Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual  “coffee chats” at Tim Horton's in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, beginning this Friday, March 7 from 8:15-9:15 am.

These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions, or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.

Stay tuned for future "coffee chat" dates!

Everyone is welcome to the second Faculty of Arts ConneXions 2.0 series! This week, two new faculty members will engage us in the kinds of "provocations" that animate their teaching and scholarly activities. 

Provocation: We teach students, yes, but what does that mean? 

Friday, March 7, from 2:30-3:30 pm, SDU Main Building, Room 320

Sébastien Parker, Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology

Title: “The 'Trust Challenge': Developing Critical Advocates for Academic Institutions in Polarized Times”

This talk explores a central question: how can we develop informed citizens who both question and champion academic institutions in an era of declining institutional trust? Against a backdrop of government and academic funding cuts, polarization, and increasing skepticism toward expertise, we face a challenge. Students must develop the critical thinking skills to recognize methodological limitations and institutional biases while simultaneously becoming advocates for knowledge-producing institutions worthy of public confidence. Drawing on a series of data visualizations on cohort trends in trust and polarization, as well as classroom pedagogical experiences, notably, I provide threads for thinking about how we might cultivate "critical advocates" for positive change in our communities.

Brent MacDonald, Psychology

Title: “Disrupting Mental Toughness Mythology: What mental toughness really is and how/why it can/should be implemented for university students to enhance their post-secondary- and life-experiences”

My real interest is in the development and understanding of mental toughness. First off, it’s important to understand what mental toughness is not (as it has been wildly misunderstood, in part due to its roots in sport psychology and in part because of its co-opted use in corporate and military “toxic masculinity” culture). It is not about “sucking it up,” nor is its polar opposite mental weakness. It is a combination of a number of concepts embedded (to an extent) in stoicism and positive psychology (including resilience, growth mindset, risk-taking, and other factors that are involved in the human endeavour). But it is something also that can be studied, understood, and applied. Its application at the university level is well researched and shows promising results. Specifically, my interest is in how mental toughness can be developed in university students, particularly those with neurodiverse profiles, along with its possible applications in education and health care.

Title: "Building a Resilient Cropping System Amidst Climate Change"

Presenter: Dr. Mumtaz Cheema, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Date and Time: March 7, 2025, 1:00–2:00 pm (Atlantic Time)

Registration: Click here to receive the Zoom link. The webinar is free. 

The Eklektik Music Duo (Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim) will perform on the SDU Stage in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall on March 8, 2025, at 7:30 pm.

The name Nü Voice is derived from the word “new,” reflecting our commitment to programming not only contemporary music but also works by underrepresented composers. Additionally, Nü means “women” in Chinese, underscoring our dedication to featuring female composers in this concert’s program.

In this program, we seek to highlight women from two contrasting realms—mythology and history. Featuring legendary figures such as Penelope and Calypso to esteemed historical figures like Canadian folklorist Helen Creighton, our selection weaves together diverse narratives across time.

During their graduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, Andrea Willis and Megaria Halim discovered a shared passion for exploring new, unconventional, and underrepresented musical works. With an abundance of remarkable repertoire for piano and voice—many of which remain underperformed—they were inspired to form the Eklektik Music Duo. Derived from the Greek word eklektikos, meaning “choosing the best from various sources,” their name reflects their commitment to drawing inspiration from diverse genres and styles, creating a truly distinctive sound.

Accessible parking is available, and the theatre has an accessible entrance via elevator. General admission is $30 (cash only). Admission is free for students. 

Vagabond is presenting ". . . destroyed surely: An Evening of Plays by John Millington Synge" from March 12 to 15 inclusive in the UPEI Performing Arts Centre and Residence (PAC121S). The doors open at 7:00 pm for a 7:30 pm start.

Vagabond is presenting both "Riders to the Sea" and "In the Shadow of the Glen." When asked about the shows, director Greg Doran said: “We are building a substantial set, and we will be going with period costumes. We want to showcase what the students are capable of when properly supported.” He went on to say that he hopes the plays will resonate with Island audiences, for they deal with the dangers of life on the sea and the isolation of life on a rural farm.

There will be a talk-back with the company after the March 14 performance. Admission is pay what you can. For more information, contact Greg at gdoran@upei.ca. 

The plays deal with mature themes, so they might not be appropriate for a younger audience. 

Dr. Shannon Potter, a candidate for the Management (Organizational Behaviour/Human Resource Management) tenure-track position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "It's the Kids: The Gender Pay Gap in Emergency Medicine" on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 9:00 am in Bill and Denise Andrew Hall, Room 142.

Join the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre community in celebrating the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday, March 5.

• Tuesday, March 4: Pancake Tuesday, 11:30-1:00 pm at the Fox & Crow
• Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday mass with the distribution of ashes at 12:05 pm; Liturgy of the Word with the distribution of ashes at 4:05 pm. Both are at the Chaplaincy Centre
• Liturgy of the Word with communion: Thursdays at 12:05 pm, beginning March 6
• Lectio Divina: Wednesdays  at 11:30 am, beginning March 12

We continue our Sunday evening Mass at 6:00 pm. Stay tuned for the schedule of our Easter celebrations.

Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada has a call for proposals open for curricular work-integrated learning projects taking place between May 1 and December 31, 2025. Full details of the CFP can be found through their website. Please note that the funding has criteria to meet around eligible students, partners, opportunities, and spending. If you have an idea for a proposal and would like to help, the Experiential Education office has submitted many successful applications through past rounds and can support you. Email Shannon at smsnow@upei.ca to explore possibilities. Applications close on March 18. 

Apache Spark is an open-source software for large-scale data processing and analysis. Using Apache Spark and Python (PySpark), this workshop is aimed at analyzing data sets that are too large to be handled and processed by a single computer. In a hands-on format using PySpark, participants will learn to import data, and use functions to transform, reduce and compile the data. You will also learn how to produce parallel algorithms that can run on the national clusters.

This two-day virtual workshop is being offered on March 11 and 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm each day. To register, go to https://www.acenet.training/courses.

The Asian Studies and the new Centre for Korean Studies are pleased to invite everyone to this special academic event, Asian Studies International Seminar: Korean Studies Speaker Series 2025.

Speaker: Dr. Jin Y. Park, Chair and Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, American University, Washington D.C.

Title: "The Contemporary Buddhism: A Guide To Good Life”

Date and location: Thursday, April 3, 2:15-–4:00 pm, Faculty Lounge, Room 201, SDU Main Building.

Reception and healthy refreshments from 2:15-–2:30 pm.

Welcome address by Dr. Greg Naterer, UPEI Vice-President Academic and Research

Thank you and farewell address by Dr. Sharon Myers, Dean of Arts

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and discuss the contemporary Buddhist way of “good life,” together with Prof. Park’s international and comparative insights.

Bio: Dr. Jin Y. Park (BA, Yonsei University, Korea; MA, NY University; PhD, SUNY-Stony Brook, New York) is Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion at American University, Washington DC. An internationally renowned scholar in Korean (East Asian) Buddhism, Buddhist and intercultural philosophy, and modern Korean social and political philosophy, she examines issues of gender, violence, and the politics of discrimination. Marginality has been a consistent theme in her scholarship, as her works reveal power structures within thought traditions and amplify marginalized voices. She is the author, (co-)editor, or translator of over 10 books (including "Women and Buddhist Philosophy" and "Buddhism and Postmodernity"), published 60 articles, and presented about 200 keynote speeches, invited lectures, and conference papers in her expertise areas. She has also recently served as President of the American Academy of Religion, the North American Korean Philosophy Association, and the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy. Everyone is welcome to attend.  See you there!  

For the event poster, e-mail to jbbandara@upei.ca or chung@upei.ca.

Special acknowledgement: This Korean Studies International Speaker Series is funded by Dr. Edward Chung’s Korean Studies Seed Program grant (AKS-2022-INC-2230004) at UPEI, thanks to Korean Studies Promotion Service (KSPS), the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Ministry of Education, Government of South Korea.

Contact: Jay K. Bandarage, jbbandara@upei.ca, 566-0331 (AST admin Assistant); Dr. Edward Chung (AST Director), 566-0324.

Dr. Yousef Malik, a candidate for an accounting tenure-track faculty position in the McDougall Faculty of Business, will give a presentation titled "The Intersection of Business and Climate Change, particularly in the Context of ESG Adoption and Carbon Accounting" on Friday, March 7, at 11:30 am in Don and Marion McDougall Hall, Room 329.

Discover exciting summer job opportunities or kickstart your career at the 2025 Summer Job and Career Fair! Hosted by UPEI’s Experiential Education Department, this fair will bring together a diverse range of employers from various industries actively seeking to hire students and recent graduates. By attending, you’ll have the chance to network with employers and explore both summer job positions and full-time career opportunities. The fair will be held in person, so dress professionally and bring copies of your resume to make the most of your interactions with employers.

Key details: The fair will take place on March 12, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. In case of inclement weather, the storm date is March 13, same time and location.

What to expect: Attendance is FREE for students, and no registration is required. Don’t miss out on the chance to win exciting door prizes!

For any inquiries, feel free to contact Jess Cameron, Community and Industry Outreach Coordinator, at careerfair@upei.ca or 902-894-2817.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

Please join us on Friday, March 7, at 4:00 pm in FSDE 128B for our next Pizza Seminar! Dr. Amy Hall with Veteran's Affairs Canada's Research Directorate will give a talk entitled "Data on the frontlines:exploring connections between military service and health". 

Abstract: This talk will describe the critical role of data in understanding and addressing health issues within military and Veteran populations. By analyzing data trends from epidemiological, qualitative, and administrative sources, we gain insights into the unique health challenges faced by those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. We will discuss how data-driven approaches are pivotal to identify risk factors, predict health outcomes, and tailor interventions to improve the well-being of service members and Veterans. This examination of real-world applications will highlight the transformative potential of data to shape military and Veteran programs and policies to support the health of those who have served our country.

There will be free pizza and pop to follow!

