The Power of Why

When fall graduate Heather Tough reflects on the advice that’s guided her through her academic journey, her answer is simple: always ask why.
Read more.

Something to Talk About

From Phon to SpeechCatcher, Memorial researcher Yvan Rose is creating tools to support speech therapists around the world. Read more.

Crossroads for Classics

Check out the Gazette to learn how Dr. Luke Roman (Dept of Classics) is working with partners from around the world (and the support of a prestigious SSHRC grant) to transform the discipline of Classics. Read more.

Breakthroughs and Answers

Forty-five Memorial University researchers spanning 16 disciplines have received more than $9.1 million in federal funding. HSS is proud to recognize Dr. Benjamin Misiuk (Geography) who received an NSERC Discovery Grant and Discovery Launch Supplement amounting to $142,500. Dr. Misiuk's funding will support his research in high-resolution seabed mapping.
Read more about it in the Gazette!

Creative Spark

On Sunday, April 28th, writers from across the province’s literary landscape will illuminate the stage of the LSPU Hall as part of SPARKS 2024. Read more in the Gazette.

Indigenous Insights

The province’s largest cultural space has partnered with the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, to amplify Indigenous voices through the Indigenous Speakers Series. Read more in the Gazette. 

Histories, Conversations, Insights

Dr. Harris Berger, cross-appointed between Memorial’s School of Music and the Department of Folklore, was recently renewed as a tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in ethnomusicology. Read more in the Gazette.

Pro Vice-Chancellor's Prize for Undergraduate Students - Winter 2024 Competition

Submissions for the Winter 2024 competition will have been completed during the Winter 2024 semester. Up to three prizes may be awarded and the amount of the prize is $750 if the student wishes to take the prize right away or $1,500 if a student wishes to continue to graduate studies at Memorial. 

Gregory J. Power and Jeroboam Poetry Competition

Submissions are invited from full‐time or part‐time students of Memorial University for the 2024 Gregory J. Power Poetry Competition.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, March 15th, 2024

Solving 'Sea-Blindness'

Memorial University's Ewart A. Pratt Post-Doctoral Fellow has spent her career assisting the public to overcome a condition academics call “sea-blindness.” With any luck, Dr. Julia Stryker will soon have her most visible partner yet. Read more in the Gazette.

Political Science Major, Katherine Dibbon, Named NL's 2024 Rhodes Scholar

Katherine Dibbon is completing her final year of a joint bachelor of arts and bachelor of science (honours) degree, studying political science and chemistry (biological). She is also Newfoundland and Labrador’s 2024 Rhodes scholar. Read more in the Gazette.

Enhancing and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Canadian Labour Market

Equitable Oceans

Dr. Evan Andrews, Department of Geography, is the recipient of the Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowship — one of the country's most prestigious research fellowships. Read more in the Gazette.

Two HSS Researchers Earn Top Honours from Royal Society of Canada

Dr. Carissa Brown, professor, Department of Geography and Dr. Mark Stoddart, professor and acting head, Department of Sociology, are amongthe four Memorial professors elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (RSC) — one of the nation’s highest scholarly honours. Read more in the Gazette.

Interdisciplinary Indigenous Network Secures More Than $2.4-Million Investment

A research collaboration led by Dr. Max Liboiron, professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, is receiving a major contribution to strengthen and enhance connections among international Indigenous scholars and community members. Read more in the Gazette.

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Language and Culture Preservation

Canadian Indigenous languages are critically endangered. Language revitalization programs, such as the Indigenous Languages Act, need to evolve with technology to halt or reverse the decline of endangered languages. In this talk, Dr. Sajad Saeedi, an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, will discuss novel techniques for developing and utilizing affordable and efficient technologies to aid the revitalization of Indigenous languages. Read full event details.

2023 Dean's Awards Winners Named for Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

A Fine Crowd 2022 celebrated faculty accolades in previous academic year, including our faculty members earning more than a dozen awards, publishing more than two dozen books, and being awarded more than $6 million in grants and agreements. In addition, we named this year's Dean's Award winners. Read more in the Gazette!

Folklore PhD Wins Memorial's 2023 Three Minute Thesis Competition

The Three Minute Thesis is an internationally recognized competition for thesis-based graduate students in which participants present their research and its wider impact in three minutes or less. Israt Lipa has won Memorial's 2023 competition, and is taking her Bangladeshi road safety research to regionals. Read more in the Gazette.

Dr. Welch Helping Preserve Indigenous Language in Labrador with 2 Collaborative Projects

Innu-aimun, an Indigenous language of Labrador and Quebec, is in the early stages of attrition. To assess and address the issue, Memorial’s Department of Linguistics is collaborating with Mamu Tshishkutamashutau Innu Education (MTIE) on two projects working towards the preservation of thsi INdiegenosu language. Dr. Nicholas Welch, Memorial’s Canada Research Chair in change, adaptation and revitalization of Indigenous languages, and Kanani Davis, chief executive officer of MTIE, are co-leading the projects. Read more in the Gazette.

2 Talks From Thought Leader on Black Consciousness

Dr. Lewis Gordon’s list of professional accolades is so impressive his CV is a whopping 60 pages long. He is a one-man institution of thought, especially in the field of race philosophy, and he will be giving two talks this week, hosted by the Department of Philosophy. Read more. 

Dr. Max Liboiron Earns Prestigious Killam Fellowship

Dr. Max Liboiron's research has been rewarded with the esteemed Killam Fellowship, which "supports scholars of exceptional ability by granting them time to pursue research projects of broad significance and widespread interest." Fellowships are valued at $80,000 per year. Read more about this in the Gazette.

New Blog Seeking Student Submissions

Dr. Isabelle Côté, and several students have launched an online magazine, Population and Security, to cover some of the most pressing political and security issues related to population dynamics and policies around the world. They're currently seeking student submissions. Read more in the Gazette. 

Why Study That? Featuring Dr. Carissa Brown

Dr. Carissa Brown (Geography) won the 2022 President’s Award for Outstanding Research. Check out the unexpected things her lab is discovering about climate change impacts in the inaugral episode of Why Study That?

Archaeology Banting Fellow awarded $140,000 for decolonization work

Dr. Lucas da Costa Maciel has received the Banting Post-doctoral Fellowship for his work on decolonizing musuems. Valued at $140,000, The Banting is one of the most prestigious post-doctoral awards in North America. Read more about Lucas and his work in the Gazette. 

Caighlan Smith has won the prestigious Vanier Canada Scholarship

English PhD student Caighlan Smith has won the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, valued at $150,000. This marks the third time in four years the English department successfully nominated a Vanier scholar. Read more about Ms. Smith's research in the Gazette.

Pair of Geographers win President's Award for Outstanding Research

The President's Award for Outstanding Research recognizes young researchers who have made significant contributions to their scholarly disciplines. In 2022, 2 of its 3 recipients were in our Department of Geograpghy: Drs.Max Liboiron and Carissa Brown. Read more in the Gazette.

Congrats to All Students Named to the 2021-2022 Dean's List!

Congratulations to all students named to the 2021-2022 Dean's List, as well as the Program Book Prize winners, and receipients of the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence, and the HSS International Student Excellence Award. 

BA Professional: New Episode featuring Psychotherapist Jane Walsh

Jane Walsh is a psychotherapist who currently runs her own business. In the latest episode of BA Professional, she shares insight on her career trajectory since graduating from Memorial with a major in Sociology and a minor in Gender Studies. She also provides tips on finding a dream job, insight into her field of work, and more. Watch the episode now. 

Upcoming Career Development Workshops (Fall 2022)

A series of online career development workshops have been created for all undergraduate students at Memorial, and will run from October 5 until November 23. For additional information, and to register for one of these events, see the full list of career development workshops.

Finding an elective has never been easier

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) has hundreds of courses that have zero or one prerequisite. To make it easy for our students to find electives of interest, we have launched a searchable listing of electives that you can browse by semester and subject. 

History grad student wins national award

PhD candidate Allison Bennett has won the Canadian Federation of University Women’s 2022-23 Linda Souter Humanities Award her research on the implications of sexual encounters between British and Australian servicemen with civilian women during WWI. Read the story in the Gazette.

New Dean appointed for Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

The search committee for the role of dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has completed its work and recommended Dr. Natasha Hurley for the position. Dr. Hurley will begin a five-year term effective Aug. 30, 2022. Read the story in the Gazette.

New Certificate in the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology

A unique offering in Atlantic Canada, the new certificate program will challenge students to think critically and analytically about the consequences of past, present and future technological innovations on human existence, and the world we inhabit. It will also augment a student’s understanding of engineering and the natural sciences by raising their awareness of the development of those sciences, and the social issues associated with them. Read the Gazette story about this certificate program.

Creative Writing Courses Fall 2022

Memorial's Department of English is offering three creative writing courses this fall (fiction, poetry, non-fiction), taught by some of the finest writers in our community (Lisa Moore, Andreae Callanan, Michelle Porter). To be accepted into these courses, you must submit a portfolio of writing by August 1. Read more about this fall's course offerings in creative writing. 

Faculty of HSS welcomes new Associate Dean, Research

Dr. Liam Swiss, Department Head of Sociology, is the new interim Associate Dean (Research) for our faculty. Check out this welcome article to read more about Dr. Swiss, his own recent research projects, why he took the role, and what attracted him to Memorial University in the first pace.

English PhD student and comics scholar wins Congress Graduate Merit Award

Elisabeth Pfeiffer, a PhD candidate in the Department of English, recently received the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences' Congress Graduate Merit Award, for her work on anti-racism and blackface in comic studies. Read more in the Gazette. 

HSS Commons Student Space Cozier Than Ever

When we think of university campuses, we picture lecture halls and labs. But what about a space for that time between classes? It is equally essential to have a comfortable space to study or kick back and relax between lectures. The newly refurbished Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Commons, in SN-1107, offers HSS students such a space. Check out this Gazette article on why interim Dean, Dr. Craig, wanted to rejuvenate this space for students. 

Gradcolades 2022

In the last academic year, graduate students in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Memorial University won more than 40 awards, 40 grants, and 140 fellowships & scholarships. Additionally, they produced more than 40 publications and creative endeavours. Watch the video celebration of all this success.

A Fine Crowd & Dean's Awards 2022

The 2022 Dean's Awards for faculty and staff were revealed at this year's A Fine Crowd event. The event celebrated the dozen+ awards, 24+ books & volumes and 4 million+ in grants awarded to our faculty members in the last academic year. Read up on this year's Dean's Award winners in the Gazette.

Sociology PhD wins award for her PhD work on immigrant retention

Foroogh Mohammadi was awarded a Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Graduate Student Award of Merit award for her ongoing work on the problem of immgrant retention in Atlantic Canada. Foroogh has been travelling throughout Atlantic Canada and interviewing Iranian immigrants about their sense of home and belonging in their new city. She also interviewed Iranians who have left Atlantic Canada to live in Ontario, so she can articulate why many immigrants decide to leave. Read her findings in The Gazette.

