Spark Connections: June 23, 2022

Spark is thrilled to introduce Lily Wang as the new Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL) Manager. Lily has a background in Physics and Computer Science and is passionate about data security, fair use and Research Data Management. Please join us in welcoming Lily!

SEAL acts a trusted intermediary between data owners and research users, using state-of-the-art technology to provide security, while making authorized access from anywhere seamless. The lab is on the 5th floor of LR Wilson Hall at the main McMaster University campus and supports both Canadian and international researchers and data owners with remote access to the lab and its data.

The Spark Co-Lab is open!

McMaster has a free coworking space designed for research teams in LR Wilson 5803.  If you’re looking for a space to work, meet as a team, or engage with partners, you may wish to join The CoLab.

At Spark, we are excited by the energy that develops when people working on diverse projects interact, and so have built a coworking space where you can both focus and engage with other faculty, research staff, RAs and grad students across disciplines.

I'm interested. How do I join? It's simple. You can stop by for a brief (15 minute) orientation any time between 8:30 and 4:30 Tuesday and Thursday. Just ring the bell and someone will answer, or email us at talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to schedule a time to visit. We'll ask you to sign a user agreement, arrange for access to the space, and get you set up on our Booking System to reserve private spaces in the CoLab.

Who do you want to speak at Spark Talks 2022-2023?

Spark's weekly research talks (Fridays at 10:30-11:20 am) are back in fall 2022. Planning is already in the works for an academic year full of informative sessions by some great researchers. As always, we want to provide you with engaging content from people whose work or skills spark an interest!

Do you want to share your work?
      Great!  This is a supportive starting place for sharing your work across disciplines 

Maybe share your experience with a method, technology or research area?
      Yes, let's build our collective research toolkits and find others with the same interests

Expose others to someone whose work or career you admire?
      This is an easy initial engagement with Mac (and we pay stipends to external speakers)

Speakers can be anywhere in the world. All Spark Talks will be hybrid with a group convening in LR Wilson 5803 and available via Zoom. We have lots of open seminar slots from Sept 2022-April 2023, so can accommodate schedules!

Nominate a speaker

After another year of engaging seminars, Spark will be taking a break from Spark Talks during the summer months (May-Aug).

With excitement for Spark Talks return in Fall 2022, we will feature some of our favourite talks from this year in a weekly social media campaign on Twitter @Spark_McMaster. Join us on twitter every Friday at 10:30am during the summer for #SparkResearchReplay!

Check out the latest #SparkResearchReplay videos below:

Connect with Spark on Twitter

Midweek Meditation - June 29th

Spark is hosting drop in guided meditation from 3:00-3:45 pm bi-weekly on Wednesdays in LR Wilson 5803.  Led by Spark's own Allison Van, who is a long time meditator and has taught meditation for the last seven years, this is a no pressure time and space to let your thoughts settle.  

The next midweek meditations session is June 29th 

Looking to pool software licences?

Now you can! Fill out this form and we will reach out if we can match you with others looking to pool licences.

We are also attempting a pilot in fall term allowing for virtual desktop access to several licenses for major Qualitative Data Analysis software, and will be seeking volunteers to test out the viability of this option.  FSS faculty, please email talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca if you're interested in participating.  

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Research Conversations

We provide up to 4 hours of free support each year to all McMaster researchers (students, staff and faculty) on every social research topic imaginable.  If we can't help you, we'll help you find someone who can.   
Request a research consultation at https://forms.gle/7FciqxCtK5fN6AD97
 

Qualtrics Licences

If you are an FSS researcher who would like to request access to Qualtrics survey software, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Gn2KvYgdebjo8d2W8.

Brighter Spark Applied Research

Spark offers custom research and evaluation, as well as highly skilled assistance in implementing virtually any social research method. Our cost-recovery services include methods and software training, custom research, state-of-the-art facilities, and taking on elements of your project to support its completion.
For a full list of Brighter Spark Applied Research's services, visit: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/brighter-spark

Help us profile your research, publications, job ads, opportunities, and upcoming events by sending them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca to be showcased in our following newsletter.

