SFU: WHAT'S NEXT?

EXPLORE IDEAS ABOUT SFU'S FUTURE

Have you joined the conversation about SFU's future on ThoughtExchange yet? We're asking you to read and rate thoughts shared by the community so far. Rating helps us understand which thoughts have broad support and are most important to the SFU community. Simply enter an exchange, follow the instructions and click on "Rate Thoughts"— it's quick, easy and fun.

EXPLORE THOUGHTS

UNIVERSITY NEWS

STEPPING UP IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Now more than ever, the SFU community stands united in protecting scholars and students whose lives, liberties and safety are at risk. Thanks to generous support from donors, SFU is able to continue to provide sanctuary and assistance to threatened scholars and students around the world.

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NATURE-BASED CARBON REMOVAL CAN PROTECT US FROM A WARMING PLANET

A new study from SFU geography finds that temporary, nature-based carbon removal can lower global peak warming levels but only if complemented by ambitious fossil fuel emission reductions.

The aim is to preserve and enhance carbon storage in terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems and it could be a contributor to Canada’s climate change mitigation strategy.

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM

April is World Autism Awareness Month. In this week’s Scholarly Impact, learn how SFU education professor Elina Birmingham and SFU psychology professor Grace Iarocci are collaborating across disciplines on research that helps us understand how to better support people with autism.

SFU FACULTY AND RESEARCH PARTNER CELEBRATED FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH

The Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) recognized Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) assistant professor Julia Smith and global health research partner SANTHE (the Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa), as Champions in Women’s Health Research to Address Shared Global Challenges. FHS associate professor Angela Kaida also received the 2021 WHRI Catalyst Grant earlier this year.

COMPUTING SCIENCE STUDENTS SHOWCASE WRITING OUTSIDE OF CODE

Andy Liu and Rebekah Wong have been awarded prizes in the 2021 Student Learning Commons Undergraduate Writing Contest. The students were inspired by SFU computing science lecturer Jacquie Nelsen in their writing and participation in the contest.

“In my courses I try to bring in a diversified set of tools so that students learn to write projects from the very beginning of a project to the end,” says Nelsen.

BREAKING DOWN THE (PAY) WALLS BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH OPEN ACCESS

Motivated to break down the barriers of access, communications scholars Juan Pablo Alperin and Stefanie Haustein discuss advancing open access of peer-reviewed research to tackle challenges many academics face when sharing their work.

RESOURCES + OPERATIONAL UPDATES

CONSIDERATIONS FOR OBSERVING RAMADAN

Ramadan Mubarak to the Muslim community members at SFU! The Multifaith Centre has shared background information and a series of tips for faculty, staff and students, including how to support those who are observing.

SUPPORT UPCOMING CONVOCATION CEREMONIES

Convocation is a significant milestone for SFU graduands, their families and friends as well as the university community. Your assistance is needed in a variety of roles to support the Convocation ceremonies on:

May 4, 5 and 6 for returning alumni (Schedule | Register)
June 7, 8, 9 and 10 (Schedule | Register)

All attendees will be required to follow provincial and university event safety protocols. Please contact rballett@sfu.ca with any questions.

SPOTLIGHT YOUR RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE WITH THE MEDIA

SFU’s Communications & Marketing team is always on the lookout for experts who can comment to the media about trending topics, new research, SFU-inspired innovation and making a difference with community engagement. Please contact mediarelations@sfu.ca if you have an idea/topic. For past examples, check out our media releases and issues & experts pitches.

For April, we are looking for:

Canadian interest rates and inflation, gas and food prices in B.C. and Canada
Canadian military spending (new planes)
New research - Earth Day (April 22)
B.C. farming: temporary foreign workers, flood prevention, climate change preparedness, etc.
Norovirus (shellfish)
War in Ukraine, NATO, UN, International War Tribunal, Canadian volunteers, Russia sanctions, impact of other countries’ involvement and actions, cyber warfare, misinformation, refugees, psychological effects, economic impact, etc.
Spring themes: animals, birds and insects, snow melt, gardening, etc.
Spring and COVID-19 (Medicago vaccine, outdoor restaurant spaces, returning of cruises and tourists to Vancouver and Canada, living with COVID-19, COVID-19 and other medical procedures, fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine, new variants and subvariants, new treatments, etc.)

INTERESTED IN PURSUING GRADUATE EDUCATION IN BUSINESS?

SFU Beedie's Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (GDBA) is a competitive credential that offers the rigour of MBA-level courses with greater flexibility. It’s 100% online, on a part-time basis and doesn't require a GMAT score. Tuition is 100% waived for continuing employees (spouses & dependents under 25 are also eligible for this benefit). Apply by Friday, April 8. Please contact sophie_ji@sfu.ca with inquiries.

FEATURE EVENT

INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY

March 31

Today is Transgender Day of Visibility and we stand in solidarity with the members of the trans, non-binary, Two Spirit and gender non-conforming communities at SFU and beyond. For those looking to work on their allyship, check out resources from the SFU Library.

EFFECTIVE GRADING AND FEEDBACK STRATEGIES

April 4 | Hosted by SFU Centre for Educational Excellence

It’s almost that time of year—assignments will be due shortly, exams will be written and then it’s time for feedback and marking.

Join this online session to discover grading strategies. Participants will learn about research-recommended marking practices, hear tips from colleagues and consider how you can make small changes to your teaching context to emphasize student learning and streamline your workflow.