Issue B, B@AF
The magazine of Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario queensu.ca/alumnireview Queen’ALU MN IREVIsEW The techno-ethicist
The future (of coding) is female
Nature computes
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Sales Offi ce Now Open at 652 Princess Street contents Issue w, wuv|, Volume ~v, Number w Serving the Queen’s community since v~w| queensu.ca/alumnireview m Queen’ALU MN IREVIsEW Editor’s notebook n Letters to the editor
COVER STORY p From the principal t Living in q the future Quid novi In the Human Media Lab News from campus at Queen’s , researchers are creating prototypes for mn technology that will hit the
k Assistive and r a
l market decades from now. adaptive technologies c
D r a n r e
B mo Ex libris Elan Mastai’s novel FEATURE STORY All Our Wrong Todays plus books from The techno- ls faculty and alumni ethicist Who decides what n
decisions are made by e s n
driverless cars – or a h - G
autonomous weapons? e w D e G D
Jason Millar explores r
, o n m
o
the moral dilemmas in e s n e i i t the brave new world of m a j
e n
deep learning. i t s i r
oo h c The last word: The future (of coding) is female Nature computes In which Selim Akl, Head, School of Computing, makes the case that the bit, the smallest unit of information and computation, is the key k
r to unlocking the a l c mysteries of the universe. D r a n r
lo lq e B Digital dreams: Sudo: empowering building a coding women to code community for with Wendy women in Kingston ON Prototypes of BitDrones hover around Human Media Lab Powley, School THE researchers Calvin Rubens, Roel Vertegaal, Xujing Zhang, COVER of Computing and Sean Braley. The creation of BitDrones is the first step toward building interactive self-levitating programmable matter. Photo: BernarD clark
The futuristic Aileron font used on the cover and throughout this issue is designed by Adilson Gonzales de Oliveira Jr. behance.net/agonz ed ito rs NO TEBOO’K
Imagine the future…
recently had the chance to interact with some BitDrones in the Volume HA, No. B, B@AF IHuman Media Lab. Imagine a formation of buzzing mini-drones [email protected] hovering around you. You can pick one up and examine it, then let it queensu.ca/alumnireview @queensureview go, only to see it move back to its designated spot mid-air. It is easy to Queen’s Alumni Review imagine the possibilities of future BitDrones, able to change their (circ. vw|,uuu) is published shape or colour, enabling users to build x T architectural or molecular by Queen’s University Relations models. But before that scenario becomes a reality, innovators like (comprising Communications, Marketing and Government Relations). Roel Vertegaal and the graduate students at his lab need to build Queen’s is a member of the Council for prototypes to see how they fit in with the the Advancement and Support of human experience. Education and the Canadian Council for the Advancment of Education. User error is a big part of that experience. Subscriptions are free to alumni, Case in point: what did I do when a BitDrone $wz ST\ /year for others. Opinions came buzzing toward me during the photo expressed in the Review are not necessarily those of Queen’s University shoot? I instinctively swatted it away, sending it or of the _cRR . spinning off-course into a corner of the room. Xaa\ #u}yx-}uy} At that moment, my mind was thinking “very Queen’s University large mosquito in my personal space!” not Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel R. Woolf, Artsci’}u “innovative building block of the future.” V-P University Relations Luckily, the BitDrone was unharmed, and my Michael Fraser dignity remained (somewhat) intact. But situa - Executive Director Marketing tions like this help innovators anticipate how Helena Debnam Editor k
r humans can use – or abuse – technology.
