Double degree in global politics launched

The University of Waterloo today launched a new double degree for masters students studying politics and international affairs in partnership with one of the UK’s top innovation universities.

Waterloo will partner with the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom to establish a double degree option that combines Waterloo’s Master of Arts in Global Governance (MAGG) program, based at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, with the choice of ten Masters programs offered by the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at Warwick. 

“This is a wonderful partnership for the University of Waterloo,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur. “Not only do Waterloo students now have an opportunity to study at a world-class university, but we see the double degree between the MAGG and PAIS as the first piece in what we hope will be a robust and dynamic research alliance between two of the world’s leading innovation institutions.”

“Warwick prides itself on being a globally connected university which provides many opportunities for staff and students to work with their peers around the globe,” said

Professor Sir Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor and president at the University of Warwick. “This Double Masters degree programme with the University of Waterloo is another wonderful opportunity for students both at Warwick and Waterloo to add a further global perspective to their studies and research.”

The University of Warwick is a member of the Russell Group, the association of 24 prestigious British public research universities.

“Warwick’s masters programs in international studies are a perfect complement to our Masters of Global Governance program,” said Professor Suzan Ilcan, director of the MAGG program at Waterloo. “We’re delighted that students will be able to match their Global Governance degree with, among others, a degree in International Political Economy, International Security, International Development or International Politics and East Asia. This new double degree option makes an already dynamic program even better.”  

Students taking the double degree option spend one year at the University of Waterloo/Balsillie School of International Affairs, and one year at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

Students complete the degree requirements for both programs, with the thesis component supervised jointly by faculty at both institutions. At the end of the two years, they receive degrees from both the University of Waterloo and Warwick.

“The University of Waterloo’s MAGG program based at the Balsillie School offers a truly unique and exceptional opportunity for our students to enhance their Masters study experience at Waterloo’s excellent Balsillie School while also gaining world class training at Warwick,” said Trevor McCrisken, a professor of Politics and International Studies, and director of the PAIS double degree programs at Warwick. “There is simply no better partner for us in Canada.”

“This is an exciting initiative for the Balsillie School,” said John Ravenhill, Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs. “Warwick’s department of PAIS is home to internationally renowned scholars who are leaders in their fields, and their areas of focus match beautifully with the research priorities of the School. We envision the development of a larger partnership that will include doctoral and faculty exchanges, as well as joint events and research projects.”

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New Canada Research Chairs named

Last week the Government of Canada named eight professors from the University of Waterloo as Canada Research Chairs (CRC). Five of those also received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) as part of the same announcement.

The following Canada Research Chairs from the University of Waterloo were included in the announcement:

• Clark Dickerson (Applied Health Sciences), Canada Research Chair in Shoulder Mechanics — new Tier 2
• Roxane Itier (Arts), Canada Research Chair in Cognitive and Social Neuroscience of Face Perception — Tier 2 renewal
• Zhongwei Chen (Engineering), Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy — new Tier 2
• Lukasz Golab (cross-appointed Mathematics and Engineering), Canada Research Chair in Data Analytics for Sustainability — new Tier 2
• Maria Strack (Environment), Canada Research Chair in Ecosystem and Climate — new Tier 2
• Derek Schipper (Science), Canada Research Chair in Organic Material Synthesis — new Tier 2
• David Blowes (Science), Canada Research Chair in Groundwater Remediation — Tier 1 renewal
• Alberto (Germán) Sciaini (Science), Canada Research Chair in Atomically Resolved Dynamics and Ultrafast High-Resolution Imaging — new Tier 2

The Tier 1 Canada Research Chair is for $200,000 per year for seven years. Tier 2 is for $100,000 per year for five years. 

Five of the Waterloo researchers are also receiving John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) awards from CFI to help cover infrastructure costs to enable cutting-edge research.  Those researchers, their projects and funding are:

• Zhongwei Chen — Advanced Chemical Vapour Deposition System for Nanostructured Energy Materials Development: $75,000
• Roxane Itier — Portable Eye Tracking-EEG System:  $50,000
• Derek Schipper — Equipment for Organic Materials Synthesis, Purification and Characterization: $125,000
• Alberto (Germán) Sciaini — Ultrafast Electron Sources for Atomically-Resolved Dynamics and High-Resolution Imaging: $375,000
• Maria Strack — Gas Chromatograph and Ultraportable Sensor for Determination of Peatland Greenhouse Gas Exchange: $59,936

More information on the JELF awards is available on the CFI website.

