From the admin chair
To get to know an institution, you need to understand its people, place and culture.
Having early discussions about a role change with those close to you is important, so they can grow with your decision.
A new federal charter, with funds to match, will help institutions to identify systemic barriers.
It’s time to stop and rethink what a university should look like, and how education can remain relevant during times of rapid transition.
For lasting transformation to occur, these changes need to be embedded in our administrative and educational structures.
Through my work, I hope I am contributing in a small way to building a more inclusive and equitable society.
There are challenges of course. Inevitably negative messages quickly go viral and it can be difficult to respond.
Be prepared to stand up and speak out when you hear and see things that are inappropriate.
“As a leader, there will be times when you just have to take a leap of faith.”
Administrators are in a unique position to address systemic issues that hinder Indigenous peoples’ success.
“What I’ve found the most rewarding about administration is the opportunity to bring about systemic change.”
“We need to believe in ourselves and what we do, and convince others of its importance.”
“We need to become aware of the social realities that set us apart from many of our fellow citizens and address them.”
“ People are working to solve their differences and trying to build pathways for collaboration.”
It has been almost 20 years since I did research in the homes and schools of indigenous people of Quebec. I obtained ethical approval for that work at my university. This consisted of me showing my grant proposal to a colleague down the hall who had no experience with indigenous people and asking her to […]
We need to think about how fundamental research can be funded in the best Canadian way possible.
In Canada, the phrases “Science is back” and “Canada is back on the world stage” have been heard repeatedly over the last several months. They are like music to the ears of many of us. We can also now talk about, write about and apply for research funding on climate change without having to camouflage […]
There can be several individuals involved in the research that leads to an invention.
Canada’s researchers benefit from new binational and multinational graduate-student training programs.
A combination of events set me to thinking about “boldness” this summer and early fall. Just before summer started, one of our researchers at Dalhousie University, Jeff Dahn, signed a contract with U.S. electric-car manufacturer Tesla Motors. This led to a visit by Tesla’s vice-president, J.B. Straubel, complete with a bright red Tesla that was […]