UNews - keynote speaker

U of L researcher to play key role in national homelessness initiative

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:40:30 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Yale Belanger will play a key role in a national initiative that will gather information on the state of homelessness in Canada and will disseminate that knowledge to front-line providers.

The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness was recently created through a $2.5 million investment from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, which promotes and assists research and scholarship in the social sciences and humanities.

The Observatory's work will be particularly relevant in Alberta, as recent province-wide flooding may increase the number of individuals who could be homeless.

"Homelessness remains a massive national issue, even though communities across the country have made great strides in reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness," said Belanger, a researcher/professor in Native American Studies and the Faculty of Health Sciences. "We know that homelessness is usually the result of the cumulative impact of a number of factors, rather than a single cause."

Belanger said individual challenges or a traumatic event like flooding, compounded by structural factors like income, affordable housing and discrimination, or failures in a system designed to help vulnerable people, can render people homeless.

In Canada approximately 200,000 people are homeless each year, and about 30,000 people homeless on any given night.

In Calgary, there were more than 3100 people counted in January 2012 as part of a homeless person census, according to recent data published in "The State of Homelessness in Canada." A web link attached to full report is included, below.

Counts taken in October, 2012 showed Edmonton recording more than 2100, Red Deer nearly 280 while Lethbridge recorded 99 individuals.

Belanger added that Aboriginal people are particularly at risk, as are low-income workers and, increasingly, families.

Belanger said one of the key goals of the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness group is to work as a team to devise best practices that can be housed in the Observatory for use by anyone – researchers, community organizations and policymakers.

"More than 25 researchers are involved, plus many more local, provincial and national advocacy groups and support networks, so we feel quite confident about being able to gather a large amount of information quickly, and which we know everyone can share."

The group won't be simply researching the topic – Belanger said they will be on the ground, translating research into action wherever possible.

"We are expected to participate to help people create response and prevention strategies. I am very pleased to be working with the City of Lethbridge and other agencies in our community and the province."

"Though efforts like Social Housing in Action and the Vibrant Lethbridge Poverty Reduction Strategy group, our community is working really hard to put in place effective systems to reduce homelessness, as are similar groups in Calgary and Edmonton."

The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is housed at York ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and is led by Dr. Stephen Gaetz, professor and Associate Dean, Education. Gaetz was recently in Lethbridge as a keynote speaker at a two-day conference on homelessness issues.

A copy of "The State of Homelessness in Canada" is available at these websites:

http://www.homelessresearch.ca/
http://www.homelesshub.ca/

Religious Studies Conference, Apr. 30 to May 1

trevor.kenney — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:05:45 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will host the 9th Annual Research in Religious Studies Conference this weekend, Apr. 30 to May 1 in Anderson Hall.

Titled Religious Studies Rules, the conference focuses on the true value of studying religion and how it embodies the liberal arts philosophy. Beginning with an 8 a.m. registration on Saturday, the conference features a full day of sessions to 5:30 p.m. The evening is then capped with a banquet, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Coulee Junction. Keynote speaker for the banquet event is Lethbridge College's Marko Hilgersom.

Sunday's schedule sees participants gather for another round of sessions, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information on the conference, check out this notice or go directly to the conference website by following this link.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host round table conference on activity and sport

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:31:41 +0000

Over the past decade, scholars from across Alberta have been meeting annually at the Alberta Round Table for the Socio-Cultural Study of Physical Activity & Sport. This year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is hosting the event for a second time, Saturday, Apr. 30, with
Dr. Brian Wilson of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia as the keynote speaker.

This one-day meeting brings together faculty, graduate and undergraduate students from institutions across Alberta (including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Grant MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ) to facilitate and foster interdisciplinary work across the socio-cultural areas (cultural studies, history, management, philosophy, and sociology) of kinesiology/physical education.

Having Wilson aboard as the keynote speaker for the conference is a coup for organizers. Considered a leading scholar in the field of sport sociology, Wilson authored, Fight, Flight or Chill: Subcultures, Youth and Rave into the Twenty-First Century, as well as numerous articles on topics related to youth culture, sport, media, social inequality, social movements and environmental issues.