More information on the Canada Research Chairs program is available on its website.

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National Volunteer Week profile: Paul Parker

This story is part of the #UWCommunity National Volunteer week series, profiling University of Waterloo members who give their time and talent by volunteering in our community.

Paul Parker simply wants to help change the world.

Currently the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and the Director of the Economic Development Program for the University of Waterloo’s School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development, Paul has been actively working and researching on our campus for 24 years while continuously giving his time to volunteer initiatives in our community. Always busy crossing departments and bridging gaps between communities, Paul feels blessed to have a job where he encounters new and enthusiastic people every year who also want to help make the world a better place:

“Where do we change the world? It’s one person and one community at a time.” 

Paul combines his research and desire for a sustainable future with a deep background in engaging our local organizations and groups who are building capacity, vitality, and growth for environmental change. He is particularly interested in how local economic development strategies can achieve sustainable success, which is why he has volunteered his time over the last 15 years to helping create and lead REEP Green Solutions: an environmental charity and social enterprise focused on energy and water sustainability.

“You just keep going. Life is full, but volunteering makes life fulfilling. I see people around me making a difference all the time and if I can help them do that, that’s rewarding.”

Created in 1999 by the University of Waterloo and the Elora Environment Centre, REEP’s connections with its two founding partners have continued, with both represented on their board and guiding the development of the organization. Plus, over 80 students from the University of Waterloo have had 4-month internships assisting their staff, leaving many of them inspired and willing to volunteer their services upon the completion of the program. Paul is excited to share that on May 1st of this year, REEP will celebrate 16 years of activity in our community:

“REEP showcases what people can achieve when they work together.”

Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director of REEP, has worked closely with Paul and dedicated volunteers like him throughout her time at the organization and understands the dually positive impact it has both on the individual and the community:

“At REEP we place a great value on the time and talents that volunteers bring to our work. Our organization was created by 4 volunteers committed to putting ideas into practice in our community. That tradition continues today, embodied in the board members, mentors, students and community members who volunteer to help REEP make an impact in Waterloo Region. We couldn’t do it without them.”

As a co-founder, chair, treasurer, current acting chair, chair of REEP House design committee, and continuous member of the board of directors, Paul believes in REEP’s ability to empower the community with practical tools, knowledge, and capacity for action in order to make sustainability the norm:

“I volunteer because of one word: action. I believe in doing. We need action in the community because ideas drive results.”

On top of the consistent volunteer work he does for REEP, Paul previously sat on the national board for Green Communities Canada and gives talks to regional environmental educational groups like Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW). He also volunteered on the Woolwich Healthy Communities Committee for several years and led their Healthy Communities' energy tour, including his own REEP-retrofitted and solar-paneled home, extending knowledge of his sustainable actions to community members. His hard work and dedication has been invaluable to people like Mary Jane Patterson of REEP:

"Paul Parker has been a huge and wonderful gift to REEP and to Waterloo Region. He lives and embodies the values of REEP and he has been there countless times at the other end of the phone with guidance and support for REEP. Paul’s enthusiasm combined with practical advice is a big reason for our success.”

Paul understands that the world has fundamentally changed and strongly concludes that it’s no longer about how much knowledge you hold but how much knowledge you share. That’s the underlying goal that fuels his desire to give back to our community: 

“We need to build a future we can be proud of.”

Do you volunteer or know of someone who should be recognized? Help celebrate the many University of Waterloo volunteers by sharing their stories and positive impact online with #UWCommunity and #NVW2015, or contact us via email.

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Remembering Walter Martin

Human Resources has reported that retired Professor Emeritus Walter Martin died April 5.

A veteran of the Second World War, Martin joined the University of Waterloo in 1962 as an assistant professor in English after a career teaching at Martizburg College and Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and the forerunner to the University of Guelph, the Ontario Agricultural College. He specialized in modern British literature from 1885-1945, including authors like W.B. Yeats, T.S. Eliot, D.H. Lawrence and Joseph Conrad.

He served on a number of committees and was associate chair of the English department in 1967 and again from 1977 to 1979. He was named Professor in 1969. He received a distinguished teaching award in 1980. He retired in September 1986.

In 1994 he was installed as Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

He died one day short of his 95th birthday.

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