Rise of the Machines: R and I Week at Lakehead University will feature exciting speakers, events

Group photo from opening ceremonies.From left, Kate Hartman, artist, technologist, and keynote speaker; Dr. Moira McPherson, Lakehead's President and Vice-Chancellor; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of  Employment, Workforce Development and Labour; Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead's Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Rebecca Johnson, Acting Mayor; MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay - Atikokan; Elder Isabelle Mercier; and Dr. PhebeAnn Wolframe, Lakehead's SSHRC/CIHR Research & Knowledge Mobilization Facilitator, helped launch Lakehead's 14th Research and Innovation Week on Friday, Feb. 22.

February 22, 2019 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

The theme of Lakehead University’s 2019 Research and Innovation Week is Rise of the Machines.

With several electrifying talks – offered from Friday, Feb. 22 to Thursday, Feb. 28 – you may want to participate in everything happening at Lakehead University, the Intercity Shopping Centre, and the Brodie Street Library.

There will be something of interest for people of all ages. Many of the talks will discuss how technology can change the world and highlight the exceptional research being conducted at Lakehead University.

You and your family are invited to meet Lakehead faculty, staff, and students at the Intercity Shopping Centre on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 10 am until 6 pm.

Interactive displays will dazzle you with the cutting-edge research and innovation happening at Lakehead University. This will include an interactive driving simulator, a trauma room photo booth (complete with lab coats), brain and eye anatomy with NEURIG, drones, a Superior Science activity for kids, the Paleo DNA lab, artifacts from the Anthropology department, and more.

You have a chance to win some great prizes for visiting these displays, including $100 and $50 gift certificates to spend at the Intercity Shopping Centre, a full week at the Superior Science summer camp, an ActiveU birthday party, and tickets to a Thunderwolves hockey game for the 2019-2020 season valued at $500.

On Sunday, Feb. 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, you are invited to attend Rise of the Machines: Technology in Literature and Culture, with Dr. Jason Blahuta from Philosophy, Dr. Douglas Ivison from English, Dr. Jenny Roth from Women’s Studies, Experiential Learning Coordinator Dr. Kevin Brooks, and MA English student Maeghan Verardo.

This roundtable discussion about technology in literature and culture will focus on technofeminism, technology in science fiction, and more – in the Fireside Reading Room at the Brodie Street Library.

This talk has been cancelled due to the cancellation of Sunday's flights. On Monday, Feb. 25, Dr. Tim Caulfield will host a discussion called Battling the Bunk Machines: Health in the Era of Celebrity, Social Media and Twisted Facts, at 7 pm in UC 2011. The author of Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything will discuss how to recognize dubious claims made by high-profile TV or film personalities. All are welcome to attend, but please RSVP by searching for Tim Caulfield on EventBrite.

On Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 pm, Lakehead will hold a roundtable discussion called Social Media in Data Collection and Knowledge Dissemination in ATAC 5036, featuring Dr. Christine Wekerle from McMaster University’s Paediatrics department, Dr. Will Zhao from Lakehead’s Faculty of Business, Dr. Kathryn Sinden from Kinesiology at Lakehead, and Dr. Judith Leggatt and Dr. Monica Flegel from Lakehead’s English department.

Lakehead will also hold a discussion called Pure Revival: The Role of Innovation in the Economic Rejuvenation of Michigan’s Cities on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 3 to 4 pm in Ingenuity Alley, which is the atrium of the new CASES building at Lakehead University. Thomas Coke will describe how FinTech and other technologies have helped rejuvenate communities in Michigan.

Also on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 pm in ATAC 1003, join Dr. Jason Hong from Carnegie Mellon University for a talk called Are My Devices Spying on Me? Living in a World of Ubiquitous Computing to learn more about the benefits and challenges of smart devices now and in the future.  

Everyone is welcome to attend these events. Please visit lakeheadu.ca/ri for more information.

 

 

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Communications and Marketing Associate, 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 2019 University Rankings place Lakehead University among Canada's Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities and in 2018 Research Infosource named Lakehead Research University of the Year in its category for the fourth consecutive year. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.