a Andrea Gunn, [^R ’u| l c Looking at human-robot interaction from Copy Editor D r
a Wade Guyitt, Artsci’uy, [R ’uz
n a different angle, Queen’s engineering and r
e Contributors B philosophy graduate Jason Millar tackles the d`XbU`a : Meredith Dault, [R ’vv, big ethical questions in technology. This article Kirsteen MacLeod, Mark Witten, started out as a vzuu-word assignment, which then grew to v}uu Alison Migneault words. When writer Mark Witten presented it to me at wwuu words XZZcab`Rb]`a : Tine Modewag-Hansen, Christine Jamieson, `VT with the request to trim it as I saw fit, I couldn’t do it. This is another ^W]b]V`R^WU`a : Bernard Clark, great story that explores complex ideas in the world of technology. Garrett Elliott I think it’s worth making space to explore big ideas in this magazine. Art Director Larry Harris, University Marketing I hope you agree. Associate Designer (KIT) Let me know what you think. Wilma van Wyngaarden Advertising/Sponsorship Officer Peter Gillespie, Artsci’uv Phone: {vx.zxx.{uuu ext. |zy{y Andrea Gunn Email: [email protected] Editor B@AE –B@AG Queen’s University [email protected] Alumni Association President Sue Bates, Artsci’~v {vx.zxx.{uuu ext. ||uv{ Canada Post publications mail permit JCA@GH@AF Queen’s University ~~ University Avenue Kingston, ]\ Y|Z x\{ Phone: {vx.zxx.{uuu ext. ||uv{ Paper or digital? Your choice. To update your address or to sign up for the digital magazine, email: Until we have flexible phones that combine the tactile reading [email protected] experience of paper with the efficiencies of a wholly digital or call v.}uu.w{|.|}x| platform (another invention dreamed up at the human media (toll-free in Canada and U.S.) lab), we have just two options for your Review subscription: paper or digital? email [email protected] if you want to change your subscription preference or your address. and if you are getting multiple copies of the magazine, or copies addressed to a previous occupant, please let us know that, too.
Queen’s University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory. m issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview le TttersO THE EDITOR
Wartime work On Boo Hoo and Boo Supplemental to the wartime work of Bea Grant I saw the article on Boo Hoo the Bear (later Corbett), Arts’yy, [R ’~z, recognized by the (Issue ?, =;<@, p. =@) . When I entered Review (Issue <, =;
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview n
Queen’s University Volume III –: Testing Tradition
By Dr. Duncan McDowall, Arts’1., MA’1/, Queen’s University Historian and recipient of a National Business Book Award.
“The question is: how did this university, where tradition is genetically encoded, dance with the blasts of change that swept through it between ,0/, and -++.? Duncan McDowall investigates the challenges Queen’s faced during what he would call a ‘yeasty’ time. I expected Testing Tradition to be informative and illuminating. And it was. What I hadn’t anticipated was to be so engrossed by it… a hugely engaging and important book.” Shelagh Rogers, O.C., Artsci’11, host of CBC’s The Next Chapter and Chancellor, University of Victoria
“Fascinating reading! Duncan McDowall has put together a wonderful mix of history and stories about life on campus at Queen’s that are enthralling to read and are evocative of studying at the university.” Former Speaker of the House of Commons and Kingston and the Islands MP Peter Milliken, Arts’02, LLD’-.
Order your copy today from McGill-Queen’s University Press. Visit mqup.ca and search for Testing Tradition. FROM THE principal
Advancing our technology agenda
BY PRINCIPAL DANIEL WOOLF
o one reading this magazine needs a reminder of undeveloped land, we Nhow technology has changed over the past xu or are exploring possible yu years, nor of the many ways in which it has both expansion with our simplified and complicated life. When I was study - major partner, the City of ing at Queen’s four decades ago, the personal com - Kingston, under a recent puter was in its infancy; no one had heard of the in - memorandum of under - ternet or the web; and email was something used standing I signed with only in military circles. Now, there is more comput - Mayor Bryan Paterson. ing power in my iPhone than was used to send Another change is even Apollo vv’s astronauts to the moon. And to com - further advanced. For ment adequately on the place of technology in ped - xu years, ^R`bU_ agogy would require a separate column to itself. Innovations, an arms- Queen’s faculty and students have maintained length technology- a strong presence in the field of technology for gen - transfer company created erations. Ours was among the first engineering by Queen’s , has assisted schools in Canada, for example, and our engineers in the movement of in - continue to make advances ranging from Praveen ventions from the lab to Jain’s work on climate-friendly power capture from the industrial sphere. Its solar panels to our civil engineering department’s transition this spring literally ground-breaking contributions to geo - from independent firm sciences. The booming field of biotechnology in - to a shared service volves our medical faculty (both clinical and non- within Queen’s proper k r
clinical) and rehabilitation therapy and nursing is an indication of the a l c
professors. Collaboration is often key to making greater maturity of tech- D r a n
