UNews - Faculty of Fine Arts

Social sciences and humanities researchers secure greater than $1.175 million from SSHRC

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:30:55 +0000

The breadth of research excellence at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is reflected in the latest funding announcement from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), with 10 ULethbridge researchers representing four Faculties and one School all earning support for their work.

On behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, announced in Edmonton Tuesday more than $289 million in support for 1,788 social sciences and humanities research projects and partnerships across Canada. The funded projects span a diverse range of topics — including climate change adaptation, economic recovery, social justice and impacts of emerging technologies on society — that will generate new knowledge and enable partnerships to help translate insights into solutions for people and their communities.

“Research in the social sciences and humanities is the cornerstone of a resilient, forward-thinking society,” says Bardeesy. “This announcement reflects our deep commitment to Canadian research. By supporting these projects, we are empowering scholars to develop the vital insights and collaborative solutions needed to build a more resilient, equitable and innovative future for everyone.”

The ULethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Education, Dhillon School of Business and Faculty of Arts & Science, along with the School of Liberal Education combined to earn $1.175 million in SSHRC funding support through Insight Grants, Insight Development Grants and Partnership Engage Grants.

“This funding announcement really highlights the excellent work being done throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge Vice-President Research. “When students come to study here, they are being educated and work alongside nationally funded researchers across multiple disciplines, many of which lead their fields in research initiatives. Congratulations to those who earned this valuable support from SSHRC for their respective projects.”

McMartin also notes that Faculty of Education Dean, Dr. Lisa Starr’s project, was the top ranked SSHRC project in Canada, followed closely by Faculty of Fine Arts Dean, Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, and her drama project.

Insight Grants

Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch’s (Drama, $413,116) project addresses the problem of English-Canadian theatre historiography's reliance on textual analysis, scripts, and print documents, which has marginalized historically significant practices, particularly from underrepresented communities. Her research team will partner with galleries, archives, and museums to explore how alternate performance histories emerge from the analysis of archival objects and materials.

Dr. Kaylan Schwarz (Liberal Education, $69,014) is investigating the construction of feminist identities, and the social contexts which inform them. Combining visual methods, participatory methods, and intergenerational approaches, her project seeks to develop understandings of feminist representation and placemaking in the Canadian Prairies.

In Sierra Leone, girls and young women are often trapped in a cycle of dependency, health complications and poverty. Dr. Lisa Starr’s (Education, $368,933) project is aimed at reshaping gender dynamics for young female teachers in Sierra Leone by redistributing resources, expectations and responsibilities among new teachers. The intent is to study the impact of an integrative approach on Gender Transformation in teachers' personal lives and teaching practice, including their sense of professional identity and agency.

Insight Development Grants

Dr. David Balcarras (Philosophy, $26,354) seeks to address a fundamental question in philosophy of language: how words come to have meaning. By combining historical perspective with technical analysis, his project aims to clarify how best to explain the unbounded nature of linguistic meaning in finite human terms. If successful, it promises a deeper understanding of what linguistic meaning really is and how language and thus inquiry itself are possible.

Dr. Katharina Stevens (Philosophy, $41,957) proposes a project that will establish the foundation for developing a normative theory of voice allocation in interpersonal argumentation. Decisions on whom we give voice to argue with us, who we listen to and to whom we respond meaningfully significantly impact the way in which deliberation in the private and civic sphere proceeds. Normative argumentation theory aims to provide guidance to everyday arguers that will enable them to argue well in all senses of the term, and in all contexts.

Dr. Abdlmutaleb Boshanna (Dhillon School of Business, $51,253), whose expertise includes corporate governance, corporate disclosure, sustainability, natural language processing (NLP), textual analysis, and machine learning, proposes a project investigating whether firms use tax sustainability disclosure (TSD) as a strategic communication mechanism to navigate fiscal uncertainty and signal investment intentions after major tax reform.

