Knowledge Mobilization for Climate Change – Internship Programme Competition

York University’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit is excited to announce the start of the graduate student internship competition as part of the Knowledge Mobilization for Climate Change Project.

The goal of this project is to make York climate change research and expertise more accessible to policymakers, so that academic research can better inform municipal level climate change decisions. The project is engaging the City of Toronto; the Regions of York, Peel, and Durham; the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), and the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (The Gateway Project). This project is generously funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Placement Details

• There are a total of five internship placements, each valued at $10,000 (before deductions)

• One internship (York Region) will take place from March to June 2011. The 4 remaining internships will take place in Summer 2011 (May-August).

• There is one placement each with the Environment and Policy offices of:

1. The City of Toronto (toronto.ca)
2. The Region of Durham (durham.ca)
3. York Region (york.ca)
4. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (trca.on.ca)
5. The Gateway Project

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be eligible to work in Canada

• Graduate students (Masters and PhD) currently enrolled or graduates who have fulfilled all degree requirements after January 1st, 2011.

• For the York Region placement, only recent graduates are eligible to apply (please see job description for further details)

In order to apply, please send your resume and covering letter to:

Andrei Sedoff,
Knowledge Mobilization Officer, Office of Research Services
asedoff@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 Ext 44310

Candidates are allowed to apply to multiple placements. Please indicate which placement(s) you are applying to in the body of your application Email. Candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare separate covering letters for each placement application. Interns will be expected to complete a two-page report at the end of their placement. Interns will also receive training in clear language writing and design.

The deadline to submit applications for the York Region placement is Monday, February 28th at 4:30pm. The deadline for the four summer placements is Friday, March 4th at 4:30pm. For more information, please contact Andrei Sedoff at the coordinates provided above.

You may access the job descriptions by clicking on the links below:

1. The City of Toronto
2. The Region of Durham
3. York Region
4. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
5. The Gateway Project

All applicants are also encouraged to attend the York University Climate Change Policy & Research Day. Full event details may be found here.

Summer 2011 Internships Announcement

The Knowledge Mobilization Unit is excited to announce an upcoming graduate student internship competition as part of the ‘Knowledge Mobilization for Climate Change’ Project.

The goal of this project is to make York climate change research and expertise more accessible to policymakers, so that academic research can inform municipal level climate change decisions. The project is engaging the municipalities of Toronto, the Regions of York, Peel, and Durham, as well as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (The Gateway Project). This project is generously funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Here are some details about the placements:

• York University graduate students (Masters and PhD) will be eligible for these internships
• The internships will take place in Summer 2011 (May-August)
• There will be a total of 5 internship placements, each valued at $10,000 (before deductions)
• There will be 1 placement each with the Environment and Policy offices of:

-         The City of Toronto (toronto.ca)

-         The Region of Durham (durham.ca)

-         York Region (york.ca)

-         Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (trca.on.ca)

-         The Gateway Project

Please stay tuned for the formal launch of the competition with full details, scheduled for January 2011. The competition will be posted on: researchimpact.ca. For more information, please contact Andrei Sedoff, Knowledge Mobilization Officer, at asedoff@yorku.ca or at 416-736-2100 Ext 44310.

It’s official! SSHRC announces Public Outreach Grant to support Knowledge Mobilization for Climate Change project.

If you live in a municipality in the GTA you’ll be pleased to know that municipal employees will now have access to academic research and expertise to inform decisions that affect your life.

We previously told you about an exciting YorkU knowledge mobilization climate change project.  In that post, Chandra Sharma of TRCA underscored the importance of these efforts by saying, “”Advancing climate research and knowledge is key to addressing municipal needs to address impacts of changing climate.” Even though we announced the project in June we are delighted to let you know that this project was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).  SSHRC has officially announced the results of its Public Outreach grant competition, awarding $138,700 to Karen Kraft Sloan (Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies) and David Phipps (Director, Research Services and Knowledge Exchange) for this Knowledge Mobilization for Climate Change project. This grant, details for which may be found on SSHRC’s website here, has enabled an innovative large-scale collaboration in the area of climate change research.