technological advances. A great example is our Hu - transfer and the much r e man Mobility Research Centre, which connects sur - greater priority that uni - B gical, computing, and engineering professors. Over versities across the country are giving to “knowl - the past vu years, many of our researchers have co- edge translation” which, contrary to some views, located with industry at Innovation Park. It is home is an extension of, not an alternative to, “basic to S[S Microsystems, Nanofabrication Kingston, science” or “fundamental research.” Predicting the the Centre for Advanced Computing, Green future is always risky, but it is a pretty safe bet that Centre Canada, and a variety of other firms whose the world economy will become ever more tech- technology is firmly based in Queen’s research. based; for Canada to have its proper place in these Outside the abU[ disciplines, Queen’s human - developments, leading universities such as ists and social scientists are also making them - Queen’s must continue to evolve and innovate. selves known, in digital humanities (on which we Finally, I’d like to thank two recently departed recently hosted a Matariki Network international senior administrative colleagues, both of whom workshop); in the analysis of big data in the Scotia - played significant roles in advancing Queen’s tech - bank Centre for Customer Analytics at Smith nology agenda. Former Vice- School of Business; and in the exploration of the Principal (Research) Steven Liss, “Leading universities role and impact of social media. now occupying the same role at Our Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Ryerson University, was a tire - such as Queen’s must Centre continues be a main, though not the only, less advocate for forming closer continue to evolve and engine of innovation and entrepreneurship on our partnerships with the city and campus. The Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation with industry, and a key mover innovate.” group located at Innovation Park incubates almost in bringing ^R`bU_ Innovations zu small to medium enterprises at any one time “in-house.” Caroline Davis, Vice-Principal (Finance and translates faculty discoveries into investment and Administration) until her recent retirement, or market networks. was a champion of Innovation Park and a keen The embracing of entre preneurship and innova - supporter of our public engagement with the city, tion as university-wide bywords has occasioned a quite aside from her exemplary leadership as co- rethinking of how we support these activities. At chair of the Aboriginal Council. To both of them, Innovation Park, where Queen’s still holds some thank you and best wishes for the future. B
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview p QUID no vi? *being a compendium of “what’s new” on campus
Queen’s b`S Task Force final report at a special reception to mark the unveiling of the Queen’s truth and reconciliation commission ( trc ) task Force final report, Principal Daniel woolf told the crowd of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and local indigenous community members, “today, our communities come together to change course.” “By taking steps to ensure that indigenous histories are shared, by recognizing that we can all benefit from indigenous knowledge, and by creating culturally validating learning environments, we can begin to reduce barriers to education and create a more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse university,” said Principal woolf. the Queen’s task force formed in april 2016 to begin the work t t of responding to the tr c’s final report on the history and legacy of o i l l e
canada’s residential school system for aboriginal children. com - t t e
r posed of indigenous and non-indigenous faculty, staff, students, r a
G senior administrators, and community members, the task force con - Janice Hill, Director of Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, sidered how to respond meaningfully to the trc ’s calls to action. speaks with lecturer Nathan Brinklow during the March >= event in the final report, the task force calls for, among other things: marking the release of the Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation B continued efforts to develop and strengthen relationships with Commission Task Force’s final report. indigenous communities in the kingston region; B the expansion of advancement strategies to increase philan - thropic funding for indigenous initiatives, as well as the devel - IN MEMORIAM opment of partnerships to proactively advocate and engage with government for system-wide programs and policies that George Andrew , former head of Phe support indigenous students; program (and head coach of Queen’s B the creation of culturally validating spaces by incorporating golf team, 1967-75), died jan. 8. indigenous art and languages into public spaces and signage, planting traditional indigenous plants to honour the traditional Marion Meyer , retired professor territory of the haudenosaunee and anishinaabe Peoples, and (sociology), died april 26. the creation of indigenous spaces for ceremonies and events; David Kemp , former head, B the creation of new bridging and pathway programs to increase Department of Drama, associate access to post-secondary education for indigenous youth, as dean, Faculty of education (and co- well as expanded recruitment and outreach initiatives into founder of the artist in community indigenous communities; education program), died april 26. B more work to increase the number of indigenous staff and Allison Sherman , a faculty member faculty, as well as to explore ways in which to recognize tradi - in the Department of art history and tional knowledge as a valid means of scholarly achievement director of Queen’s Venice summer in hiring practices. school, died april 26. Learn more about the Queen’s TRC Task Force and read its final report: bit.ly/QUTRC><=A If you have memories of these individuals you would like to share, please email us at [email protected]. An obituary for Dr. Andrew is posted in For more campus news, go to the digital Review: the digital review. queensu.ca/alumnireview.
q issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview Racism and diversity report New eyes on in april, the Principal’s implementation committee on racism, Diversity, and inclusion ( PicrDi ) delivered its final report to Principal woolf. key recommenda - the universe tions from the report include the creation of a university council on anti-racism and equity and boosting recruitment of black faculty members and faculty from other under-represented groups. the full report is available on the principal’s website: bit.ly/IpZEISA . the committee, comprising two faculty members, two staff a new exhibit at the agnes members, and two students, consulted with members of the Queen’s community, etherington art centre explores including authors of past reports on anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion. the experiments and discover - in anticipation of the report, and in light of the recent report from the Queen’s ies of the snolaB underground truth and reconciliation commission ( trc ) task Force, Provost Benoit-antoine facility in sudbury. the interac - Bacon earlier announced that $3 million in funds over the next three years has tive exhibit, New Eyes on the been earmarked to support existing and launch new initiatives related to equity Universe , features the nobel and diversity on Queen’s campus, including but not limited to those outlined in Prize-winning research of Dr. the PicrDi report. arthur mcDonald and his col - Principal woolf also announced that Deputy Provost teri shearer will assume leagues, who proved that solar responsibility for senior leadership on equity and diversity at Queen’s. the neutrinos change their flavour deputy provost portfolio will be redesigned to bring a diversity and inclusion lens en route to earth, an important to all aspects of university operations. this will include leading the university’s discovery for explaining the response to the PicrDi and trc reports, overseeing the newly created office of nature of matter and the struc - indigenous initiatives, and making additional changes that support equity-seek - ture of the universe. New Eyes ing groups more broadly (for example, lGBtQ + and persons with disabilities). on the Universe also explores making changes to orientation week was also addressed, with the principal the ways in which the current noting that review of this first week of university will have to be done through snolaB facilities and experi - extensive consultations with students and other groups and units on campus. ments continue to push the “i believe that fundamental change needs to occur during this important first frontiers in particle astrophysics. week of university for students,” said Principal woolf. “we have heard, over the the exhibit caps off a year of past year, from various stakeholder groups across campus that orientation 175th anniversary celebrations week must be more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible … i am committed at Queen’s. “over the past year, to working with students and others through this consultative process and to we have reflected on Queen’s expanding the content of orientation week to include mechanisms for training monumental contributions, and educating students on diversity and inclusion.” while also contemplating what the future holds for the university,” says Principal woolf. A rare addition to the “similarly, this exhibit allows visitors to celebrate Dr. Queen’s collection mcDonald and his colleagues’ in 1482, william caxton published Polycronicon, a outstanding accomplishments “universal history” written by ranulf higden, a Benedic - and learn about the ways in tine monk. originally written in latin, Polycronicon was which Queen’s researchers,
y translated into english by john of trevisa (1387) and now and in the future, will play r a
r later printed by william caxton. Queen’s University a leading role in unlocking the B i l
y acquired a 1482 edition of the caxton printing, of which mysteries of the universe.” t i s r
e only about 50 copies are known to exist worldwide. New Eyes on the Universe is V i n
U the addition of the rare book to the Queen’s on display in the atrium of the
s ’
n agnes etherington art centre e University library collection was made possible thanks e U
Q to a donation by philanthropist and entrepreneur from may 27 to july 7. admission The first page in seymour schulich. mr. schulich and Principal woolf to the exhibit and the agnes is Caxton’s Polycronicon . partnered to give their personal collections of rare free for everyone. The red initial and other books to Queen’s, with an additional gift from mr. the New Eyes on the Universe marks were done by schulich for the establishment, growth, and preserva - exhibit is owned and circulated hand. This process is tion of the collection. in recognition of their generosity by snolaB . the exhibit de - called rubrication and and vision, the university established the schulich- buted on july 1, 2016 at canada is repeated throughout woolf rare Book collection, which resides in Douglas house, trafalgar square in the text. library, and combines more than 400 volumes from the london, and it is touring across collections of mr. schulich and Principal woolf. canada this year.
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview r Broaden your opportunities and take the rst step to earning your Queen’s MBA
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For more inforo mation 855.933.3298 [email protected] ssb.ca/gdb cover STORY Living in the future BY MEREDITH DAULT
In the Human Media Lab at Queen’s , researchers are creating prototypes for technology that will hit the market decades from now.