Dr. Rhiannon Mesler (Dhillon School of Business, $77,198) is delving into the world of AI-mediated systems, noting that everyday customer service decisions — such as refund approvals, late-fee enforcement, fraud flags, and service recovery responses — are increasingly shaped by these systems. The project advances the concept of moral outsourcing: the displacement of responsibility for unfavourable but procedurally defensible outcomes from human decision-makers onto AI systems.

Dr. Monique Giroux (Music, $34,275) is examining intergenerational music teaching and learning through an in-depth qualitative case study of the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party and Fiddle Camp (KLKP), an intentionally intergenerational, community-centred fiddle camp in Saskatchewan. The central research question asks how intergenerational teaching and learning are enacted at KLKP, and how these practices may support both continued musical engagement and the care and continuity of traditions.

Academic Freedom (AF) is the focus of Dr. Dan O’Donnell’s (English, $75,000) project. Academic Freedom, as it is currently understood from a legal and policy perspective, assumed its current form in statements written in late 1960s and early 1970s. This model has recently struggled to accommodate a broader and more contested set of expectations surrounding freedom of expression and inclusivity — his project proposing to address contemporary questions by contextualizing the debate, intellectually, historically, and from a legal and policy perspective.

Partnership Engage Grant

Dr. Andrea Cuéllar’s (Anthropology, $48,825) and co-applicant Dr. Lars Hallström (Political Science), both with the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, are partnering with the Oldman Watershed Council to co-develop the Socioeconomic Pillar of its updated State of the Watershed assessment. The project will analyze socioeconomic indicators relevant to watershed governance, develop reproducible open-source methods for future assessment updates, and translate the findings into accessible narratives and visualizations. It will also support the development of a First Nations-led framework to guide Watershed assessment. The resulting Socioeconomic Pillar will provide a fuller understanding of the social and economic factors influencing land and water stewardship across the Oldman watershed.

Faculty of Fine Arts launches Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program supported by TD Bank Group

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:56:31 +0000

Supported by TD Bank Group, program advances reconciliation and cultural exchange

Supporting Indigenous students and community-based artists in building sustainable professional careers, Piiksinaasin (Manifesting Beauty), the Faculty of Fine Arts at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is launching an Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence (IAiR) program and opening its call for applications for its inaugural cohort.

Generously supported by TD Bank Group, the IAiR program provides Indigenous artists with the time, space and resources to develop new creative work, advance their careers and artistic practice and engage with ULethbridge and southern Alberta communities. The program also supports the Faculty of Fine Arts’ commitment to fostering reconciliation and furthering meaningful intercultural dialogue.

The IAiR program embeds artists within both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the surrounding region, creating opportunities for sustained cultural learning and exchange while empowering artists to focus on achieving their creative goals.

Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, says the program reflects the Faculty’s commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“By providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement close to community, artists can continue their training without sacrificing their connections to family, community and land,” says Davis-Fisch. “By supporting artists, we are investing not only in individual careers, but also in cultural resilience, community connection and the next generation of artistic and cultural leaders.”

As part of the residency, artists will produce new work, mentor students and share their creative practices through public engagement opportunities. Artists will be supported culturally and artistically by the Faculty, while receiving financial support from TD’s gift.

“At TD, we believe communities are stronger when diverse voices and perspectives are supported and celebrated," says Robert Ghazal, Senior Vice President and Alberta Region Head, TD. "Indigenous artists play a vital role in enriching our communities, yet many still face barriers to growing and sharing their work. Through our support of the Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program, we’re proud to help create space for Indigenous artists to develop their craft, strengthen their careers and connect with the community. Programs like this help foster inclusion, deepen cultural understanding and build stronger communities across southern Alberta.”

ULethbridge and the Faculty of Fine Arts are uniquely positioned to offer world-class facilities and resources to local Indigenous artists, supporting work that bridges cultural divides, fosters dialogue and deepens understanding.

“Piiksinaasin is a place where beauty can be manifested. The IAiR program will give Indigenous artists from the community an opportunity to come to Iniskim (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge) to share their beauty manifestation skills, encouraging students along the way to engage in beauty manifestations and storytelling through art,” says Iitspinnimaki, Amethyst First Rider, Elder Advisor and member of the Fine Arts Iniskim Advisory Circle.