Meet Memorial's latest CBC Peter Gzowski Intern, HSS student Ife Alaba

Many local and national media personalities have been graduates of our faculty, and several of those have been recipients of Memorial's CBC Peter Gzowski internship. The latest rising media star to receive our Gzowski internship is 4th year student Ife Alaba. Read all about her and the internship in the Gazette.

Grad student Pier-Ann Milliard a finalist for national SSHRC Competition

Archaeology grad student Pier-Ann Milliard has been named a national finalist for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s annual Storytellers Challenge. Her submission is about how climate change is affecting the frozen peat bogs of the North that archaeologists (and archaeoentomologists) like her rely on to study our past. Read more in the Gazette.

More Mindful Mining

Department Head of Geography, Arn Keeling, is on the organizing and scientific committees for this month's Mining the Connections conference in Quebec. He says "the main goal is to connect researchers, community members, stakeholders, industry actors and others around the social aspects of mineral development for mutual exchange and learning.” The conference is another example of his ongoing efforts to improve the legacy of mining. Read more in the Gazette.

Former student Michael Fleet discuses his career trajectory

Mike Fleet is a Senior Analyst with the Government of Canada. His focus is on Iraq. He previously worked as a Senior Researcher with the Institute on Governance on the Iraq Team that implemented the Fiscal Decentralization and Resiliency Project. His current research focus is on Iraqi politics, federalism, state-building and conflict dynamics. Watch the episode now.

Warmer Welcome: Dr. Fang's work shows N.L. is increasingly in favour of immigration

Dr. Tony Fang, Jarilowsky Chair in Economic and Cultural Transformation for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, has been monitoring attitudes towards immigration in N.L since 2014. His research suggests that N.L could achieve healthy population and economic growth through immigration, and that positive attitudes towards immigration have nearly doubled since 2014. Read more in the Gazette.  

BA Professional Ft. Evan Burry (Co-Founder of Stormy Shores Studio)

Evan Burry (BA '14) is the co-founder of Stormy Shores Studio, a social enterprise that preserves N.L's culture and history in engaging forms of digital media, like video games, that combine entertainment and education into one package. In this episode of BA Professional, he shares the story of his career trajectory, as well as tips and advice, so that you too can land a dream job after graduation. Watch the episode.

Wonder Wall: How well do YOU know the classics

It might not have taken as long to build as the Roman Colosseum, but a new Classics display was years in the making. Read all about it, and five fun facts you'll learn from it, in the Gazette.

Watch Dean Craig in Conversation with Alumna Jennifer Dodge

Jennifer Dodge (BA'97) is the president of Spin Master Entertainment, a leading global children's entertainment company. On March 3rd 2022, Dr. Ailsa Craig, acting dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as several students in our faculty, spoke with Jennifer about her career trajectory since graduating from Memorial, and how her with joint degree in linguistics and psychology has shaped her life, personally and professionally. Read more. 

Dr. Jennifer Selby Wins President's Award for Outstanding Research

Huge congrats to Dr. Jennifer Selby, Department of Religious Studies, for receiving the President’s Award for Outstanding Research (PAOR). The PAOR recognizes outstanding contributions to a scholarly discipline. Read the full story in the Gazette: Top Notch Recipients

Helping the Helpers: Dr. Rose Ricciardelli granted $187,966 to further her research on mental health support for correctional officers

Dr. Ricciardelli is, among other things, an expert in institutional corrections. Correctional officers have a heightened risk of experiencing psychological and physical health issues as a result of their profession. Her latest source of funding will help her and her research team better understand how the contextual factors of correctional officer work, such as their physical and social environment, can affect their mental health and therefore their daily lives. Read the full story in the Gazette. 

Epic Field Trip: Dr. Ashworth is taking his grad students to an international panel he is speaking on

Professor of political science, Dr. lucian Ashworth, will be speaking at a prestigious virtual roundtable on Feb. 11, alongside 11 scholars from all over the world ... and he’s taking his students with him so they can hear the things they're learning about in class be discussed by thoguht leaders from all over the world. Read the full story in the Gazette.

Author and Writer in Residence Megan Gail Coles featured in latest episode of BA Professional

Tune in to hear how Megan Gail Coles came to be an author and vital arts sector worker, how you can too, how her BA has shaped her life, and more.

Dr. Eric Tenkorang has received the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation's Distinguished Scholar Award

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation provides research grants to notable scholars whose work is actively addressing urgent matters of violence in our world. The Foundation recently selected Dr. Eric Tenkorang as a recipient of its Distinguished Scholar Award. Dr. Tenkorang will receive as much as US$90,000 over two years to help further his research into a link he’s uncovered between lineage and intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa. Read the full article in the Gazette: https://gazette.mun.ca/research/cultural-nuance/

20 HSS grad students just received over $700,000 towards their research

20 graduate students in our faculty are among the 50 graduate students at Memoiral who just received more than $1.9 million in funding to support their research. From fostering archaeological skills among Innu communities so they're less dependent on outside researchers, to investigating the "performer-to-spectator connection" during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can read more about these grad students in the Gazette article, "Promising Talent."

Our New Writer in Residence’s Workshops Will Be a Bootcamp for Emerging Authors

Memorial’s Department of English has a new writer in residence for winter 2022, and as part of Megan Gail Coles' residency, she’s offering a broad-ranging bootcamp of seminars to help the next wave of authors out of Newfoundland & Labrador get started on the right foot.

There was a new model of learning in classics 4010/6003 this semester. Literally.

Check out the Gazette story "Fitting teaching tool" to see why LEGOs were the building blocks of learning in classics 4010/6003 this semester.

HSS double major John Isiswe Mweemba has won the N.L Human Rights Commission's 2021 Human Rights Award

Fourth year political science / law & society double major John Isiswe Mweemba was nominated in part for establishing the the Black Students’ Association at Memorial and becoming MUNSU's Director of Advocacy. He is currently the first person living in Atlantic Canada to be chairperson of the CFS Black National Caucus. 

HSS alum Carl Mercer tells us how to get a job at the UN

Political science grad Carl Mercer tells us how he went from a student at Memorial to a lead speech writer and communications advisor at United Nations. Listen in as Carl shares clear insight and actionable tips on how to land a dream job with YOUR BA from Memorial.

Dr. Trevor Bell's SmartIce technology wins two awards in one month

By enabling safety and resiliency in the face of climate change, Dr. Trevor Bell's Smart Ice technology has become a shining example of how research at Memorial University is improving the communities we live in.

Winter 2022 Writer in Residence: Megan Gail Coles

We're thrilled share that Megan Gail Coles will be our next Writer in Residence, and she has some exciting plans for her residency.

Dean’s List and student awards revealed for 2020-2021

On November 18th, we revealed the 2020-2021 Dean’s List for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as the recipients of three student awards:

• Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence
• HSS International Student Excellence Award
• Dean Book Prizes

Three HSS faculty members featured in new CBC series about the history of slavery in N.L.

Professors Neil Kennedy, Barry Gaulton and Sonja Boon have contributed to a new series by CBC that is unearthing the history of slavery in N.L.

ISER Books is now Memorial University Press

Iser Books is now Memorial University Press, but the publisher's mission to publish leading-edge writing about the North Atlantic region hasn't changed.

Teaming-Up for Sanskrit

Religious Studies MUN is partnering with Religious Studies and Classics at Dalhousie University, offering a shared teaching plan for introductory Sanskrit courses. 

Congratulations, HSS Spring 2021 graduates!

Congratulations to our Spring 2021 degree graduates from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences!

New faces bring new ideas to Newfoundland and Labrador:

Newfoundland and Labrador is currently facing both a fiscal crisis and a population crisis. What role can immigration play in helping to address these issues? How open are we as a province to welcoming newcomers and how easy or appealing is it for newcomers to make a home here? What do we need to do to improve the attraction and retention of immigrants? These are some of the questions these latest reports try to answer.

First Karl M. Wells Scholarship in LGBTQ2S+ Studies awarded

Congratulations to Sociology graduate student Nel Jayson Santos, the first recipient of the Karl M. Wells Scholarship in LGBTQ2S+ Studies.

Return to campus set for July 13

To support the return to primarily in-person teaching and learning for fall semester 2021, all Memorial employees are expected to return to work on campus by Tuesday, July 13. Some employees may be required on campus earlier to support operational requirements, necessary services and Memorial’s core mandate.

Employment Opportunities: PCI positions, Fall semester 2021

The Department of Archaeology invites applications from individuals interested in teaching the following undergraduate courses in the Fall Semester 2021.

• ARCH 1005 - Critical Reading and Writing in Aboriginal and Indigenous Studies
• ARCH 2492 - Forensic Archaeology
• ARCH 4015 - Cultural Resource Management
• ARCH 4152 - Zooarchaeology

Visit our Employment Opportunities page for more detail.

Deadline for applications: Monday, June 14, 2021.

The Northern Review

Sally Western, a former MA student in our department under the supervision of John Sandlos has recently published "Arsenic Lost Years:  Pollution Control at Giant Mine from 1978 to 1999" in "The Northern Review."

PCI Positions Fall 2021

Campus to Career Virtual Conference, June 7-11

Are you a new graduate or graduating soon? Ready to take your skills from the classroom to the workforce? Join us for a virtual conference targeting new graduates where you can attend a series of interactive sessions focused on career planning, job search, and employability skills. 

Johnson Insurance 2021 Scholarship Program

Johnson Insurance is pleased to offer 50 scholarships worth $1,000 each to eligible students completing high school in 2021 and starting post-secondary education in the fall of 2021.

Qualifying children or grandchildren of employees and retirees are eligible to apply and it is not necessary to be insured with Johnson for Home or Auto Insurance to make application. Deadline to apply is July 15, 2021.

Memorial University Press withdrawal from Congress 2021

Memorial University Press (formerly ISER Books) has decided not to participate as an exhibitor at the 2021 Congress of the Federation of Humanities and Social Sciences.

We stand in solidarity with the Black Canadian Studies Association (BCSA) and their decision to withdraw from Congress 2021 as outlined in their statements of February 9th and 20th, 2021.

Update on return to campus

On March 29 Memorial changed the status of the COVID Impact Scale to low, based on the low number of COVID-19 cases in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the province has continued to see low case counts and strong public health measures since that time, there are no plans to change Memorial’s current operations.

Spring fees

Memorial students will not be charged the Distance Education Administration Fee and Recreation Fee for the upcoming semester.

Building access and form updates

As Memorial moves to low risk level on the COVID-19 Impact Scale, building access continues to be restricted to support the province’s efforts to manage the pandemic. Doors remain locked to the public and card access is required. Exceptions include the Arts and Administration building and the University Centre. Other buildings with card access will remain locked. Buildings with key access will be unlocked weekdays 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Please use main doors as designated entrances in those buildings.

International university-related travel suspended

International university-related travel suspended In response to federal government guidance strongly discouraging travel at this time, Memorial University is suspending all international travel for university business.

Memorial moves to "low" on COVID alert scale

Memorial has adjusted its COVID alert level scale to low in light of the improvement in the COVID-19 situation in Newfoundland and Labrador and the changing provincial level. This change takes effect on Monday, March 29.

