News

The Library has developed a researcher-focused guide on COVID-19 Rapid Response Funding. This FAQ will clarify various funding agencies’ requirements as well as help researchers make informed decisions about open access publishing options and where to deposit data derived from pandemic-related research. This resource will be updated as funding opportunities evolve.

Three uOttawa researchers are honoured for translating their research into practice for the benefit of the community at large. Congratulations to the recipients of the University’s 2019-2020 Knowledge Mobilization Excellence Award!

The Quebec Secretariat for Canadian Relations launched the second Support Program for the Canadian Francophonie, for partnership projects that will start between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

Applications from August 4, 2020 to September 16, 2020 at 5 p.m. (Eastern time),

For more information on all of their financial support programs, visit their website.

This article features the budding career of Taha Azad a brilliant postdoctoral researcher in cancerology at OHRI and at the Faculty of Medicine.

To help you in the development of your knowledge mobilization/knowledge translation plans for your grant applications to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council or to the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, we have developed a Knowledge Mobilization/Knowledge Translation Checklist. This checklist is available in English and French upon request by writing to marie-eve.girard@uottawa.ca.

 

You can find other resources to help your write your knowledge mobilization plans in the Writing a Knowledge Mobilization Plan section of our web page.

On behalf of Sylvain Charbonneau, Vice-President, Research, all researchers at the University of Ottawa are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the suite of tools and resources developed by the Federal Government and shared by Universities Canada.  These tools will help you secure your research from unwanted threats.  While this work has been underway for some time, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of these tools; there have been repeated efforts to gain illegal access to Canadian research on a COVID-19 vaccine.

This guide is designed for anyone interested in how virtual partnerships work, how they can be integrated with community engagement and/or experiential learning, and how they can enrich university-level courses. It provides an introduction to virtual community-engaged experiential learning, tips for virtual exchange and engaging partners online, and key values to consider when bridging global and local community engagement practices.

The Conference/Workshop on Campus Opportunity (CWCO) supports researchers in communicating results and sharing knowledge with colleagues from Canada and abroad. This program promotes both exchanges within a discipline or across many.

Some changes have been made in order to adapt to the current situation such as: the CWCO program will provide up to $3,000/year for an in person workshop or conference or up to $1,500 for a virtual workshop or conference.

For more details, please visit our website.

During the next two years, SSHRC will focus on five strategic objectives. For each objective, they have established a set of strategies that will help them sustain the momentum of its ongoing programs and initiatives, respond rapidly to evolving crises, and maximize the overall impact of the research and talent we support. The priorities include;

1. Enhance Canada's global leadership in social sciences and humanities research
2. Grow Canada’s research talent
3. Strengthen the research enterprise in Canada
4. Contribute innovative solutions to global challenges and opportunities
5. Build a nimble, forward-looking SSHRC organization

• Recent evidence shows that the pandemic is exacerbating inequalities for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in the research system, including women and caregivers.
• CIHR recognize that their main focus so far has been on sex and gender. These efforts will continue, but they need to go further and seriously examine their programs, policies and processes from an intersectional perspective.

A commitment to listen

• CIHR will build on what they have already heard and put their learning into context by building and enhancing partnerships with associations and community groups who are also committed to breaking down barriers and increasing diversity in the community.
• In the fall of 2020, CIHR will be holding an online discussion on discrimination and systemic inequities in the research system. They will also be organizing a series of virtual listening sessions to provide a safe space to share experiences and offer solutions. For the date of upcoming activities and how to register, please visit their website and social media channels or write to edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.The main conclusions of these sessions will be made public.

The Office of the Vice-President, Research and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa are pleased to help present the 2020 Gairdner Ontario International Symposium, Breaking Through: Delivering on the Promise of Gene Therapy. This virtual event, taking place on December 2 and 3, will bring world-class Canadian and international experts together to explore the past, present and future of somatic gene therapy research and practice. Speakers will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Canadian scientists, regulators, clinicians, decision makers and patients. There will also be a presentation and panel discussion on the Council of Canadian Academies’ latest report from the Expert Panel on the Approval and Use of Somatic Gene Therapies in Canada. This event is free of charge and accessible in both official languages. Visit http://www.breaking-through.ca/ for more information and to register. Additional partners and sponsors include the Gairdner Foundation, Krembil Foundation, Genome Canada, the National Research Council Canada, BioCanRx, the Stem Cell Network and others.

The Office of the Vice-President, Research is pleased to grant a new Chaire de recherche sur le monde francophone to Professor Marie-Hélène Chomienne and a Francophone Mobility Chair to four new international holders. Congratulations!

From November 25^th to December 10^th, Canada and the world commemorate every year the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This year, the pandemic context has triggered a global “spike in domestic violence reporting” (United Nations). In Ontario, the Assaulted Women's helpline of Ontario reported a 400% increase in calls in April 2020 (Status of Women Canada).