Call for applications

Applications are now open for the inaugural Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence cohort. Emerging and early career Indigenous artists working in all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Expressions of Interest will be accepted until August 31, 2026. Following this, the Fine Arts Iniskim Advisory Circle will shortlist artists and work with them to submit full proposals, with inaugural recipients to be announced in late 2026.

For more information about the Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program and application details, visit /fine-arts/indigenous-artists-residence.

Digital extremism research project receives Canadian Heritage grant

caroline.zentner — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:04:40 +0000

Dr. Amy Mack, an assistant professor of New Media and Canada Research Chair at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and her research team have been awarded a Canadian Heritage grant worth approximately $227,000 to further their research into digital extremism.

The project seeks to understand the rise of disinformation influencers who create and spread online disinformation about gender and sexuality. This content is typically misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic. Mack and her research team, which includes Dr. Emily Gale (Music), Bryn Hewko (New Media), A.J. Lowik (Sociology), Brent Saccucci (Education), ULethbridge students, external collaborators at other universities and non-profit organizations, will also use the media technologies employed by disinformation influencers to counter their rhetoric.

“The disinformation spread about gender and sexuality by social media influencers contributes to a toxic ecosystem that is both harmful and a threat to Canada’s democracy and social cohesion,” says Mack. “In addition to being harmful in its own right, online rhetoric can affect policy and legislation, impact access to health care and educational supports, and most disturbingly, incite offline violence.”

Combatting digital extremism has become increasingly urgent. Evidence shows that young people, especially cisgender boys and men, are at higher risk of becoming radicalized via social media that promotes toxic masculinity influencers who espouse hateful speech and incite violence against women and girls. The content produced by disinformation influencers also increasingly targets young cisgender girls and women.

“This project will add crucial insights into the Canadian context and respond to the needs of frontline workers such as educators, social workers, pro-social influencers and non-profit organizations as they confront increased radicalization of young people in classrooms and communities,” says Mack.

The goals of the research project are to understand why disinformation influencers are so effective at radicalizing young people in Canada, and to use those new media techniques and practices to produce new media outputs that counter disinformation. Working with ULethbridge students, the research team will develop a series of media-based campaigns to counter the disinformation and a guidebook for stakeholders on best practices for producing similar content.

Knowledge Synthesis Grant to support project aimed at preserving histories of artist-run centres

trevor.kenney — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:32:28 +0000

A new project designed to preserve the rich histories of artist-run centres in Canada has received support through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Knowledge Synthesis Grant.

Dr. Devon Smither

Led by Dr. Devon Smither, an associate professor of Art History and Museum Studies and associate dean in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, the project will produce the first national synthesis of how artist-run centres document and preserve their histories through oral storytelling and archival practices.

“This project positions oral history as a key tool for preserving and understanding artist-run culture,” says Smither of her project, Oral Histories and Artist-Run Centres in Canada. “By synthesizing scholarship from oral history and related fields, alongside artist-run centre practices, we aim to support more equitable, accessible and sustainable ways of preserving artist-run culture in Canada.”

Artist-run centres emerged in the late 1960s response to limited access to mainstream institutions and a growing resistance to market-driven exhibition models. They provided essential opportunities for artists by fostering alternative exhibition spaces that supported experimental, dematerialized forms such as performance, installation and video art. Often at the forefront of equity and diversity initiatives, artist-run centres continue to play a crucial role in building regional arts communities while challenging conventional definitions of artistic production and display.

Despite their vital role in shaping Canada’s cultural landscape, their histories remain scattered, under-resourced and at risk of being lost. Smither’s project will bring together existing scholarship, archival materials and sector knowledge to identify best practices and policy directions for sustainable, community-led documentation and oral histories.