The UPEI Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to two MSc seminar presentations: “Climate change impacts on potato storage and carbon flux estimates of potato production” by Shu Zhang, School of Climate Change and Adaptation and “Evaluation of an agri-nutrition education program in primary schools in Meru, Kenya” by Roseglory K. Murungi, Department of Applied Human Sciences. The presentations are part of the regular ESC/HB Seminar Series and will be held in the Duffy Science Centre, Room 204, on Friday March 7, at 12:30 pm. 

Everyone is welcome.

Mark your calendar to join colleagues to discuss How Humans Learn: The Science and Stories behind Effective College Teaching on Friday March 21, 2:30 pm at the Fox and Crow. Teaching is challenging. One way to make it easier is to know more about the ways students learn. This book lets us take a look behind the curtain, bringing together research from many fields with insights into the science behind learning. Read about curiosity, sociality, emotion, authenticity, and failure in higher education (there’s a chapter devoted to each) and the practical takeaways for busy professors. You can access the ebook for free through the Robertson library. How Humans Learn is also available as an audiobook. 

Join UPEI President Wendy Rodgers for casual  “coffee chats” at Tim Horton's in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, beginning this Friday, March 7 from 8:15-9:15 am.

These coffee chats offer a relaxed setting where any member of the UPEI community can drop by, grab a drink, and chat with Wendy about anything on your mind. Whether you want to share ideas, ask questions, or simply say hello, these chats are a great way to connect with the president in a comfortable and informal environment.

Stay tuned for future "coffee chat" dates!

Everyone is welcome to the second Faculty of Arts ConneXions 2.0 series! This week, two new faculty members will engage us in the kinds of "provocations" that animate their teaching and scholarly activities. 

Provocation: We teach students, yes, but what does that mean? 

Friday, March 7, from 2:30-3:30 pm, SDU Main Building, Room 320

Sébastien Parker, Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology

Title: “The 'Trust Challenge': Developing Critical Advocates for Academic Institutions in Polarized Times”

This talk explores a central question: how can we develop informed citizens who both question and champion academic institutions in an era of declining institutional trust? Against a backdrop of government and academic funding cuts, polarization, and increasing skepticism toward expertise, we face a challenge. Students must develop the critical thinking skills to recognize methodological limitations and institutional biases while simultaneously becoming advocates for knowledge-producing institutions worthy of public confidence. Drawing on a series of data visualizations on cohort trends in trust and polarization, as well as classroom pedagogical experiences, notably, I provide threads for thinking about how we might cultivate "critical advocates" for positive change in our communities.

Brent MacDonald, Psychology

Title: “Disrupting Mental Toughness Mythology: What mental toughness really is and how/why it can/should be implemented for university students to enhance their post-secondary- and life-experiences”

My real interest is in the development and understanding of mental toughness. First off, it’s important to understand what mental toughness is not (as it has been wildly misunderstood, in part due to its roots in sport psychology and in part because of its co-opted use in corporate and military “toxic masculinity” culture). It is not about “sucking it up,” nor is its polar opposite mental weakness. It is a combination of a number of concepts embedded (to an extent) in stoicism and positive psychology (including resilience, growth mindset, risk-taking, and other factors that are involved in the human endeavour). But it is something also that can be studied, understood, and applied. Its application at the university level is well researched and shows promising results. Specifically, my interest is in how mental toughness can be developed in university students, particularly those with neurodiverse profiles, along with its possible applications in education and health care.

Title: "Building a Resilient Cropping System Amidst Climate Change"

Presenter: Dr. Mumtaz Cheema, Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Date and Time: March 7, 2025, 1:00–2:00 pm (Atlantic Time)

Registration: Click here to receive the Zoom link. The webinar is free. 

UPEI is a member of the Academics Without Borders/Universitaires sans Frontières network. Members of the network are periodically invited to submit proposals for projects working with a partner institution in a low or middle-income country in which the project is located. Want to know more about the process involved and about AWB's work more generally? The full call for proposals is at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nny-6wtY2Eu6Fm8ulyE0y_Jvn3m_MjvL/view. And other calls for volunteers for existing projects will be posted here! For more information, contact Corrie Young, whose email is on the call for proposals, or Ann Braithwaite, abraithwaite@upei.ca.

With measles outbreaks in Canada and the United States, Islanders are wondering if they need to be vaccinated.

Who is protected?

• Born before 1970? You’re considered immune due to natural exposure and high herd immunity. 
• Born after 1970? You should have two doses of the MMR vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella).

How to get vaccinated?

In PEI, the MMRV vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella) is part of childhood immunization:

• 1st dose at 12 months
• Booster at 18 months

Older children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated should complete their two-dose MMR series.

If you have a PEI Health Card, book an appointment to get vaccinated.

If you don’t have a PEI Health Card, you can get your measles vaccine at a Public Health Nursing

Book an appointment with a registered nurse at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre to discuss measles and other vaccines.

Learn More:

Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine Info: Click here

Check if You’re Due for a Vaccine: Click here

MMR Vaccine Explained (Video): Watch here