The University of Ottawa is pleased to announce the awarding of two new University Research Chairs (URC) to professors whose research contributes to better access to health care for vulnerable populations and to a fuller understanding of 19th-century Metis kinscapes.

Are you looking for motivated and engaged volunteers to support your services or special projects? Recruit with the University of Ottawa’s Community Engagement team!

It’s not too late to post your needs for student volunteers (virtual or in person) for the Winter term. This document provides examples of distance and virtual placements and the type of work our students can accomplish including research, data analysis or communications support.

Do you have strategic needs? Placements can also be linked to specific academic courses, including, for example, in the Law programs, Medicine, Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, Communications Department. Contact us: servingothers@uottawa.ca

Le tout nouveau numéro de Perspectives sur la recherche ouvre une fenêtre sur les découvertes et les innovations tournées vers l’avenir à l'Université d'Ottawa. Surveillez les tendances de la prochaine décennie : http://bit.ly/386CUB5

Our most recent issue of Research Perspectives, the University of Ottawa's journal of discovery and innovation, looks at how we are driving research into the future. Check out the trends to watch over the next decade: bit.ly/2KctHP0

The University of Ottawa has earned a total of 10 Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) covering a broad scope of subjects, from the exploration of disruptive impacts of stress on higher brain functions to the need to preserve Indigenous traditional cultural memories, and emerging computing technologies that pave the way to smart cities.

New article meant to guide your knowledge mobilization planning when developing a research proposal for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) or the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). It includes concrete examples of objectives, activities and indicators to measure the impact of your knowledge mobilization activities.

In light of the impact of COVID-19 on in-person events, the University has recently acquired a new software to help all of us fulfil our mandates. Easy Virtual Fair allows you to recreate tradeshows and fairs in an online environment. If you usually plan in-person activities, this may be the solution for you. Watch this video to see a preview of Easy Virtual Fair, and learn more about its benefits and key features by requesting an information session at congres@uOttawa.ca.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is pleased to announce the launch of the new Reviewer in Training (RiT) program for the Spring 2021 Project Grant competition. The RiT program expands on and replaces the Observer program, based on evaluations of the Observer program as well as feedback from the community.

The RiT program offers Early Career Researchers (ECRs) a learning opportunity to gain a better understanding of the elements of high quality review and the peer review process through direct participation in the Project Grant competition with the support of a Mentor. RiT participants will be assigned three applications to conduct practice reviews, attend the peer review meeting, present one of their reviews, and participate in the committee discussion of their assigned applications. Following completion of the RiT program, participants will be promoted within CIHR’s Reviewer Pathway and are expected to participate in peer review when requested and available to do so.

The application period for the RiT program opens on February 1, 2021 and closes on February 26, 2021. Please promote this opportunity for ECRs within your networks and institutions.

If you have any questions, please contact college@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. 

The New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization (NDRIO) is pleased to announce the launch of a nation-wide survey, as part of our Canadian Digital Research Infrastructure Needs Assessment. This survey is open to all Canadian researchers, regardless of their current use of digital infrastructure, and will be available until Monday, February 22.

 

The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and will help inform our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. Please take time to complete the survey and share it with other members of your research community.

If you have any questions about the survey, or our ongoing Needs Assessment consultation process, please contact research_recherche@EngageDRI.ca.

In Covid-19 times, some researchers, under special circumstances, may need to work alone in their labs. Fear of violence and intimidation may be an obstacle in this process, notably for women, Indigenous people, researchers living with disabilities or members of the LGBTQI2S+ community. To ensure their safety and that of all the uOttawa community members, the Office of Risk Management included the WorkAlone feature in the safety app SecurUO. This feature allows a user to receive and respond to push notifications at pre-determined times from their mobile device. Failure to respond to a push notification within five minutes will initiate a call to a designated emergency contact number. The feature is free of charge and does not require further downloads. Learn how to set up WorkAlone.

The Empowering Women Leaders in Health Community for Practice (LEADS) is a interuniversity initiative in partnership with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and the Canadian Health Leadership Network. Led by Professor Ivy Bourgeault, University of Ottawa’s Chair in Gender, Diversity and the Professions, the LEADS’ goal is to achieve transformative systemic change in health care, health sciences, and Indigenous health contexts through the increased participation, visibility, and advancement of women in leadership positions. The Community of Practice recently launched two toolkits to support current and potential allies of underrepresented groups: 

The Ally Toolkit to Support Diverse Leadership. A toolkit of resources in support of working with Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit Peoples, Black Women & Women of Colour, Gender Diverse People and Women living with Disabilities in leadership.

The Ally Toolkit for men. A database of resources for men from all backgrounds who have arrived at an understanding of their importance in supporting inclusive health leadership.