Congratulations to Dr. Damian Castro!

Dr. Damian Castro recieved the JR Smallwood Research Grant

The Title: Offline and Online Cooperation among Hunters on Newfoundland’s West Coast.

Ewart A. Pratt Post-Doctoral Fellowship in N.L. Military, Naval and Maritime History

A donation from Dr. Kathleen LeGrow (Hon. LLD’14) will establish the endowment support fund for the Ewart A. Pratt Post-Doctoral Fellowship in N.L. Military, Naval and Maritime History in the Department of History at Memorial.

Memorial to remain remote for foreseeable future

Memorial will remain in a primarily remote environment while Newfoundland and Labrador continues to manage the recent COVID-19 outbreak.

Updates for students

Information on computer labs and the student emergency funding

Information for students on the status of MUCEP/ISWEP positions during Alert Level 5

Information for students on the status of MUCEP/ISWEP positions during Alert Level 5

All campuses closed; information about access for critical services/retrieving items

Access to Memorial’s campuses is restricted until further notice in response to the provincial public health declaration of a level 5 COVID alert level. Please do not access campus facilities unless you have been identified to do so to deliver critical services or you have been approved to retrieve essential items.

Important travel information for international students

Effective Feb. 22, 2021, international students arriving in Canada by air through Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver must complete the following steps.

Feb. 13 update

Memorial is continuing to analyze the impact of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s move back to alert level five across the province. Work is ongoing throughout the weekend to ensure the health and safety of the Memorial University community is protected. 

Initial response to change in provincial alert level

With the move back to alert level five and province-wide restrictions, there will be changes in how Memorial operates while the province remains at this level. All study spaces, computer labs and shuttle bus services and individual music practice spaces are closed until further notice. Work is already underway to implement these changes and more information about other impacts will be made available tomorrow after careful analysis of the public health orders.

SuliaKaKatigelluta: Community monitoring of plastic pollution in Nunatsiavut

What does a good research partnership look like?

Feb. 11 update

As the COVID-19 situation in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to evolve, particularly in the St. John’s region, there is a new update for members of the Memorial University community. 

This update has information for students, researchers and employees.

Feb. 10 update

Update clarifying that Memorial will remain in a remote teaching, learning and work environment for the next two weeks. Information on travel restrictions; changes to density requirements; mental health resources.

New sessions for remote and online instruction

CITL’s Instructional Series offers virtual sessions on key topics to support effective remote and online instruction. New sessions have just been added for the winter 2021 semester, with a complete lineup for February and March. View the complete schedule.

Information about winter 2021 weather-related closures

As winter semester 2021 is primarily a remote teaching and learning environment, there are some changes to Memorial’s typical process for adverse weather. In the event of severe weather, buildings will be closed at the St. John’s, Signal Hill and Marine Institute campuses. Regularly scheduled on-campus classes and activities will be cancelled. Remote and online classes will continue. Staff should follow the usual snow day process for their unit. For more information, visit the Gazette.

Apply for the 2021 Self-directed Learning Award

Are you a self-directed learner who is curious, creative, independent, confident and persistent? Apply for the 2021 Self-directed Learning Award! Learn more and apply.

HSS 101: Archaeology

Join Dr. Lisa Rankin, Memorial University Research Chair in Northern Indigenous Community Archaeology, for a fun and fascinating introduction to archaeology.

Partnerships for Cannabis Policy and Evaluation Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Partnerships in Cannabis Policy Evaluation (Newfoundland and Labrador) project team is seeking expressions of interest from ambitious, highly motivated, organized, and results-driven persons with an academic background in social sciences or health sciences interested in joining our team as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 

Winter 2021 registration update

The Winter 2021 semester start of registration for undergraduate students has been delayed until Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Registration for graduate students has been delayed until Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. The delay will allow academic units to review and make updates to their course offerings. Review the University Diary for the revised dates. Semester start and end dates remain unchanged.

Registration times will be sent to students via their @mun.ca email address and will also be viewable in Memorial Self-Service in the coming weeks. The Winter 2021 course offerings are now available. More information regarding registration can be found on the Registrar's Office webpage.

Memorial’s winter semester will continue with remote instruction of most courses at all campuses of Memorial University. This means in-person on-campus courses will not resume before May 2021.

'Deeply connected': Labrador researchers, leaders among global voices in climate change documentary

Research rooted in Labrador focused on climate change and mental health is featured in a new highly-anticipated Canadian documentary.

Forecast NL: Harris Centre looks to future of NL's climate, economy and society

Prior to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Newfoundland and Labrador already had its share of challenges. From the highest per-capita provincial debt and the fastest aging population in the country, to declining provincial revenues and an increasing demand on services, the province has significant issues to work on. In addition to all of this, we must consider the growing impact of the global climate crisis.

Recording lectures

For fall 2020, instructors can now book recording sessions in Lecture Capture classrooms with CITL, or avail of other recording and delivery options with various levels of support.

Update to employees on Memorial's COVID response

The following message is being sent on behalf of Dr. Mark Abrahams as chair of Vice-Presidents Council.

Earlier this week, Memorial announced the winter 2021 academic semester will remain primarily remote. Many employees who continue to work from home may wonder what it means for you. As well, units may be considering how this announcement impacts operations.

Brand new alumni programming

The face of the world has changed, and with change comes adaptability and reimagined ways to connect.

As such, alumni programming and events have shifted from in-person events, programs and celebrations, amplifying opportunities for alumni to embark on new, exciting, blended ways to build relationships with each other.

Update on winter 2021 semester

Memorial will continue to operate in a primarily remote teaching and learning environment for the winter 2021 semester. This decision was taken in a special meeting of the university Senate today. Read more in the Gazette.

Help limit the spread: Memorial endorses COVID Alert app

Recently the province of Newfoundland and Labrador adopted the new COVID Alert app to help prevent the spread of the virus. The app is designed to let Canadians know whether they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Memorial is endorsing the app and encourages faculty, staff and students to voluntarily download the app for free to help protect yourself and others.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Memorial University’s current search for a vice-provost, (equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)) points to the university’s growing attention to equity.

MUN Up web site

Dr. Timmons provides details on remote orientation and transition programs for new students and a new MUN Up web site.

Information about ProctorU service

A new resource provides accurate information about using ProctorU, Memorial's online invigilation service.

Student technology survey: In-depth analysis on student needs

In-depth information is now available on the challenges students are facing in relation to remote learning ahead of this fall semester.

Non-medical face masks mandatory beginning Aug. 24

Since early July, Memorial has strongly encouraged wearing non-medical masks while on campus. Beginning Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 masks must be worn in public indoor spaces in Newfoundland and Labrador as issued in a special measures order by Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chief Medical Officer. Therefore, non-medical masks will be mandatory beginning on Monday for Memorial faculty, staff, students and visitors.

Remote learning technology requirements for fall 2020

Memorial University has developed general technology standards for remote/online learning across Memorial’s campuses in fall 2020.

New tools and resources hub for students: MUNUp

Memorial launched MUNUp, a new online tools and resources hub to help students succeed while learning remotely. With transition and orientation programs, services, virtual events and community engagement opportunities, the sky’s the limit.

Student technology survey results

Results of an institution-wide student survey on their access to technology for learning are now available.

COVID-19 prevention best practices

The province has been successful at flattening the curve of COVID-19. It’s important to continue to be vigilant and ensure we keep in mind that preventing another outbreak or minimizing impacts will depend on our collective adherence to best practices.

Update on fall semester

On July 14 undergraduate students of Memorial University will begin the course registration process for the fall semester. In preparation for this task, we would like to remind the university community that teaching and learning will take place in a primarily remote and online teaching and learning environment in fall 2020.

Fall fees

Suspension of two student fees to continue in fall semester

Alert Level 2 update: living in our campus communities with COVID-19

As the province moves to alert level 2, Memorial has completed the process to provide faculty access to their individual offices on the St. John’s campus, the libraries are moving to expand services in all six of their branches and the Botanical Garden has opened for the season with health and safety measures in place.

Congratulations to the 2020 ICUF Summer Scholarship Awardees

For the past number of years, the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Memorial University has partnered with the Ireland Canada University Foundation (ICUF) to send a number of Irish Studies students to Connemara to study the Irish language each summer and taste a bit of Irish culture.

Principled partnerships: Memorial implements agreement supporting Indigenous data sovereignty

Memorial is among the first universities in Canada to create and adopt a formal research agreement that recognizes Indigenous data sovereignty.

Plan for faculty return to campus

As a follow up to last week’s message, we want to provide an update regarding the plan to enable faculty to return to individual offices on a more regular basis.

Update: Guiding Principles for Living with COVID-19 in our communities and more

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to operate under Public Health COVID-19 Alert Levels, which outline services, businesses and functions allowed to operate at each alert level. The province is currently scheduled to move to Alert Level 3 on Monday, June 8. Work is ongoing at Memorial to implement a phased resumption of on-campus academic, research and administrative activities, in consideration of government’s five-level approach.

Presentation and Q&A with The Conversation Canada

Join us on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 2 p.m. for an online Presentation and Q&A with The Conversation Canada's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Scott White.

On-campus research and scholarly activities, fieldwork and interaction with research participants update from vice-president (research)

Memorial is implementing a new framework, which outlines a phased approach to returning to on-campus research spaces, fieldwork and face-to-face interactions with research participants. Read a new statement on research from Dr. Neil Bose, vice-president (research).

Memorial to offer remote program delivery for fall 2020

Memorial University will welcome new and returning students to a primarily remote teaching and learning environment for the fall semester. Full in-person, on-campus courses will not resume before January 2021.

COVID-19 update to university

As we approach Monday, May 11, and the scheduled move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 as outlined by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, many of you may wonder what that means for Memorial. At this point, none of the restrictions currently in place at Memorial will change if the Level 4 status is implemented by the province on May 11.

Update from the Department of Human Resources

Further to previous messaging from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) regarding the ramping up of remote work, managers should now be engaging with all staff to determine work that can be completed remotely.

Guide to Financial Supports and Programs

Student Life has created a comprehensive Guide to Financial Supports and Employment Programs.

Self-Service Grading Option page extended for 24 hours

As this has been an unprecedented semester and some instructors will not be able to submit Winter 2020 grades until April 25, the Student Self-Service Grading Option page will remain available to students for an additional 24 hours, closing on Sunday, April 26 at 12:00 p.m. (NDT).

Status of fall 2020 semester

Memorial University is actively considering scenarios for innovative program delivery for the fall 2020 semester. We are committed to providing students with full access to our quality academic programs, despite the challenges that may come.

Building update April 16: Further building access controls for all campuses

Message from the President and Provost

Due to the unprecedented emergency situation that has resulted in the declaration of a Public Health Emergency in Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University is enacting further measures related to buildings access on all our campuses to enhance social distancing and keep our community safe. By ensuring we are aware of who is on campus, we are better able to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students who must come to campus.

