A group of faculty are exploring Memorial’s role in Newfoundland and Labrador during a trio of free events taking place next week.
The first two events titled The Royal Society of Canada Atlantic Public Dialogue: the University and this Place, aims to kick-start a conversation with audiences, focusing on questions such as what kind of university does the province need? How has Memorial contributed to the province? And, what are the gaps that Memorial could be helping to address?
The events include a number of Memorial’s leading academics who are also fellows of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and members of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
Downtown dialogue
On Sunday, March 3, there will be a public dialogue at The Ship Pub in St. John’s. Featured academics include Dr. Barbara Neis, John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; University Research Professors Dr. Nancy Dahn and Prof. Timothy Steeves, School of Music; and Dr. John Sandlos, professor, Department of History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Research.
The discussion takes place from 7-9 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
Brown bag lunch
Members of the university community can attend a brown bag luncheon to hear from four accomplished faculty members on Tuesday, March 5. The session takes place in the Beatrice Watts Boardroom, room IIC-2014, in the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, from 12-2 p.m.
Those taking part in this dialogue include Dr. Patrick Parfrey, John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professor, Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Sean McGrath, associate professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Research; and Dr. Dahn and Prof. Steeves.
Right direction
On Wednesday, March 6, there is an event geared towards students who are considering grad school. What’s next? Is a career in research right for you? takes place from 12:30-2 p.m., in the Junior Common Room, R. Gushue Hall.
The session, co-organized with the School of Graduate Studies, features a panel consisting of RSC fellows and college members who will talk about their experience in grad school and how it has helped them with their life/career, what a career in research can look like today and where their students are now.
Drs. Parfrey, Neis, Sandlos and McGrath are taking part in the lunch, while representatives from the School of Graduate Studies will also be on hand to answer questions regarding funding opportunities and to provide other information.
The lunch is free but space is limited and registration first-come first-served. Please RSVP by completing the following online form https://bit.ly/2Iu5fY8 before March 4.
“Our goal is to start a dialogue focused on Memorial’s contributions to the province and beyond,” the professors said in a group statement to the Gazette.
“Through these events, we hope people will think about ways to strengthen, broaden and diversify our university’s important contributions, particularly during times of fiscal constraint. We will also discuss Memorial’s rich culture of innovation and education in a variety of disciplines. We encourage members of the university and public to attend and share their thoughts with us.”