In his talk, Wilson will examine the often complex and unintended results of attempts to incite positive social change in and around sport. In doing so, he reflects on recent research he has conducted on sport for youth development groups and sport-related corporate environmentalism. Wilson's research will draw interest from scholars, not only in kinesiology and sociology, but also from the Department of Philosophy and the Faculty of Management.

His address is featured in the morning, followed by a group discussion. The afternoon session then features graduate student presentations, with discussion among the presenters, the keynote speaker and other participants.

The event provides a valuable forum for intellectual discussion and it is an important opportunity for graduate students to present and receive feedback on their work in a formal setting. Alberta scholars in this broad area of research have benefited from the efforts over the past decade.

The genesis of the meeting actually came about here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge with Dr. Doug Brown.

Organizers of the event include Drs. Michelle Helstein, Carly Adams, Robert Kossuth and Sean Brayton from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Dr. Jason Laurendeau from sociology.

Registration is free and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information and to RSVP your attendance, contact Carly Adams via email: carly.adams@uleth.ca.

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Fulbright Scholar speaks on water conflicts

trevor.kenney — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:12:58 +0000

It's commonly believed that the majority of the world's conflicts have centered around religious differences or land disputes, but Dr. Yuefeng Xie offers another perspective. He maintains that water may be at the root of world conflicts, and offers his opinion Monday, Nov. 29 in a 4 p.m. presentation at Andy's Place (AH100).

Water Conflicts: From Middle East to Alberta, is the title of Xie's talk, and it asks the question, "Are so many of our conflicts over religion? Over land? Or is humanity really just fighting over water?"

Xie is a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He received his BS, MS and PhD degrees from Tsinghua ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, Beijing, China. A registered professional engineer and a board certified environmental engineer, he is a professor at Pennsylvania State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He co-founded the Small Public Water Systems Technology Assistance Center and Environmental Training Center at Penn State. Xie also has more than 25 years experience in water quality and treatment.

Starting with water conflicts between men and women, Xie will discuss conflicts in the Middle East, Kashmir, and Southeast Asia. From a water engineer's point of view, he will discuss the roots of these conflicts and potential solutions, while also discussing current and future water issues facing Albertans.

Xie has published two books, Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water: Formation, analysis and control, and, Disinfection By-products in Drinking Water: Occurrence, formation, health effects, and control. Xie was also the keynote speaker for the 13th Canadian National Drinking Water Conference.

'94 Hockey Horns reminisce with Babcock

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:38:24 +0000

Mark Wobick (BSc'96) works in the financial sector and is a hockey coach to his novice-aged son; Trevor Ellerman (BMgt '94) is the head professional at a golf course; Mike Babcock just coached the Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey Team to a gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics. What all three have in common is 1994, the year they were all ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns and winners of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (then CIAU) men's national hockey title.

"When you win together, you walk together, forever," says Babcock, as much a Horn now as he was in 1994, despite the fame and fortune he's since experienced.

The majority of the group was back together at the sold-out 1st Annual Calgary and Friends Alumni Dinner in Calgary this past spring, with Babcock as the keynote speaker. The bond they established 16 years ago is still evident.

"I've seen probably four or five guys who I hadn't seen in 13 or 14 years, and it's like I just saw them yesterday," says Ellerman, the head pro at the Riverview Golf Club in Redcliff, Alta.
"Looking back, that closeness we had, that was the whole key to our success."

Wobick, who works with Meyers Norris Penny in Lethbridge, says the players reached a point where they completely trusted one another.

"I don't think I ever experienced a team that had that type of a bond. You just lived and breathed for everybody and Mike made us believe," says Wobick.

For Wobick, that has translated into lasting relationships with his teammates and successes that trace back to that championship season.

"As you get older you better understand what you accomplished," says Ellerman. "At the time, you won and you think it'll last forever and you don't really grasp the concept. I think if you look at our team, the successful careers the players forged for themselves away from hockey, the foundation was laid there in 1993/1994. Winning builds success, friendships and bonds, and this was a special group."

To view the entire issue of SAM in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Wellness Week at the U of L

trevor.kenney — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:36:16 +0000

Wellness Week begins Monday at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, with a number of events designed to bring health and wellness issues to the forefront of everyone's mind.

