(Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Internationally recognized author and community builder, Paul Born, is hosting a free public presentation that will create new dialogue, foster a sense of hope and build true connections between people whose energies might otherwise go unharnessed.

Paul is a social entrepreneur, director of Tamarack " An Institute for Community Engagement, and co-founder of Vibrant Communities.

The public presentation discusses building vibrant communities.

Public Presentation
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 27
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Location: Bora Laskin Theatre, Lakehead University
Cost: Free

Paul will also host a Community Conversation Training Workshop discussing four different types of conversation tools focused on questions that matter to Thunder Bay.

Community Conversation Training Workshop
Date: Thursday, Feb. 28
Time: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Oliver Road Community Centre
Cost: $75
Seating is limited.

Please contact the Office of Aboriginal Initiatives at (807) 766-7219 to register or click here for more information.

This presentation is sponsored by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, the Lakehead Social Planning Council, the Centre for Place and Sustainability Studies, Thunder Bay Crime Prevention Council, Thunder Bay Anti-Racism Advisory Committee, Thunder Bay District Health Unit, Lakehead University's Aboriginal Initiatives and Lakehead's School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

Media are invited to interview Paul Born at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Oliver Road Community Centre.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University's inaugural Top 10 Research and Innovation Achievements recognized the best of 2012 and highlighted the important work being done by the University's researchers.

"These achievements were selected by the University community," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation). "Lakehead is a research-intensive university and we're proud to celebrate the top 10 achievements from 2012."

Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson said the University has the best and brightest researchers working to improve the world through research and innovation.

"It's important that we recognize the contributions Lakehead's researchers make to our community. These individuals often avoid the spotlight, however this event offered our community the chance to congratulate their dedication and hard work," Dr. Stevenson said.

The Top 10 Research and Innovation Achievements of 2012 are:

1) Ranked #1 in Canada for publishing in area of Aboriginal Studies

A study of 71 universities across Canada (Making Research Count: Analyzing Canadian Academic Publishing Cultures. Toronto: Higher Education Strategy Associates) was released in 2012 to determine which universities were the top publishers in a particular field or discipline. The measurement used was known as the H-index which measures both productivity and impact of academic publications. Within the H-indexes in the Social Sciences, Lakehead University was ranked Number 1 for publishing in the area of Aboriginal Studies.

2) Ranked among Top 10 Most Inventive Universities in Canada

Lakehead University was named one of the Top 10 Most Inventive Universities in Canada (The Impact Group's report, August, 2012) for its success in invention disclosures per research income. Invention disclosures are disclosures made by researchers to their institution about research outcomes that may have commercial potential. The full report is available at www.impactg.com/pdf/identifyingcanadasmostinventiveuniversities.pdf

3) Dr. Aicheng Chen Wins 2012 Keith Laidler National Chemistry Award

Dr. Aicheng Chen was awarded the 2012 Keith Laidler Award of the Canadian Society for Chemistry in recognition of his distinguished contributions to electrochemistry and catalysis. The Keith Laidler Award, established in 1963, recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of physical chemistry.

4) Dr. Mary Lou Kelley Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and Is Named Citizen of Exceptional Achievement

Dr. Mary Lou Kelley received Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her outstanding commitment to the advancement of hospice palliative care in Canada. This award was presented to Dr. Kelley by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) on Oct. 11, 2012. Dr. Kelley also received a Citizen of Exceptional Achievement Award from the City of Thunder Bay for her work.

5) Food Security Research Network Receives National Community-Service Learning Award

Lakehead University's Food Security Research Network (FSRN) received the 2012 Community Service-Learning (CSL) Award from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation for its dedication to community-service learning through research. Lakehead's FSRN is a collective of students, community members, and University faculty and staff committed to creating sustainable food systems in Northwestern Ontario.

6) Research Capacity Building at Lakehead University

Lakehead built research capacity by appointing two additional Canada Research Chairs (CRC) in 2012. Dr. Pauline Sameshima is a CRC in Arts Integrated Studies and Dr. Sudip Rakshit is a CRC in Biorefining and Bioenergy.

7) Major SSHRC MCRI Grant Awarded to Dr. Chris Southcott

Dr. Chris Southcott, together with a team of Lakehead researchers, was granted $2.5 million in 2012 to investigate the social, environmental and economic challenges facing Arctic communities in Canada and the rest of the circumpolar world. Contributions from other sources increase the total funding for the project to more than $6 million. This international project is known as Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic. Its mandate is to develop ways to ensure that a larger share of the resource development benefits stay in the region for the people of the North with fewer costs to communities.