Update on general admissions for 2020-21 academic year

On Tuesday, April 14, Memorial’s Senate waived the undergraduate general admission overall average requirement of 70 per cent for Newfoundland and Labrador high school students in the graduating class of 2020 who apply to attend Memorial University in the 2020-21 academic year (Fall 2020, Winter 2021, or Spring 2021).

Reminder: Personal protective equipment (PPE) collection

As a reminder, Memorial continues to identify and collect personal protective equipment (PPE) which may be held by units throughout the university.

St. John's campus revised building hours

Effective April 9, Memorial is phasing in reduced building access on St. John's campus, beginning with reduced building hours. Buildings will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday and will be locked on weekends and holidays. 

Student emergency funds

Many students are facing a range of stressful disruptions in their lives as a result of the worldwide health pandemic. Cancellation of all in-person classes, a full move to remote learning and having to quickly vacate residences – combined with isolation measures, job loss and travel bans – have created particular hardships for students who lack other supports.

A message from Dr. Vianne Timmons

As we start the week, I wanted to pause for a moment to express a sincere thank you to the hundreds of critical employees who have been working tirelessly and constantly since the start of Memorial’s COVID-19 response.

Update on student fees and PAS/FAL choice

Suspension of two student fees for spring semester and update on PAS/FAL choice

Spring registration update

Information on revised start date for Spring registration for graduate and undergraduate students

Message to the university community from Dr. Gary Kachanoski

This has been a momentous week at Memorial as the first week of remote instruction draws to a close. I want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of our students, faculty and staff for your patience, hard work and perseverance in making this transition happen. It has taken an army of people to get us here, and the job is certainly not over yet. We must continue to work together toward the successful completion of the winter 2020 semester for our students.

Update on Feild Hall residence, research and the Writing Centre

Update on Feild Hall residence; on-campus research and scholarly activities, fieldwork and interaction with research participants; and the Writing Centre

Statement on Feild Hall residence

The health and safety of our students is our primary concern during these unprecedented times. In consultation with Memorial University, The Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) has given notice to Feild Hall residents notice to vacate the building. This decision was made based on health and safety considerations. Memorial has made an offer to relocate students to another residence, MacPherson Hall. The university is providing each of the residents a room at a discounted rate so that they will pay no additional rent. As well, the university will provide the students, at a discounted rate, access to the university meal plan.

Direct deposit forms required by March 27

A reminder to employees and pensioners who are currently paid by cheque, you are required to move to direct deposit to ensure pay cheques continue during this uncertain and evolving situation.

Identification and collection of PPE

Memorial’s emergency operations centre (EOC) is identifying personal protective equipment (PPE) which may be held by units throughout the university.

Student Update

Information on counselling services and computer labs

Faculty and staff update on critical functions, remote work and prioritizing work assignments

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to work together to transition our operations while maintaining our commitment to support students, faculty and staff. Over the past week you’ve likely had questions about what you should be working on from home. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and your managers have been working to identity what functions are most critical at this time, and how we continue our work during this uncertain time.

Updates on enrolment verification, remote academic advising, bookstore resources

This update includes information about Registrar's Office and School of Graduate Studies processing times, remote academic advising options at all campuses and resources available for students from the bookstore.

Processing and service times for Registrar's Office and School of Graduate Studies

Most of the Registrar’s Office staff and School of Graduate Studies staff are working remotely. As a result, processing and service times for many of our services have increased, including requests for enrolment verification letters, official transcripts, supporting admission documents, etc. As we continue to practice social distancing, we are discouraging students from coming on campus at this time to drop off or pick up documents. Please do not visit our offices at this time.

Health Research Ethics Authority Research Ethics Office

The Health Research Ethics Authority (HREA) Research Ethics Office (REO) has been closely monitoring the developments related to COVID-19. In light of recent restrictions, the REO of the Health Research Ethics Board (HREB) wishes to advise researchers that, effective immediately, their research protocols must be modified or delayed to avoid face-to-face personal interactions with research participants.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Classrooms, teaching labs and study rooms closing on all campuses

Updated opening hours and occupancy limits for computer labs that remain open for students who do not have personal computer access for remote learning.

Update on spring semester, spring convocation and MUNSafe

Memorial’s spring semester, including intersession and summer session, will continue with remote instruction of all courses at all campuses. This means in-person on-campus courses will not resume before September 2020 Additionally, Memorial will will postpone Spring Convocation 2020 ceremonies that were scheduled for May 14 in Corner Brook and May 26-29 in St. John’s.

Accessible remote teaching and learning guidelines

The Blundon Centre has developed guidelines to assist faculty and instructors with incorporating accessibility into remote teaching and learning approaches.

Message from the President to the University Community

This has been an unprecedented week for our university and our communities. I hope you are each taking care of yourselves, practicing social distancing and hand washing, and doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Course Evaluation Questionnaires

Memorial will not administer Course Evaluation Questionnaires (CEQs) for the winter 2020 semester. 

Supporting research activities during COVID-19

As Memorial and the world assess the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial is committed to supporting our researchers in continuing their research activities.

Academic updates

Spring semester registration, waived regulations and more information for students

Update for students, employees and instructors

Information for instructors, remote workers, students and employees.

Update on final exams for Winter 2020 semester

Students are advised that there will be no final exams taking place on campus in April. This includes both on campus and online invigilated exams. A proposal regarding final exams has been approved.

Update from the Office of the Vice-President (Research)

Activities for faculty, staff and students (undergraduate and graduate) in all research laboratories will be suspended from 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, onward.

Update for employees regarding work arrangements

Following the message earlier today regarding suspension of classes, employees should consult with their managers immediately regarding their work arrangement.

Update on COVID-19 response - March 16

This important update includes information for students, faculty and staff. Of particular note: all students who reside on the island of Newfoundland are required to vacate student residences by end of day, Friday, March 20. Childcare Centre is closed immediately until further notice. Memorial is encouraging remote work with the understanding that university priorities are the health and safety of students, faculty and staff; maintaining the academic integrity of the semester; and critical university operations. To allow for social distancing and to help employees manage the current demands, employees are asked to work with their supervisor to facilitate remote work arrangements where operationally feasible. Unless you currently have arrangements with your supervisor, report to work as scheduled.

Relaxed requirements for employee sick notes

Memorial is following the decision of regional health authorities (RHA) and is relaxing the usual requirement and waiving notes for employees experiencing respiratory illness less than 14 days. 

Memorial suspends outbound travel

Memorial University is actively monitoring the evolving situation regarding COVID-19. In light of our obligations to our university community as well as to stakeholders across the province and the rest of the world, Memorial has decided to suspend all outbound travel (including international and outside the province) until further notice; and require any university-related travel to Labrador be reviewed by the relevant dean, director or unit head.

Directions for those feeling ill

If you have travelled outside Newfoundland and Labrador and are now experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing, do not go to the emergency department – students should not go to the Student Wellness and Counselling Centre; instead please stay home and call 811 to speak to a registered nurse.

If you are severely ill and feel you need emergency medical attention, please call 911 and ensure you tell them about your travel history. 

Reasonable Solutions to Newfoundland and Labrador's Fiscal Reality

If you missed the latest conference from CARE, the day's speakers and discussions can now be watched in full on YouTube. 

A full listing of speakers, complete with speaking notes, can be found online.

Michael Shute, Department of Religious Studies

Dr. Michael Shute, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Religious Studies, passed away in Halifax on January 3, 2020. Dr. Shute was part of Memorial University's faculty for 31 years, until he retired in September 2019 after a diagnosis of ALS.

Dr. Shute loved teaching and was known for his work on Canadian philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences passes along its condolences to his wife, Joyce West, and siblings.

More details here.

Dean's op ed

In her first op ed for the Gazette, Dean Jennifer Simpson opines that humanities and social sciences grads are exactly what we need right now.

Oebele Jan (John) Buffinga, Jan. 6, 1954 - May 27, 2019

A devoted member of our faculty, John Buffinga had only recently retired from the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures. He will be sorely missed by students and colleagues (both faculty and staff alike). The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences extends the greatest sympathy to Dr. Buffinga's husband Jeff, his daughter Henny, and the rest of his family.

More details here.

Meet Eric Tenkorang

Eric Tenkorang is associate professor of sociology, cross-appointed to the Division of Community Health and Humanities at Memorial University.  His research on HIV-endemic parts of the world grows out of an interest in bringing equity and social justice to marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Read more about him and his research here.

Meet Veronique Hotton

Véronique Hotton is in the second year of her MA program in French, and her research focuses on the translation of plays written in a mixture of French and English and intended for a bilingual audience.

Read more about her here.

Meet Jennifer Selby

Jennifer Selby thinks religious studies allows a unique lens into thinking about politics. She wants students to see how what they learn in religious studies can help them interpret and live in the different worlds they inhabit.

Read more about Dr. Selby and her research here.

Meet Karlo Basta

Political scienctist Karlo Basta wants you to know this about scholarship in general: "The pursuit of knowledge, all knowledge, is an inherent part of what makes us human. Even those studies that appear useless and absurd to some people, or even most people, are part of that larger enterprise. You don’t disown your kid because they aren’t inventing useful stuff or because they frustrate you. Knowledge is our collective kid. And even if you have an instrumental view of knowledge, you never ever know how a particular bit of it might end up being important in the future."

Read more about our researcher of the month here.

Researcher of the month - Shannon Hoff

Philosopher Shannon Hoff found her way to philosophy from an interest in creative thinking about human situations.

  "...it is especially important for us to learn to appreciate the ways of life of other people and other groups with whom we do not immediately identify, and to try to build avenues of communication with them that will allow us to better understand their specificity and therefore our own as well."

Read more about her research here.

Researcher of the month - Paul De Decker

Paul De Decker of Department of Linguistics believes we are all researchers to one degree or another.

About the study of #linguistics in particular he says:

"Linguistics is one of the most relevant scholarly disciplines for understanding the social world because it deals with the structure of language and society. As a case in point, try living socially without using language of any kind. It can't be done. If you have any curious bone in your body, you're probably thinking about all the ways we are completely dependent on this tool. There's nothing more exciting and fascinating than taking those thoughts seriously and turning them into research questions. Linguists do this everyday."

Read more about Paul in our online profile - https://www.mun.ca/hss/research/researcher_of_the_month.php

Grad student of the month -

Kara Hickson is the recipient of the Terra Nova Aboriginal Student Scholarship.Her master’s thesis looks at the construction of ethnicity in ancient Greek culture and colonization.

"Once I have a significant understanding of ancient colonization in Greece, I would like to compare and contrast aspects of my findings to the colonization of the “New World”, how the cultural identities of the colonizers and Indigenous groups were influenced and effected. It would allow me to further my own understanding of my people and their struggle that is still continuing to this day."

Read more about Kara here.

Researcher of the month - Justin Fantauzzo

Assistant professor of history Justin Fantauzzo's recent research project examining how many men survived World War I but never really recovered from it, has significant contemporary applications.

"This project is a reminder that the men and women we send overseas to perform combat and non-combat missions need a support system in place once they return home."

