Betsy Donald

Betsy Donald

Betsy Donald

Associate Vice-Principal Research / Professor Geography and Planning

PhD

VPR Executive Team

Geography and Planning

For scheduling please contact Jezina Carreiro


On August 1, 2020, Dr. Betsy Donald joined the research portfolio for a three-year term as the Associate Vice-Principal Research. 

Dr. Donald, Department of Geography and Planning, teaches, does research, and consults in the field of economic geography with a particular focus on innovation and regional economic development, urban planning and governance, and sustainable food systems. She has held previous administrative positions as Associate Head in the Department of Geography and Planning, and most recently as Associate Dean (School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs).

As Associate Vice-Principal Research, Dr. Donald will contribute to the overall strategy and direction of the Research portfolio, working with the faculties, faculty members and the broader research community to enhance capacity for research and innovation across a wide variety of disciplines. In addition, she will serve as Queen’s SSHRC delegate, an important role in supporting Queen’s outstanding scholarship in the creative arts, humanities and social sciences.

Research@Queen’s: Clinical trials for game-changing cancer research

Will exercise help prevent colorectal cancer from coming back? Can a new blood test for DNA markers predict which prostate cancer patients will be helped most by experimental targeted therapies? Is it safe for young women with breast cancer who wish to become pregnant to temporarily interrupt endocrine therapy to try to have a baby? Will a new four-drug combination save the lives of more pancreatic cancer patients after surgery?

2020: The Year in Research

In recent years, we have taken a moment each December to highlight some of the research that has captured our attention over the previous 12 months.

2020 was not a normal year. It challenged us, tested us, and saw our research community pivot in creative and unexpected ways to respond to the global crisis. Through all of this, research prominence remained a key driver for Queen’s and our researchers continued to make national and international headlines for their discoveries and award-winning scholarship.  

R4R@Q Webinar Series - Conflict of Interest

Date

Wednesday August 25, 2021
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location

Virtual Workshop

The Vice-Principal Research Portfolio in collaboration with Partnerships and Innovation (Research Legal Services) proudly present, the sixth session in our Resources 4 Research @ Queen’s Webinar Series, Conflict of Interest in a Research or Commercialization Project.

To avoid a potential conflict of interest (COI) or a conflict of commitment (time) with outside activities, faculty members should make formal prior disclosure to ensure that primary responsibilities are met, that a given commitment may enhance the reputation of the faculty member and the University or that a conflict or potential conflict is resolved.

We will describe some of the actual challenges that Queen’s researchers have faced in complying with policies and rules in various circumstances. 

We will answer these questions, along with those you may have:

  • What is Queen’s process to manage a PI’s financial Conflict of Interest in a research study?
  • What declarations are required when funded by government agencies?
  • Can you employ family to work on your research project?

Video:



The transcript and closed captioning of this video were auto-generated. We apologize in advance for any errors in the transcription.

Session Material:


Presented by:

  •  Margo Langford Director, Legal Counsel, Vice-Principal Research - Partnerships and Innovation (Research Legal Services)
  •  Ricardo Smalling Legal Counsel, Vice-Principal Research - Partnerships and Innovation (Research Legal Services)
  •  Jordan Bricker Research Contracts Associate/Legal Advisor, Partnerships and Innovation (Research Legal Services)
  •  Kelly Manuel Research Facilitator - Health and Related Sciences, Vice-Principal Research Portfolio

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hiltz ( ahiltz@queensu.ca)

Learn more about the Resources for Research at Queen’s series

R4R@Q Webinar Series - Bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into the Real World

Date

Wednesday March 24, 2021
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location

Virtual Workshop

The Vice-Principal Research Portfolio and Microsoft proudly presented Bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into the “Real World” using the Microsoft Azure Platform on March 24, 2021.

About this event:

Queen’s University is a member of the Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching program. This program provides researchers access to a small sampling of various software products available for purchase that can be used to manage large datasets. One such system is the Microsoft Azure AI/ML platform. In this session, Rahul Raina from Microsoft’s Data Science team will share AI/ML examples based on his recent collaboration with Microsoft Research in USA, UK and India Labs to assist in COVID-19 diagnosis with an emphasis on Private AI and Azure AI Platform.

Topics covered in this session include:

  • AI Overview
  • Azure Machine Learning
  • Cognitive Services
  • Demo: Private AI - COVID19 Image Classification of Lung X-ray images with Differential Privacy capabilities on Azure AI Platform powered by Azure Machine Learning and Cognitive Services

 
Speaker:

Rahul Raina 
Rahul Raina is a Senior Data Scientist at Microsoft Canada specializing in AI / Computer Vision,  Blockchain & Differential Privacy for Power & Utilities, Healthcare & Education and Retail & Financial Services verticals. Previously, Rahul has implemented AI, Blockchain, Big Data & Analytics technology solutions for firms such as Bank of America, Bell Canada, Deloitte and EY.