8) Major NSERC CREATE Grant Awarded to Dr. Alla Reznik

Dr. Alla Reznik was awarded a $1.6 million grant by NSERC's Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE). The CREATE funding will allow Lakehead University, in partnership with the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Waterloo and other organizations, to offer collaborative training of highly qualified personnel that consolidates medical imaging-related science and engineering research into a unified program covering medical imaging techniques and technologies.

9) Major NSERC CRD Grant Awarded to Dr. Ellie Prepas

In February 2012, Dr. Ellie Prepas received NSERC's prestigious Collaborative Research Development grant of nearly $1.4 million for the FORWARD III project. Together with partner contributions, the FORWARD III project has received a total of $2.8 million in funding. Dr. Prepas' work focuses on the development of best practices for the resource industries to ensure intensive resource extraction activities do not negatively impact the environment.

10) New SEM Installed in Lakehead University Instrumentation Laboratory

A field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an x-ray elemental analyzer was installed in Lakehead's central analytical laboratory. The SEM is new to Lakehead and fundamental to many research projects in the fields of Natural Resource Management, Science, Environmental Studies, and Engineering. In its first year, the microscope has contributed to new discoveries in plant science, nanostructures, the development of new products, and mineral deposits. The facility will be used for years to come to train undergraduate and graduate students in this advanced electron microscopy skill.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Dr. Sonja Grover, Professor in the Faculty of Education, and Dr. Aicheng Chen, Chemistry Professor and Canada Research Chair in Material and Environmental Chemistry, are Lakehead's 2012 Distinguished Researchers of the Year.

"Dr. Grover and Dr. Chen are excellent researchers " it's no surprise that they were selected," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation).

"Our researchers help put Lakehead University and Thunder Bay on the map," said Lakehead President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson. "More importantly, Dr. Grover's and Dr. Chen's respective research also brings economic and scientific benefits to our city and Northwestern Ontario in new and innovative ways."

Dr. Grover's work is making a significant contribution to the promotion of children's basic legal and other fundamental human rights internationally.

"It is extremely gratifying and humbling to have the Lakehead University community recognize the social significance of my legal research through this award," Dr. Grover said. "I am very grateful to Lakehead's Faculty of Education for providing a supportive environment in which to do my social justice research."

Dr. Grover's research focuses on international humanitarian, human rights and criminal law, specifically on children's fundamental human rights and child rights advocacy. She has published 11 single authored books, 85 refereed journal articles, and a number of book chapters. Dr. Grover has presented her work at various international conferences including UNESCO.

Her latest book, Humanity's Children: ICC Jurisprudence and the Failure to Address the Genocidal Forcible Transfer of Children, critiques the International Criminal Court's failure to prosecute the offence of genocidal forcible transfer of children as child soldiers to armed forces perpetrating mass atrocity.

Dr. Chen is interested in electrochemistry, biosensors, green chemistry, materials science and nanotechnology.

"It's a great honour to receive this prestigious award," Dr. Chen said.

With strong support from NSERC, CFI, FedNor, the Ontario Research Fund and industry partners, Dr. Chen established an advanced Electrochemistry Laboratory.

"My research team has made great progress in the development of high-performance electrochemical sensors for biomedical applications and green technologies to address the pressing environmental and energy issues," Dr. Chen said.

Over the past 10 years, he has supervised/co-supervised more than 60 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research associates.

Dr. Chen has published six book chapters and more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles; he has authored more than 70 industrial reports and filed two patents.

The Distinguished Researcher Award is the highest honor conferred by Lakehead University for research and scholarly activity.

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Media: For more information, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

Dr. Lionel Catalan works with students to create a stronger concrete that will be better for the environment.

(Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Lakehead University Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Lionel Catalan and Chemistry Professor Dr. Stephen Kinrade are the perfect pair to help cement Lakehead's reputation as a research-intensive university through the Council of Universities' Research Matters Campaign.

Research Matters educates the general public about the important projects happening every day at Lakehead and other Ontario universities.

Dr. Catalan and Dr. Kinrade are excellent choices due to their roles as lead researchers in the creation of an additive that makes stronger and more environmentally friendly cement, the glue that holds concrete together.

"Our research applies to everyday life because it's concrete " it's easy to see the implications of it. There are environmental and economic benefits that will encourage industry to use our additive," Dr. Catalan said.

