Western News, April, 2011
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April 14, 2011 Vol. 47 No. 14 The University of Western Ontario’s newspaper of record www.westernnews.ca PM 41195534 Matter of Lasting priorities NRC’s market focus raises questions about funding fate of basic research By Heather Travis lessons ndrew Nelson wasn’t thinking about the economic outcomes of his research focused Aon determining the identity of a Canadian soldier from the First World War. In fact, as the Professor offers Faculty of Social Science associate dean points out, there aren’t any economic outcomes. That fact alone means under the strict guide- lines recently outlined by the National Research one last lecture Council (NRC), Nelson’s research collaboration – along with thousands of others nationwide – may no longer make the bar for what the NRC deems fundable. That has led some observers to wonder about the fate of research in Canada. NRC officials say the priority will be placed on research of national importance and will support Canadian industry and economic development overall – a move away from basic science research. In a memo to his more than 4,000 employees, NRC president John McDougall ordered his staff to put down the test tubes of basic science research and pick up work in the applied sciences, par- ticularly in areas that will help boost economic development. The NRC is the Canadian government’s leading resource for research, development and tech- nology-based innovation. It consists of about 20 institutes and national programs, who often part- ner with universities, offering a wide array of services. Reports have circulated in the media about a March 2 memo distributed to NRC staff asking them to focus on research that has clear “market drivers” or a “purposeful direction.” In the memo, McDougall informed staff a new system will be enforced, putting the power in the hands of NRC vice-presidents and the president to determine how the majority of research and capital funds will be allocated. Once in the hands of the institutes and programs staff to decide, the heads of those groups must now appeal to their employers for support for projects. According to the policy change, the various insti- tutes of NRC will lose control of 80 per cent of their budgets to central management. The memo strongly encourages researchers to focus on applied science and suggests four potential “flagship programs” are in development to serve as NRC poster children – a way to dem- onstrate the NRC’s public benefit – as well as the development of 15-20 national strategic programs. University of Western Ontario researchers, such as Nelson, and graduate students collaborate with the NRC on various projects – a local branch is located at Western’s Research Park – and may indirectly be affected by McDougall’s new man- date. For example, Nelson partnered with NRC researcher Steve Kruithof to combine four CT scans of the remains of Private Thomas Lawless, SEE STORY Pages 8-9 whose identity was unknown since he went missing Continued on page 16 INSIDE: Campus Digest 2 | Opinions 4-5 | Classified 13 | Coming Events 13 2 APRIL 14, 2011 WESTERN NEWS CAMPUS DIGEST SOGS STAYS WITH CFS Chief stewards include Lee therapeutic relationships, social and basic parts for members, For more information on the Yee Gamble (Arts and Humani- support, housing and home- increasing the hours of the bike efforts to raise funds in support Members of Western’s Soci- ties), Muhamad Foizul Islam lessness,” says Mike Petrenko, workspace beyond two evenings of victims of the Sendai earth- ety of Graduate Students (SOGS) Chowdury (Biological Sciences), Canadian Mental Health Associ- a week, and growing the number quake and subsequent tsunami, voted to continue membership Navid Golbon (Physical Sci- ation-London Middlesex execu- of community memberships and please contact Hyland at thy- in the Canadian Federation ences), Heather Wilk (Social Sci- tive director. publicize the availability of the [email protected]. of Students (CFS). In results ences), Mehran Behazin (Occu- The announcement was shared workspace to the London com- announced late Thursday, April pational Health and Safety offi- with the nearly 1,000 commu- munity. RENIX RAISES 7, graduate students voted 450- cer) and Reuven Brandt (ombud- nity and corporate leaders who For more information, visit START-UP FUNDS 241 in favour of staying with the sperson). attended the 2011 event, now in purplebikes.ca. organization which has repre- All appointments are for one its 5th year. The project further Renix Inc., a London-based sented SOGS for more than 25 year with the exception of the strengthens the care partner- FORMER PROFESSOR organization commercializing years. Occupational Health and Safety ship between St. Joseph’s Health MAKES MARK ON MUSEUM the world’s first uninterrupted “I am not at all surprised that a officer, which is a two-year term. Care London and the CMHA- LONDON continuous ion exchange tech- strong majority of graduate stu- All terms start June 1 with the London Middlesex. nology, has raised $650,000 in dents at Western saw the value exception of the president, who Museum London’s new exhibi- start-up investment funding. in continued membership,” says starts Sept. 1. WOMEN’S CAUCUS ESSAY tion, Duncan de Kergommeaux: With the support of the inves- Rick Telfer, who represented The UWO-GTA Union is CONTEST OPEN These are the Marks I Make, fea- tors at this stage, Renix will a group in favour of staying in composed solely of Western’s tures works from three decades build the first industrial pilot CFS. “With strong endorsements graduate teaching assistants. Submissions are now being of the former University of unit, and support the commer- from organizations like the UWO Although the UWO-GTA Union is accepted for the 2011 Women’s Western Ontario professor’s cial launch of this innovative Faculty Association and the a local of PSAC, GTAs establish Caucus Essay Contest. career as an artist. separation processing technol- Canadian Association of Univer- the priorities and policies of the Each submission needs to be The exhibition, which opened ogy. The investors in this round sity Teachers, the 30-year-old local. an original work (term paper, Saturday, surveys a career that include Sustainable Chemistry federation is known as the lead- For information, visit seminar paper, etc.) from any has spanned almost six decades. Alliance, the Ontario Centres of ing voice for students, post-sec- gtaunion.com/gta/. discipline involving feminist It displays a selection of works Excellence and the Southwest- ondary education and research research about women. Maxi- from the collections of Museum ern Ontario Angel Group. in Canada, and as an influential FORCHUK NAMED mum length is 3,000 words for London and the McIntosh Gal- Renix was formed to com- advocate for social justice and CHAMPION OF MENTAL undergraduate essays, 6,000 lery. The works range from mercialize platform technology human rights more generally. HEALTH words for graduate essays. Style his formative abstractions of developed at The University “My hope is that SOGS will needs to be scholarly, but acces- the 1950s and illuminated cube of Western Ontario and started return to the table of this impor- Cheryl Forchuk, a researcher sible. works of the 1960s, to the sys- commercialization efforts in tant organization in a way that at The Uni- Collaborative efforts are wel- tematized, process-oriented grid late 2009. is productive and that brings the versity of comed, although only one entry paintings and support specific work of the federation back to Western per student is allowed. drawings of the 1970s. MUSIC GRADS this campus.” Ontario, Law- Two $200 awards – one for Since 1953 de Kergommeaux HEAD TO CALGARY The results become official son Health undergraduate, one for graduate has had more than 50 solo exhi- once they’re recognized by the Research students – will recognize stu- bitions and been included in Three recent Don Wright of National Executive of the Fed- Institute, was dents whose creativity, scholar- more than 100 group exhibitions Faculty of Music graduates have eration at a later date. awarded the ship and understanding of issues including the Third and Sixth earned the opportunity to study annual Cham- facing women in society and Biennials of Canadian Art at and perform under a prestigious GTA ELECTS NEW pion of Mental across cultures demonstrate a the National Gallery of Canada. professional staff of teachers LEADERSHIP Health Award, FORCHUK strong grasp of feminist theory Born in British Columbia, he and performers. presented and practice. moved to London in 1970 and Mark Ellis Gough (bari- The University of Western each year at the Breakfast of Essays may be submitted worked as a professor of draw- tone), Michael Marino (tenor) Ontario’s Graduate Teaching Champions to an individual any time before the April 30 ing and painting. de Kergom- and Clarence Frazer (baritone) Assistants’ Union (Public Ser- or group who has made a sig- deadline. Four paper copies meaux is now an emeritus pro- will be part of Calgary Opera’s vice Alliance of Canada, Local nificant contribution to mental are required to be sent to Marg fessor at the university. Emerging Artist Development 610) has tapped new leadership health care and advocacy. Sloan, Women’s Caucus Execu- The opening reception for Program, intended to benefit for the upcoming year. Results Forchuk is one of Canada’s tive, Sociology and Women’s These are the Marks I Make Canadian singers who have com- of the election were announced leading researchers focusing Studies Librarian, The D.B. Wel- is 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21 at pleted pre-professional training Thursday, April 7. her efforts on issues related don Library. No electronic sub- Museum London. Admission is at an opera program.