Rahul holds MSc and BSc in Computer Science from the University of Oxford, and the University of Toronto, respectively. He also holds MBA from York University's Schulich School of Business.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hiltz ( ahiltz@queensu.ca)

Learn more about the Resources for Research at Queen’s series

R4R@Q Webinar Series - Expanding Networks and Building Partnerships with Industry

Date

Wednesday February 10, 2021
5:00 am - 6:00 am

Location

Virtual Workshop

The Office of the Vice-Principal Research in collaboration with the Partnerships and Innovation proudly presented Expanding Networks and Building Partnerships with Industry on February 10, 2021.

 VIEW VIDEO OF THE SESSION

 Expanding Networks and Building presentation

About this event:

This session will outline strategies used by Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation (QPI) to identify and engage potential industry partners for collaborative research, market/technology validation, and technology transfer/knowledge mobilization purposes. Best-practices for working with industry and the agreements necessary to govern these partnerships will also be covered.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hiltz ( ahiltz@queensu.ca)


Panelists:

Jason Hendry, M.Sc
Assistant Director, Commercial Development, Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation Jason has a Master’s degree in materials science from the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and has been creating and managing partnerships between Queen’s researchers and industry since 2007.

Michael Wells, Ph.D
Assistant Director, Commercial Development, Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation Mike has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from McMaster University as well as an MBA from Queens University. He has over twenty years’ experience commercializing Life Science technologies and has been involved in Queen’s technology transfer since 2008.

Learn more about the Resources for Research at Queen’s series

R4R@Q Webinar Series - The “4Rs” of Indigenous Research

Date

Wednesday January 13, 2021
6:00 am - 7:00 am

Location

Virtual Workshop

The Office of the Vice-Principal Research in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives proudly presented Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility: The “4Rs” of Indigenous Research on January 13, 2021.

 VIEW VIDEO OF THE SESSION

About this event:

The Office of the Vice-Principal Research in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives proudly present: Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility: The“4Rs” of Indigenous Research – a storytelling and Q&A session.

Indigenous research is conducted by or with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous societies and individuals while engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems in a culturally appropriate manner. In adhering to the principles such as respect, relevance, reciprocity, and responsibility, Indigenous research facilitates the enactment of relational accountability which is fundamental to building strong research partnerships with Indigenous communities.

The "4Rs" of Indigenous Research (Kirkness & Barnhardt, 1991) is a useful self-reflection tool that helps researchers lay foundations for meaningful research projects and build relationships in a good way.

Listen to Queen’s Elder in Residence and staff members engaged in community-based research share stories, thoughts and reflections on incorporating the principles of respect, relevance, reciprocity and responsibility into their research practice. Please be prepared to bring Indigenous research-related questions as there will be time allotted for an open Q&A session.

Questions? Please contact Andrea Hiltz ( ahiltz@queensu.ca)


Panelists:

Picture: WENDY PHILLIPSWENDY PHILLIPS
Wendy is an Elder in Residence at the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. She shares teachings, facilitates circles and provides support & guidance to the broader Queen's community. Wendy is of the Bald Eagle Clan; She is Potawatomi and Ojibwa and a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation in the heart of the Muskokas. Wendy provides support to students, staff and faculty at Queen's. She is a keeper of the 8th Fire Prophecies, Keeper of the Ancient Thunderbird Calendar, Ceremonial Leader, Spiritual Educator, Cultural Innovator and Traditional Indigenous Healer. Wendy is a lifelong educator, advocate and supports Traditional Indigenous Ways of Knowing; devoted to improving the quality of life for the next seven generations.

 

Picture: SHARON CLARKESHARON CLARKE
Sharon is an Associate Director at the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. As the third generation in her family to attend residential school, she is particularly passionate about working towards reconciliation. Sharon has extensive management and leadership experience having worked with government, non-profit and Indigenous organizations across Canada and internationally. She has gained valuable experience working with a complex array of stakeholders, often in cross-cultural environments where language and cultural ways play a role in good relations. Most recently, Sharon served as the Program Lead for Indigenous Health at the Canadian Institute of Health Information in Ottawa where she led the development of organizational cultural responsiveness and was instrumental in the planning and implementation of an emerging Indigenous health strategy.

 

Pciture: ALEKSANDRA BERGIERALEKSANDRA BERGIER, PHD
Aleksandra is a Research Advisor, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization (EDII) at the Office of the Vice-Principal Research. Aleksandra is a Polish settler researcher with an academic background in sociology and cultural studies.  She has extensive experience engaging with Indigenous communities in international contexts on a variety of research projects spanning Indigenous language revitalization, land rights, political representation and barriers to exercising the right to informed consultation and consent. Recently, she collaborated with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on research studies about Indigenous knowledge transfer and culture-based governance in urban Indigenous communities. 

 

Learn more about the Resources for Research at Queen’s series