Agenda

time iconNovember 29, 2023 09:00 am

Closing the gaps for an equitable future in STEM

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Dr. Anju Bajaj
STEM Advisor Manitoba Catholic Schools. Manitoba chapter lead - SCWIST

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Dr. Melanie Ratnam, PhD
SCWIST President & Director of Policy and Impact

As we transition into the digital era, it is estimated that more than 70% of forthcoming job opportunities will necessitate STEM expertise. It will be imperative to address systemic barriers in the field of STEM from early education to career progression to prevent existing gaps from widening. This keynote will highlight programming and recommendations by the Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST) which includes policy change, educational strategies, and industry initiatives to bridge the gap in access and opportunities for pursuing a career in STEM.

time iconNovember 29, 2023 10:00 am

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY & PERFORMANCE IN THE WORKPLACE: How to Stay Engaged and Passionate About Your Work

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Karen Mosier
Research Coordinator/Navigator ,University of Saskatchewan

Engagement isn’t just something your company is responsible for – we’re each, individually, responsible for our own engagement at work as well. And the best part is, when we feel engaged, we really are doing our best work and becoming our best selves. Empower yourself. Rather than blaming circumstances outside of your control, consider your responses to the situation and your capabilities. This presentation will examine ways to motivate your productivity and performance in the workplace to keep you engaged and passionate about the work that you do. This session will include the following topics: looking at the impact of your work and what gives you meaning and purpose; setting yourself up for success by using time management techniques and prioritizing your tasks efficiently; knowing you are in control to set your own professional goals and you don’t have to wait for others to give you permission to grow; being teachable and learning from a mentor, team leader, or colleague; contributing and sharing your ideas and letting your voice be heard through mentoring or leadership opportunities; being intentional about relationship building and staying connected and seeking out energizing and inspiring people; setting a reward system for yourself knowing that you don’t have to wait for that pat on the back from your boss or team leader, and understanding the relationship between stress, physical health, and mental health, and the importance of taking time for yourself and getting back to nature.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 10:00 am

Tips, Tricks, Tools, and Threats, in IT, AI, and Research Security

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Scott Baker
Manager, Sensitive Research ,UBC

This multipart session will delve into a variety of related topics in an attempt to provide truly practical take-aways. Dive in a learn tips and tricks for genera use with computers. Explore some tools that make life oh-so-much easier, and finally explore some of the lates AI options that have not been so well covered in the mainstream media. Then move on to an overview of some of the latest in research security and cybersecurity before finishing off with a dessert filled with cybersecurity tips that will help you be more secure.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 10:00 am

Canada in Horizon Europe

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Maria Pawlowska
International Partnerships and Open Science Lead,Visnea

Canada is currently negotiating associated country status with the aim of partnering with Horizon Europe - the world's largest research and innovation program with a budget of 95.5 billion euros (CAD 140 billion). If, and when, this happens Canadian researchers and SMEs will gain access to a funding source, which provides financing on the order of millions of Euro per project and, additionally, access to a global network of innovators. In our talk we will to introduce the unique possibilities and challenges related to Horizon Europe and encourage your institutions to look into the possibilities associated with the program.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 11:00 am

Exploring Inspiring Career Journeys of Senior Research Administrators

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Jacquelynn Brown
Manager, Research Finance & Administration,Saskatchewan Polytechnic

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Jodie Pearson

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Terry Peckham

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Jamie McInnis

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Caroline Mullin

In this moderated conversation, we delve into the inspiring career journeys of senior research administrators in Canada. These accomplished professionals play a crucial role in supporting and advancing research activities across diverse academic and institutional settings. By sharing their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, we gain invaluable insights into the dynamic field of research administration and the pathways that have led these individuals to the pinnacles of their careers.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 11:00 am

From Commitments to Concrete Actions: Developing and Implementing an Institutional RDM Strategy

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Jennifer Abel
RDM Librarian,University of Calgary

In February 2023, the University of Calgary’s Vice President Research approved the university’s inaugural research data management (RDM) strategy. The document was the result of many months of work by steering and working committees co-led by the Vice President Research Office and Libraries and Cultural Resources which involved parties with a vested interest in RDM across campus. Guided by four core principles (research excellence and impact, support for researchers and research partners, collaboration, and a context-based approach), the strategy commits to developing institutional RDM guidelines and support in key areas, including institutional policies and processes, IT infrastructure, support services, and Indigenous data sovereignty. However, approval of the strategy was only the first step; UCalgary now needs to implement these commitments by establishing clear policies and frameworks and investing in sustainable, scalable support (infrastructure, personnel, etc.). This presentation will explore some of the challenges in moving from development to implementation, and how the foundations established in the development process – including communication, collaboration between units, and learning from the community – can help to scaffold the implementation process.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 12:00 pm

