Going the distance: "The annual Terry Fox Run through Central Park took place this past Saturday, October 12 in NYC," writes Kate Jessop of the Faculty of Mathematics. "Approximately 40 Waterloo alumni, friends and co-op students in NYC joined 'Team Waterloo' and ran."

According to Jessop, who is a Senior Alumni Officer, a celebratory brunch followed.

"Special thanks to ODAA for the cheerful and distinguishable Waterloo t-shirts!" Jessop concludes.

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Jennifer Clapp wins Trudeau Fellowship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation has recognized a professor at the University of Waterloo for her work in the area of global environmental and food policy by awarding her a prestigious Trudeau fellowship.

Professor Jennifer Clapp (right), from the Department of Environment and Resource Studies at Waterloo, conducts research that looks at the effect of global trade, financial markets and investment on world hunger and the environment. She is Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability.

Trudeau fellows receive $225,000 over three years. The fellowships are lifetime appointments.

"Guaranteeing food security for the world's citizens is a critical challenge as we move into the future with a growing population and uncertain climate. This challenge is of dual importance to Canadians who not only rely on a sustainable food system for their health, but who are important players in global food production," said Professor André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Environment. "We are thrilled that Professor Clapp's transformative research on food security, governance and environmental sustainability is being supported by the Trudeau Foundation."

A pioneer in the academic field of global political economy and environment, Professor Clapp takes an interdisciplinary approach to her research, and aims to raise international awareness about the ways in which global economic trends are interconnected with food and environmental outcomes.

"My research combines insights from political science, international relations, economics, environmental studies and food studies," she said. "A significant aspect of my work is providing policy recommendations that will help to improve global governance arrangements to better ensure both environmental sustainability and improved access to nutritious food, especially in the world’s poorest countries. The Trudeau fellowship will help me enormously in advancing my work."

The foundation announced four new fellows at an event yesterday at Université de Montréal.

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Flanagan named UC Berkeley optometry dean

Professor John Flanagan (left) of the School of Optometry and Vision Science is heading west, according to an announcement from the School.

Flanagan will be joining the University of California, Berkeley, as the 8th dean of its School of Optometry, for a five-year term beginning June 1, 2014.

Flanagan is a Professor at Waterloo's School of Optometry and Vision Science and at the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto. He is Director of the Glaucoma Research Unit, Toronto Western Research Institute and a Senior Scientist at the Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network.

Flanagan joined the university in 1985 and is a specialist in low-vision research, including glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness. He has held continuous federal research funding for over 25 years from agencies including the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Ontario Research Fund, with additional research funding from the American Health Assistance Foundation and the Glaucoma Research Society of Canada.

"John, and his wife Kathy Dumbleton, have been working at the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science for over 25 years, and have given their skills and knowledge for the benefit of our patients and students," says a statement posted on the Optometry website. "Their leaving will bring significant change to our School, and we will miss both of them."

He will take over from Dennis Levi, who has been the school's dean since 2001.

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Peace conference at Conrad Grebel starts today

What do the co-founder of the Idle No More movement, two Nobel Peace Prize winners, a South Sudanese rapper and a rogue Canadian Senate page have in common?

They will all be featured at the 2013 Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) conference taking place at Conrad Grebel University College from October 17 to 19.

Conrad Grebel's Peace and Conflict Studies program and Wilfrid Laurier University are co-hosting the three-day event entitled "Peace Studies between Tradition and Innovation", which will draw visitors from across North America and as far as away as South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The event features a main academic peace and justice conference, a parallel student conference for Grade 11, 12 and undergraduate students, and a teacher's professional development track run by Laurier's Faculty of Education.

Keynote speakers include Nobel Peace Prize winner and anti-landmine activist Jody Williams, Sylvia McAdam, co-founder of Idle No More, James Orbinski, Nobel Peace Prize winner (as president of Doctors Without Borders) and Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) chair in Global Health, George Roter, co-founder and CEO of Engineers Without Borders, and children's rights advocate Deborah Ellis. There will also be addresses by activist Brigette DePape and restorative justice advocate Shannon Moroney.

In addition to attending the main PJSA keynote addresses, student conference attendees will enjoy a Friday-night keynote speech and performance by Emmanuel Jal, a South Sudanese hip-hop artist, former child soldier, and humanitarian advocate.

The conference will conclude with a public performance of the War Requiem by the Grand Philharmonic Choir and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, including singers from the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir, conducted by Professor Mark Vourinen.

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