The grant, valued at $29,127, will support Smither’s work in generating a bilingual synthesis report, a policy evidence brief and practical tools to support artist-run centres, alongside a national virtual workshop and academic dissemination. It builds on Smither’s five-year SSHRC Insight-funded project, Parallel: The History and Archives of Artist-Run Centres in Canada.

Once completed, the project’s results will contribute to broader conversations around cultural policy, digital preservation and community-based knowledge in the arts.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Vibe Fest invites community to a contemporary arts explosion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:36:38 +0000

Celebrate innovation, creative excellence, connection and more with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts’ Vibe Fest, presented by Stringam Law.

Held on Saturday, April 18, from 3 to 10 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts, Vibe Fest opens the Faculty’s doors to the community to highlight the full scope of emerging and innovative art practices across fine arts students, faculty, staff and alumni.

“Vibe Fest shows off all the things that creative arts and technologies are in 2026. Many people aren’t quite sure what we do in fine arts, and Vibe Fest is a fun way for folks — inside and outside the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ — to experience all areas of fine arts,” says Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Through Vibe Fest, the Faculty of Fine Arts puts its world-class studios, spaces, technologies and facilities on display in accessible and interactive ways, inviting audiences to engage through immersive, playful and experimental experiences.

Visitors can check out exhibitions, performances, installations and more from each area of the fine arts — including music concerts, a dramatic creative collab, art awards and a faculty exhibition and a technologically-driven new media showcase — as well as a local artisan market presented by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students’ Union and a curator’s tour of the new ULethbridge Art Gallery exhibit, Parallels, which showcases the renowned Buchanan Collection.

Davis-Fisch says Vibe Fest affirms the importance of arts education and builds advocacy for the arts in southern Alberta.

“The festival is designed so visitors can pop in and out of performances, exhibitions and spaces, immersing themselves and exploring as much as they’d like. And it’s low risk — if you don’t love what you’re seeing, you can walk around the corner and see or experience something else!”

This is the second Vibe Fest event, with last year’s exceeding expectations for attendance and engagement, as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts welcomed more than 1,500 community members for the inaugural festival. Davis-Fisch adds for this year, attendees can experience an impactful event that has something for everyone.

“Vibe Fest is bigger and better this year, with expanded hours and even more curated performances and exhibitions, allowing our creative excellence in the Faculty of Fine Arts to come through in exciting and inclusive ways. This is truly a can’t-miss event for art supporters and those curious about what occurs behind closed doors in the fine arts.”

Vibe Fest is free for all to attend, with entertainment for individuals and families of all ages and interests.

Learn more about Vibe Fest, read our sneak peeks and join the vibe at go.uleth.ca/vibe.

New Faculty of Fine Arts major to strengthen Alberta’s cultural and creative sectors

trevor.kenney — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:31:24 +0000

Southern Alberta is quickly becoming a hot spot for the film and media industry, garnering investments, job opportunities, and now, education for the growing cultural sector.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts is launching a new major in Cinema and Media Studies, a broad program that blends theory and history with hands-on studio courses to support interdisciplinary approaches to the study of visual culture and the moving image.

New Media Instructor Ryan Harper-Brown (right) instructs a student during a class.

“Students enrolled in the program will enjoy a highly distinctive approach to the study of moving image and media culture, both in terms of using and making media,” says Dr. Aaron Taylor, Professor of Cinema Studies.

The unique major will be offered as a Bachelor of Arts that has both core requirements and custom courses, allowing students to build a degree path tailored to their interests. Students in the major can enhance their creative practice, combining theoretical work with practical, applied opportunities in film and media, which prepares them for careers in the arts or further education in filmmaking.

Graduates of this program will play a key role in strengthening Alberta’s cultural and community sectors, bringing versatile skills in storytelling, media production and communication to support creative initiatives, organizations and community-building efforts across the region.

“Having a robust showing of media-savvy folk in southern Alberta shows how important we feel moving image industries are in the region,” says New Media Instructor Ryan Harper-Brown.