Find out more about Dr. Fantauzzo, where his interest in history came from, and what he considers his biggest success to date, here.

Archives Essentials

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has launched a project with funding from Memorial’s Teaching and Learning Framework that aims to increase interest in, and use of, its archives on campus.  Read more about Archives Essentials.

Grad student of the month - Miranda Carlson Strain (anthropology)

Miranda Carlson-Strain is an anthropology MA student whose thesis topic is LGBTQ \tattooing in St. John’s.  She is interviewing both tattooed and non-tattooed LGBTQ individuals to collect narratives about tattoos as a way to better understand what it means to be LGBTQ in St. John’s.  Read more about her and her research here.

Alumnus of the month - Latonia Hartery (archaeology)

Latonia Hartery has a PhD in NL and Arctic archaeology. She is director of the Bird Cove Archaeology Project, Director of Archaeology for Adventure Canada, and President of AARA Inc.  Also an entrepreneur, Latonia is an award-winning filmmaker and works created by her company, LJH Films, have been seen in over thirty countries.  Read more about her here.

Housing insecurity

So what are YOU doing on your summer break? Researchers like Canada Research Chair Julia Christensen of the Department of Geography are busier than ever - she's travelled to Yellowknife and Greenland this summer visiting active research projects on Arctic homelessness. Read more about her work in the Gazette.

Grad student of the month - Mehmet Ali Basak (religious studies)

Graduate student Mehmet Ali Basak is studying the anthropology of Islam with an emphasis on how notions of secularism, multiculturalism and Islamic movements impact individual Muslims’ identities. Read more about him and his research here.

Grad student of the month - Sarah Kristian (linguistics)

Newfoundland native Sarah Kristian is a PhD candidate in linguistics and is examining how we store and organize the sound systems of the languages we speak. Involved in this is how we learn new categories, especially during first language acquisition, and how existing mental categories change during one's lifespan. 

Read more about her and her many roles here.

Alumnus of the month - Chandra Kavanagh (philosophy)

Philosophy graduate Chandra Kavanagh runs her own business, is finishing her PhD, has a full-time job as ethics officer for the NL Health Research Ethics Authority and believes that mentorship improves one's health, social life and level of happiness.  Read more about her here.

Grad student of the month - Miranda Burrage-Goodwin

Miranda Burrage-Goodwin is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and is pursuing a masters degree in maritime history at Memorial.  Read more about her and her research here.

Alumnus of the month - Katie Baggs (anthropology)

Katie Baggs is an anthropology grad (with an English minor) and is co-owner of Little Nest Children's Community, an alternative preschool with a focus on nature education and creative play. Katie is also known for her work as as a singer-songwriter. Read more about her journey to entrepreneurship here.

Alumnus of the month - Stacey Tuttle (English)

In our continuing series of HSS entrepreneurs, Stacey Tuttle is our alumnus of the month for April. She holds a BA in English and is a holistic nutritionist and plant-based chef based in St. John's.  She says that the critical thinking and research skills she learned in my arts degree help her find the most insightful and legitimate resources for her clients.  Read more about Stacey and her business Your Glowing Health here.

Grad student of the month - Maryanne Aghalu (MER)

Maryanne Aghalu is a second-year graduate students pursuing a Masters of Employment Relations (MER). She holds a BScn in business management from the University of Jos, Nigeria. She loves the diversity of students at Memorial and is a great fan of Memorial's Internationalization Office.  Read more about her and her research here.

Alumnus of the month - Anna Smith

Anna Smith holds a BA (Hons) in English language and literature from Memorial University.  She has worked as a facilitator, event planner, and communications professional, working with community organizations and (social) entrepreneurs. In 2016, she started FreeForm Events.

"I received two pieces of advice in my last year of high school: do your degree in the subject you love the most; and do not do a degree in English, because it will ruin reading for you. I think both pieces of advice came from the same person."

Read more about Anna here.

Grad student of the month - Rovshen Shamedova

Economics grad student Rovshen Shamedova is a self-described "curious young person from Turkmenistan." She speaks five languages and is currently studying the impacts of minerals and oil & gas production on labor markets, the environment, and international trade. Read more about her here.

50 Years of the Pratt

In recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of the Pratt Lecture, George Elliott Clarke will be reconsidering E. J. Pratt’s Towards the Last Spike (1953) and Brébeuf and His Brethren (1940), two presumptive epics that are “weakened by [Pratt’s] essential promulgation of implicit and explicit racialism, which is also reflective of the impossibility of an ethically ‘ethnic,’ Canadian identity.” Read more about the Pratt Lecture in the Gazette.

The day following the Pratt (Friday March 9), Mr Clarke will introduce and host a staged reading of Lennox Brown's The Captive at 8 pm in the Suncor Energy Hall. The Captive is the first play by a an African-Canadian writer to appear in print and this will be the first time this play has been staged.

Alumnus of the month - Laura Vokey

Continuing our focus on alumni who are also entrepreneurs, meet Laura Vokey. Laura has a BA in sociology/anthropology and is a current grad student in the Faculty of Medicine. She is the founder of Wild Island Forest Academy, Newfoundland's first outdoor-based elementary school.  Read more about the inspiration behind her business here. 

Alumni of the month - Kayla Walters

Kayla Walters is a three-time graduate of Memorial University, completing her BA (Hons), BEd (Int./Secondary) and finally her MA between 2003-2010.  Since completing her MA she has spent time teaching and has recently pursued her love of entrepreneurship, tourism and craft beer by founding St. John’s Beer Tours. She says completing an arts degree endows has made her versatile and ready to accept the challenges of any job. Read more about Kayla here.

Grad student of the month - Olivia Robertson

Olivia Robinson is a current MA creative writing student at Memorial and her work has appeared in The Overcast, the UPEI Arts Review, and was shortlisted for the Room 2017 Fiction contest. Meeting author and professor Lisa Moore in 2015 was a pivotal event that resulted in her coming to Memorial. Read more about Olivia here.

Grad student of the month - Judyannet Muchiri

Judyannet Muchiri advocates for development in Africa that centers youth and women. She works with the Network of African Youths for Development (NAYD) in communications as a social media coordinator and editor. At NAYD, Judyannet highlights young community development actors, hosts topical discussions with youth on social media and writes on development-related issues. She holds a BA in sociology and English linguistics, an MA in sociology and has just started a PhD where she will be researching development and gender in Africa. She is our student-of-the-month for December. Read more about her here.

Grad student of the month - Emily Murphy

Grad student Emily Murphy had always identified as a feminist but it wasn't until she took Gender Studies 1000 as an elective that she felt like "my whole outlook on life had been flipped on its head." Read more about her and her research here.

Alumnus of the month - Colleen Power

A self-taught musician and a Newfoundland Francophone ambassador, Colleen Power has two separate music careers - in French and English. She says you never know where an arts degree can get you in life - especially if you have languages.  Read more about our alumnus of the month here.

Brave New Worlds

A Memorial University-based project exploring the history of Shakespeare in Newfoundland and Labrador will play out during the fall of 2017 and will include Brave New Worlds: Shakespeare in Newfoundland and Labrador, a two-day symposium on the St. John’s campus on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1; an exhibit at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre; an open-access exhibition catalogue to be housed on the Digital Arts Initiative (DAI) website; and a Check It Out! performance at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Library on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. Read more in the Gazette.

Grad student of the month

Robyn Lacy is currently completing her MA in archaeology at Memorial, where her research focuses on early 17th-century British burial landscapes in eastern North America and Newfoundland.  She's our grad student of the month. Read more about Robyn here.

Towards a better understanding

Dr. Meghan Burchell of Memorial's archaeology department has received $75,000 to establish a laboratory for environmental archaeological science which will be housed in the Memorial Applied Archeaological Sciences Lab.

Read more in the Gazette.

Grad student of the month

Laura O'Brien of the Political Science department is our grad student of the month for August 2017. Learn more about her here.

Anthropologist brings different perspective

Originally from Brazil, Dr. Carolina Tytelman's PhD thesis, Place and Forest Co-Management in Nitassinan/Labrador, examines how well the co-management process and its institutions worked in representing both the Innu Nation and the provincial government.  Read more about her in the Gazette.

Donner for Marland

Huge congratulations to our own associate dean Alex Marland on winning the 2017 Donner Prize, a prestigious national award that encourages and celebrates excellence in public policy writing by Canadians and has a value of $50,000.

Read more about Alex's big win in the Gazette.

Mayday, mayday

Female faculty focused bootcamp scheduled for May 23 to 25 -  read more in the Gazette.

Sharon Roseman, candidate for Associate Dean

Dr. Sharon Roseman, candidate for the position of Associate Dean of Research and Graduate for HSS, will be giving a public presentation on Monday, April 17, 2017, from 1-2 pm in A1043. Dr. Roseman has kindly provided her and a for review.

Peter Pope

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is sad to announce the death of Dr. Peter Pope. He began teaching in the Dept. of History at Memorial University but later joined the Archaeology Unit, eventually becoming Head of the Dept. of Anthropology and Archaeology and an Honorary Research Professor. He was also director of the Newfoundland Archaeological Heritage Outreach Program. In 2001, he was awarded the President’s Award for Outstanding Research in recognition of his achievements in uncovering the past and preserving it for future generations. He will be remembered for his impeccable research covering a wide array of topics including Breton ceramics, John Cabot, waterfront archaeology, the early cod fishery, French material history and so much more. Dr. Pope will be sorely missed. We extend our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. (thank you to the Centre for Newfoundland Studies for the original post)

Plan ahead

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences now has a webpage that lists upcoming undergraduate course offerings throughout the Faculty. The page will be constantly updated by department administrative personnel. Please bookmark it for future reference and share  whenever the opportunity arises.

http://www.mun.ca/hss/courses.php

Alumnus of the month

Amanda Mews is the entertainment and community reporter with NTV News in St. John's. She has a BA in English with a specialization in theatre/drama and minored in psychology. To anyone who questions the value of a BA Amanda says,"Show me a more rounded person than one with a BA. Show me a degree that offers you a more diverse career choice." Read more about Amanda here.

Grad student of the month

Mark Brefo's research is examining how free trade is collapsing local industries in his native Ghana.  He is also a member of Memorial's Seahawks basketball team and says his supervisor Dr. Jennifer Dyer knows what every student needs and makes provisions to cater for all these needs.  Read more about Mark here.

Grad student of the month

Sharmane Allen is a doctoral candidate in our geography department. Under the supervision of Drs. Charles Mather and Dean Bavington, she is studying the implementation and practice of rights-based fisheries management (i.e. the allocation of licenses and quotas) in Newfoundland and Labrador’s commercial fisheries.  Read more about her here.

Alumnus of the month

Alumnus of the month Sarah Stoodley is Senior Digital Manager at RSA Canada (Royal Sun Alliance), focusing primarily on Johnson Insurance, RSA’s main Canadian personal insurance brand.  She has an MA in political science from Memorial and says says the skills and approaches that she learned completing her masters help in her work life every day.  Read more about Sarah here.