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Australian National University Winter School in Political Analysis 

 In July 2022, the School of Politics and IR will host a fully online summer school in Political Analysis. It will provide a sequenced combination of foundational and advanced short-course topics focused on methods in political science. 

The SSPA has been created to meet the needs of:

• University graduates pursuing or seeking to pursue PhD degrees in political science at ANU and other Australian universities
• International political science graduates pursuing or seeking to pursue advanced studies or enhance their skills and employability in political analysis
• Professional political science researchers in academia and policy organizations

Registration Deadline - June 30th 2022. SSPA will take place on July 11 - July 29th 2022 
Learn more and register for the Online Winter School in Political Analysis here 

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2022 ICPSR Summer Program

For summer 2022, the ICPSR Summer Program will offer its renowned training program either in-person in Ann Arbor, or as a fully online format. The 2022 Program will feature a broad curriculum ranging from introductory to advanced courses in a variety of methods and techniques. 

Registration for the Second Session will close on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

Learn more about the summer program here

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Back to Mac: Getting Research Ready 

August 11th at 8:30-9:45am  (Online event, Event URL sent via registration email)
Hosted by: McMaster University Library, Ariel Stables-Kennedy

Whether you're starting your first year at Mac or you are coming to campus after a year of learning remotely, everyone is welcome to attend this orientation session, where you'll connect with peers and learn how to access various resources to support your success as a student.

Learn more and register here: https://libcal.mcmaster.ca/event/3676860 

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Data Matters : Data Science Course Series

A week-long series of one and two-day courses aimed at students and professionals in business, research and government. Data Matters gives students the chance to learn about a wide range of topics in data science, analytics, visualization, curation and more from expert instructors. Registration is now open, reserve your spot now!

Data Matters will be held virtually via zoom on August 8th-12th 2022

Learn more and register here

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LinkedIn Learning Club @ McMaster

The LinkedIn Learning Club @ McMaster has launched a new campaign for the month of June exploring the important topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through a collection of handpicked videos. 

McMaster students can access the collection for the month of June using their free LinkedIn Learning account. 

Learn more about this campaign and how to access it here

In this new section, we want to celebrate the achievements of colleagues, friends, and those doing important social research with the potential to spark a brighter world.  We welcome recommendations for kudos features (including for yourself).  Please send them to: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.

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A big congratulations to Vanessa Watts (Indigenous Studies & Sociology), who is one of this year's recipients of the President's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching and Learning. Award recipients are nominated by peers, campus leaders or partners within the campus community for their commitment to education through innovation, continued excellence in teaching and enhanced student learning. 
Learn more about the award and recipients here

Shout-out to The Master of Public Policy in Digital Society Department,  who is now on YouTube. Visit their channel and checkout the 2021-22 student capstone presentations featuring topics like Emotional AI, Beauty Technology, Microsoft gaming, The Peloton Model, and more.
Checkout the MPP-DS YouTube Channel here

Kudos to Stephanie Ross (Labour Studies) and colleague, who were featured in The Conversation article "Collectivism — not individualism — is the path to reducing social and economic inequality"
Read the full article in The Conversation here

Shout-out to Jay Brodeur (Digital Scholarship Services, McMaster Library) who was featured on City News Toronto and showcased the libraries impressive map collection. Wartime film "Operation Minced Meat" is the latest project to feature rare maps from the collection.
Watch the City News video to learn more about the collection here

Kudos to Arati Sharma (Political Science Alumni), who is one of the 2022 Arch Award Recipients. This award recognizes McMaster grads for their contributions to their local community and the university. 
Read more about the award and Arati here
 
Shout-out to the Sherman Centre Graduate Students, who hosted 4 events in May 2022. All of these sessions are now available to view online. 
Watch the recorded sessions here

Spark: a centre for social research innovation Website: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/ Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spark-a-centre-for-social-research-innovation/about/   Email: talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca Subscribe to Spark Connections: https://spark.mcmaster.ca/contact