Krista Davidson

The fourth and final instalment of Research in Focus has been released.

Research in Focus is a four-part video series that recognizes the research aspirations of each of Memorial’s campuses and faculties. The video series aims to unite student, staff, faculty members and university supporters in the collective goal of growing research, as a part of Memorial’s Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-2020.

The fourth instalment features the deans of the schools of Human Kinetics and Recreation and Social Work, as well as the associate vice-president (Grenfell Campus) research. Program expansion, more opportunities for graduates programs and graduate research, as well as increased community engagement are some of the research goals shared by the schools and Grenfell Campus.

Dean Dr. Heather Carnahan from the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation said the school’s main goal is to improve the overall health and wellness of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and to use the expansion and development of graduate programs to attract international significance to local research.

“We have always had a tradition of excellence in teaching and many teachers here have received international and national recognition for their teaching endeavours, but also we’re also developing strengths for our research and engagement activities,” said Dr. Antony Card, associate vice-president (Grenfell Campus) research.

Grenfell Campus, which has expanded significantly in the past few years, plans to continue the tradition of excellence by attracting more international students, increased graduate enrollment and more engagement opportunities that will further the campus’s research aspirations, particularly in the areas of aging, food security, boreal ecosystems and environmental policy.

The School of Social Work aims to use research to assist with capacity building of people, organizations and communities. Dean Dr. Donna Hardy Cox said the school is particularly proud of their recent partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government and hope to identify and create future partnerships that will further the school’s social justice mandate.

Each of the videos address Memorial’s goals for growing research as reflected in the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-2020. The plan builds on the Research Strategy Framework to initiate a historic generational transformation of Memorial University’s ability to accelerate the production and dissemination of scholarly outcomes, as well as strengthen its capacity to compete successfully for grants from Canada and abroad; intensify its ability to supervise master’s and doctoral candidates; grow the pool of highly qualified human capital necessary for building Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canada; and enhance its capacity to address the research priorities of government, industry and society at large in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Students, staff and faculty members can view the series here.