Making concrete with up to 40 per cent less cement saves money and releases less greenhouse gases into the environment.

"We are working with Green Centre Canada toward commercializing our concrete additive," Dr. Kinrade said. "This is an important step for taking our research out of the lab and into the marketplace."

Lakehead Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation) Dr. Rui Wang said Dr. Catalan and Dr. Kinrade are excellent choices to bring research to the world.

"They are making people more aware of the research happening at Lakehead University and about why research matters," Dr. Wang said.

Dr. Catalan will take a trip to St. Catharines in April to sit on a panel discussing what the world will be like in 2030. He'll be sure to let the audience " including politicians, academics and industry leaders " know about the importance of a greener, stronger concrete.

For information about Dr. Catalan and Dr. Kinrade's Research Matters campaign, visit http://yourontarioresearch.ca/research-matters-because-it-can-make-concrete-strong-and-gentle/.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(February 11, 2013 - Orillia, ON) - Lakehead University launched its eighth annual Research & Innovation Week today at the Orillia campus with a keynote presentation by Interdisciplinary Studies professor, Dr. Tim Kaiser, and the announcement of Lakehead Orillia's Top Five Research & Innovation achievements (see below/attached). The opening immediately preceded the first in a series of mini-conference sessions.

"Research and Innovation at Lakehead nurtures scholarship, contributes to the prosperity of our community, and makes a difference in people's lives," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation.

"This week is an invitation to the residents of Thunder Bay and Simcoe County to see the high calibre research conducted at Lakehead, meet the researchers who make it happen and discover the benefits this research has for everyone," Dr. Wang said.

Lakehead President Dr. Brian Stevenson said Research and Innovation Week is an opportunity to thank and honour the important work of the researchers. "It's important to recognize the role played by both the Federal and the Provincial Governments, and funding councils such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation," Dr. Stevenson said. "Without public support, many of these projects wouldn't be possible."

More than a dozen presentations are included in this year's conference, including an exciting range of topics focusing on social, cultural, environmental and community issues.

Other highlights of the week include poster displays, a special guest speaker in celebration of Black History Month, Dr. Rita Deverell, and a Community Partnership Celebration to wrap up the week.

All events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of events, see attached or visit http://research.lakeheadu.ca/research-week/

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MEDIA: For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014 or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

TOP FIVE Research & Innovation Achievements

Lakehead University Orillia's Top Five Research & Innovation Awards were presented at the kick-off to Research & Innovation Week at the Orillia campus on Monday, February 11, 2013 - (l to r): Dr. Ruth Beatty, Dr. Nanda Kanavillil, Dr. Tim Kaiser, Dr. Anne Marie Walsh, Dr. Sree Kurissery and Dr. Syed Serajul Islam (missing from photo: Dr. Susan Scott). Honourable mentions went to Dr. Paul Carr, Dr. Frances Helyar, and Dr. Chris Murray.

Dr. Ruth Beatty, Department of Education
Publication of the book, From Patterns to Algebra: Lessons for Exploring Linear Relations, which presents new approaches for teaching math concepts to students, now being introduced within the Ontario and Alberta ministries of education.

Dr. Syed Serajul Islam, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies / Chair, Political Science
Lakehead Orillia's only Fulbright Scholar who has brought his exceptional productivity and award-winning research on South Asian political economy to the Orillia campus.

Dr. Tim Kaiser, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies / Anthropology
Internationally significant archaeological research at Adriatic cave sites, which has contributed to the re-writing of Mediterranean prehistory.

Dr. Nanda Kanavillil & Dr. Sree Kurissery, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies / Biology
Establishment of Lakehead Orillia's environmental studies lab, providing opportunities for undergraduate and graduate research, including the campus's first full-time masters students.

Dr. Susan Scott & Dr. Anne Marie Walsh, School of Social Work
Sexual Development Pathways for Children and Youth Ages 7 to 25 Years: Pathways of Heterosexual and LGB, an innovative project that ensures the inclusion of sexual development in Ontario's Youth Policy Framework, which guides policy and program development for youth in Ontario.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dr. Paul Carr, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies / Sociology
Principal Investigator of a 5-year SSHRC-funded international project - Democracy, Political Literacy and the Quest for Transformative Education and Critic's Choice Award winner for his 2011 book, Does your vote count? Critical pedagogy and democracy.

Dr. Frances Helyar, Department of Education
Development of the innovative service learning course, "Teaching in a non-school pedagogic site," which expands the student vision of teaching and learning, while benefitting many Simcoe County organizations and the families they serve.

