Beyond the Bulletin Podcast

Interview guest Amir Al-Azraki, the coordinator of Studies in Islamic and Arab cultures and professor of Arabic language, literature and culture at Renison University College, discusses Islamophobia after a motorist hit and killed several members of a Muslim family. Waterloo jumps 17 spots overall in the QS World University Rankings, an annual publication that ranks more than 1,300 institutions wo...

For the first time, the remains of a member of the ill-fated Franklin Expedition were identified through DNA, and with the help of one of his descendants. John Gregory was an engineer aboard HMS Erebus. Interview guest Douglas Stenton is an adjunct professor of anthropology at Waterloo and co-authored the paper about the discovery. Waterloo joins the country in mourning four members of a Muslim fa...

With the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Jean Becker of Indigenous Initiatives and HREI discusses the effects on truth and reconciliation. The UWaterloo community held two farewell events in honour of Feridun Hamdullahpur, our sixth president and vice-chancellor. The Sustainability Office is running its annual Bike Month event. And th...

Anti-Asian racism is a lot older than the pandemic, though cases of discrimination and violence against people of Asian descent have recently surged. Professor Kim Nguyen, from communication arts, discusses ethnicity, race and living in a society guided by white dominance. Employees will hear over the summer who’s in the first stages of returning to campus. Charmaine Dean is reappointed vice-presi...

Christine Purdon, professor of psychology, discusses the possible mental health effects of more than a year of restrictions and stress we’re trying to manage. More than 1,600 people attend the Return to Campus Town Hall virtually. The President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce launches The Catalyst, an anti-racism newsletter. And the University and Microsoft offer free online training. Links in this episod...

Cathy Newell Kelly, University registrar, discusses 20 years of Quest, the student information system, how it started, and why discussions are underway to replace it. The School of Optometry and Vision Science cuts the price of eye exams. Registration is open for the Return to Work Town Hall. And the Hallman Lecture will feature the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations discussing COVID-...

The vaccination picture changes quickly and often, and the School of Pharmacy's Professor Kelly Grindrod is back to update us since our April 9 interview. This special bonus episode has everything you need to know about vaccines in Waterloo region right now. Links in this episode: COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration for Waterloo region: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/covid-19...

Professor Chris Bauch and his team in Applied Mathematics create computer models that outline likely effects of government decisions, public-health measures, and our own behaviour during the pandemic. The extension of the current provincial shutdown and stay-at-home order affects in-person teaching, on-campus research, and other operations. We mourn the loss of professor Tom Coleman, from the Depa...

The Indigenous Entrepreneurship Training Program, from St. Paul’s Greenhouse, strives to bring increased prosperity and employment opportunities to Indigenous communities. Student Kyra Lindsey and Jacob Crane, the manager of the program, discuss the needed and worthwhile initiative. Submit a tribute to Feridun Hamdullahpur on the Decade of Impact website to recognize his 10 years leading the Unive...

The changing advice and rules during the pandemic have been confusing for many, and wrong or misleading information on social media can further contribute to our uncertainty. Shana MacDonald is a professor of communication arts and talks about effective communication in a crisis. Region of Waterloo Public Health says the outbreak in the residence buildings is over. The Board of Governors approves...

Professor Kelly Grindrod, from the School of Pharmacy, is pitching in at the vaccination clinic at the Health Sciences Campus. She clears up some misperceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine and the vaccination process. Region of Waterloo Public Health recommends that everyone who lives or works in our residences gets tested for COVID-19. The Equity Office has announced the launch of an e-learning co...

When the pandemic first hit, our colleagues at Co-operative and Experiential Education sprang into action to support co-op students in new and inventive ways, and as Associate Provost Norah McRae tells us, they’re still innovating. There is a plan to deliver more in-person learning, work, and research on campus in the fall. We tell you the winners of two different teaching awards. And Plant Operat...

Professor Andy Houston and student May Nemat Allah, both from the Theatre and Performance program, discuss their challenges and learning opportunities in staging a new theatre production during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Sciences Campus in Kitchener opens its COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Two alumni and founders of Caivan Communities donate $1 million to the Faculty of Environment to support...