Grad student of the month

Our grad student of the month is Mandy Rowsell of the Memorial University Department of English. Under the supervision of Fiona Polack, her doctoral research is exploring representations of masculinity within contemporary Newfoundland fiction.

Read more about Mandy here.

Top teacher

The Department of Sociology's Dr. Ailsa Craig has been named recipient of the President's Award for Outstanding Teaching (Faculty).  Read more in the Gazette.

Grad student of the month

Megan Stewart is an MA candidate in sociology who is exploring the relationships between food tourism and the security of the food system in the Bonavista Peninsula region of Newfoundland.  Read more about her research here.

Alumni of the month

Jennifer Dodge is senior vice president, development for Nickelodeon Preschool and a graduate of our faculty with a BA in linguistics and psychology. Read more about how her academic coursework translates to her career in television here.

Understanding the green economy

Featuring presentations by experts in ecology, economics, and rural development as well as an open forum for the public to speak to the challenges facing Newfoundalnd as we transition from fossil fuels to green, remnewable energy in an era of global climate change.  On Tuesday November 29 from 7:30 to 9:30p.m. at St. Bonaventure's College.  Read more here.

Innovation and Responsibility

An innovative new program partnering the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with Student Life, the Faculty of Science, and the QEII Library is helping to map the East Coast Trail from Topsail to Cappahayden.  Read more about it in the Gazette.

Understanding Change

On Nov. 28, Memorial professor Robert Sweeny will be awarded the Governor General’s History Award for Scholarly Research at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.  To mark the occasion, leading researchers from across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will critically assess the relevance for their own discipline of the new historical approach at the heart of Sweeny’s prize-winning book. on Nov. 24. Read more here. 

Conflicted Colony

Congratulations to Kurt Korneski of the history department on the publication of Conflicted Colony:Critical Episodes in Nineteenth-Century Newfoundland and Labrador, a publication that elucidates processes of state information in Newfoundland through a reassessment of key moments in the country’s history. Published by Mc-Gill- Queen's University Press.  Read more about it in the Gazette.

The search is on ...

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) seeks a Director for its new Nexus Centre for Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research on the St. John's campus of Memorial University.  For more information see job ad.

Supreme Alumnus

It’s not only the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that has its first Supreme Court justice.  

Justice Malcolm Rowe, an alumnus of Memorial University, holds bachelor’s degrees in both arts (political science) and science.  Read more about him in the Gazette.

Life experience

Professional educator Gail Gosse received her BA in sociology at this year's fall convocation.  Read more about how her life experience acted as a resource for learning in the Gazette.

Anthropology doctoral student honoured with Vanier scholarship

A PhD candidate in Memorial’s Department of Anthropology has been named as a recipient of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

The scholarship is Canada’s most prestigious award for doctoral students.

Originally from the U.S., Michael Oman-Reagan is currently in Victoria, B.C., doing fieldwork and research with space scientists, including astronomers and astrophysicists.

“It’s not yet common for an anthropologist to study outer space, so I think it really demonstrates the courage and vision of my supervisor, my committee members, our department and the university, in that they all saw potential in the research that I proposed as a PhD student.”

Read more about Michael's achievement in the Gazette.

SSHRC Grants to HSS

Congratulations to all the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Memorial University members who have received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) grants: Mario Blaser (archaeology), Dominique Bregent-Heald (history), Robert Ormsby (English),Liam Swiss (sociology), Eric Tenkorang (sociology), Gerard van Herk (linguistics), Russell Alan Williams (political science), Lincoln Addison (anthropology), Karlo Basta (political science), Anne Graham (modern languages), Maria Mayr (modern languages), Adrienne Peters (sociology), Yolande Pottie-Sherman (geography) and Maureen Scheidnes (linguistics). Read all the details in the Gazette.

Language renaissance

Languages at Memorial are having a renaissance with the official launch of the Department of MUN Modern Languages, Literature and Cultures. The newly minted department will replace the two separate departments of French and Spanish and German and Russian. The change signals a new direction and a new way of doing things. Read more about this in the Gazette.

COAST HSS Project Coordinator Wanted

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) is hiring an HSS graduate student (preferably a doctoral student) to support the second year of COASTS HSS initiatives.

Who we are, what we do: Religious Studies

France’s current burkini debate is yet another example of why knowing more about different religions is fundamentally important to appreciating and celebrating diversity. Discover more in Who we are, what we do: Religious Studies featuring professor Barry Stephenson and grad students Cory Funk and Pascal Mukuye . 

Who we are, what we do: Philosophy

Philosophy is the first science according to Dr. Jöel Madore, who is featured in the latest Who we are, what we do installment with PhD candidate Kyle Bruff. Read more about it and view the video in the Gazette.

Who we are, what we do: Sociology

Assistant professor Liam Swiss and PhD candidate Paula Graham came to sociology from different backgrounds. Read more about them and Who we are, what we do: Sociology in the Gazette story.

Political Passion

Two and a half millennia ago, Aristotle wrote that humans are political animals. Meaning that it is in our very natures to be political and that when we forget or disregard that, terrible things happen.

Dr. Luke Ashworth calls political science "defense against the dark arts." Find out why in the latest installment of Who we are, what we do: Political Science.

Language lessons

Linguists study the structure of languages ... latest in Who we are, what we do features Sara Mackenzie, Gerard van Herk and Rebecca Hobbs from the Department of Linguistics - read more about it in the Gazette -https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/learning-language/ 

Making sense of the present

When the present seems confusing, history offers us lessons from the past ... Who we are, what we do: History featuring Justin Fantauzzo and Sarah Hannon - read the story https://gazette.mun.ca/student…/making-sense-of-the-present/

Who we are, what we do: Geography

To be clear, university level geography is not about maps and memorizing place names.

It’s about climate change, resource management, landscapes and seabeds, regional development, natural hazards and risk management, meteorology, domestic and industrial pollution, electronic waste, sustainability, globalization, immigration and diversity, and coastal communities.

Read more in the Gazette.

Who we are, what we do: Gender Studies

What is gender studies and how can it change the way we look at the world?  Assistant professor Dr. Carol-Lynne D’Arcangelis and student Jillian Ashtick-Stinson give us the facts in Who we are, what we do: Gender Studies - read more in the Gazette.

Who we are, what we do: Folklore

Folklore is simple and complex at the same time.  Faculty member Dr. Jillian Gould and recently graduated student Blair Kerr explain what it has to do with your mother's chicken soup in Who we are, What we do: Folklore. See https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/simple-and-complex/.

Who we are, what we do: English and Communication Studies

English and communication studies are perfect things to study if you want to make sense of the world.  Faculty members Drs. Jamie Skidmore and Jennifer Lokash join students Esther Eagleson and Jordan Steinhauer explain why in Who we are, What we do: English and Communications studies.  See https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/degree-delights/.

National recognition

Congratulations to Dr. Marguerite MacKenzie who has received the Canadian Linguistic Society's national achievement award. See https://gazette.mun.ca/research/national-recognition-2/ for the complete details.

Who we are, what we do: Economics

 Recent grad Devin Drover and Dr. Nahid Masoudi explain what economics is and what economists do in the most recent installment of our summer series. See https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/necessary-tools/.

Who we are, what we do: Classics

Classics has "the best stuff" according to Memorial University of Newfoundland professor Luke Roman. Also featuring undergraduate student Morgan Locke.  Latest installment of Who we are, what we do, video created by Timo Sargent.  See https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/unique-discipline/.

Who we are, what we do: Archaeology

Ever wonder what sort of people become archaeologists and what it is they actually do? We've got the answers in our latest installment of Who We Are and What We Do: Archaeology, featuring assistant professor Dr. Meghan Burchell and undergraduate student Anna Sparrow.  Visit https://gazette.mun.ca/teaching-and-learning/the-past-in-your-hands/.

Sargent first class

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has never seemed cooler, thanks to Timo Sargent.  See https://gazette.mun.ca/student-life/rare-gem/ for the reasons why ...

Who we are, what we do: Anthropology

The first in a summer series featuring different BA programs in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Visit https://gazette.mun.ca/teaching-and-learning/social-inequality/. Videos produced by Timo Sargent.

A twist of fate

It’s not every day that the vice president of a nationally renowned communications firm collects an MA.

For Summa Strategies’ Jim Armour, it’s been a long time coming.

Number lover

Michael Sullivan loves numbers.

His enthusiasm for the patterns and theorems of mathematics combined with an interest in history has led Mr. Sullivan to what is obviously a perfect match for his abilities – the study of macro economics.

Grad student of the month for May

Meet Gabriel Olayiwola Ologbonde, a first year MA student and graduate assistant in the Department of Classics.

Alumnus of the month for May

The Overcast founder and editor, writer Chad Pelley did a major in biology, a minor in English and has a pile of humanities courses under his belt. He's our alumnus of the month for May.

"English and biology are both the study of life. The former just turned out to be how I wanted to study life; through words, not the lens of a microscope. And I wouldn’t have known that without the way all those years at Memorial re-wired my brain and who I am."

http://www.mun.ca/hss/engagement/alumni/alumni_of_month.php

Telling stories

It’s an enviable title – the professor of history of the book. And one completely in keeping with the George Story Lecture, as Dr. Story himself was a key figure behind what Professor Mary Dalton calls, “a book to break spells,” the Dictionary of Newfoundland English.

Memorial geographers included in national report on climate change

Memorial University geography professors Drs. Trevor Bell and Donald Forbes are lead authors of chapters in Canada’s Marine Coasts in a Changing Climate, a Government of Canada report officially released Wednesday April 13 in Ottawa at the Adaptation Canada conference. 

Global citizen/storyteller brings his voice to world stage

Donovan Taplin, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences studying communications studies and folklore, is proving himself once again to be a truly outstanding global citizen.

Power Poets

Local writer Andreae Callanan is this year’s winner of the Gregory J. Power Poetry Award.

Aboriginal and Indigenous studies certificate reflects national movement

There are many reasons why Memorial’s new Aboriginal and Indigenous Studies Certificate is an important development in the university’s curriculum, says the program’s co-ordinator―one of the top being the university’s special obligation to all of Newfoundland and Labrador’s citizens.

What's in a name

As a result of recent approval from Memorial University’s Board of Regents, the faculty will immediately be known as the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Cultural Renaissance

Despite many Aboriginal Peoples throughout the world still feeling stigmatized by stereotypes associated with their ancestry, in this province Dr. Mario Blaser says he’s witnessing a “reassertion of cultural pride,” as individuals and groups embrace their Indigenous identities.

Observing the Outports

The years after Newfoundland’s confederation with Canada were ones of rapid social and economic change, as provincial resettlement and industrialization initiatives attempted to reshape the lives of rural Newfoundlanders.

Alumnus of the month

Department of archaeology alumnus Corey Hutchings tells tales of FABS, eating raw narwhale and what an archaeologist is doing working for an engineering company.

Grad student of the month

Anthropology PhD candidate Michael Oman-Reagan has recently been involved in a high profile Twitter exchange about gendered definitions. 