Dr. Chris Murray, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies / General Science
Development of the highly successful and innovative Hands-on Science program, which provides a university campus experience of various scientific disciplines to elementary school students, while providing unique teaching experience to Lakehead Orillia's teacher candidates.

Lakehead President Dr. Brian Stevenson and Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs helped launch Research and Innovation Week at the Intercity Shopping Centre.

(February 9, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

A generous donation to Lakehead University's Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies has allowed the creation of the Northern Lake Superior Research Awards.

With various University departments matching the contribution, the Faculty has received almost $400,000 to provide research stipends and awards to undergraduate and graduate students' research projects pertaining to Northern Lake Superior.

"The largest freshwater lake in the world is on our doorstep and provides a unique and special research opportunity for our students," said Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

"While the southern portion of Lake Superior is well researched, the northern side is relatively unexplored from a scientific point of view," Dr. Dean said.

Research topics can range from fish conservation, the effects of climate change, invasive species, or the economic and social impacts of resource development.

Up to 10 undergraduate students will receive research stipends of $600 to help with the costs associated with their respective honours theses. Additionally, every year up to five $12,000 awards will go to graduate students in the Faculty who are in their Masters or Doctoral programs.

"These awards will allow several students to do exciting projects that will have outcomes relevant to the region scientifically, socially and economically," Dr. Dean said. These awards will contribute greatly to the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies' efforts to add more field-based curricula into degrees.

"The recent accreditation of the Environmental Science and Environmental Studies degrees by ECO-Canada and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Parks Canada will be further enhanced by the Northern Lake Superior Awards," Dr. Dean said.

Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President of Research, Economic Development and Innovation believes these awards will increase the level of research within the University. "Lakehead is matching this donation because we see value in our students engaging in research. We are a research-intensive university and we know these awards will encourage more research within the University," Dr. Wang said.

Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, said the awards mean a lot to students. "This is a good news story for many of our University's researchers, as well as Northwestern Ontario. The Northern Lake Superior Awards will help students learn more about our Great Lake, which, in turn, not only benefits science, but the communities living around it, as well," Dr. Stevenson said.

Recipients will be chosen by a three-member panel of senior Science and Environmental Studies faculty members. The awards will be offered for the next six years starting in March.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

(Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 " Thunder Bay, ON)

Dr. Han Chen, Lakehead Professor in Natural Resources Management, and his co-applicants have received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada strategic project grant worth $620,761 over three years.

Working with Lakehead researchers, Dr. Jian Wang and Dr. Chander Shahi, Dr. Chen will examine ways to minimize the environmental impact of biomass harvesting and maximize economic opportunities.

"Without funding it's nearly impossible to do research such as this," Dr. Chen said. For the next three years, Dr. Chen will work with his research partners and at least a dozen students in the boreal forest north of Thunder Bay.

The national NSERC announcement was made today at 10:30 am at McGill University.

"This research funding could not come at a better time " with Lakehead University actively engaged in sustainable bioenergy and biorefining research," said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President, Research, Economic Development & Innovation.

Lakehead's research team will work with the University of Toronto's Dr. Sean Thomas and Dr. Nathan Basiliko, Resolute Forest Products, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Canada.

Biomass harvesting uses the tops and limbs of trees, as well as small diameter trees, felled by regular tree harvesting to produce bioenergy and biochemical products.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

IBM's John Longbottom talked about Smarter Cities at a breakfast sponsored in part by Thunder Bay Ventures.

(Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 - Thunder Bay, ON)

IBM Canada's Smarter Cities Executive, John Longbottom, will talk about Smarter Cities as part of Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week. The breakfast event will take place in the University's faculty lounge, Monday, Feb. 11.

"Smarter Cities take advantage of a growing amount of data that provides insight which allows planners to make better decisions about traffic, roads, water, health care, social services, buildings and more," Longbottom said.

"We declared the idea of Smarter Cities about four years ago and we're starting to see Smarter City events being run by all kinds of people," Longbottom said. "It's evolved far and wide with participants in New York, Rio de Janeiro, Cambridge, ON, and there are always varying degrees of smartness.

"IBM went through a transformation a few years ago " that's where the idea of Smarter Cities came from," Longbottom added. "We have a large research organization that saw immense potential for cities around the world to get better and be more efficient."

