Lakehead University announces the new Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities

July 5, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University has appointed Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Birmingham as the new Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr. Birmingham is currently a full professor and Chair of English at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota with allied faculty status in the Department of Women and Gender Studies. Dr. Birmingham has held several administrative positions at NDSU, from Director of Upper Division Writing to Associate Dean.

“I look forward to meeting members of the Faculty and getting to know departments, their students, their needs, and their dreams. Lakehead has an exciting vision for the future, a future I’m thrilled to be a part of. I still wake up each morning amazed and grateful that I will have the opportunity to serve as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Lakehead University,” Dr. Birmingham said.

As part of her work at NDSU, Dr. Birmingham has been deeply involved in the work of institutional transformation around issues of gender equity on her campus. She was a member of the FORWARD team, a grassroots group of women faculty members who collaborated to receive a grant of $3.75 million to recruit, retain, and promote women. Dr. Birmingham has published and presented on programs to support women’s academic careers.

Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead’s Provost and Vice-President (Academic), said Dr. Birmingham has spent much of her career developing curriculum that marries more traditional disciplinary content with an entrepreneurial twist, preparing students for engaged citizenship and social action. “Her experience and dedication in supporting students and faculty will be a valuable asset to the Faculty.”

Dr. Birmingham will be moving to Lakehead with her husband, Kevin Brooks.  They have collaborated to raise five children: Caity, Griffin, Makeer, Deng, and Agot.

She will begin serving as Lakehead’s Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities on July 1, 2018.

Over the course of the upcoming academic year, Dr. Birmingham will participate in a transition that includes several visits to Lakehead and leading Faculty planning sessions starting January 2018.

In the interim, Dr. McPherson is pleased to announce that Dr. Rhonda Koster has been appointed Acting Dean effective July 1, 2017. Dr. Koster will work closely with Dr. Birmingham throughout the year to ensure a smooth transition.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans for his commitment to the Faculty as Interim Dean,” Dr. McPherson said. 

“Dr. Jobin-Bevans has provided excellent leadership, furthering the University’s academic and strategic priorities. He has worked tirelessly to extend community engagement, outreach, and to grow philanthropic activities. I would like to personally thank Dr. Jobin-Bevans and wish him much success in his new role as Principal, Orillia campus.”

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jaclyn Bucik, Marketing and Communications Associate, at 705-330-4008 ext. 2014, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Elizabeth Birmingham

Lakehead University in Top 10 of Maclean’s University Rankings, again

October 16, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings have once again included Lakehead University among the country’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities.

Lakehead University has placed ninth in Canada and third in Ontario in its category.

Lakehead University’s President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, attributes his University’s top 10 placement to Lakehead’s student-centred approach to life and learning on Lakehead’s campuses.

“We are committed to supporting our students as they each realize their own unique potential,” said Dr. Stevenson. “Our Canadian top 10 ranking is a fitting acknowledgement of how numerous initiatives, including our new Student Central, continue to enhance our students’ post-secondary experience, in and out of the classroom.”

Among Canada’s primarily undergraduate universities, the 2018 Maclean’s University Rankings place Lakehead first in total Research Dollars, second in Citations (scholarly output), third in Scholarships & Bursaries, and third in Library Acquisitions.

Compared to Ontario’s primarily undergraduate universities, the Rankings put Lakehead second in Student-to-Faculty Ratio, second in Student Awards, second in Operating Expenditures per Student, third in Social Sciences & Humanities grants, and third in faculty awards.

Lakehead’s Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Moira McPherson, highlighted that the unique educational experience offered at Lakehead positions the University’s graduates to transition well into the workforce with 94.5% of Lakehead grads employed within two years of graduating using the skills they have developed through their undergraduate education. 

“Rankings such as these are read around the world by prospective students and their families, as well as potential faculty and staff who are looking to work here,” explained Dr. McPherson.

“The Maclean’s University Rankings are just one of many ways in which a university can get a sense of how it’s performing,” she added.

“Our small class sizes, beautiful campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia, and the opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in ground-breaking research are some of the reasons why people are choosing Lakehead University,” explained Dr. McPherson. 

In addition to being ranked among Maclean’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in the country, again, last year Lakehead was also named Canada’s top research university in its category by Re$earch Infosource for the second consecutive year.

Open your world to an exceptional education offered in unconventional ways. 