How May I Help You? (A Step Forward) A study on how Research Administrators can better facilitate Researchers within Alberta, Canada

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Sajjad A Surani
Student ,Mohawk College, Ontario, Canada

The study through a survey aims to collect feedback from researchers belonging to research institutions within Alberta, Canada, and on how can research administrators help researchers to perform better jobs. This project is the step forward towards the larger project with following outcome and process objectives of this study: Outcome Objectives: a. To identify specific actions that research administrators can take to enhance their performance that leads to better delivery of project objectives. b. To identify what resources would be required by the research administrators to implement the suggestions made to enhance their performances and uplift their professional competencies. This work is being conducted as part of a larger project with collaborators in Pakistan. The results from that work are being prepared for presentation at Society of Research Administrators International in Seattle, USA (October 2023) and will be submitted for presentation at Canadian Association of Research Administration National in 2024. Learning Objective: To explain and discuss the study findings that will help participants learn what can they do better or increase in their current work scope that helps researchers. To critically evaluate and prioritize their own areas of improvement and hence be stronger in their professional careers.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 12:00 pm

All Hands on Deck: Safeguarding Information Systems - a Role for Everyone

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Jessica Galo
Sensitive Research Security Analyst,University of BC - Advanced Research Computing

It takes a village to raise children and it also takes a village to safeguard complex and interconnected systems. While the responsibilities for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is embedded and apparent in ethics applications, legislation and the Fair Information Principles, the responsibilities for securing information systems that hold these information are not as widely known. However, given the rampant use of the internet, previously isolated information systems are now more susceptible to bad actors due to the increased interconnectedness and surface area for attack. This presentation will discuss the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for the Security of Information Systems and how this can be used to assess and improve upon an institution's privacy approach and security landscape.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 12:00 pm

Developing Regional Professional Development Networks

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Katya MacDonald
Research facilitator,Saskatchewan Polytechnic

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Gwen Machnee

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Karen Mosier
Research Coordinator/Navigator ,University of Saskatchewan

In early 2022, research administration professionals working at post-secondary institutions across Saskatchewan met to establish a province-wide network to develop connections and learning opportunities with each other. Within our field, there is a desire for more awareness about how our colleagues work at other institutions in the province. We are also keen to find new ways to build collaborations across regions and between the university and college sectors. With these interests in mind, the Saskatchewan research administration professionals network, with attendees from nearly 10 universities and colleges, has met three times. Each meeting has been hosted by a different institution, with organizers selecting a different theme or focus driven by participants’ input. This session is a panel presentation by three network members from a regional college, a provincial polytechnic, and a major research university. We will share learnings and experiences from the process of developing and participating in this new network: what gaps does a provincial research facilitation network fill? What are some challenges and considerations in building a grassroots network? What have we learned, and what do we want to continue to learn in the future? Following the presentation portion of this session, we will facilitate a discussion with session attendees about strategies and goals for developing regional or provincial professional networks in our field.
time iconNovember 29, 2023 01:00 pm

Research Administration Certificate program: Student Reflections

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Robyn Roscoe

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Karen Mosier
Research Coordinator/Navigator ,University of Saskatchewan

A brief overview of the Research Administration Certificate program at Mohawk College from two of the instructors, followed by panel of current and past students. Topics will include the opportunities and challenges of the program and courses, how the learning and the certificate contribute to personal, professional, and career development, and tips-and-tricks for successfully completing the program.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 09:00 am

Evidence for Democracy (E4D)

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Sarah Laframboise

Evidence for Democracy (E4D) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization advocating for the transparent use of evidence in government decision-making in Canada. Through issue-based campaigns, original research, and training programs, E4D strives to empower the voice of the science community in public policy, while cultivating public demand for strong policies informed by the best available scientific evidence. 

time iconNovember 30, 2023 10:00 am

Building your Applied Research Strategic Plan

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Jamie McInnis
Director,SAIT

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Candice Davis

What does the process of building a strategic plan look like, what are the challenges and the opportunities of completing this document for your research department
time iconNovember 30, 2023 10:00 am

Research contracts and legal issues

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Tamsin Miley
Proprietor,Miley Law

Discussion of some of the major issues in research contracts and the types of problems that can arise from poorly drafted agreements.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 10:00 am

Are you ready for a new Tri-Agency Open Access Policy?

