POLITICS. GENDER. CITIZENSHIP.Culture. Personal experience.Context. Imagination.Understanding. What would ourlives be without these conceptsand the discussions they inspire?

“The world would be unimag-inable – and I mean this literally– without the frameworks ofthought and perspectivesbestowed to us by the legions ofresearchers in the social sciencesand humanities,” says Dr. WinnieLem, professor of InternationalDevelopment Studies at TrentUniversity. Prof. Lem is one ofseveral Trent researchers success-ful in attracting grants from theSocial Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council (SSHRC) thisyear. In total, Trent University wasthe recipient of close to half amillion dollars in SSHRC fundingin 2004 alone, contributing toTrent’s place as “ResearchUniversity of the Year” for thesecond year in a row.

This is the funding that fuelsthe scrupulous research behindacademic papers, conferences andbooks, many of which mightappear to remain in the academicarena but, in fact, shape every-thing from government policyand worldwide media commen-tary to dinner table discussions inthe homes of average Canadians.Be they the topics of headlinenews or enduring metaphysicalquestions, these are subjects closeto the heart and the intellect, andoften close to the bone as well.Inquiries in the social sciencesand humanities make up a signifi-cant portion of the research activities at all universities, andespecially at Trent.

The researchof Prof. Lem provides an aptexample. Herwork focuses onFranco-Chinesetransmigrants –migrants fromeast and south-east Asia and howthey make a liv-ing in Europe.With a focus oncitizenship,national andtransnational relations as theyapply to Chinese immigrants inEurope, Prof. Lem sees her workconnecting to debates the worldover. “In the context of Europeand the efforts that are beingmade to create borderless coun-tries within the European Union,vigorous debates exist over the

will have been informed by thework of Prof. Harrison.

Present and future implica-tions always have connections tothe past and, in two separateresearch projects, the medievalpast is playing a large role. Amember of the History depart-ment at Trent, Dr. Fiona Harris-Stoertz is looking at pregnancyand childbirth in the high MiddleAges, a subject which touches the

hot button topics of themedicalization of preg-nancy, breastfeeding,abortion, and birth control. English professorDr. Joanne Findon’smedieval focus puts herin touch with the some-times controversial bibli-cal figure of MaryMagdalene. Prof. Findon’sresearch zeros in on alate medieval play wherethe pivotal role of MaryMagdalene reflects issuesaround women’s speech

and popular medieval romance. If a literary work can tell us

much about the morals and val-ues of a certain time and place,

globalization movement provokedmore questions than answers.

And questioning is at the heartof the matter. Especially for Dr.Julia Harrison, Anthropology professor and chair of Women’sStudies at Trent University. Hercurrent research sees her posing alot questions – and doing a lot oflistening – as she gathers qualita-tive data on the meaning of theOntario cottage experience. “At

the broadest level, I am promptedto try to understand why one cot-tager would emphatically say tome, ‘my cottage is everything,’”she says. Far into the future, whatpeople come to understand aboutthe nature of the cottage experi-ence and its emotional context in20th and 21st century Canada

kinds of policies that should be inplace over admitting or excludingmigrants,” she says. “The researchis directly connected to the manydebates that are taking place overimmigration both in civil societyand in the circles of government.”

Another Trent professor whosework is connecting with globalpolitical issues is Political Scienceprofessor Dr. Mark Neufeld. Hisresearch investigates whether the

“so-called ‘anti-globalizationmovement’ is transforming itselfinto a less ad-hoc, more orga-nized political force for change.”A hot topic, indeed. Havingtaught a full term on globaliza-tion in his first-year Introductionto Politics course, Prof. Neufeldfound that discussions of the anti-

focustrentYour connection to news at Canada’s Outstanding Small University

9

Dec.

2004

In the December 4edition of theToronto Star,Professor MiriamSmith of PoliticalStudies, is quoted in the article“Murder scarredtheir world,” written to commemorate the 15thanniversary of the MontrealMassacre. Prof. Smith wasamong the contributors to aCarleton University studentnewspaper, which published amemorial issue in 1990. ThisToronto Star article examinesthe contributors’ thoughts onviolence against women “thenand now”.