Start your Lakehead journey by experiencing our campuses from the comfort of your own home. Visit lakeheadu.ca/virtualtour to get started!

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

 

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Moira McPherson named Lakehead University’s Interim President & Vice-Chancellor

September 14, 2017 - Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University Board of Governors Chair, David Tamblyn, has announced that current Provost & Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Moira McPherson, will become the University’s Interim President & Vice-Chancellor on January 1, 2018, and serve in that role until a new President is named. 

Current President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Brian Stevenson announced, in April 2017, that he would be stepping down at the end of 2017 after seven and a half years as the administrative head of Lakehead University. 

Mr. Tamblyn explained that the Board of Governors considered various options for Lakehead's Interim President. 

"After discussions with Dr. McPherson,” he said, “the Board unanimously decided that she would be the ideal candidate to lead Lakehead as our Interim President until the work of the Presidential Search Committee is complete and Lakehead's next President & Vice-Chancellor is appointed.” 

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am very pleased that Dr. McPherson accepted our invitation to fill this key role," added Mr. Tamblyn. "During her ongoing and distinguished career at Lakehead, her passion for our University has been constant, particularly in her current role as Provost & Vice-President (Academic)." 

Dr. McPherson said she looks forward to the challenges that await her as Interim President, adding that, "I have a deep respect for our senior executive team, faculty and staff, and I am confident that we will accomplish a lot, together, during this time of change at Lakehead."

As Interim President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. McPherson will work with the University’s Board of Governors to oversee Lakehead’s various initiatives and operations through the presidential transition period. 

The role of Acting Provost & Vice-President (Academic) will be aptly filled by Lakehead University's current Dean of Engineering, Dr. David Barnett, effective January 1, 2018. 

Dr. Moira McPherson 

Dr. McPherson began her career at Lakehead University in 1987 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. She holds a PhD specializing in Applied Biomechanics and is regularly sought out for her scholarly and professional expertise in applied kinematic and biomechanical skill analyses by both national and international organizations. 

Following seven successful years as the Director of the School of Kinesiology, Dr. McPherson became the University’s Associate Vice-President (Academic), prior to being appointed as Deputy Provost in 2011. She has served as the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) since 2014. 

Dr. McPherson led the development and implementation of the 2012-2017 Academic Plan, the University’s transition to the Institutional Quality Assurance process, and to a Strategic Enrolment Management Framework. She has led the development of the University’s Strategic Mandate Agreements, and established and continues to guide the implementation of the Integrated Planning and Budgeting Process. 

Dr. McPherson served two terms on the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance, is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents.

Lakehead University launches Research and Innovation Week with several surprises

 Photo of participants from the launch of Lakehead's Research and Innovation Week

From left to right, Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Dr. Alla Reznik, Radialis' Chief Scientific Officer; Michael Waterston, Director of Business Development with CIMTEC; Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead's Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead's President and Vice-Chancellor; The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour; Elder Isabelle Mercier; Don Rusnak, MPP for Thunder Bay - Rainy River; Dr. Batia Stolar, Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Acting Mayor Larry Hebert; and Jeff Howie, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Acting Minister of Northern Development and Mines.  

March 3, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University launched more than Research and Innovation Week at the opening ceremony held on Friday, March 3.

A joint venture between Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute, called Radialis, was also launched, and so was the new Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research.

Radialis is partnering with the Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization (CIMTEC), to design, manufacture, and sell advanced imaging systems from Thunder Bay.

A high-resolution Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) system for low-dose imaging of breast cancer will be the first product from Radialis.

“We launched Radialis Medical to commercialize our PEM technology and to bring it to clinical trials at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which will help save lives and put Thunder Bay on the cutting edge of healthcare,” said Dr. Alla Reznik, Radialis’ Chief Scientific Officer. 

Dr. Ian C.P. Smith, CEO of CIMTEC, said the company is proud to collaborate in this wonderful project, which will greatly improve diagnosis of breast abnormalities and lead to well-paying jobs in Thunder Bay.

Dr. Reznik is also the Canada Research Chair in Physics of Molecular Imaging, a Physics Professor at Lakehead University and a Senior Scientist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

“The development of PEM has relied on interdisciplinary collaboration and I am very thankful to my colleagues from Lakehead and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute for their help,” Dr. Reznik said.