Thanks to this funding, York University’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit has been able to engage the municipalities of Toronto, York Region, Mississauga, Peel, and Durham, as well as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

(TRCA) and the Association for Canadian Educational Resources (The Gateway Project) to make York climate change research and expertise more accessible and policy relevant. York University’s Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation has generously contributed funding towards this project, which allowed the hiring of a project coordinator to work in the Knowledge Mobilization Unit.

“This grant gives us an unprecedented opportunity  to apply York’s diverse body of climate change research and expertise to public policy and practice” said Karen Kraft Sloan, the Principal Investigator for the grant. “I am eager to see the results that emerge from this unique collaboration”.

This award comes as part of the exciting news that York University’s researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows have been able to secure over $10 million through SSHRC grants this year. More details and the full listing of York SSHRC awards may be found in the Y-File story here.

Teen Pregnancy and Teen Mothers: Meeting the Needs in York Region

In the summer of 2009, as part of the initial grant for York’s KMb pilot project and as part of a competitive, adjudicated process, the KMb Unit created Social Innovation Collaboration Grants to address research issues with relevant public policy and/or professional practice implications in the areas of Mental Health, as this was an identified priority area by community partners. Here is a summary of one of these projects:

Drs. Jennifer Connolly, Hala Tamim and Yvonne Bohr, affiliated with the LaMarsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution (York) partnered with Kinark Child and Family Services and York Region Children’s Aid Society for a short-term knowledge mobilization project around new mothers in York Region; examining the prevalence of these vulnerable girls in York Region, how their Mental Health needs are being met, what service gaps could be identified and determining how research on risk and resilience can inform clinical care and maximize positive outcomes.

The research team employed graduate students to support their efforts and focused on the following activity:

• Determine the prevalence of pregnant and mothering teens in York Region
• Survey on available services to pregnant and mothering teens
• Review of girls receiving protective service intervention from York Region CAS within this user population
• Synthesize published literature on risks and resiliencies of pregnant and mothering teens
• Begin framing research to explore factors related to risk and resiliency for these young women and their children
• Initiate community-based opportunities for feedback and knowledge exchange with interested members of the community

The team is excited about what they were able to accomplish and they are continuing to work in collaboration through a successful CIHR KT Supplement grant, which will build on their collaborative capacity by using social media and technology-based research collaboration tools, including the O3 platform, to further their research and KMb agendas. The partnership development between the three agencies, as well as a large cohort of youth was also a very positive outcome which the team has identified, supporting the sustainability of their efforts.

Hear Jennifer Connolly (York), Sandra Cunning (Kinark Child and Family Services) and Bonita Majonis (York Region Children’s Aid Society) talk about the project at the 2010 KMb Expo:

United Way-York University Graduate Student Intern Job Posting

We are happy to share the following job posting for a United Way of York Region-York University Graduate Student Intern position for the summer of 2010.

United Way – York University Interns Job Description

General Purpose:

The United Way-York University Interns will work with United Way of York Region (UWYR) Community Engagement and Research Committee to facilitate community- and evidence-based research that addresses UWYR strategic directions and priorities. Findings of the research will help inform the planning and delivery of UWYR Strength Investments within communities of rapid growth. UWYR Priorities (www.uwyr.on.ca/addressingourstrengths):

• Helping youth grow up strong

• Enabling individuals and families to achieve economic independence

• Improving the well being of individuals and communities

Term of Internship: May 3 – August 27, 2010

Report to: Director, Community Investment, UWYR

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Undertake a literature review focusing on the impact of growth and change on human services and various responses to address the impact.
2. Conduct social asset mapping in identified geographies of growth in York Region.
3. Organize community consultation and engagement activities with residents, community groups, service providers and other key stakeholders to identify, develop and ascertain strategies for UWYR Strength Investments.
4. Analyze research findings and develop reports.
5. Present reports to Community Engagement and Research Committee