Every day during the pandemic, we receive sad statistics about the number of people sick with COVID-19 or who died, as well as details about the effect on the economy and our daily lives. We can feel grief when someone we love dies, or at other times of loss. Professor Susan Cadell, from the School of Social Work, tells us ways to recognize feelings of grief in ourselves and others and what can he...

Professor Blair Feltmate, from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, shares his proven methods for getting research before policy-makers, creating partnerships with industry, and informing the public through the media. Waterloo mourns a much-respected professor emeritus from Optometry and an accomplished PhD student from Engineering. The University and the faculty association reach an agreement...

Professor John Hirdes from the Faculty of Health led a study that checked in with Canadians several times during the early months of the pandemic, and it yielded some surprising results about our mental health—and whose is hardest hit. As the Region of Waterloo returns to the red zone, we provide updates on campus activity. The Global Impact Report reveals ways our students, faculty and alumni are...

Anna Murynka, a master’s student from psychology and the winner of the GRADflix 2021 Showcase, discusses her winning short film, her thesis, and her goal of increasing mental health services. The president announces an update on the resumption of in-person classes that were suspended due to the stay-at-home order. St. Paul’s University College's new chancellor, Michaëlle Jean, invites people to fi...

Roderick Slavcev, a professor in Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy who is cross-appointed to chemical engineering, discusses his team’s development of a nasal-spray vaccine for COVID-19, and tells us why this is a revolutionary time for science. As Bell Let’s Talk Day combats stigma around mental illness, we tell you about a student and an alumnus who got help. The Schlegel-UW Research Institute for A...

Tiz Mekonnen, the director of a Waterloo-led project to increase the number of Black and Indigenous engineering and technology professionals, tells us why it is necessary and seeing such interest from other universities. Pharmacy debunks myths about the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. T4 and T4A tax forms will soon be ready. And hundreds attended a memorial for Pearl Sullivan, dean emeritus...

With the help of Mary Wells, dean of Engineering, and Jay Shah, a successful alumnus of Waterloo Engineering, we remember Pearl Sullivan, dean emeritus, and reflect on the major contributions she made and her dedication to students. Spring term will start later than planned. Homewood Health shares tips on fighting post-holiday depression. And there are wellness workshops for employees and students...

Natasha Rozario, a third-year student of computer science, found a way to cut wait times once hospitals can resume elective surgeries. The results appear in the Canadian Journal of Surgery in her first-ever paper. In light of the stay-at-home order from the Government of Ontario, only work that cannot be done from home should take place on campus. Organizational and Human Development launches a wi...

The Faculty of Applied Health Sciences officially became the Faculty of Health on January 1 and Lili Liu, its dean, tells us about the name change, ideas for the Faculty's future, the effect the pandemic has had on research activity, and more. Two alumni, a professor emeritus, and Waterloo's next president are named to the Order of Canada. There are nine new and renewed Canada Research Chairs from...

To help us cope with the isolation of a pandemic, especially in the winter, some experts say we need a winter strategy to encourage us to get outside. Troy Glover, chair of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, tells us what a winter strategy might look like. Waterloo announces plans for two memorials for Pearl Sullivan. There are two options for staff when it comes to performance appr...

Waterloo’s 12th dean of mathematics tells us about the solutions math is seeking for the world right now, entrepreneurship in the Faculty, and what excites him about its future. Most academic and student-service buildings are now locked until January 10. A committee to review the University’s pregnancy and parental leave policy seeks feedback. And Waterloo signs strategic mandate agreements with t...

Sam Dugan, a student in Waterloo Engineering, emerged from CBC’s Dragons’ Den with a deal for Smart Patrol and tells us how he did it. We mourn the passing of Pearl Sullivan, dean emeritus, and Igor Ivkovic, a popular instructor. We surpass a milestone for Giving Tuesday. And Waterloo announces it will transform a 90,000-square-foot warehouse into the Innovation Arena. Links in this episode: Water...