The launch of Radialis Medical as a company is largely due to the technical, commercial, and financial contributions from CIMTEC, support from MaRS Innovation and from the NOHFC, FedNor, CEDC and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, she added.

The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research (CIER) will share space in the CASES building when construction is complete.  CIER will promote and support research on innovation and entrepreneurship at Lakehead.

“We are excited to launch Research and Innovation Week while also launching Radialis and CIER,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation. 

“There is a lot for us to be proud of at Lakehead University. We are exceptionally proud of this new start-up venture and we’re excited about the potential of CIER,” he said.

The 12th annual Research and Innovation Week runs fromMarch 3 to 9. It’s a chance to showcase the important work being conducted at Lakehead University by faculty members and students.

During the opening ceremony, Acting Mayor Larry Hebert proclaimed March 3 to 9 Research and Innovation Week.

Dr. Dean invited everyone to attend events during this year’s R and I Week.

“This is our chance to showcase the important research and innovation happening at Lakehead University. We hope you join us at the Intercity Shopping Centre tomorrow and for some of the exciting talks,” he said.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, March 4: 10 am to 6 pm – Lakehead University brings Research and Innovation Week to the Intercity Shopping Centre.

Sunday, March 5: 2 to 4 pm – Censorship: A Roundtable Discussion in the Brodie Street Library’s Fireside Reading Room

Monday, March 6: 7 to 9 pm – What Can We Do About Mercury in our Water? Sustainability Roundtable Discussion at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Wednesday, March 8

  • 9 to 10:30 am – International Women’s Day Research Panel in the Faculty Lounge
  • 2 to 4 pm – Should Lakehead University establish an Indigenous Research Centre? discussion in the Faculty Lounge
  • 7:30 to 8:30 pm – The Search for Life Beyond Earth in Space and Time – with NASA’s Dr. James Green

For more information, please visit lakeheadu.ca/ri.

 

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

 

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Palliative care advocate for the homeless coming to Thunder Bay

June 1, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

The founder of Toronto’s PEACH (Palliative Education And Care for the Homeless) is coming to Thunder Bay to deliver education on palliative care for the homeless and the vulnerably housed. 

Dr. Naheed Dosani is a passionate and respected advocate for marginalized and vulnerable populations with palliative needs. 

He will be in Thunder Bay on Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9, organized by Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health (CERAH) with Hospice Northwest, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, the North West LHIN Regional Palliative Care Program of St. Joseph’s Care Group, and a group of local palliative care physicians.

“How do we value dignity at the end of life?" Dr. Dosani said. “Is it the same for everyone? My experience has shown it's not. It troubles me that we live in a society where we live differently. But should we really die differently?”

Dr. Dosani will participate in three education events:

  • Thursday, June 8 Die-alogues session: 7 – 9 pm in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn: Open to the public – by donation. To register call 626-5570 ext. 5573 or visit hospicenorthwest.ca/die-alogues.
  • Friday, June 9 Symposium: 8 – 9:30 am in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn: Dr. Dosani will lead the discussion at a breakfast Symposium where interested members of the public, front-line staff and health care providers will learn specifically how PEACH was established to provide palliative care services and education, and discuss how a similar model can be implemented locally.  $10 registration fee.  To register visit: cerah.lakeheadu.ca/events/
  • Friday, June 9 Workshop: 10 am – 12 pm in the Embassy Ballroom at the Victoria Inn:  Dr. Dosani will facilitate a Workshop following the Symposium for front-line staff and health care providers who are interested in learning more about the work that he has been involved in, and how this work can be accomplished in Thunder Bay.  No charge but registration is required: cerah.lakeheadu.ca/events/

More information about the Die-alogues is available by clicking here. More information about the Symposium and Workshop is available by clicking here.

Dr. Dosani serves as a Palliative Care Physician at the Inner City Health Associates (ICHA) and William Osler Health System (WOHS). He recently completed the Conjoint Palliative Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto. 

After completing his training, Dr. Dosani founded PEACH, a mobile, street and shelter-based outreach service aimed at meeting the Palliative Care needs of the homeless and vulnerably housed. Through PEACH, he provides Toronto’s most marginalized populations with compassionate care and a dignified approach to their end-of-life journeys.  Click here to watch Dr. Dosani’s Ted Talk.

 

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Media: Media are invited to promote these educational events in advance by interviewing Dr. Dosani by phone.