Creating a consciousness

The second in an ongoing series of initiatives aimed at creating collaboration among humanities and social sciences scholars about the future of the planet will take place this week in St. John’s.

Observing the Outports

The first 30 years after Confederation were ones of rapid modernization in Newfoundland and Memorial University was a principal agent of that transformation, even as it documented the changes.

Boardwalk empire

History is being made in Rigolet, Labrador with the recent completion of one of the world’s longest wooden boardwalks.

Big potential: Researchers contribute to Nordic project on Arctic resource extraction

Nordic countries are looking west and to the research expertise of Memorial University as they look tap into the lucrative resources of the Arctic, widely considered the new frontier of extractive development.

Boardwalk empire

History is being made in Rigolet, Labrador with the recent completion of one of the world’s longest wooden boardwalks.

And thanks to a partnership with Memorial University archaeologist Dr. Lisa Rankin, visitors have a unique destination to visit after their nine kilometre trek along the waterfront and between the forest and the shore.

An extraordinary ordinary man

Everyone should have a father, grandfather and teacher like St. John’s native Edgar House.

Seventh SPARKS to light up January

Recently named St. John’s favourite literary festival/reading series by local media outlet The Overcast, the annual SPARKS Literary Festival will be held at the Suncor Energy Hall in Memorial’s School of Music on Sunday, Jan. 31.

Megan Gail Coles alumnus of the month for December

When she was an 19-year-old undergraduate in English at Memorial Megan Gail Coles was a "wild as a March hare" ...

Recent arts grad youngest MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador history

The Faculty of Arts sure can pick them.  Two years ago political science and French major Mark Browne was featured as a member of our Brainy Bunch. Now he’s achieved membership in a slightly more elite group as the youngest elected MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador’s history.

Lecture series on legal issues initiated

Memorial University might not currently have a law school but an inaugural lecture series on the law in Newfoundland and Labrador will kick off on November 26.

The Arctic at your feet

Geography is all over the map. The Arctic Alive giant floor map that is.

The experts weigh in

For the first time in Canadian history, leading political scientists, communications scholars and practitioners from across Canada have come together to publish a collection of innovative, unique and accessible analyses of the federal election, just days after October 19^th.

From curry fries to ceilis

Sinéad Ní Mheallaigh is the Faculty of Arts’ Irish language teaching assistant for the 2015-16 academic year.

Cree language exhibit on display

Every year the Canadian Language Museum sponsors a travelling exhibit to assist in their mandate to promote an appreciation of all the languages spoken in Canada and of their role in the development of the nation.

This year the exhibit will make its way to Memorial, coinciding with the annual Atlantic Provinces Linguistics Association meeting, being held at Memorial on Nov. 6 and 7.  

Fifty years of scholarship results in Inuktitut dictionary

This week the Nunavut Arctic College officially released Utkuhiksalingmiut Uqauhiitigut Uqauhiliurut, Dictionary of Utkuhiksalingmiut Inuktitut Postbase Suffixes. The dictionary was authored by Memorial University anthropologist Dr. Jean Briggs, Dr. Alana Johns (University of Toronto) and Conor Cook of Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.

Re-enacting Viking-age warfare

Some Memorial University archaeology students will get a view into the Viking era when they workshop Viking-age warfare techniques with members of the Sea-Wolves, a local re-enactment group, on Thursday, Oct. 29, on the east lawn of Queen’s College on the St. John’s campus.

Memorial sociologist co-signs open letter to federal leaders on climate change

Memorial University sociologist Dr. Mark Stoddart is joining a group of over 60 researchers from across Canada in releasing an analysis of the federal political parties positions on 10 key policy orientations on climate change. 

Social scientist leads major science grant

Sociologist Dr. Max Liboiron has capped off a stellar inaugural year at Memorial with a serious coup.

Roll off the tongue

Dr. Anne Thareau, head of the department of French and Spanish at Memorial University, recalls a time when she taught French phonetics using cassette tapes and, later, computer-assisted learning devices and DVDs. Now, with Internet and online tools readily available, she has ventured into more novel territory.

Small scale research leads to big time nomination

Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee of the Department of Geography is a finalist for a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Impact Award in recognition of her groundbreaking work on small-scale fisheries.

ARTS on Oceans Distinguished Lecture

The Faculty of Arts-wide initiative ARTS on Oceans is back on Sept. 9 with a distinguished lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Bruneau Centre on the Discovery of the Seas: A Case for the Humanities.

Poet and editor John Barton named 2015 writer in residence

Poet and editor of literary magazine The Malahat Review, John Barton, will be Memorial’s fall 2015 writer in residence.

Q&A with alumna Gemma Hickey

It was a journey full of purpose and meaning. Along the way, Faculty of Arts alumna Gemma Hickey, BA’03, witnessed the power of engagement — connecting with people, stopping to listen to their stories and sharing in their emotions. Ms. Hickey just completed her Hope Walk, a more than 900 kilometre, gruelling month-long trek from Port aux Basques to St. John’s.

Scotiabank bursaries facilitate international study

Five Faculty of Arts graduate students have been awarded Scotiabank bursaries to fund their educational experience by travelling abroad to complete their research.

Alumna to be honoured with lifetime achievement award

At first she thought she was being duped but when the news sunk in, her disbelief quickly turned to delight. That’s how Faculty of Arts alumna – and Memorial honorary degree recipient – Dr. Anita Best summed up her reaction to learning she is this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society.

Town of Cupids receives community engagement award

The town of Cupids has been named the 2015 recipient of the Faculty of Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Community Research Engagement Award.

International study confirms timing of first migration wave

An international study reveals that the ancestors of all present-day Native Americans arrived in the Americas as part of a single migration wave, approximately 23,000 years ago.

The research, published in the online edition of Science on July 21, 2015 was co-authored by Drs. Vaughan Grimes and Michael Deal of Memorial’s Department of Archaeology. Kelly-Anne Pike, an MA graduate of the department is also listed as a co-author.

Memorial alumni establish feminist art show

When you don’t know all the rules, breaking them is a lot easier.

That’s the approach Zaren Healey White and a dedicated group of volunteers took when planning Feminisms (Re)Framed, an art show happening at Gallery 24 in St. John’s from July 18-19.

Students contribute to cultural shift

It’s not a secret that getting a PhD is no guarantee of a tenured, academic position. And in the case of humanities PhDs, the statistics are even more troubling with only a small percentage of newly-minted Canadian doctorates achieving permanent academic employment.

The Future of Nature

For Dr. Sean McGrath, Pope Francis’s recent comments on climate change couldn’t have come at a better time.

The philosophy professor is convening The Future of Nature, a transdisciplinary event to be held at Memorial’s Grenfell Campus and Bonne Bay Marine Station in Norris Point, Sept. 10-13.

Faculty of Arts alumnus a Rothermere Fellow

It only took arts alumnus Sean Fleming about two seconds to rip open an envelope containing a letter naming him 2015’s Rothermere Fellow.

That was on May 21. The news, he says, is still sinking in.

These boots were made for graduating

Among the hundreds of arts students that crossed the stage at the St. John's Arts and Culture Centre at the end of May, Nina Darleen Rumbolt-Pye stood out. Maybe it was her status as a mature student and her two grandchildren in the audience. Or it could very well have been her footware.

Sociologist named Teaching and Learning Chair for Faculty of Arts

Sociologist Dr. Max Liboiron has been named the Teaching and Learning Chair for the Faculty of Arts. Thirteen educators will support teaching and learning across the university, collaborating with colleagues to advance the objectives of the Teaching and Learning Framework, promoting the scholarship of teaching and learning and developing strategies to address common challenges. 

Representing the rural

If a thesis had a theme song, Jillian Smith’s would be “I’ll Be Your Mirror” from the Velvet Underground’s 1967 debut album.

Last Days in Vietnam

On the 40^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon (April 28, 1975), Memorial University’s Department of Sociology and the Avalon Woodturners Guild are co-sponsoring a free screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Last Days in Vietnam.

Tourism under the microscope

Those stakeholders considering reforming the Crown Lands Act should really sit down and have a chat with sociologist Dr. Mark Stoddart.

Maintaining culture in the face of climate change

The Labrador Inuit communities of Rigolet and North West River are located on the shores of Lake Melville in south-central Labrador, where sea ice forms an integral part of local Inuit t culture and wellbeing. 

Fun and games with Folklore

Each year, graduate students in the Department of Folklore’s  Public Folklore course (FOLK 6740) have the opportunity to plan and facilitate a public program over the course of a semester. 

Memorial sociologist co-organizes Write2Know campaign

Memorial University sociologist Dr. Max Liboiron is a co-organizer (with York University's Dr. Natasha Myers) of the recently launched national initiative Write2@Know, a letter-writing campaign mobilizing the public to ask federal scientists and Ministers about the results of the government’s environmental monitoring and scientific research programs.

Dr. Larry Felt named the recipient of the Marilyn Harvey Award to Recognize the Importance of Research Ethics

A dedicated researcher and faculty member for more than 38 years, Dr. Felt has rigorously applied research ethics methodologies not only to his own research.

Sex talk

Recent changes to Canada’s prostitution laws have sparked new discussions about sex work as have recent reports of several St. John’s sex workers being raped.

The Faculty of Arts’ Department of Gender Studies believes that it is important to encourage informed conversations about sex work. In this spirit, they are hosting a three- day event, Sex Work: Soliciting Reflections, from March 5 to 7.

A Fine Crowd to be rescheduled

Due to weather predicted for February 12, our annual celebration of faculty success, A Fine Crowd, will be rescheduled for a later date.

Henriquietta (Kathy) Duarte

The Faculty of Arts is sad to announce the passing of Henriquietta (Kathy) Duarte who died Feb. 8 in Peterborough, Ontario.

Dr. Barbara Neis delivers Royal Society of Canada lecture

An upcoming public lecture by Royal Society Fellow Dr. Barbara Neis will explore how research can help address real world problems experienced in places like rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) New Fellow Public Lecture will take place on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rocket Room, 272 Water Street.  All are welcome.

Surprises surface at sixth SPARKS Literary Festival

Again this year, the annual SPARKS Literary Festival, now in its sixth year, saw packed sessions and dazzling performances Sunday, Jan. 25. Once again the Memorial University Bookstore sold out of many titles, with an eager audience snapping up books after each of the four reading sessions. And once more, there was a lively public reception following the festival.

But this year the festival was bookended by two surprise announcements.

ARTS on Oceans sets sail

The Faculty of Arts is launching ARTS on Oceans, a faculty-wide initiative looking at our understanding of oceans through the lens of the social sciences and humanities.

The fluid field of petroculture

Oil is everywhere. 

It's in the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the roads we drive on and the buildings we live in. 

New Jarislowsky chair introduced to Memorial community

Dr. Tony Fang is the newly-appointed Stephen Jarislowsky Chair in Cultural and Economic Transformation at Memorial University.