The October 24 edition of Le Devoir ran an article “Le Canada tarde à se défendrecontre les OGM” based on areport co-authored byProfessor Peter Andrée of theEnvironmental and ResourcesStudies program. The reportreviews the government’sresponse to the 58 critical recommendations of the RoyalSociety of Canada’s ExpertPanel on the Future of FoodBiotechnology.

In the November 2004 editionof Anishinabek News, Trentgraduate student Lynn Gehlwrote about the opening, andthe many attributes, of PeterGzowski College and the FirstPeoples House of Learning.The publication features aphoto of the EnweyingBuilding along with a photo of Spiderwomen Theater – the trio whose performanceofficially opened the FirstPeoples House of Learning performance space in October.

The article “Tops in Ontario”in November’s issue ofCanadian Business magazinenotes Peterborough as a centrefor new business investmentand mentions Trent Universityin relation to the GreaterPeterborough Region DNACluster. ❦

in thenews

Dr. Julia HarrisonDr. Suzanne Bailey

Continued on page 2.

Dr. Mark. Neufeld

“howwelivein theworld”

Dr. Winnie Lem Dr. Fiona Harris-Stoertz

Trent’s success in

the social sciences and

humanities

AS THE ONLY STUDENT in his high-school graduating class who continued on to university,Robby Qammaniq, of Arctic Bay,Nunavut, hoped he would be arole model. Little did he know it would take on an official capacity.

Mr. Qammaniq, a second-year biology and anthropologystudent, was selected as one ofthis year’s 12 national Aboriginalrole models, in a program hostedby the National Aboriginal HealthOrganization and funded byHealth Canada. Mr. Qammaniqwas nominated for the positionby Arctic Bay’s Youth Consulting,a non-profit organization withwhich he volunteered.

As a role model, Mr.Qammaniq will visit Aboriginalcommunities to tell his story inthe hopes of encouraging andinspiring other Aboriginal youth.His main message, he says,encourages youth to pursue post-secondary education. As recentlyas the summer, Mr. Qammaniqspoke to grade seven to 12 students from Arctic Bay.

“I hope I inspired some to go to university,” says Mr.Qammaniq, adding that hebelieves staying in school offersopportunities that may not existin some Aboriginal communities.

page 2 / focus trent / 9 December 2004

“I had to move on in life,” hesays of his own decision to attenduniversity. “If I had stayed (inArctic Bay) there were no jobs,and college there is limited.”

But that doesn’t mean hewon’t be going back. Mr.Qammaniq is working towardbecoming a medical doctor, andintends to serve the Inuit, travel-ling throughout the territory.Enrolled in Trent’s Bachelor ofScience program, his goal is toovercome the communicationbarriers that exist in currenthealth care. Mr. Qammaniq, flu-ent in Inuktitut, says he has neverencountered a doctor who couldspeak the language. He aspires tobecome one of the first Inuk doc-tors. As a student, Mr. Qammaniqwas employed at the Arctic Bayhealth centre and based his careerchoice on the many positive experiences had working withnurses and the patients there.

“I want to help people stayhealthy and help children not beafraid to go to the health centre,”says Mr. Qammaniq, who is theeldest of seven children, of whichhe is the only son.

In the meantime, Mr.Qammaniq is busy with his studies and his fellow students. He also sings in the St. John’sAnglican Church choir.

And speaking of role models,Mr. Qammaniq credits much ofhis success to date to his parents,who he says helped to make him

a strong individual who could“stand up” on his own. ❦

leading byexample

Robby Qammaniq

Dr. Suzanne Bailey of the depart-ment of English is wonderingwhat other secrets can beunlocked, in this case, through thepoetry of nineteenth century poetRobert Browning. She is interestedin exploring what the poet’s latercareer can tell us about aging andthe final stages of the creativeartist’s career.

Language and culture are defin-ing attributes of the human expe-rience and if anyone knows this,it’s Dr. Lynne Davis of Trent’sNative Studies department. Asprincipal investigator on theAlliances Project, she is looking at the relationships of Aboriginalpeoples to social movement organizations. With an interest in social justice, women, labour,

Social Sciences and Humanities Research continued from page 1.

