UNews - manufacturing

Three new research centres approved

trevor.kenney — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:08:29 +0000

The General Faculties Council at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has approved the creation of three new collaborative, and diverse, research centres, which will focus on the creation of oral history, develop community-based collaborations and bring together chemistry and biochemistry researchers from around the world to further their expertise in fluorine technologies.

Growth of research centres and institutes in strategic areas, and the continued development of existing centres and institutes, is a key feature of the Strategic Research Plan of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

"The new centres bring the number of specifically-established groups to 13, all of which involve a significant number of cross-faculty or cross-departmental collaborations," says David Hill, the U of L's Director of Centres and Research Institutes.

"These three new groups have exciting plans for growth in their respective research areas that involve students at all levels, develop enhanced relationships with colleagues on campus and internationally and also showcase the U of L as an interesting and innovative place to work and learn."

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT)

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) will see researchers collaborate on oral history projects, offer resources and training to students and researchers interested in making oral history part of their research process, and work with partners, such as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Archives, to ensure oral history projects are properly executed, documented and available for future reference.

The Centre for Culture and Community (CCC)

The Centre for Culture and Community (CCC) will serve as a resource for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty and community partners engaged in cultural and community-based studies and creative activity.

The CCC's mission is to facilitate mutually beneficial university-community collaboration and resource-sharing with respect to social-science and humanities research, creative activity and outreach focused primarily, though not exclusively, on Lethbridge and southern Alberta.

The Canadian Centre for Research in Advanced Fluorine Technologies (C-CRAFT)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has brought together a local, national and international team of researchers to found the Canadian Centre for Research in Advanced Fluorine Technologies, Canada's first collaborative group with concentration of unique expertise in fluorine chemistry.

The establishment of the Canadian Centre for Advanced Fluorine Technologies (C-CRAFT) will allow the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to become a focal point for tackling challenges in materials, energy and the environment for which fluorine provides solutions, such as the oil and gas industry, manufacturing and steel and aluminum refining.

Peak Week examined by ULSU

trevor.kenney — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:45:34 +0000

Peak Oil is the point in time when the rate of oil production reaches its highest level and begins an immutable reduction. There is wide speculation surrounding whether this event has already happened or how far into the future it can be expected to happen. Peak Oil and related issues will be the subject of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union's (ULSU) Peak Week, Feb. 22-26.

"The thing that inspired me to focus on Peak Oil is the fact that most people don't even know it's an issue, even though it threatens the very core of modern civilization," says Alex Massé, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union vice-president academic and organizer of the event.

"Oil is not only used to power our vehicles," says Massé, "it is also used in the production of everything from plastic to food. The week will address such issues as how oil and gas depletion will affect the economy, Canadian and International politics, manufacturing, food supply and much more. It will open people's eyes to the fact that everything we take for granted is under threat."

Massé describes how experts differ on the issue of whether humanity will be able to adapt to this changing world.

"We know that if we don't adapt soon, oil depletion will cause the collapse of global civilization and the collapse of humanity's capacity to sustain our population," he says.

The ULSU has an exciting week of events to shed light on the issue of Peak Oil. There will be displays in the U of L Atrium featuring educational content and student artwork related to Peak Oil.

Thomas Homer-Dixon, one of Canada's most important ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, will deliver a keynote speech entitled Twin Peaks: Peak Oil, Climate Change and the Future of a Generation, Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. in PE250.

"Homer-Dixon's talk is going to address how we're facing two issues that could be catastrophic for human civilization – oil depletion and climate change," says Massé, "and how addressing one without the other won't solve anything."

The Prentice Institute will also be hosting Homer-Dixon along with U of L Geography Chair James Byrne and U of L Sociology Chair Trevor Harrison in a panel discussion entitled Science, Politics, Tipping Points. This event will take place at noon, Feb. 25 in Students' Union Ballroom A.

Other events for the week include a screening of the acclaimed documentary, A Crude Awakening, and, pending final confirmation, a lecture by acclaimed Alberta author Andrew Nikiforuk. Once confirmed, details will be posted on the ULSU website, www.ulsu.ca.

Gauging the effects of peak oil

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:08:44 +0000

Massé describes how experts differ on the issue of whether humanity will be able to adapt to this changing world.

"We know that if we don't adapt soon, oil depletion will cause the collapse of global civilization and the collapse of humanity's capacity to sustain our population," he says.

The ULSU has an exciting week of events to shed light on the issue of Peak Oil. There will be displays in the U of L Atrium featuring educational content and student artwork related to Peak Oil.

UNews - manufacturing

Three new research centres approved

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Peak Week examined by ULSU

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Gauging the effects of peak oil

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