Bruce Holm, Lakehead's Manager, Industry Liaison, Economic Development and Innovation Office, said: "This will be an informative discussion about creating Smarter Cities using data that is already being collected. Cities are getting bigger and more complex. Intelligent use of data is a way to uncover problems and find solutions to make cities more efficient."

Longbottom explained, "Before Smarter Cities, IBM had declared the idea of a Smarter Planet " cities are a more concentrated focus, with real people and real services."

Cities can jump on board by deciding to become smarter and exploiting certain aspects for improved living. "There isn't a particular way to be smarter " it's everything from hospitals, the water system, transportation, electrical; all the domains a city is responsible for," Longbottom said.

The breakfast is sponsored in part by Thunder Bay Ventures.

Attendees should RSVP for the free breakfast to kafettes@lakeheadu.ca. The breakfast will be held at 7:30 am on Monday, Feb. 11 in Lakehead University's Faculty Lounge.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

Science broadcaster and writer Jay Ingram will discuss animal consciousness during his Tuesday, Feb. 12 presentation, part of Lakehead University's Research and Innovation Week.

"People aren't completely sure if other people are conscious; the standard joke is "˜I can't really tell if you're conscious,'" Ingram said. "Scientists have examined areas of the human brain that seem to be necessary and looked to see if animals have similar structures."

Recent scientific date suggests many animals may in fact possess some sort of conscious awareness.

Ingram's talk is during Lakehead's Research and Innovation Week, a celebration of the University's students, researchers and research projects. Ingram said universities play an important role in research and innovation.

"How else do we get new information and a better understanding about the world around us, the galaxy and the universe? How else would we know about the type of world we live in?

"On the innovation side, how do we create better lives for ourselves and all forms of life on the planet, unless we can create innovation? Driven by research, innovation makes life different and better for many people," Ingram said.

Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Science, looks forward to Ingram's talk.

"Jay Ingram is very good at looking at science in a new way. His presentation is sure to be informative and stimulating," Dean said.

Dr. Rui Wang, Lakehead's Vice-President (Research, Economic Development & Innovation), said Ingram's talk will be popular with the general public.

"Jay Ingram is always interesting and informative. He brings a fresh perspective to everything he examines," Dr. Wang said.

Ingram's presentation will be Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at 7:30 pm in ATAC 1003, followed by refreshments and a signing of his latest book Fatal Flaws.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free presentation. Donations to the LUSU food bank will be accepted at the door.

For more information on Ingram and his research, please visit www.jayingram.ca.

Media are invited to attend the event for interview and photo/video opportunities.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.

Hard Time is a film about the 31 years Robert King spent in prison for crimes he did not commit, including 29 years in solitary confinement.

"It takes every scrap of humanity to stay focused and sane in that environment," King said in Hard Time, a film by Lakehead University researcher and History Professor Ron Harpelle.

"I should be anything but what I am today, but sometimes the spirit is stronger than the circumstances," King said.

King was sentenced to 35 years in Louisiana's Angola Prison in the 1960s for an armed robbery he did not commit. He is famous for being one of the Angola 3, a trio of inmates who formed a chapter of the Black Panther Party to fight for the rights of prisoners who were routinely brutalized and abused. Approximately 95 per cent of the population in Angola Prison is black. King was exonerated and released from prison on February 8, 2001.

Harpelle was interested in King's story because it's about survival.

"King is an example to us all. His story tells me that you can survive anything. A few years ago, when his relatives were planning a family reunion, it was a big thing for him because he'd essentially been living on another planet " a six by nine foot cell with no sunlight," said Harpelle, who is also a documentary filmmaker whose research focuses on struggles for social justice past and present.

"And Canadians shouldn't be too smug about their own country because injustice happens here too," Harpelle said.

Hard Time is being shown during Lakehead's Research and Innovation Week, on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1 pm in the University Centre (UC2011).

King will talk about his personal and political journey through the Louisiana corrections system on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7 pm in the University Centre (UC1017). Admission is free to the film and King's talk.

This presentation is sponsored by the Lakehead University Faculty of Law, the Department of History, the African & Caribbean Students Association, the Thunder Bay Public Library, the Canadian International Council and the Lakehead University Alumni Association.

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Media: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177.

Lakehead University
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for a multidisciplinary teaching approach that emphasizes collaborative learning and independent critical thinking. More than 8,700 students and 1,850 faculty and staff learn and work at campuses located in Orillia, and Thunder Bay, Ontario, which is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Lakehead University promotes innovative research that supports local and regional socio-economic needs. In Orillia, development continues on building a campus that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards.