Sharpen your pencil, boot up your laptop, lace up your field boots, and switch on your camera—Research Week is returning to The University of Winnipeg November 12-15.
Research Week, presented by the UWinnipeg Research Office, consists of four days of interactive events designed to build the skills and connections necessary for research success. A wide variety of events are planned, including hands-on workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, and more. No registration is needed and all events are open to everyone, at no cost.
“This year’s events lineup focuses on how interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for both personal and academic growth, fostering a vibrant research community,” said Akshi Malik, the Research Office’s Program Officer for Health Sciences, Research Partnerships and Impact.
Researchers at every career stage will find something that piques their interest. Each session was designed to deliver the knowledge and skills needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving research environments. That includes attracting funds for research, communicating effectively with the public, conducting interdisciplinary research, and making the most of research trips.
Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, UWinnipeg’s new Vice-President of Research and Innovation, will kick off Research Week by hosting a State of the Union and Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, followed by a day of workshops focused on communication.
“Research Week is an exciting opportunity for our University community to come together, explore new ideas, and build the skills necessary for research success,” Dr. Paliwal said. “Whether you are a student, faculty member, or staff, this event has something for everyone. I look forward to hosting an AMA session to answer your questions and share insights on fostering innovation and collaboration in research.”
Other highlights of Research Week include a Cinéfest hosted by the Department of Theatre and Film on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, and two Thursday workshops on the hot topic of artificial intelligence. There are also two events serving equity-deserving groups: a BIPOC Breakfast on Wednesday and a 2SLGBTQ+ Research Mentorship Group reception on Thursday.
“Research Week is an excellent opportunity to connect with peers and explore diverse disciplines at UWinnipeg,” Malik said. “Through sessions like Curtailing your Communications, participants can enhance their ability to share research effectively, while Student Research Opportunities showcases many potential pathways for students to get involved. The sessions on AI focuses on cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence and how to innovate tomorrow, today!”
Poster symposium and photography contest
Two more annual events, the Randy Kobes Undergraduate Poster Symposium and the Research in Focus photography contest, also take place during Research Week.
A public viewing and reception for the Poster Symposium, now in its 19th year, will take place Wednesday, November 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Richardson College atrium. Winners will be announced Friday, November 15 at an awards ceremony during the Flipped 3MT, which sees professors distill their research into a concise presentation in front of an audience of students.
Submissions to Research in Focus open Tuesday, November 12.
Research in Focus, which debuted last year, will open its submission window on November 12, the first day of Research Week, and close January 31. The competition is open to all UWinnipeg faculty, students, staff, retirees, and alumni over the age of 18. All photos must be original work, taken by the entrant.
One winner and one runner-up will be chosen from each of the five main categories, as well as a $500 grand prize winner. Each of the five category winners will receive $300 and runners-up receive $200.
The winner and runner-up in a sixth category, Viewer’s Choice, will be determined by public voting from February 17 to March 3. A seventh and final category, Best Description, will celebrate the photograph with the best accompanying written description. Winners of these two categories will receive non-cash prizes.
Contest winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in the spring.
Research Week schedule of events
All Research Week events take place in Room 2M70 (2nd floor, Manitoba Hall) unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, November 12
11:30-12:45 Research Week Kickoff: State of the Union and New Vice President of Research Dr. Jitendra Paliwal AMA
1:00-2:15 Out of the Classroom and Into the News: Media Skills for Researchers
2:30-3:15 Curtailing your Communications: Communicating your Research for your Audience: Part 1: Presentation
3:15-4:15 Curtailing your Communications: Communicating your Research for your Audience: Part 2: Hands-On Workshop
4:15-5:15 Publishing Pitfalls
7:00-9:00 Theatre and Film Cinéfest (3C00)
Wednesday, November 13
8:30-10:20 BIPOC Breakfast
9:30-1:30 Randy Kobes Student Poster Symposium (Richardson College atrium)
9:30-12:30 Judging and Participant Presentations
12:30-1:30 Public Viewing and Research Manitoba Reception
10:00-4:00 CRiCS and CRYTC Research Exhibition and Lightning Talks (Knowledge Mobilization Lab 3C25)
10:00-4:00 Exhibition
12:20-1:30 Lightning Talks
1:30-2:20 Interdisciplinary Research: Advice about crossing disciplinary boundaries
2:30-3:45 Student Research Opportunities Panel Discussion
4:00-5:15 How to Travel the World Doing Research
7:00-9:00 Theatre and Film Cinéfest (3C00)
Thursday, November 14
10:00-11:15 Promising Practices in Fieldwork: Panel Discussion
11:30-12:45 AI 1: Crash Course in the History of AI Aided Research
1:00-2:15 AI 2: AI Research at UWinnipeg
2:30-3:45 How to Rake in the Research Funds: Insight from Tri-Agency Grant Reviewers
4:00-5:15 2SLGBTQ+ Research Mentorship Group hors d’oeuvres
Friday, November 15
10:30-11:20 Health Research Lightning Talks
11:30-12:20 How to be a researcher (and a human): Tips for striking a healthy balance
12:30-1:30 Freaky Friday: Flipped 3MT and Randy Kobes Poster Symposium Award Ceremony
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For more information on Research Week, visit the 2024 Research Week homepage. More information on Research in Focus, including terms of reference, is available on the contest page. For details on the Randy Kobes Undergraduate Poster Symposium, visit its webpage.