Interviews may be conducted in person with Dr. Dosani at 6:40 pm on Thursday, June 8 at the Embassy Ballroom or at 9:30 am on Friday, June 9 at the Embassy Ballroom.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

Lakehead University has about 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. In 2016, for the second consecutive year, Re$earch Infosource ranked Lakehead first among Canada’s undergraduate universities. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University participating in Giving Tuesday

November 23, 2017 – Thunder Bay and Orillia, ON

Lakehead University will be participating in Giving Tuesday on Tuesday, Nov. 28 – and it could be even bigger than last year.

Giving Tuesday is a relatively new Canadian movement for giving.  Seen as the “opening day of the giving season,” it is when charities, companies, and individuals join together to share their commitment, rally for their favourite causes, and think about others.

Lakehead University’s Alumni Association has agreed to match the first $21,000 in new gifts towards student financial aid. This is an exceptional opportunity to double the impact of everyone's gift. Last year, $41,879 was raised during Giving Tuesday. 
 
By donating to Lakehead on Giving Tuesday, you support the University's hard-working students. Your donation will help fund scholarships and bursaries, enhance the student experience and support student athletes. 
Everyone is encouraged to:

  • Make a gift – the Giving Tuesday portal (found at donate.lakeheadu.ca) will open on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 12:01 am and close on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at midnight.
  • Take a selfie or pose for a photo and post it to your social media page using the hashtag #GivingTuesday and #lakeheadu.  The Annual Fund and Alumni Engagement office will be sure to share your posts on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. 
  • On Tuesday, Nov. 28, visit staff at the Giving Tuesday booths in the Agora in Thunder Bay or in the Learning Commons in Orillia. Come show your support! 

Thank you in advance for helping to make Giving Tuesday at Lakehead a success and thanks to the Alumni Association for its continued generosity.

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

 

Ontario Supporting Agri-Food Research in Thunder Bay

Photo of MPP Bill Mauro making the important announcement.

Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, made the announcement on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017

December 8, 2017

Ontario is transferring the operating and research programming of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station to Lakehead University to help foster innovation and strengthen Ontario's competitive edge by expanding agri-food research in Northwestern Ontario.

Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, made the announcement on behalf of Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Thunder Bay today.

The partnership with Lakehead University will support the long-term sustainability of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station and will increase the university's capacity to build new programming and research that will benefit Northwestern Ontario.


The investment builds on the province's efforts to develop a sustainable, coordinated plan to expand agriculture in Northern Ontario, such as the Northern Livestock Pilot and field crop and beef research in New Liskeard.

Supporting agriculture in the North is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. This plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

Quick Facts

  • The agricultural research station will now be known as the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station (LUARS).
  • Through a new partnership with Lakehead University, Ontario is providing up to $1.65 million over five years to support Northwestern agriculture research at the provincially owned facility.
  • The Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, founded in 1991, uses small-plot research to introduce and assess crop varieties and agricultural management practices.
  • The province supports several agriculture research operations in Northern Ontario, including facilities in Thunder Bay, New Liskeard and Emo.
  • Northern Ontario is home to more than 920,000 acres of farmed land and over 2,200 farms.

 

Quotes

“I am pleased with today’s funding announcement of $1.65 million, from the Province, to Lakehead University as it brings the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station under its administration through the creation of the Lakehead University Agricultural Research Station. I am confident that today’s announcement will ensure the future sustainability of the Station and allow it to benefit from Lakehead’s tremendous research expertise and capacity. This will also provide Lakehead with the opportunity to expand its research capacity and add to its already impressive achievements and reputation in the areas of research and innovation. I want to congratulate and thank both the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association and Lakehead University for their dedication and perseverance as we’ve worked together on bringing this partnership to fruition.”
Bill Mauro
MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan

“For well over a decade, our government has been supporting the important research that is taking place at the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station. I would like to thank Minister Leal and Minister Matthews for investing in this important partnership, which will support the sustainability of the station and contribute to the economic development of our agri-food sector here in Northwestern Ontario.”
Michael Gravelle
MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North



“This investment reaffirms our government’s commitment to expanding agriculture in Northern Ontario. By investing in research and innovation, we are boosting the competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector and ensuring that our farmers in Northwestern Ontario have the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs


“The Agricultural Research Station’s partnership with Lakehead University will create so many new opportunities for students to learn about and innovate in Northwestern Ontario’s growing agri-food sector. Thunder Bay offers a unique learning experience for students and researchers interested in diverse soil and climate conditions. I’m excited to see the positive effects of this collaboration on the region’s economy and reputation in agri-food excellence.”
Deb Matthews
Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development


“We thank OMAFRA for this contribution and look forward to growing our partnership through the Agricultural Research Station. The expertise from Lakehead University's faculty and researchers will further enable and expand the important work being conducted at this station for the agri-food sector in our region.”