Second-year student named National Aboriginal Role Model

Dr. Joanne Findon Dr. Lynne Davis

To read more about the role modelprogram, visit www.naho.ca

A national survey rankingCanada’s innovation leaders has named Trent UniversityResearch University of the Yearfor 2004, ranking Trent numberone in comparison with otherprimarily undergraduate universities nationwide.

The results were released inNovember from ResearchInfosource, an independentcompany which bases its rank-ings on a combination of factors. Half the points wereawarded based on financial indicators: total sponsoredresearch income, researchincome per full-time facultyposition, and research incomeper full-time graduate student.The other half was based on thenumber of publications per full-time faculty.

Based on these measures,Trent University remained at the top of the undergraduatecategory for the second consecutive year.

“This is further evidence thatTrent faculty and students continue to do outstandingresearch,” said Dr. James Parker,Associate Vice President ofResearch at Trent University. “We only lead in our categorybecause we are world class in alldisciplines.”

Trent University PresidentBonnie Patterson lauded thefaculty who generate so muchresearch activity. “Trent facultyshould take a bow for bringingthis honour to the Universityfor the second year in a row,”said President Patterson. “It istheir focus on innovation andtheir desire to advance knowl-edge in the humanities, socialsciences, and natural sciencesthat creates an atmosphere rifewith new ideas and discoveryhere at Trent. One of the bene-fits is that this activity directlytouches Trent students, whocontribute to the researchprocess themselves, and thecommunity.” ❦

Trent named “Research University of the Year”Ranks #1 in primarily undergraduate category for second year in a row

environmental groups andAboriginal self-determination, the three-year study “will examine what works well in relationships, what tensions existand how they are negotiated, andwhat lessons people have learnedfrom entering into coalitions andalliances,” says Prof. Davis. “As theprincipal investigator, it is myresponsibility to ensure that whatpeople have shared is dissemi-nated widely to others who canlearn from their experiences.”

As Prof. Harrison says, “Life is about what we study in thesocial sciences and humanities. To improve the world we live in requires an in-depth under-standing of how we all live in the world.” ❦

The Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada(SSHRC) is an arm’s-length federalagency that promotes and supportsuniversity-based research and training in the social sciences andhumanities. Created by an act ofParliament in 1977, SSHRC is governed by a 22-member Councilthat reports to Parliament throughthe Minister of Industry.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 13, 14, 15, 16: Advent atTrent. The Religious AffairsCommittee will be conductingAdvent Services Mondaythrough Thursday at 11 a.m.Monday and Wednesday ser-vices will be in OtonabeeCollege Room 211 andTuesday and Thursday serviceswill be in the PIT at LadyEaton College. Open to allmembers of the Trent commu-nity regardless of their religiousaffiliation.

Dec. 15: Sex, Humour, God &Noise: Humanities ResearchDay, 2004. The papers to begiven by faculty members areengaging and eclectic. You canlook forward to discussions ofsuch diverse topics as excava-tions on Crete, flood andfamine relief in FrenchColonial Vietnam, Americanhumour and Queer theory.Other papers will focus onDante, Margaret Atwood’s Oryxand Crake, Freud andShakespeare, reproductiveimmunology, film depictionsof Christ and theory of theutterance, Traill College LectureHall, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Please register by callingWendy Scammell in the TraillCollege office at 748-1011 ext1736. (Lunch is included inyour registration fee of $7)

Dec. 23: University OfficesClosed – from Dec 23 to Jan 3– inclusive. The last day ofoperation before the break willbe Dec 22 and offices willreopen on Jan 4. Please checkwith individual departmentsand services regarding particu-lar holiday schedules.

Jan. 10: Classes resume.

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

August 2006. In addition, a newoutdoor covered pavilion, thesize of a basket ball court, willbe constructed to service year-round campus recreation activi-ties, and new outdoor recreationequipment will be purchased.Phase one of the master plan isvalued at $2,161,000 and is sup-ported by the student levy andfund raising. Revenue generationthrough rental of sports fieldswill be directed at satisfying theoperating costs for the facilitiesas well as developing a reservefund to cover the replacementof the turf in 15 years.