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Currently affiliated with Faculty of Graduate Studies, may have finished degree requirements but not yet graduated

• Legally entitled to work in Canada

• Available to work full-time during the months of May to August 2010

• Intern will receive relevant training and support through the Knowledge Mobilization Unit of York University and be part of knowledge mobilization community peer to peer network

• Expertise in immigration & settlement, GIS, urban planning, program evaluation, human services, policy research & development or related disciplines an asset

Internship Stipend: $10,000 paid $2500 per month at the end of each month May-August 2010

Interested candidates should submit a résumé and cover letter describing the relationship between the applicant’s graduate studies and the interests of the United Way of York Region and how the applicant’s research expertise will contribute to a successfully executed internship. Please include the name and affiliation of your thesis supervisor.

Deadline: Submit applications by 4:30 pm on Friday April 23, 2010 to kmunit@yorku.ca.

For more information please contact Michael Johnny, Manager of York University’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit, x 88876; mjohnny@yorku.ca.

We thank all candidates for their interest and application but only those invited to an interview will be contacted.

Download the full job description: UW-York KMb Summer Intern Job Description

Message to SSHRC: as you remodel the house don’t forget the foundation

Renovations are all the rage. Witness the Home Improvement Tax Credit (I’m looking forward to my $1,350 that will help pay for the new furnace, air conditioner and water heater), all the DIY shows on Home & Garden Channel and the boom in stores like Home Depot, Rona and Lowes. SSHRC has jumped on the reno bandwagon. The first time I heard about the new SSHRC Program Architecture was at the KIS/Cluster meeting in Ottawa on October 23-24, 2009 (see our blog post on that meeting). Since then SSHRC has released increasing amounts of information to SSHRC academic leaders (December 2009) and to research administrators in a CAURA webinar (January 29, 2010) and on March 1, 2010, Chad Gaffield released the new architecture and draft call for applications for consultation.

KMb practitioners take note: you no longer have to pose as researchers

SSHRC has retooled their programming into 3 broad categories of insight (= research), talent (= training) and connections (= knowledge mobilization). The three are not mutually exclusive, in fact, in many constructions of SSHRC funded scholarly endeavours they are intrinsically linked (think of a CURA which fosters engaged research, training and KMb). Moving from a prescriptive, program directed mode of grant seeking, SSHRC is allowing applicants to define the funding package that fits their own scholarship within some very broad frameworks.

KMb community take note: there is funding for KMb

Whether you want to hold a small workshop, publish a journal, develop a KMb tool kit or create a national framework for community engaged scholarship, there’s a welcome mat out for you. If you wish to study the science of KMb, that’s research (sorry, insight) but if you want to do KMb that’s connections. Look for programs supporting partnerships, workshops and conferences, journals, tools and outcomes to be launched over the next 2 years.

But SSHRC take note to maintain the foundation as you remodel the house

Not every NSERC Discovery Grant should result in a patent. Not every research grant under the insight umbrella should be mobilized or connected. When MRC became CIHR in 2000 and assumed a mandate for knowledge translation, new funds were given to the CIHR Operating Grant competition. Sure, new funds were provided for strategic competitions as well but CIHR not only protected but grew their support for fundamental research.

Not all will welcome this new program architecture but as KMb practitioners we are pleased to see SSHRC champion a connections agenda. We are also pleased to see funding maintained for research grants and priority funds as directed by federal budget priorities set by the Federal Government. As far as the limited allocations in Federal Budgets allow please continue to invest in the foundation of social sciences and humanities research. KMb is great but is must be built on a sound base of fundamental scholarship.

And federal government, listen up

The vast majority of public servants has degrees in the social sciences and humanities and were taught by professors, many of whom were supported by SSHRC. If you want informed policy makers you need a strong social science and humanities community. If you want a strong social sciences and humanities community you need a strong SSHRC. SSHRC receives 13.5% of the total federal investments in the three granting councils but supports over 50% of Canada’s academic researchers and graduate students. You do the math.