“We live in a media-rich world and having the tools to navigate it are a necessity. Our students and alumni are uniquely situated to take advantage of this landscape, and their flexible skill sets are extremely valuable when they enter the workforce. The rising number of productions coming to the region and the beautiful, untapped locations are ripe for more creative industries to move to the region.”

Students in the major will have access to top-of-the-line equipment and technology in the Faculty of Fine Arts and will gain skills in media analysis, communication and management. As a result, graduates of the Cinema and Media Studies program will be well positioned for careers across Alberta’s growing creative and cultural sectors, including opportunities in film and television, broadcasting, policy, research and arts administration, where labour market projections show increased job openings through 2028.

Taylor says the new major allows ULethbridge to make an impact within the larger discipline of media studies while staying true to its liberal education philosophy.

“Institutionally, ULethbridge is in an extremely fortunate position in that it has long fostered dynamic structural connections across academic units and programs that take advantage of natural existing synergies between disciplines,” says Taylor. “This new major incorporates offerings from a variety of pre-existing programs, connecting students from a range of academic cultures in a completely unique, and forward-thinking way.”

Applications for admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies are anticipated to open in February for the Fall 2026 (September-December) term. For more information, visit this program page.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Fine Arts’ Vibe Fest partners with Stringam Law

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:16:22 +0000

It’s a non-traditional pairing — exactly what Vibe Fest and Stringam Law aim to bring to the southern Alberta community in their respective missions.

In a move that celebrates Stringam Law’s strong community commitment, Stringam Law has entered a multi-year partnership with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Fine Arts, becoming the presenting sponsor for the Faculty’s innovative Vibe Fest event.

Lawyers at the Stringam Law Lethbridge office.

Vibe Fest is a contemporary, immersive celebration of artistic excellence at ULethbridge. Showcasing the creative work of students, alumni and faculty, Vibe Fest transforms fine arts spaces into vibrant, interactive art experiences that are open, inclusive and free to the public.

“Vibe Fest made a significant impression on our students and in the southern Alberta community and highlighted the importance of arts-based education,” says Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. “We’re thrilled to have Stringam Law affirm this, and with their support, ensure Vibe Fest remains an accessible, innovative and impactful event.”

Last year’s inaugural event saw more than 1,500 people visit the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Centre for the Arts (UCA), wandering through art-filled hallways, taking in creative showcases and exploring all the spaces, places and technology that make the Faculty of Fine Arts a leading place for arts-based education.

Stringam Law is a regional law firm driven to provide a competitive edge in the increasingly complex and interconnected provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Stringam’s pillars of community engagement include post-secondary schools and the arts, a perfect match for their commitment to supporting community culture and students.

“This is a key priority for Stringam, as many of our lawyers are graduates of ULethbridge and we have a deep connection with the institution,” says Holt Humphrey, vice-president of business development with Stringam Law.

“The arts in general are under-supported, but they provide immense value to communities. Seeing and experiencing the thriving arts community in Lethbridge affirms our commitment to the arts and makes me proud of the direction we take with our community engagement.”

Humphrey says he learned about Vibe Fest from friends, who noted that the exhilarating event matched Stringam Law’s philanthropic philosophy.

More than an event, Vibe Fest builds community connections, celebrates creative innovation and advocates for the value of arts education by bringing people directly into the world of contemporary artmaking.

From engaging performances to experimental installations, audiences can explore the full spectrum of emerging art practices across disciplines through Vibe Fest. With the support of Stringam, Vibe Fest will continue to ignite curiosity in young artists, families and first-time arts visitors for years to come.

“We’re very much looking forward to supporting and attending such a unique cultural event. I’m thrilled to see what’s being created and to join in the energy that comes from Vibe Fest. It’s great for us to come onboard at such an early stage — watching new events grow and gain success is exceptionally exciting,” adds Humphrey.

Next year’s Vibe Fest will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 3 to 10 p.m. in the UCA.

ULethbridge invites business leaders and community members to join Stringam Law in supporting Vibe Fest. Connect with James Phelan, philanthropy advisor, External Relations, to explore sponsorship opportunities and ways to get involved. Sponsorship information is available at go.uleth.ca/vibe.