Phase two of the plan isbased on a longer-term vision

A MULTI-PHASE PLAN to expandTrent’s athletics facilities willserve students, community mem-bers and community partners andprovide a financially viable solu-tion to upgrade the University’sathletics infrastructure.

The first phase of the plan,approved by Trent’s Board ofGovernors in November 2004,builds on the excellent programsand services developed overthree decades by founding direc-tor of athletics Paul Wilson.

The expansion plan is basedon two years of input, researchand planning involving students,student clubs and groups, Trentcommittees, community sportorganizations and the communityat large.

Most recently, a group of students, staff and communitymembers visited artificial turfstadiums at several Ontario universities as part of the expan-sion plan research. And in anOctober 2004 referendum, 87 per cent of the students whovoted, supported the expansionof athletic facilities at Trent.They agreed that all full-timeundergraduate students will pay $50 per year to fund the athletics master plan.

“The existing AthleticsComplex was built 27 years agoat a time when Trent’s studentpopulation was approximately2,000 students,” said Bill Byrick,Director of Athletics. “With acurrent student population in excess of 7,000, there isextensive pressure on all athletic facilities, in particular the playing fields. As our campushas evolved, the greatest growthhas taken place on the eastbank. One feature of this planwill create new capacity on theeast bank to respond to thisgrowth.” He stressed that theapproved development will haveno impact on the nature areas.

The Facilities and SiteDevelopment Master Planfocuses on two phases. With theapproval of phase one, construc-tion will begin in the spring of2005 and include the installa-tion of a new artificial turf onthe west bank for completion byAugust 2005. This upgradedfield will include new lighting,entrance and fencing, landscap-ing and a new recreational track.Bleacher seating for 1,000 willbe completed for the 2006 season.

The east bank will see theconstruction of two new naturalturf fields and a new softball diamond off of Pioneer Road,that will be ready for use in

9 December 2004 / focus trent / page 3

for improving athletics facilities.This phase includes constructingan addition to the current P.S.B. Wilson Athletics Complex,creating a rock climbing wall,expanding fitness space, renovat-ing change rooms, introducingtwo-team change rooms,improving access to the administrative offices, creatingrental space for revenue generation, and enhancing parking, vehicle and pedestrianroutes.

Students will pay their firstlevy and will benefit from phaseone beginning in the fall of2005. For Mr. Byrick, the ratio-nale for developing a proposal

phaseone of athleticsmasterplanproceeds

Athletics Director Bill Byrick examines an artificial turf sample on the site that will be home to Trent’s new stadium.

Vision responds to students’needs, builds new partnerships

that has garnered such widecommunity support is clear.“Our intent is to improve andexpand the athletic facilities toprovide top quality service toTrent University students. By creating excellence in our ath-letic operations and creatingincentives for students to cometo Trent, we are creating a newsense of ownership and newpartnerships with the local community.”

Mr. Byrick adds that the busi-ness plan has been developed inorder to ensure that TrentAthletics can both afford to buildthe facilities, as well as operatethem for the long term. “It is critical that the new facilities besustainable,” he says. ❦

Trent and the Rae Review

Former Ontario Premier, theHonourable Bob Rae hosted twohighly successful meetings onNovember 22 in Peterboroughas part of the PostsecondaryReview process taking placeacross Ontario. Trent Universitywas the location for a roundtable discussion where delegatesfrom various local and regionalinstitutions provided input. ATown Hall meeting held in theevening at Fleming College drewmore than 100 participants.

Mr. Rae addressed each question and, at times, engagedin longer discussion on pointsof interest. Topics at the TownHall meeting ranged from stu-dent financial assistance andpreparing students for post secondary-style learning to university-college collaboration.

Trent University prepared an official submission for to the Postsecondary Review,which can be seen athttp://www.trentu.ca/news/daily/041123raereview.pdf

Input to the Rae Review canbe sent via info@raereview.on.ca

Futures FundScholarship

Fourth-year Trent UniversityBusiness Administration studentRiaz Kara has received a presti-gious $5,000 Futures FundScholarship for OutstandingLeadership from Canada’sOutstanding CEO of the Yearaward program.

