh]
    Queen's Art of Research photo contest winner: The Tiniest Tree of Life by Dr. Elahe Alizadeh, Staff (Queen's CardioPulmonary Unit [QCPU]), Queen's University.

    Mobilizing research

    At Queen’s, we believe inspiring new generations of researchers, gearing research processes towards more equitable and inclusive ones, and bringing together the academy and our community is as important as doing outstanding research. We are proud of our efforts to support Black Excellence in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine/health) and women’s participation and leadership in Engineering.

    In 2022, our annual photo contest, Art of Research, was reimagined to focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and placed a spotlight on the intrinsic connection between research and social impact.

    Our researchers and students have also been working to bring their expertise to the public via outreach events, art installations, short presentations, and connecting with the global community to discuss urgent matters like the crisis in Ukraine – in April, we hosted a panel discussion about the origins and the impact of the conflict featuring experts in political studies and law.

    [Art of Research photo: Polar Bear Denning by Scott Arlidge]
    Queen's Art of Research photo contest winner: Polar Bear Denning by Scott Arlidge, Graduate Student (School of Environmental Studies), Coral Harbour, Nunavut.

     

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