Dr. Andrew P. Dean
Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Lakehead University


“Northwestern Ontario's agri-food business continues to be an important economic driver for the region. This facility will help push innovation and train future scientists in the field. We thank the Ministry for providing this opportunity for Lakehead University researchers, faculty, and staff to contribute to the work being conducted at this station and its field of research.”

Dr. Brian Stevenson
President & Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University



“This investment will help build Northwestern Ontario’s agri-food capacity, sustainability and competitiveness by supporting an important partnership between local farmers and a world class research institution such as Lakehead University. It also recognizes the importance of northern agri-food research and the region’s ability to contribute data and knowledge which benefits the entire province.”
Kevin Belluz
President, Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Association

Photo of MPP Bill Mauro making the important announcement.

Lakehead University Professor receives an international Field Discovery Award

Photo of Dr. Matt Tocheri at the Liang Bua site with Dr. Thomas Sutikna.

Dr. Matt Tocheri, second from right, is pictured at the Liang Bua site with Dr. Thomas Sutikna, third from right.

December 12, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Lakehead University’s Dr. Matt Tocheri is being recognized by the Shanghai Archaeology Forum for his research on Homo floresiensis at Liang Bua in Indonesia.

“It is a great honour to receive a 2017 Field Discovery Award with my collaborator and friend Dr. Thomas Sutikna,” said Dr. Tocheri, Canada Research Chair in Human Origins at Lakehead University and Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program.

Eight years of further excavations and study at the Indonesian cave site of Liang Bua pushed back the time of disappearance of the ‘hobbits’ of Flores (Homo floresiensis) from as recently as 12,000 years ago to about 60-50,000 years ago – around the same time that modern humans (Homo sapiens) first dispersed through the wider region and reached Australia.

The new findings were published in Nature in 2016 in an article entitled Revised stratigraphy and chronology for Homo floresiensis at Liang Bua in Indonesia. Dr. Sutikna from the University of Wollongong recently travelled to Shanghai to give a presentation about the research and to participate in the award ceremony.

“Archaeological fieldwork is extremely challenging at the best of times and especially in remote areas like Flores,” Dr. Tocheri said. “To receive such recognition from our peers for our research is really special and I am very grateful to the Shanghai Archaeology Forum Selection Committee for their effort in reviewing all of this year’s nominations.”

Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, congratulated Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna.

“This award recognizes the many years that Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna have spent excavating the physical and cultural remains of Homo floresiensis, which roamed the earth at the same time as our species,” Dr. Dean said.

“Thank you to the Shanghai Archaeology Forum Selection Committee for this recognition and thank you to Dr. Tocheri and Dr. Sutikna for your expertise and dedication,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

 

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Photo of Dr. Matt Tocheri at the Liang Bua site with Dr. Thomas Sutikna.

Lakehead University and the City of Thunder Bay sign MOU to pursue shared opportunities

Photo of Mayor Keith Hobbs and Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University's President and Vice-Chancellor, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Mayor Keith Hobbs, left, and Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University's President and Vice-Chancellor, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

December 20, 2017 – Thunder Bay, ON

Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, and Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs signed a memorandum of understanding today to pursue new collaboration opportunities that will build on mutual strengths and interests.

“The City of Thunder Bay and Lakehead University have a shared interest in making our city attractive to businesses, investors, highly skilled jobseekers, entrepreneurs and innovators, students and a diverse work force,” Mayor Hobbs said. “We will work together to foster dialogue, partnerships and economic development initiatives that build an innovative and prosperous City.”

Dr. Stevenson explained that the purpose of the MOU is to introduce more strategy into the relationship between the Lakehead University and the City of Thunder Bay.

“Our University and City have a long history of working together and benefitting from each other,” said Dr. Stevenson, who made a presentation about the MOU to Thunder Bay City Council at its Monday, Dec. 18 meeting. “This MOU serves to take our relationship to the next level in the interest of fostering a more strategic means of growing Lakehead and Thunder Bay, and furthering our success, together.”