The scholarship, an educationgrant, and accommodation andtransportation to the November25 Awards Gala in Toronto, wasawarded to 10 Canadian univer-sity business students for exem-plary leadership in theiracademic and extra-curricularinitiatives. Trent University wasamong the 10 schools chosen toreceive the scholarship for oneof its students.

$82,000 Raised forPeter Gzowski College

Following the enormous successof An Evening with Peter’s Friends:A celebration in support of PeterGzowski College, Trent Universityannounced that the specialevent, featuring many of PeterGzowski’s close friends, well surpassed its goal, raising a totalof $82,000.

Susan Mackle, TrentUniversity’s vice-president(advancement), thanked sponsors, patrons, supporters,volunteers, and the many whopurchased tickets for theshow. Much of the event’s success, she added, was thanksto event chair Glenda Hunterand her organizing committee. In total, there were 100 sponsorsand supporters, 140 volunteers,and 600 ticket purchasers.

An Evening with Peter’s Friendsinvolved a who’s who of familiarand up-and-coming Canadiantalent alike: Susan Aglukark,Donna Bennett, Dinah Christie,Tom Cochrane, Graham Greene,Alison Gordon, John Gzowski, C. David Johnson, Molly Johnson,George Leach, John McDermott,and Shelagh Rogers.

The campaign for PeterGzowski College continues withan overall goal of $1.25 million.For more information, visitwww.trentu.ca/gzowskicampaign

Maclean’s2004 Ranking Results

Results from the Maclean’s 2004rankings of Canadian universitieshave placed Trent University firstin Canada for medical/scienceresearch funding and scholarshipsand bursaries as a percentage ofthe operating budget.

Trent placed within the topten nationally in a number ofkey ranking areas:• awards per full-time faculty

(ranked third) • social sciences and humanities

research grants (ranked fifth –up from seventh last year)

• classes taught by tenured faculty (ranked sixth)

• faculty with Ph.D.s (rankedseventh)

• reputational survey (rankedseventh)

• student awards (ranked seventh)

• alumni support to theUniversity (ranked eighth – up from ninth last year)

page 4 / focus trent / 9 December 2004

Mr. Kara, a native ofVancouver, was chosen as therecipient by Trent’s BusinessAdministration Program becauseof his strong academic standingand demonstrated leadershipskills.

Recognizing Academic All-Canadians

A celebration in recognition of excellence in athletics andacademia saw close to 40 students recognized as AcademicAll-Canadians last month atTrent University. The annualawards event, hosted by theDepartment of Athletics andRecreation, honoured studentswho participate in varsity sportsand achieve an academic aver-age of 80 per cent or higher.

“These students, who havereached a level of excellence insport and scholarly accomplish-ment, received well-deserved recognition,” says Bill Byrick,Athletics director.

“Congratulations to theseindividuals. At an early stage intheir lives, they’ve been able toachieve this healthy lifestyle balance and at the same time, distinguish themselves as leaders.”

❧❧

Vol. 3, Issue 4 Focus Trent is published by the Communications Office atTrent University on the second Thursday of each month, from Septemberthrough June. E-mail: focustrent@trentu.ca. Focus Trent copy submissions are due at the end of this month for placement in the next issue. Distributed inaccordance with Canada Post Mail Sales Agreement #40064326.

The annual Academic All-Canadian Awards honouredclose to 40 students who partici-pate in varsity sports and achievean academic average of 80 percent or higher.

Rower Wins National Championship

The Trent University rowing teamfinished its fall season inMontreal on November 6, racingat the Canadian UniversityRowing Championships. Eighteen

• class sizes in both the 1st and2nd as well as the 3rd and 4thyear categories (ranked ninth)

• library expense (ranked ninth) • student retention (ranked

ninth)

schools from across the countryraced for medals in 12 events.Peter Van Rooijen of Brockville,representing Trent in the men’ssingle, raced to a gold medal. Mr. Van Rooijen was a bronzemedallist in last year’s champi-onships.

Mr. Van Rooijen is a fourth-year Business Administration student, who has representedCanada at the Under 23 WorldRowing Championships for thepast two years. ❦

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