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- FASS 200 Writing Right: Strategies for effective revision
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2022 Year in Review
By the Numbers
# 5
RANKED IN CANADA
Times Higher Education (2023) for "arts and humanities" and "social sciences"
> 300
CONTINUING FACULTY MEMBERS
128
CONTINUING STAFF
10,300
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
800
GRADUATE STUDENTS
27
DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, AND PROGRAMS
15
RESEARCH CENTRES & INSTITUTES
Top Stories of 2022
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Innovative Alzheimer’s researcher named Canada Research Chair, receives $350k in funding
Brianne Kent's studies on how sleep disturbances contribute to the progressive memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease has earned her a Canada Research Chair and $350k in funding from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). Learn More
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What do unceded lands really mean? New course at SFU teaches colonial legislation and Indigenous leadership
The first course of its kind at SFU, INDG 305: Treaties in Canada is a microcredit course on the background and process of treaty negotiations alongside Indigenous oral histories, knowledge, and resistance to treaty infringements and other legislation. Learn More
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Celebrating the launch of the Snuneymuxw language learning hub
At the invitation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, representatives from SFU's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences travelled to Nanaimo on July 21 to witness the opening ceremony of the new Snuneymuxw Learning Academy. Learn More
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New master's degree program established to support Indigenous language revitalization
In response to the urgent need expressed by Indigenous communities in British Columbia and Yukon to produce advanced speakers and documentarians of their languages, SFU FASS has established the Master of Arts in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics. Learn More
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FASS announces new undergraduate minor in Public Policy
Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is delighted to announce that it is launching a Public Policy Minor, a new interdisciplinary undergraduate minor program that offers students the opportunity to learn applied public policy skills and practical analysis. Learn More
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Urban Studies announces new scholarship for Indigenous graduate students
As part of its commitment to supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, SFU's Urban Studies Program, with the support of a financial gift from the ONNI Gives Foundation, established a new scholarship for Indigenous students entering its graduate program. Learn More
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Anthropology professor Michael Hathaway one of two SFU researchers awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship
Professors Michael Hathaway and Geoff Mann join a diverse group of 180 exceptional individuals—and among nine from Canada—chosen from nearly 2,500 applicants. Learn More
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SFU and UCLA Hellenic Centres receive Stavros Niarchos Foundation grant for 3-year pilot program
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) has awarded more than $1.5 million CAD to the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University and the UCLA SNF Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture. Learn More
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Serena Canaan named 2022 Canada Research Chair
Serena Canaan’s research in educational outcomes and the gender gap in STEM education has earned her a spot as a Tier 2 CRC in Applied Microeconomics Learn More
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Renowned SFU Sports Psychologist joins athletes in BC Sports Hall of Fame
Professor David Cox made sporting history as the first psychologist to be inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the highest sporting honour in BC. Learn More
Want to learn more about what happened in FASS this past year? Download the FASS Forum 2023 handout, which celebrates our many accomplishments in research, academic excellence, engagement, and more.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Furthering Indigenous Reconciliation and Language Revitalization
The Fall of 2022 welcomed the first cohort of the new Master of Arts in Indigenous Languages and Linguistics. In partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations, the program prioritizes Indigenous ways of inquiry and features mentorship by Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers.
The demand for Indigenous language courses continues to grow across BC. Over the years, the Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) has seen a dramatic increase in undergraduate enrollments. From 2018/19 to 2022/23, there has been a 156% increase in undergraduate enrollments from 449 to 1,150 students.
This past year also saw the launch of the Snuneymuxw Learning Academy in Nanaimo, the second of two language hubs formed in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
LEADING THE WAY IN INNOVATIVE TEACHING
SFU introduced the Blended (B) course classification as a pilot in Spring 2022 and FASS currently leads the university in transitioning its courses to a blended learning format. Since 2020, FASS has offered 75% of all blended course seats at SFU.
FASS Forward continues into its third year offering one-credit courses, with strong participation and positive responses from students across SFU. Recently launched offerings include two new EDI-focused courses and an asynchronous online course on Indigenous treaties in Canada.
FACULTY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
BC Sports hall of fame
- David Cox (Psychology)
Canada Research Chairs (CRC)
- Brianne Kent (Psychology)
CRC in Translational Neuroscience and Dementia - Serena Canaan (Economics)
CRC in Applied Microeconomics
Chris Dagg Award
- John Richards (Public Policy)
Cormack Teaching Awards
- Heather Bliss (Linguistics)
- Luke Clossey (History)
- Martin Santamaria (Economics)
- Nicolas Kenny (History)
- Rylan Simpson (Criminology)
- Suzanna Crage (Sociology & Anthropology)
Dean's Medal Awards
- Eric Beauregard (Criminology)
- John McDonald (Psychology)
- Mary-Ellen Kelm (History)
- Vaibhav Saria (Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies)
Guggenheim Fellowship
- Michael Hathaway (Sociology & Anthropology)
Herb Wylie Prize in Canadian Literature
- Sarah Henzi (French & Indigenous Studies)
John Rae Prize
- Krishna Pendakur (Economics)
Media Newsmaker Award
- 2021: Megan MacKenzie (International Studies)
- 2022: Lara Aknin (Psychology), Darren Byler (International Studies), Andy Yan (Urban Studies)
Michael Smith Health Research BC C2 Award
- Barbara Mitchell (Gerontology)
Order of BC
- Maureen Maloney (Public Policy)
Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces
- Ryan Prox (Criminology)
Royal Society of Canada Fellows
- David Chariandy (English)
- Maite Taboada (Linguistics)
Sterling Prize for Controversy
- Alexandra Lysova (Criminology)
YWCA Women of Distinction Award
- Jen Marchbank (Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies)
Students & Alumni
Lieutenant Governor General Medal of Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation
Ashley Kyne
Criminology
Gordon M. Shrum Gold Medal
Spencer Chen
Psychology
Dean's Undergraduate Convocation Medal
Maria Cummiskey
Psychology
Terry Fox Gold Medal
Colton Boreen
Behavioural Neuroscience
Literary Excellence
English and World Literatures student Isabella Wang’s poetry book Pebble Swing was listed as a finalist while English alumnus Jordan Abel’s NISHGA received the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize at the 2022 BC Book Prizes.
Abel’s book illuminates the realities of intergenerational survivors of residential schools, and sheds light on Indigenous experiences that may not seem to be immediately (or inherently) Indigenous. Wang’s book is a collection of poems about language, family histories, and the experiences of a seventeen-year-old poet who left home to pursue writing.
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
FASS graduate students were highly successful at obtaining Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
MORE THAN
150
PUBLIC EVENTS IN 2022
This past year, some of the many exciting FASS events opened to the public include:
- New exhibition documents frontline stories of pandemic’s long-term care crises
- Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace
- Understanding the War in Ukraine: A Panel with SFU Experts
- Canada's Hidden Figures: The Story of Black Women Cooperators
- What Should Be On Canada's Policy Radar? Building Climate Resilience
- Global Asia Talks: Food Justice in Focus