“Brainstorm” documentary wins Rosie Award

caroline.zentner — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:40:55 +0000

Brainstorm, the documentary film created and directed by Dr. Jenna Bailey, an adjunct professor of history and senior researcher with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Centre for Oral History and Tradition, won a Rosie at the Alberta Film & Television Awards ceremony on Oct. 25.

“I’m deeply honoured that Brainstorm has received the Rosie Award for Best Educational Production,” says Bailey. “This film was created to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Dr. Bryan Kolb and Dr. Ian Whishaw, whose groundbreaking research in neuroscience has shaped how we understand the human brain.”

The team behind the production includes co-producer Dr. Edgar Bermudez Contreras, adjunct professor at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN), and editor Bryn Hewko (MFA - New Media '16), assistant professor of new media.

The 42-minute film delves into the history behind the establishment of the CCBN and its growth through the efforts of Kolb, Wishaw, Dr. Robert Sutherland and Dr. Robbin Gibb. The research results produced by CCBN scientists have provided insight into Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and early brain development, to name a few. As a result, prevention strategies for brain disorders and programs to improve brain health have been developed. Community programs have sprouted from their findings and have been key to launching such programs as Building Brains Together and the Early Years program through the Martin Family Initiative.

“It’s been a privilege to share their story with audiences and to highlight the incredible work happening right here in Lethbridge,” says Bailey. “This recognition is a tribute to our entire team and to the power of film as a way to inspire curiosity, learning and pride in our scientific and local heritage.”

The film had its Lethbridge premiere nearly a year ago to a sold-out crowd at the Yates Theatre. Since then, Brainstorm has been picked up by Amazon Prime in the United States and the United Kingdom and by Roku in the US.

The film has also been selected for several film festivals. The documentary was an Official Selection at the SCINEMA International Science Film Festival (Australia) and aired as a part of National Science Week in Australia, a semifinalist at the Raw Science Film Festival (USA), the Iris Global Health Film Festival (USA) and the USA Film Festival. In addition, Brainstorm was a nominee for the Best Science/Nature/Technology Doc at the Yorkton Film Festival (Saskatchewan).

Brainstorm was produced with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE and has been released on Telus Optik TV Channel 9. Additional funding was generously provided by the Alberta Medical Association, Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund, CCBN, Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) and the Historical Society of Alberta.

Bailey’s next project focuses on the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra and the history of classical music making in southern Alberta. Learn more at www.baileyandsoda.com.

New ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Canada Research Chairs at forefront of critical studies

caroline.zentner — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:35:05 +0000

Dr. Alex Tetarenko, an astrophysicist in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, has been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Black Hole Astrophysics, and Dr. Amy Mack (BA ’13, MA ’16), assistant professor in the Department of New Media, has been named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Digital Extremism.

The recent announcement by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, was part of $690 million invested in science and research funding across Canada. Of that amount, $198 million will support 259 new and renewed CRCs like Tetarenko and Mack.

In addition to being named Canada Research Chairs, the pair will also receive funding for infrastructure through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

“This recognition reflects the high calibre of research taking place at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, vice-president research. “These Canada Research Chair appointments honour the achievements of Dr. Tetarenko and Dr. Mack and illustrate ULethbridge’s commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding in a broad range of fields from astrophysics to new media.”

Dr. Alex Tetarenko studies the physics of black holes.

Tetarenko is an internationally recognized researcher in high-energy astrophysics. She has built her research program by using innovative methodologies to investigate black holes.

“My research focuses on developing creative new ways to study jets of material launched from stellar-mass black holes in our galaxy and extract vital new information about black-hole physics,” says Tetarenko. “This program will further enhance the growth of the Canadian astronomy talent pool by training postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates, and have a wide-reaching impact in Canada and internationally.”

Tetarenko will receive $71,233 from the JELF for high-performance computing resources needed for her research lab.

Dr. Amy Mack investigates anti-democratic movements.