ARRIVING AT JACKSON HALL is an unremarkable experience. The building’s foyer is dreary: it’s a space to pass through, but no place to linger. If you take the stairs up, you’ll land in another hallway, equally ordinary. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice the row of boots and shoes lined up outside the first door at the top of the stairs in this otherwise unadorned space. But short of a modest wooden sign that reads “Human Media Lab,” you’ll get very few clues that you’re about to step into the future. Or at least, a space designed to inspire those dreaming about the future …
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview t ago, Dr. Vertegaal and his team – he currently has eight graduate students at different levels and from different disciplines working with him – have captured their share of headlines in the international media, with inven - tions ranging from the first flexible smartphone and a foldable paper computer, among other organic user interfaces ( ]cX s or non-flat com - puter screens), to sophisticated eye input sensors that allow users to interact with devices by looking at them. He has overseen the de - velopment of the first “pseudo- holographic x T cylindrical tele - presence display,” essentially a human-sized cylinder onto which you can project and inter - act with an image of a person from a different space ( Star Trek , anyone?), and is now fascinated PUSHING THROUGH THAT DOOR takes you into a different by BitDrones – small quadcopters that function world, one in which all the hard edges have been like self-levitating Lego bricks that can be done away with and every surface – from the rendered into different floor tiles to the wallpaper – has been re-imag - shapes in mid-air de - ined in colourful, computer-rendered patterns. pending on how they’ve Designed by Karim Rashid, the internationally been programmed. Dr. acclaimed industrial designer, this is a space that Vertegaal ultimately feels more like a futuristic showroom than an imagines them as tiny, academic workspace. A large circular couch in fly-sized devices capable fuchsia anchors the bright space. It has enough of locking together to seating to accommodate the entire Human create shape-shifting Media Lab team at once, making it ideal for objects in mid-air. brainstorming sessions. As he and master’s “Because we live in the future in our thoughts, student Sean Braley so we need to live in the future physically,” says send a group of Bit - Director Roel Vertegaal simply, as if it’s the most Drones up into the ordinary thing in the world. air, it’s clear that Dr. A professor of human-computer interaction, Vertegaal is genuinely Pseudo-holographic Dr. Vertegaal spends a lot of his time thinking enchanted by the @: cylinder about the future – specifically, about the ways in products he and his which humans will interact with technology in students have devised over the years. He bats a the years and decades to come. Although he’s a Bitdrone playfully with his hand, only to have it computer scientist, Dr. Vertegaal, who first came rebound to exactly where it’s been programmed to Queen’s from Leiden v| years ago, has always to hang in space. “It really makes me amazed by been more interested in people than in machines. mosquitos,” Dr. Vertegaal says to the room, his At the heart of everything he does is a desire to eyes trained on one of the flying devices. “It’s make technology that is better suited to respond fascinating that they can fly so well, given that to the way in which humans actually think and they experience air as a viscous substance.” Mr. move, rather than the status quo, which sees us Braley, who has clearly absorbed some of Dr. adapting to our devices instead (watch people Vertegaal’s appetite for inquiry, agrees. “Especially hunched over their tiny smartphone screens for when there’s only so much energy they can store,” a vivid example). he adds, illuminating their own prototype quan - “The human is always front and centre in what daries. “But at least we have laid the groundwork.” we do,” says Dr. Vertegaal, “which is not a classic For Dr. Vertegaal, whose brain works nimbly computer science approach.” and playfully, nothing – not even a mosquito – Since opening the Human Media Lab v| years is too small to provide inspiration. Unlike many in lk issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview “The beautiful moments are when you get the idea and then you see the thing work for the first time,” says Dr. Vertegaal.
