Spark Newsletter: Oct. 2, 2021
Read our bi-weekly news from Spark: a centre for social research innovation at McMaster University. In this newsletter, we highlight centre news, upcoming events, and updated resources for researchers. To subscribe to our mailing list, please email talk.to.spark@mcmaster.ca.
Oct 02, 2021
Spark’s Annual Open House Event
On September 24th, Spark: a centre for social research innovation held it's annual Open House Event.
The event included an overview of Spark, and how we can help students, faculty, research staff, and community groups who are engaging in research. Then we held breakout room sessions led by Spark's own Allison Van and Michelle Dion, which introduced 6 social research "toolkits". Finally, the event ended with a fun game of McMaster Trivia.
Thank you to everyone who dropped in and said hello! We hope that next year we are able to host our Open House Event in person at our beautiful L.R Wilson Hall, 5th floor offices.
Missed it? Stay tuned for the release of the recorded sessions on the Spark MacVideo library, coming soon.
The Last Year at a Glance
In 2020-2021, we changed our name from the Centre for Research in Empirical Social Sciences (CRESS) and relaunched as Spark with a refined and expanded mission and research support services. Our team grew dramatically and we have been able to collaborate with incredible partners, strengthening social research innovation at McMaster and beyond through public talks, workshops, training, and direct research support. To read more about Spark, our team, and what we’ve been up to in lockdown, check out this year’s Spark Annual Report.
Join Spark on Fridays at 10:30-11:20am for a weekly "Spark Talk" focused on methods and tools of social research. Spark Talks features an innovative speaker and encourages unexpected and inter-disciplinary connections between researchers, including faculty and graduate students.
October 1st, 10:30- 11:20
Spark Talks - Illuminating the future through an equity lens: Why emergent strategy and systems change efforts need to be grounded in decolonized futures thinking
Jen Heeg and Jewlya Lynn
Register here:
October 8th, 10:30- 11:20
Spark Talks - Policymaking Gone Viral: Changing the Velocity of Information in Congress
Annelise Russell
Register here:
In case you missed it:
Spark Talks: "You're Nothing" : Researching the Labour Market Experiences of Undocumented Caribbean Careworkers During the Pandemic.
Carieta Thomas
Check it out here:
Research guide - Qualitative Research at a Distance
This guide is a starting point for academic and non-academics to explore approaches to socially distanced but deeply engaged qualitative research methods. It aims to provide a practical foundation (in a concise and sharable format) for imaging what is possible during the current pandemic and beyond while offering suggestions for resources to learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
McMaster Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact - Machine learning in health: Opportunities and challenges speaker series
Application of AI interpretation techniques in healthcare
Dr. Lingyang Chu
September 30th, 2021 at 4-5pm
Join the seminar here:
Advanced Research on Mental Health and Society (ARMS) Fall 2021 Symposium
Mental Health: Beyond the Vacuum
Hosted by: Advanced Research on Mental Health and Society & McMaster Institute for Health Equity
Conference Date: October 18th 2021 at 8:45am - 5:30pm
For more information on abstract submission and to register visit: https://mihe.mcmaster.ca/student-posters-wanted-arms-first-annual-symposium-on-mental-health/
Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging Seminar Series
Genderacialised, labouring bodies in long-term care homes in a time of "woke"
Dr. Kim Lopez
October 19th 2021 at 2:30-3:30pm EST
Register here: https://bit.ly/3F0sani
Student Accessibility Services: Community Connect 2.0
Wednesdays (Sept 22-October 20th) at 4:30-5:30 pm
COVID-19 has significantly changed the ways in which we connect with each other. Through engagement in activities and discussions, this event will enhance social skills, connect with our community and develop meaningful connections. Interested in free informative and interactive courses by students for students? Register here:
Compute Canada Federation - Resource Allocation Competitions (RAC)
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.
Congrats to Marshall Beier (Political Science) and colleagues Rebecca Collins-Nelsen and Sandeep Raha (McMaster Children and Youth University) for their analysis on "Bullying, racism and being 'different': Why some families are opting for remote learning regardless of COVID-19" in The Conversation.
Read the full article here: https://theconversation.com/bullying-racism-and-being-different-why-some-families-are-opting-for-remote-learning-regardless-of-covid-19-165063
Stephanie Ross (Director of the School of Labour Studies) speaks to Reuters about unionizing workers at an Amazon facility in Alberta, and how a move that has failed in the U.S. may play out in Canada. Read the full featured article here: https://www.reuters.com/technology/canadian-amazon-facility-files-union-vote-union-2021-09-14/
Kudos to Karen Bird (Political Science Chair) for a feature in the Hamilton Spectator on topics related to women and representation in Hamilton federal politics.
Read the full article "Fewer women running in federal election in Hamilton compared to national trend" here: https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2021/09/09/hamilton-federal-election-candidates.html
