LFS Today Feb 17, 2021

Tentative 2021 Vacation Schedules

We encourage all units to start thinking about their tentative vacation plans for 2021 and submit their schedules to their supervisors by February 28, 2021.  This assists units in managing absences and planning for future staffing needs to ensure service and support are maintained for the Faculty.  Please ensure that if there is vacation overlap between 2 or more staff members within the same unit that it does not exceed the 1 week maximum and no more than two people can be away at the same time.  We ask directors of the units to submit these tentative vacation plans to the Dean’s Office by March 31, 2021.

Wellness Wednesday

Your Mental Health Tip of the Week:

List ten things you like about yourself.
It’s good for self-esteem.

Reducing Racial and Gender Bias in Student Evaluations of Teaching

This research project in the UBC Equity and Inclusion Office aims to reduce racial and gender bias in Student Evaluations of Teaching (SEoTs). For this study, they will be testing two behavioural nudges on this term’s midterm SEoTs in late February / early March. More details are available in this one-pager.

The project team is currently recruiting in two key areas:

1. Enrolment in the study – all UBC instructors teaching at least one undergraduate course this term are eligible
2. Exploratory interviews (30 to 40 mins) – all UBC instructors and undergraduate students are eligible

Participation in the study is not a time-intensive endeavour for instructors; in involves completing a survey (2 to 5 minutes) and sending their students the link to the SEoT (created by our project team) in late February.

Please contact Greg Lockwood (greg.lockwood@ubc.ca) with any questions.

Let’s Talk CIHR: Systemic Racism and Canada’s Health Research Funding System

The health research community is invited to engage in open dialogue to identify and discuss specific measures that CIHR could implement to address barriers faced by racialized and Indigenous researchers and trainees. Visit https://letstalk-cihr.ca/systemic-racism-and-canadas-health-research-funding-system for more information and to participate in discussions on systemic racism specific to CIHR’s funding system. CIHR specifically invites the engagement of racialized and Indigenous communities with lived experience of systemic racism in the health research sector, although the online discussion is open to all. 

Sandbox Webinars: Teaching Sustainable Food Systems

Time: Thursday Feb 25 2021, 10:00-11:30am PST
Topic: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-building Challenge
Speaker: Karen Spiller, Thomas W. Haas Professor in Sustainable Food Systems, University of New Hampshire
More info.

The 21-day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge provides an opportunity to create time and space to reflect on daily email prompts with resources to build more effective social justice habits including those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. You commit to deepening your understanding of, and willingness to confront, racism for twenty-one consecutive days in April of 2021. The Challenge will raise your awareness, change your understanding and shift the way you behave. There is no charge to participate in the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge. The Food Solutions New England network organizes the Challenge as part of their commitment to building racial equity in our food system.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82565837035?pwd=Mmk4aElPWWRsMFFZOVJqZ0JmNjNZUT09
Meeting ID: 825 6583 7035
Passcode: QUH071

Canadian Home Economics Foundation International Development Award – Call for Applications

Canadian home economists and professionals in related fields (graduates from a university program in home economics, human ecology, nutrition, family studies, consumer studies, and related areas) (individuals, teams, or organizations) are invited to apply for grants to support projects carried out in the developing world.
 
LEVEL OF GRANT: Awards totaling up to $4,000 will be granted annually. More than one award of lesser value may be granted.
 
PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED: To support a Canadian home economist/human ecologist:

1. To make a link with a home economics/human ecology/family and consumer studies association in another country to exchange ideas which have strengthened their education or service program to disadvantaged women and families.
2. To take part in a seminar or conference and make a presentation here in Canada and in that country, billeting costs to be the responsibility of the host group. The cost of airfare will be subsidized.
3. To conduct an evaluation for projects (for example NGO projects) which have been completed and where there is a potential for future cooperation with international partners.
4. To match NGO or other partnership funding to allow a proposed project between international partners to proceed. These projects must involve home economists in their implementation.
5. To allow a home economist from a developing country, who is involved in a Canadian partnership project, to travel to Canada to work with a group of home economists to further their partnership. Only airfare will be subsidized; billeting costs will be the responsibility of the Canadian group.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: March 21: World Home Economics Day. The committee will consider requests for application extensions.

Download an application form here.