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MacKinley Darlington
Knowledge Mobilization Specialist,Athabasca University

This session will explore how knowledge mobilization and open access (OA) align, complement, and can facilitate the development and execution of compelling and effective research impact plans. Canada’s federal granting agencies recently announced that a review of The Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications is being conducted and that a renewed OA Policy will be released by the end of 2025. Foreshadowing that the renewed OA Policy will require research to be freely and immediately available at the time of publication, the Tri-Agencies have reiterated a commitment to not only reducing but eliminating barriers to open and accessible research data, evidence, information, and knowledge. As with any change, there are sure to be feelings of uncertainty about how to adapt to the new requirements; however, for knowledge mobilization, a renewed OA Policy signals opportunity. Effective knowledge mobilization helps to get new information into the hands of those best positioned to use it, at the earliest possible opportunity. Embracing OA provides permission (real and perceived) to re-direct time and energy, which is often almost entirely consumed by the creation and publication of a knowledge product, to paving pathways directly to the knowledge user and potential impact.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 11:00 am

Panel on Research Contracts

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Lauren Gogo
Manager, Research Contracts,Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation

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Dean Strickland

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Christopher Chow

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Megan Vanstone

A panel of seasoned research contract reviewers will discuss key learning moments from their careers and share their perspective on: What are the best practices for efficient contract review? What are some things I learned that changed how I review contracts? What are the biggest challenges research contract reviewers have learned to anticipate and how do they prepare for them?
time iconNovember 30, 2023 11:00 am

Updates from the CFI

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Sharyn Farlinger
Senior Programs Officer,Canada Foundation for Innovation

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will provide an update on its current and upcoming activities. We will look at our funding programs, explore what research security means for CFI proposals and funded projects, as well as bust some common myths about CFI funding.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 12:00 pm

Mitacs and NSERC – Joint Applications for Universities and Colleges

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Allison Brennan
Senior Advisor, Business Development; Manager in the Colleges and Networks Division, NSERC

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Zsuzsa Papp
Mitacs

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Kathleen Lorenzo
NSERC

Mitacs and NSERC collaborate to support R&D projects with funding from both organizations, notably for university-based Alliance grants, and for college-based Applied R&D (ARD) and Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) grants, in combination with the Mitacs Accelerate program. This session will highlight the benefits and mechanics of the joint application and peer review processes, as well as how the grants are administered by both organizations. There will be an opportunity for Q&A.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 12:00 pm

Public Safety Canada - Research Security Centre

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Nigel Fitch
Regional Advisor,Public Safety Canada

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Erin Dorgan

Protecting Canadian knowledge and research is critical for Canada’s economic prosperity, resilience and national security. Housed within the department of Public Safety Canada, the Research Security Centre (RSC) acts as a resource for the research community to address research security questions. The RSC’s three areas of focus are: to support the implementation of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and research security policy; to be a source of guidance and advice for the research community; and to serve as the main point of entry for universities and the research community to access Government of Canada services related to research security. This presentation will provide an overview of the RSC, as well as some other Government of Canada tools and resources available to the research community to help safeguard their research.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 12:00 pm

The Foundation: Building an Inclusive Culture

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Sharlee Cranston-Reimer

This session is for research administrators who are thinking about how they can support faculty (and anyone!) in fostering an inclusive culture in their team or lab. It takes participants through concrete steps they can take as they think through increasing inclusivity and provides some suggestions for short-term changes as longer-term actions are identified and implemented.

time iconNovember 30, 2023 01:00 pm

Research Management and Coordination Certificate program: Student Reflections

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Robyn Roscoe
Principal,Lyric Management

A brief overview of the Research Management and Coordination program at Mohawk College from two-three of the instructors, followed by panel of current and past students. Topics will include the opportunities and challenges of the program and courses, how the learning and the certificate contribute to personal, professional, and career development, and tips-and-tricks for successfully completing the program.
time iconNovember 30, 2023 01:00 pm

Tips, Tricks, Tools, and Threats, in IT, AI, and Research Security (Part 2)

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Scott Baker
Manager, Sensitive Research ,UBC

This multipart session will delve into a variety of related topics in an attempt to provide truly practical take-aways. Dive in a learn tips and tricks for genera use with computers. Explore some tools that make life oh-so-much easier, and finally explore some of the lates AI options that have not been so well covered in the mainstream media. Then move on to an overview of some of the latest in research security and cybersecurity before finishing off with a dessert filled with cybersecurity tips that will help you be more secure.