Thank you for the $3M increase to SSHRC’s budget in Budget 2010 but SSHRC needs more, much more, in 2011 if you expect informed debate and responsive public policies in security, finance, immigration, homelessness, mental health, education, aboriginal affairs, globalization, climate change, racism, multiculturalism, urban planning, rural economies, northern Canada, politics, heritage, literacy, employment, peace keeping, sport, volunteerism, federation, government reform, bilingualism, equity, infrastructure, economic renewal, sustainability, the arts, accessibility, digital literacy, transportation, poverty…

‘What Works’ in Homelessness Program Evaluation? Ask York and UVic Researchers!

In the summer of 2009, as part of the initial grant for KM pilot projects at York University and University of Victoria, the two institutions developed a competitive, adjudicated process for Faculty Incentive Grants for teams of researchers and their partners to address research issues with relevant public policy and/or professional practice implications. Here is a summary of one of these projects:

Drs. Stephen Gaetz (York) and Bernie Pauly (UVic) were Principal Investigators on a project designed to establish a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of programs that address ways of ending homelessness.  Their project activity included research and development of an evaluative framework, which resulted in a one-day workshop held on September 24, 2009 at York.  The workshop focused on reviewing the project findings, as well as discussing next steps.

The project team identified the following outcomes:

• Completion of two literature reviews
• Building research relationships between the two institutions
• Strengthened links between academic researchers and community partners
• Creation of new knowledge (evaluation, best-practices, KM framework)
• Future KM planning in homelessness program evaluation
• Completion of an application to the Homeless Partnering Strategy for October 2009
• Supporting local program evaluation efforts through information sharing from literature reviews

Despite the tight timelines, the deliverables along with strengthened and (in some cases) expanded relationships have made this project a success.  In the words of the PI’s,

“We were successful in creating a functioning research team and creating the knowledge of program evaluation and best practices.”

“The two literature reviews were useful not only as a process for learning, but a key outcome are the summaries of this important work.  York is preparing a final report summarizing evaluation practices and UVic is developing a report highlighting best practices in ending homelessness and evaluation in the homelessness sector”.

Youth and Mental Health: Addressing Stigma and Discrimination through Community-Informed Curriculum

In the summer of 2009, as part of the initial grant for KM pilot projects at York University and University of Victoria, the two institutions developed a competitive, adjudicated process for Faculty Incentive Grants for teams of researchers and their partners to address research issues with relevant public policy and/or professional practice implications. Here is a summary of one of these projects:

Drs. Megan Davies (York) and Anne Marshall (UVic) were Principal Investigators on a project to provide tools and processes to help young people address the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health concerns and treatment. Building a new partnership with the Greater Victoria School District #61, the research team engaged in consultations to help conceptualize the project deliverables and support curriculum lesson plan development.

The project team also have chosen to integrate their deliverables into a new web site (www.caringminds.ca) to support broader access to the curriculum modules that were developed.

The outcomes of this project are:
• Four cross curricular teaching units with activities and resources aimed at Grades 7 to 12
• Development of www.caringminds.ca
• New and strengthened relationships between the research team and amongst educators and mental health treatment and consumer groups

In identifying lessons learned, there were the clear challenges of working across geography and disciplines and with several partners… However, there was one additional outcome the project team articulated,

“An unanticipated, but positive outcome was the inclusion of the original artwork created by a sixteen year-old secondary school student. William Willis’ drawings do much to make this site visually appealing, and seem entirely appropriate for a youth-centred project such as this”.

The project team continues its development, as they are engaged in dissemination of research finding, pursuing additional funding to further resource development and expand the program internationally. They are also pursuing the integration of these materials into other provincial curricula and international web sites.

