The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff. 

2024 Faculty of Science Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) certificate

For the second year, the Faculty of Science is inviting faculty, students, and staff to participate in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) certificate program, which is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development (OLCD) over the summer months and the fall study break.

Successful completion of the program’s four microcredential courses will lead to the receipt of an EDI certificate from OLCD. You may also choose to attend select courses, which lead to a microcredential for each but not an EDI certificate. Enrolment in the certificate program is limited to 30 participants, and the deadline to apply is Friday, May 3.

To express your interest, please complete this online form. If you have any questions about the EDI certificate program, please contact Dr. Kevin Hewitt, the Faculty of Science's associate dean, equity and inclusion (kevin.hewitt@dal.ca).

Research award sends Killam scholar to Switzerland

As a recipient of the Killam International Research Award, Biology PhD student Sam Walmsley travelled to Switzerland last spring to work with an expert on understanding whale societies at the University of Zurich. Read more on Sam's journey abroad in Dal News.

Aquatron Community Day: May 11

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the Aquatron is hosting a free, family-friendly Community Day on Saturday, May 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. Attendees can enjoy touch tanks, face painting, ocean glider demos and tours of the Aquatron, while meeting some of Dal's ocean researchers and learning about the work they do. Visit the Aquatron's website to learn more. 

Announcing the Inclusive STEM Community of Practice

Course instructors are invited to join the Inclusive STEM Community of Practice (CoP). This is jointly hosted between the Faculties of Computer Science and Science, and is a facilitated, hybrid Community of Practice running between early May and the end of June.

Our goal with this CoP is to discuss and learn from shared resources and each other on aspects related to inclusive teaching, in an attempt to promote equity and inclusion in our institution. This CoP will draw from resources shared by the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project (an NSF program), the READI Recommendations, and other resources.

Co-ordinated by:

• Computer Science: Raghav Sampangi, Gabriella Mosquera, Stephanie Bernier
• Science: Susan Gass, Sarah Chisholm

Meeting schedule:

• Tuesdays, 1:00pm
• Dates: May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18, June 25

Please sign up using this form by Friday, May 3: https://forms.office.com/r/rY34uN7bPq

Participants will be added to a CoP Teams space following registration (we will begin adding individuals mid-next week). Further communication about the meetings, agendas, etc., will be shared on the CoP’s Teams space.

Science co-op information session and application deadline

The deadline for science co-op applications is Tuesday, April 30. Learn more about eligibility requirements, application instructions, and a list of available programs on the Work-Integrated Learning & Co-operative Education website. 

Today, Friday, April 26, the Work-Integrated Learning & Co-operative Education office is holding a virtual information session where you can learn about how co-operative education can add value to your academic journey. The session will be held on Microsoft Teams from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Registration is not required - join the meeting at this link.

Lab2Market Validate Atlantic Fall 2024

Lab2Market Validate gives researchers the opportunity to critically test and evaluate their ideas in the entrepreneurial landscape. This carefully curated 16-week experience is complemented by funding, exercises, workshops, and mentorship from industry experts – all with exploration at its core. This cohort is open to master's, PhD, postdocs and faculty within Atlantic Canada, with $15,000 in funding. Applicants must be eligible for Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2024 - learn more and register for an upcoming information session on the Lab2Market website.

Would you like to make a submission to the Dean's Office Dispatch? Email communications.science@dal.ca with a brief summary of your notice, a supporting link or email address, and a photo/image if you have one.