Following is a list of Wellness Week activities, beginning with Monday's mini health fair at Andy's Place (AH100).

Monday, Apr. 26 – mini health fair – Andy's Place – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – exhibits will include non-fasting cholesterol and glucose testing (Health Centre); how to set up your workspace (Ergonomic Connections); Smoking Cessation (AB Health Services), Healthy Recipes and Eating for Weight Loss (Diane Britton, Registered Dietitian); Straighten Up AB Stretching Program (Mcleod Family Chiropractic); find out what's involved in a personal fitness consultation (U of L Fitness Centre); Back care and stretching (Jon Doan, Kinesiology).
Light refreshments will be available. Pick up a wellness passport to enter draw prizes and make sure and register for the Bee Heart Smart challenge as well.

Monday, Apr. 26 – 10 minute chair massages (by appointment only!) offered by certified Massage Therapist Lena Winter, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Health Centre. Contact Suzanne at 5217 to register.

Tuesday, Apr. 27 – PE255 – 11 a.m. to noon - Try a free intro Yoga session – Sophie Verzosa. Please note this intro session will be accessible to all fitness conditions - limited spaces so pre-registration required. Click here to register.

Tuesday, Apr. 27 – Andy's Place - noon to 1 p.m. - Dr. Robbin Gibb will be back to repeat her presentation on Healthy Brains

Tuesday, Apr. 27 - noon to 12:45 p.m. - Join Michelle Cederberg (who was our keynote speaker for Wellness Week 2009) for her first Mid Week Motivation session entitled "Get to the Good Things Even with a Busy Schedule" Register for this free webinar at: http://www.gottoit.ca/resources/webinar.asp

Wednesday, Apr. 28 - Coulee Clean-Up - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Meet at North Entrance Level 6 U-Hall for your bag and gloves. In conjunction with City of Lethbridge and Helen Schuler Coulee Centre. Click here to register. Participating has its benefits! You will be entered in a draw to win the use of an Tent Trailer for a year (courtesy of El Dorado RV). Click here to view the poster.

Thursday, Apr. 29 – 10 minute chair massages (by appointment only) offered by certified Massage Therapist Jarvis Larson from 9 a.m. to noon in the Health Centre. Contact Suzanne at 5217 to register.

Friday, Apr. 30 – Andy's Place – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Presentation on Identity Theft by Sonya von Heyking and Darren Schell

Friday, Apr. 30 – Andy's Place- 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - "Straighten Up Alberta" stretching program demonstrated by McLeod Family Chiropractic

Wellness Week savings at the Bookstore "Run, don't walk to the Bookstore and spin for your savings"
Warning: it could be good for your health!"

So come on out and use the opportunity to explore health and wellness resources on campus and in the community. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Suzanne McIntosh, wellness co-ordinator at 403-332-5217.

Ethnicity focus of event

trevor.kenney — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:57:49 +0000

The interdisciplinary conference on Ethnicity: Theory and Practice in the 21st Century took place at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge September 26-28.

Organized by Maria Ng, Department of English, and Michelle Helstein, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, paper proposals at the conference came from countries as far away as Nigeria and Australia.

Ethnicity proved to be an important topic, based on the wide response, as participants in the conference included scholars from Slovenia, India and throughout Canada.

Nasrin Rahimieh, professor of Comparative Literature and the Maseeh Chair and director of Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of California, Irvine was the keynote speaker as she presented The Question of Ethnicity in Modern Iranian Cultural History.

Panels at the conference included, Indigenous Cultures – Global Values, Ethnicity in Canada/North America and Gender and Ethnicity. Individual papers ranged from discussion of teaching modern Jewish literature to the ways Latina/o stereotypes are constructed in Hollywood comedies.

The sessions were all extremely well attended, energized by enthusiastic question periods following all 20 presented papers.

The conference was funded by the President's Office's Women Scholars Speaker Series, the Faculty of Arts & Science, Faculty of Education, the School of Health Sciences, the Departments of English, History, Kinesiology and Physical Education, and was ably assisted by Briana Struss and Brittany Thompson.

UNews - keynote speaker

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