Items of Interest to Ontario Community Groups and Especially those in York Region – Help with Social Media and Access to Infrastructure $$$

York Region covers 1,776 sq km and encompasses nine municipalities north of Toronto, Canada and had a total population of 983,100 in 2007. With a five year growth rate of 22% (2001-6) and with new Canadians making up 43% of the population (almost twice that of Ontario), York Region is one of Canada’s fastest growing and most diverse communities. It has elements of inner city (i.e. downtown Markham), high wealth creation (i.e. Vaughn), an Aboriginal reserve (in Georgina), rural agriculture (i.e. East Gwillimbury) and environmentally protected areas such as the Oakridges Moraine.  This diverse region has diverse opportunities for collaboration with university researchers to co-produce and mobilize knowledge for social innovation.

Facilitating this co-production and knowledge mobilization, York’s KM Unit is pleased to work closely with partners in York Region such as illustrated in our recent publication with the United Way of York Region (read it here).  One strong supporter of community development in York Region is Brent MacKinnon.  York’s KM Unit first met Brent when we brokered a relationship between him (then at Street Kids International) and Uzo Anucha (School of Social Work, York University).  You can see them talk about their collaboration here.  Brent recently launched his consulting company, Social Media Tools for Work and Learning. Brent provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations interested in harnessing the power of the social web to meet their Vision, Mission and Values. Brent’s focus is to support staff in developing their social media strategy and using the right tools to engage supporters and stakeholders. His first issue of his newsletter, MacKinnon’s Cloud was launched this week and features services as well as stories from York Region including a story on the York Region data symposium, which was also featured on Mobilize This! (read it here).

Brent will also be featured at a workshop on social media for knowledge transfer and exchange downtown Toronto on October 5 “What’s the point of 2.0”. Kudos to Brent for being a leader in social media for York Region community organizations and a champion for knowledge mobilization.  You can contact Brent at brent@socialmediatools.ca and follow him on Twitter @brentmack.

One more item for all York Region not for profits is the non profit stream of the federal government’s stimulus package “Creating Jobs, Building Communities”.  Released by Infrastructure Canada, this program will fund infrastructure projects in the following areas: temporary housing shelters; community centres; community services and cultural institutions.  “Projects must be for the substantial renovation or rehabilitation of existing infrastructure or new capital infrastructure”.  Applications are due August 18, 2009.

ACCELERATE Ontario Internship Workshop – March 6

YorkU’s KM Unit is pleased to be working in partnership with ACCELERATE Ontario and their graduate student internship program. Click here to learn more about the internship opportunities offered by YorkU’s KM Unit in partnership with ACCELERATE Ontario. We are also happy to announce this upcoming workshop hosted by MITACS ACCELERATE.

Build on your skills for success! Join MITACS Skills Enhancement Program for this one-day workshop and improve your presentation skills through a day of practice and onsite feedback!

What: Practice your Presentation Skills!
When: Friday, March 6th, 2009
Time: 8:30AM – 4:30PM (Registration 8:00AM sharp!)
Where: 89 Chestnut Street, Room TBD
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What you will learn:

Create a memorable introduction;
Understand the main elements of a short speech;
Learn how gestures can amplify delivery;
Understand and practice a number of techniques for handling tough questions;
And More!!!

Prior to attending, participants will be asked to prepare background notes for a 4-6 minute speech. They can choose to either persuade an audience on a point of view or to take a complex subject and simplify it. During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to practice these and get critiqued. Note: They can benefit from the course even if they are unable to do the preparatory work.

***Please note that there is a $30.00 deposit to attend the workshop. This will be reimbursed to you pending confirmation of your attendance***

What’s included:

workshop materials
lunch and coffee breaks
access to recognized expertise
networking opportunities

If you currently reside outside of Greater Toronto Area, limited funding is available for travel and accommodation.

***Registration is open to all MITACS students and past, present, and prospective MITACS ACCELERATE Interns – including all postdocs and students at the graduate level***

For event details and registration, click here.

For information and/or to apply for travel & accommodation funding please contact Amanda Casorso, Events Coordinator at acasorso@mitacs.ca.

For more information on the Skills Enhancement Program please contact Kamilla Karoli, Programs Coordinator at kkaroli@mitacs.ca, or by phone 778-782-8481.