Mack, an internationally recognized researcher, speaker and writer in critical far-right studies and anthropology, uses an anti-fascist framework to research reactionary, anti-democratic movements. She leads several national research projects focused on the relationship between social media, disinformation and extremism. These projects explore how hate-based ideologies circulate online and manifest offine. She works closely with federal and municipal governments, frontline practitioners and communities to support efforts to counter hate, bias and extremism in southern Alberta. Her Countering Digital Extremism Lab, which provides research and skill-building opportunities for students and faculty, translates this academic knowledge into public-facing outputs that use new media technologies like podcasts, documentaries and social media campaigns.

“In an era of democratic backsliding and rising authoritarianism, we need to ensure that academic knowledge about the far right and other reactionary, anti-democratic movements is used effectively by stakeholders to disrupt radicalization and promote trust and social cohesion in our communities. This needs to be a whole-of-society approach that includes policy makers, tech companies, practitioners, educators, community advocates and the public,” says Mack.

Mack will receive $123,435 through JELF to set up her research lab.

Discover how governments have used art as a means of diplomacy at opening PUBlic Professor series talk

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:32:43 +0000

Visiting an art gallery or museum can be awe-inspiring and educational, but did you ever expect it could also be political?

Dr. Anne Dymond, art historian and Chair of the Department of Art at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, will explore the mobilization of Canada’s art and museums for political purposes during the first PUBlic Professor Series lecture of the 2025-26 season on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Galt Museum & Archives. A presentation for Calgary audiences has also been scheduled Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at the Esker Foundation.

Art historian Dr. Anne Dymond will present talks in both Lethbridge and Calgary.

Dymond’s talk, From a Communist Doctor to Madonna’s Cone Bra: Museums and Cultural Diplomacy in Troubled Times, will examine how governments have used art as a means of diplomacy, acting as a bridge that connects nations across challenging divides.

“Of course, museums are for displaying and preserving our cultural heritage, but they’ve also always been political tools for the governments that fund them,” says Dymond. “In this talk I’m going to look at Canada’s use of art and art exhibitions to forge an international identity, particularly in the 1970s when the country was taking a new place on the world stage.”

Dymond notes that Canada was one of the world’s first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China in 1970, and art exhibitions between the two nations played a big role in bridging cultural and political divides.

“From Inuit prints to the creation of new museums, Canada was very active in using cultural diplomacy as a form of soft power,” she says. “More recently the federal government has pulled back from supporting this type of cultural diplomacy, but certain provincial governments have stepped up and, in particular, Quebec has been promoting a Francophone identity abroad by using art and art exhibitions.”

Dymond is a dedicated teacher who has been a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair and has served on the Board of Governors. Her ongoing work supporting refugees garnered her both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Senate Volunteer Award and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award. Her book, Diversity Counts: Gender, Race, and Representation in Canadian Art Galleries, is the first large-scale quantitative assessment of gender and ethnicity in Canadian art galleries and was described as “a path-breaking study and an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the contemporary art scene in Canada.”

The annual PUBlic Professor Series lectures spark thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day, bringing together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge. For a look at the full series, visit ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor.

2025-26 PUBlic Professor Series

From a Communist Doctor to Madonna’s Cone Bra: Museums and Cultural Diplomacy in Troubled Times — Dr. Anne Dymond, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 — Galt Museum & Archives

Cockwombles, Cornucopias and the Curious Task of Economics — Dr. Danny Le Roy, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 — Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre

Has AI Made Teachers Obsolete? — Dr. Richelle Marynowski — Thursday, November 27, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Playing Telephone with Eyewitness Evidence — Dr. Jamal Mansour, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 — The Owl Acoustic Lounge

Indigenous Childhood Stories Transform Worlds – Want Some? — Dr. Don McIntyre, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Legalized Gambling in Canada: Winners and Losers — Dr. Robert Williams — Thursday, March 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

UNews - Faculty of Fine Arts

Social sciences and humanities researchers secure greater than $1.175 million from SSHRC

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Faculty of Fine Arts launches Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program supported by TD Bank Group

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