These tools can be useful for researchers looking for ways to make their research activities, labs or groups more equitable and inclusive and who do not know where to start. 

On behalf of RMS and Research Finance, we are writing to inform you that the new uOttawa Researcher Guide on Research Expenditures will be launched officially as of April 1st, 2021. As you may recall, the implementation of the new Tri-Agency guide was halted because of COVID-19.  

The federal Tri-Agencies implemented a new approach to financial management of research funds which is less prescriptive and more based on institutional policies. The University of Ottawa Researcher Guidelines on Research Expenditures provides guidance to uOttawa researchers on how these new compliance requirements will be implemented at the University. The uOttawa guide was also developed to help the University meet its obligations to diverse research funders and to prepare for audits. 

The guidelines apply to all research funds held at the University. 

If you have any questions about the uOttawa Researcher Guide on Research Expenditures, please contact France Boucher or André Lalonde. 

Did you know you can hire CO-OP students at reduced CUPE rates to assist you in your research projects? There are CO-OP students from various fields of study at the University of Ottawa who have a keen interest in research. The rates of pay for student assistants are determined by their academic level and how many CO-OP terms they have completed, and they start at $15.31 per hour. You may hire either undergraduate or graduate students depending on your needs. The CO-OP Program not only helps you hire campus-based research or teaching assistants at reduced rates to lighten your workload, it also helps our students to further explore their interests in research. Find yourself a helping hand this summer! Please visit their website for more information or contact them.

Are you interested in Knowledge Translation in health research? Register now for the KT Canada Scientific Meeting 2021. The conference will be held virtually May 5-7 on the theme of "developing and evaluating KT interventions in a complex health system".

Do you want to learn about preprints and how they can improve knowledge dissemination? Join the Centre for Journalology 2021 Speaker Series on April 15 from 12-1pm EST with Dr. Jessica Polka and Dr. John Inglish as they discuss the value of preprints, how to make one, and the impact of preprints on scholarly communication in relation to COVID-19 and biomedicine.

The Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR) network, under the guidance of Professors Jeremy de Beer and Chidi Oguamanam (Faculty of law - Common Law), has received $300,000 in funding from the new Queen Elizabeth Scholars Advanced Scholars West Africa program. With this funding, Open AIR will continue creating opportunities for emerging scholars to recognize and celebrate the importance of African innovation inclusive from gender equality perspectives while strengthening Afro-Canadian exchange and learning experiences.

This award provides funding for over a dozen emerging international scholars – including Ph.D. candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows, and early career researchers – to conduct research at the University of Ottawa and with Open AIR’s partners in West Africa.

Led by the researcher Pierrot Ross-Tremblay (Innu), this Chair will be a tool to make Indigenous voices more visible and audible. "The work of the Chair will be to return to the source… To amplify the word of Elders to make it accessible to younger people," says Professor Ross-Tremblay. Research will focus on the memories and legacy of Indigenous cultures to better tackle the current challenges of our societies. Research strengthening the self-determination of Indigenous peoples will be prioritized .

Did you know that you can get a Work-Study grant when hiring a campus-based research assistant or teaching assistant through CO-OP? Hire a student at reduced CUPE CO-OP rates and also benefit from a Work-Study grant. The grant is up to 75% of the first $6,000, which means up to $4,500. This funding is limited, contact us for more details.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) (the agencies) are pleased to announce the launch of the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy. The policy includes requirements related to institutional research data management (RDM) strategies, data management plans (DMPs), and data deposit. Visit the Library’s Research Data Management website to learn more about DMPs, where to deposit your data and upcoming training and events. 

We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, new Strategic Areas of Research are now available in eAwards system.

After an extensive consultation with its research community, the University of Ottawa has defined its new Strategic Areas of Research along the following themes:

• Creating a sustainable environment
• Advancing just societies
• Enabling lifelong health and wellness
• Shaping the digital world

Over the next year, RMS will continue to explore other upgrades to improve the user experience. Suggestions and comments about your eAwards system experience are always welcome (xin.liu@uottawa.ca).

As you already know, there have been changes to Policy 36. Several workshops will be offered to provide a more in-depth explanation and technical understanding of the revised policy as well as a video that provides an overview of the revised Policy 36.

For more information, please consult the procurement web page.

April 19, 2021 | 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. EST | Online | Free

Research Management Services is planning a virtual Panel to commemorate the Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Our main goal is reflecting on alternatives to make research programs and projects more inclusive and open to the contribution of LGBTQI2S+ people and more aware and active against the barriers and discrimination that members of these groups experience in research and in their daily lives. Please email us if you are interested in participating in this panel or if you know any researcher (Professor, Postdoctoral Fellow, PhD student or graduate student) who can enrich this panel’s reflections.