Some of the shared goals include:

  • Supporting policy development through shared expertise
  • Supporting collaborative opportunities for engagement in areas of mutual expertise and interest
  • Improving opportunities and outcomes related to making Thunder Bay a better place to live, work and prosper
  • Raising the profile of both Thunder Bay and Lakehead University as leaders and collaborators

A few specific areas of collaboration may include:

  • Joint partnerships
  • Funding opportunities from other entities
  • International engagement
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Advocacy with other levels of government

City Councillor Brian McKinnon is Council’s representative to the Lakehead University Board of Governors and he engaged in a discussion with Dr. Stevenson and University staff about creating a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the City of Thunder Bay.

This MOU formalizes and gives momentum to the pursuit of future cooperative efforts and initiatives that the City and University can undertake. Meetings with City Administration to review this concept led to the motion below, approved by Thunder Bay Council on Monday, Dec. 18.

That with respect to entering into a formal partnership with Lakehead University to foster dialogue, partnerships and economic development initiatives, we recommend that City Council authorize the Mayor to execute the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, together with the President of Lakehead University; And that the City Manager be directed to assign such personnel deemed appropriate in support of the intent and purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding. And that periodic joint reporting on progress and activities made be provided to City Council.

 

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media Relations Officer, at (807) 343-8177, or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

 

 

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Photo of Mayor Keith Hobbs and Dr. Brian Stevenson, Lakehead University's President and Vice-Chancellor, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Lakehead Orillia professor named Fulbright research chair

December 22, 2017 – Orillia, ON

A look into the ways in which environmental concerns have been woven into the narrative of contemporary Canadian fiction will be the focus for a Lakehead University professor who is the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair.  

Dr. Cheryl Lousley, Associate Professor of English and Interdisciplinary Studies at Lakehead Orillia, will be a Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), starting in January 2018. 

“It’s a great honour and I’m very excited,” Lousley said. “UCSB has a centre for literature and environmental research that brings together faculty from a variety of fields and departments, so I’m looking forward to developing further international collaboration with colleagues in my field.”

While in California, Lousley will work with the Department of English at UCSB, teach a seminar course on Canadian literature, and begin her research project titled “Environmental Narrative and Memory in Contemporary Canadian Fiction” at UCSB’s Literature and Environment Research Center. 

Lousley’s research will focus on the study of contemporary Canadian novels and short stories, looking at the ways in which environmental concerns have been narrated in Canadian fiction. Her interest in memory aims to shift the focus away from future environmental concerns that tend to dominate discussion to look at how our environmental histories tend to be forgotten.

“We talk about a number of great losses and sacrifices made in the development of our country, such as during war, but environmental losses, such as from polluted waterways, mining and climate change, do not tend to have the same profile and public memory,” said Lousley. “We always think that environmental problems are going to come in the future and that contributes to us carrying on in denial of climate change.”

In particular, she hopes her research will unveil the ways that different Canadian contemporary writers have been intervening in the narrative of Canada by the way in which they talk about our environmental past – writing stories back into awareness so that we can remember the ecological suffering that also happened during the development of our nation.

Lousley began her career at Lakehead University in January 2011. Previously, she has been a Carson Fellow at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (Munich, Germany), and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Leeds (UK) funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and International Council for Canadian Studies. She received her PhD in 2006 in the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University, and her Master of Arts at the University of Toronto. She is also the editor of the Environmental Humanities series with Wilfrid Laurier University Press.

Fulbright Canada, the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, is a binational, treaty-based, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that encourages mutual understanding between Canada and the United States of America by providing academic and cultural opportunities. 

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Media contact: Jaclyn Bucik, Marketing and Communications Associate, Lakehead University, jbucik@lakeheadu.ca or 705-330-4008, ext. 2014.

Lakehead University has approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and 2,000 faculty and staff in 10 faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead is a fully comprehensive university: home to Ontario’s newest Faculty of Law in 44 years, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and faculties of Engineering, Business Administration, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities, Science & Environmental Studies, Natural Resources Management, Education, and Graduate Studies. Maclean’s 2018 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities, as well as first in Total Research Dollars, second for Citations, and third for Scholarships and Bursaries. In 2017, Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the third consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead Orillia associate professor Dr. Cheryl Lousley posing for a headshot.

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