SPARKS Fly - Memorial-grown literary festival enters its sixth year

Fans of Newfoundland and Labrador writers and writing will soon come together at the SPARKS Literary Festival, a celebration of the written word in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The sixth annual festival will be held at the Suncor Energy Hall in Memorial’s School of Music on the St. John’s campus on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fish n' film

The culture and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador is steeped in our relationship to the sea and to harvesting seafood.

Dr. Barbara Neis’s seven-year Community-University Research for Recovery Alliance (CURRA, 2007-2014) examined this relationship by investigating strategies for the recovery of fish stocks and fishery communities.

As part of the CURRA, filmmaker Anne Troake (My Ancestors were Rogues and Murderers) was commissioned to create The 100 Nautical Mile Seafood Diet, a short film promoting the idea of accessing locally sourced seafood.

MUNPA tribute awards to arts faculty

Anthropologist Dr. Jean Briggs and administrator and philosophy professor Dr. Evan Simpson were awarded the 2014 MUNPA Tribute Award, which recognizes the importance of the ongoing contributions of Memorial's retirees to the university or the community. 

Medical glossary bridges gap

The connection between language and place is inescapable but perhaps nowhere more so than in Labrador.

Dr. Marguerite MacKenzie of Memorial’s Department of Linguistics has had a huge impact on the preservation and promotion of the Innu language in the mainland part of the province during the last 40 years.

Phon call

It might not cause quite as big a splash as a new version of the iPhone but a second iteration of the Phon software system is a major deal for researchers studying phonetics and phonology, especially in the areas of language acquisition and speech disorders.

Studying on sacred ground

Forty-six Memorial University students just experienced first-hand what they have heard about in class – the battlefield at Beaumont-Hamel.

On Nov. 11 this year, 24 students and two Memorial professors currently studying at Memorial’s campus in Harlow, England, made the trip across the channel to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies at the memorial park. And next August, another 22 Harlow students and two professors will make the trip, visiting Beaumont-Hamel and other First World War battlefields.

Department of English hosts conversation about boreal forests, poetry and multimedia

Memorial University’s Department of English is hosting a conversation about boreal forests, poetry and multimedia on Thurs., November 6 featuring local environmental artist and poet Marlene Creates and ecocritic Dr. Derek Gladwin of the University of Alberta.

A future for small scale fisheries

It’s impossible to ignore the fact that oceans continue to be an important and reliable source of food.

Faculty of Arts at film fest

Faculty of Arts alumni and faculty are well represented at the current St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.

Sadie, directed by Department of Archaeology lecturer Dr. Latonia Hartery, which will have its world premiere on Friday, October 17 as part of the CBC gala at 7 p.m. at the LSPU Hall.

From Greenland to Newfoundland

Greenlanders Sofie Abelsen and Aqqaluk Egede are loving every minute of their semester at Memorial University.

Both are arts students in a translation and interpretation program at Ilisimatusarfik University in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, While at Memorial, they are taking an eclectic mix of linguistic, anthropology, Latin, philosophy and communications courses.

Good news on the Russian front

Despite the threats of sanctions, reprisals, counter-reprisals and the controversy over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, there is good news on the Russian front for Memorial University.

Citizen Science takes on ocean plastics

Plastics have been found in every ocean in the world, including the waters off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, despite the widespread recognition of this environmental threat, there has been little data on the phenomenon in this province. Until now.

Decoding Newfoundland culture

“I’m feeling right mauzy. Been ‘eaving and I’m all plugged up.”

Translation:  I’m feeling ill and am experiencing vomiting and constipation.

The recent Newfoundland film The Grand Seduction showcased the challenges of attracting and keeping a doctor in a small town. But imagine how different the film would have been if the young doctor wasn’t from mainland Canada but from China. And English wasn’t his (or her) first language. 

Memorial researchers awarded funding for social sciences research

Researchers at Memorial University have been awarded significant funding to support research on behalf of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

Noted anthropologist returns to Memorial

Dr. George Gmelch has come full circle at Memorial.

In the early 1970s, as a young anthropologist from San Francisco, Calif., he received a two-year fellowship from the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) to study Irish travellers, a traditionally nomadic ethnic group also known as tinkers or Gypsies.

"Valuable information"

By browsing through family photo albums, we create our own personal memory banks -- occasionally from events that happened even before we were born. An archive provides the same for an entire culture, enhancing a collective memory and creating cultural touchstones that bind us together.

And, unlike a library, the documents in an archive are usually one-of-a-kind.

The Evolution of the Reid Theatre

Memorial University is poised to make recommendations on the future of the Reid Theatre and is asking for community feedback at two public consultations scheduled for July 22-23.

Writer in (permanent) residence

Everyone has a story.  And those that choose to study creative writing have a powerful desire to tell their own stories. So powerful in fact that desire creates its own energy.

That’s according to Memorial’s new assistant professor of creative writing Lisa Moore. And as one of Canada’s preeminent novelists, she ought to know.

Talking and listening

A love for talking and listening has made journalism a perfect fit for Alyson Samson, a native of Port Union in Trinity Bay North and the recipient of the 2014 CBC Radio Peter Gzowski internship.

Being Vikings: Experiential Learning at Memorial University

Archaeology department lecturer Dr. Shannon Lewis Simpson explains how experiential learning has become an essential tool in her teaching portfolio. Originally published in the spring newsletter of the Association for the Advancement of Scandinavian Studies in Canada.

Making her mark

Originally from Millertown in central Newfoundland, MA student Janelle Skeard is definitely making her mark here at Memorial.

Her thesis, Hope Springs Eternal, examines company and community in the former mining town of Buchans. 

National student leadership award for political science major

Jennifer Crowe, a third-year political science (honours) student in the Faculty of Arts, has been named the 2014 recipient of theCanadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) Student Leadership Award.

'A marathan you're running on your own'

A recent pilot project funded by Memorial’s Teaching and Learning Framework, co-ordinated by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and sponsored by the Faculty of Arts’ Writing Centre, has had a significant impact on participating graduate  students.

Bringing diverse documentaries to St. John's audiences

St. John’s might be a city without a downtown movie theatre but it does have a branch of Cinema Politica, the largest volunteer-run, community and campus-based documentary-screening network in the world.

And that’s thanks to sociology PhD student Paula Graham who launched Cinema Politica St. John’s in the spring of 2013. 

Improving student success rates with First Year Success

Students are told to prepare for their marks inevitably going down during their first year in university.

But for Megan Power, an alumnus of the 2012-13 First Year Success cohort, her marks have actually gone up. Way up.

Public lecture examines history that made us what we are

An upcoming public lecture at Memorial University will look at archaeology of the Petit Nord, on the Atlantic side of the Great Northern Peninsula.

ARTS on Violence wraps up with events focused on activism

Four prominent activists will join Dr. Sean Cadigan of Memorial’s Department of History as participants in the final ARTS on Violence sessions on Tuesday May 13 and Wednesday May 14.

A faculty-wide initiative highlighting some of the exciting research being done by faculty members and graduate students in the Faculty of Arts, ARTS on Violence is supported by the Vice President’s (Academic) Fund for Scholarship in the Arts.

End of an era

After 25 years, the International Journal of Maritime History (IJMH) is ceasing its association with Maritime History Publications, situated in the Henrietta Harvey building on Memorial’s St. John’s campus.

Accounting for wellbeing

The field of economics explores how societies distribute and produce goods and services.  But it’s not all about interest rates, business cycles and the cost of production. 

Economist Doug May studies wellbeing. As a member of the Canadian Research Advisory Group he helped develop the first Canadian Index of Wellbeing. 

The story behind the statistics

The Discovery Channel’s Cold Water Cowboys showcases Newfoundland fish harvesters doing what they do best but, according to sociology professor Dr. Nicole Power, the risks the producers focus on aren’t the real story.

Human dimensions research empowers wellbeing

In 2009 Canadian folksinger Taylor Mitchell was attacked and killed by coyotes in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. She was the second person and first adult in North America to be the victim of a fatal coyote attack.

Biblical scholar off to Oxford

A graduate student in Memorial’s Department of Religious Studies has, academically speaking, hit the jackpot.

Trevor Pomeroy is the recipient of this year’s Rothermere Fellowship, one of the most prestigious and lucrative scholarships offered at Memorial University.

Arts alumnus working on World War I writings

Nancy Martin’s interest in the First World War began in high school. An interest piqued by Kevin Major’s No Man’s Land has stayed with Ms. Martin, who is now a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford. The Mount Pearl native is currently working on a number of projects associated with the First World War, including her doctoral thesis.

The 'hero' ship of Russia and Newfoundland and Labrador

At a time when tensions between Russia and the rest of the world are strained, Memorial University recently hosted two Russian filmmakers who came away greatly impressed by the wealth of the university’s archives. Their visit revealed some of the unexplored and unexpected historical bonds between Russia and Canada and, in this case, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Graduate student receives scholarship honouring late Beothuk scholar

Master of arts student Jeralyn Bohms from the Department of Archaeology received the 2013 Pioneer’s Scholarship at an event earlier this month held in honour of the late Beothuk scholar and former Memorial faculty member Dr. Ralph Pastore.

An Arctic pioneer at Memorial

Dr. Jean Briggs has led the kind of life that a movie could be made of.

Dr. Briggs spent several years early in her anthropological career in two remote Arctic camps, documenting behaviour, language and customs of the Inuit people who lived there. And for three and half decades, while a faculty member at Memorial, she lived happily alone in her home on the Cape Spear peninsula without running water or road access.

Such a fine crowd

The Faculty of Arts recently held its annual celebration to demonstrate and celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of colleagues and the important contributions of the Faculty to the life of Memorial University as a whole.

The social cost of northern development

Canada’s North offers tremendous potential for development. But northern development often comes with significant social and environmental costs, particularly for Aboriginal communities. That’s just as true now as in 1948 when Giant Mine opened in Yellowknife. 

Study finds marine-protected areas tend to be leftovers from extractive uses

A paper co-authored by Memorial University’s Dr. Rodolphe Devillers and an international group of researchers argues that established global marine protected areas (MPAs) are too often a case of all show with no substance and do not adequately protect the most vulnerable areas of the world’s oceans.

Employment Relations program ranks third in Canada

A master’s degree program at Memorial, offered by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business Administration, has been ranked fifth in Canada among human resource management programs.

Where history and biology intersect: decoding the source of the 1918 flu epidemic

The groundbreaking research of a Memorial University history professor on the 1918 flu epidemic is highlighted in the most recent online issue of National Geographic magazine.

SPARKS Literary Festival

The traditional material of the fifth anniversary is wood, representing strength, solidity and warmth. And warmth definitely abounded on Sunday, Jan. 19, as the SPARKS Literary Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Geographer Awarded Arctic Inspiration Prize

SakKijânginnatuk Nunalik: the Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) of the Nunatsiavut Government and its principal research partner Dr. Trevor Bell of Memorial University’s Department of Geography, will share the 2013 Arctic Inspiration Prize along with two other Canadian research teams.

Arts student wins Cuffer Prize

Eva Crocker, a student in the creative writing stream of the MA in English literature, has been named the winner of The Telegram’s annual Cuffer Prize for short fiction.