An idea made real
BitDrone prototypes hover around Calvin Rubens, Roel Vertegaal, Xujing Zhang, and Sean Braley. The creation of BitDrones by the Human Media Lab team is the first step toward building interactive self-levitating programmable matter. k r a l c
D r a n r e B
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview ll The ideal solution is the tech world, Dr. Vertegaal But Dr. Vertegaal is quick to point out that is deeply committed to the it’s hard to come up with new ways of doing to retain the pleasures physical, in the sense that he things until you really understand what a of the physical object envisions a future where product’s existing limitations are. “If you don’t specialized technology is have flying cars, it is difficult to think of new while embracing the adapted to suit and im - kinds of traffic jams they might cause, because efficiencies of prove life in our existing you don’t know their properties,” he says. “But if x{u° world, rather than one someone shows you one, then all of a sudden the digital. where humans are expected to live you can start thinking about completely new more and more virtually. ways of organizing highways.” “Imagine that you could read the news on your leather purse,” he says suddenly, his mind LOOKING AT THINGS IN E S R E V E R whirring, “but it would also behave like a purse. Or this couch could be a display, and its primary The key to coming up with inventive solutions, function would be to be pink one day and blue says Dr. Vertegaal – and this is what his students the next, and that could be related to a wristband learn to do as members of his team – is in looking that could sense your mood and choose the right at things in reverse. Until he learned of the exis - colour to suit it.” tence of flexible screens, for example, it was challenging to imagine how such a thing might FINDING FORM FOR NEW IDEAS be used. As soon as he was able to simulate one through projection, however, everything changed. While coming up with ideas is clearly never a “Then the problems start dawning on you because problem, the challenge is in giving them physical before that you were living in Flatland,” he says form, whether it’s finding a way to make manipu - with a laugh. “I realized lating a flexible screen feel like you’re flipping all software to date was Flatland: an =BB? the pages of a book (a very different action from limited to two dimensions. novella in which swiping between pages on a flat device), or You have to try a prototype, two-dimensional devising a cylindrically shaped screen you could and then you get an intu - characters grapple hold in your hand. ition for what it can do.” with the notion of “There has been a drive to move away from the In the case of the flexible a three-dimensional physical to the digital because digital is malleable,” phone, Dr. Vertegaal first be - universe. he says, citing newspapers, which are expensive gan experimenting with the and environmentally problematic to produce, as technology in wuuy. The first an example. “But there’s simply nothing like the iteration was projected on paper. In wuvu, he tactility of being able to leaf through a paper.” For started working with a real four-inch black-and- Dr. Vertegaal, the ideal solution is always in find - white display that used e-ink, while the latest ing a way to retain the pleasures of the physical boasts a very thin, full-colour touch display. object while embracing the efficiencies of the Ultimately, he argues, flexible phones would not digital – using, say, an electronic paper you could only be thinner, less inclined to shatter when unfold and read, just as you would a newspaper. dropped, and less expensive to produce, they would be more natural to use, allowing users to bend the display to manipulate on-screen objects – a more ergonomic motion than using a finger to swipe and tap. Current prototypes also allow users to see objects on-screen in x T, without having to wear glasses. Here, bend is used to point into the screen – the third dimension. But as remarkable as his lab’s many inventions have been to date, Dr. Vertegaal admits he will be lucky to see most of them applied in the real B a l
world in his lifetime. “For us to be competitive in a i D
e the research domain, we have to think at least wu m
n years ahead,” he explains. “And we do.” In many a m
U cases, however, the marketplace simply isn’t h The current prototype of the flexible phone allows ready for them yet. “Everything we’re using right users to see objects on-screen in @ D, without having to now is already yu to zu years old and has been wear glasses. tested for three decades,” he says, laughing. lm issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview LEARNING TO THINK BIG and more spontaneously by asking each other questions. When she was looking to continue her education “Inevitably, two people will get together and in virtual reality, master’s student Xujing Zhang start a conversation and then everyone will did her research. “I looked up labs all over the gravitate toward it,” explains Calvin Rubens, world,” says the student, who already holds a who first joined the lab three years ago as an master’s degree in software engineering from undergraduate summer student but is now Beijing’s Peking University. “I liked the projects pursuing a master’s degree in in this lab.” electrical engineering. “Every - Standing in front of a large screen at a standing one plays off one another. The desk in a dark blue room, Ms. Zhang taps away at common places [within the a keyboard. A few feet away stands the top half lab] are nice for that, because of a male mannequin dressed in a sweater (its you can hear people talking and bottom half, wearing pants, stands forlornly in the then you get ideas.” front foyer), with three small, high-end cameras Mr. Rubens, who was first turned on it. It is this body that gets the honour of drawn to the Human Media Lab being “beamed” onto a cylinder in the lab’s main because of an interest in drones space. Ms. Zhang, who has studied artificial intelli - and has since had the opportunity gence, robotics, and augmented reality, is currently to help build the BitDrones, de - fascinated by telepresence and holograms. scribes Dr. Vertegaal as the “vision - Like the other students, Ms. Zhang isn’t here ary” who directs the projects and simply for another degree. She is passionate gives them meaning, while he and about her research and motivated by the chance the other students do much of the to learn new things and complete her projects – hands-on work, with plenty of room no matter how long that takes. She has been at for creativity and autonomy. Queen’s for three years now, and loves Kingston’s “It’s exciting work because it’s all new stuff,” small size and comfortable pace, which, she says, he says, adding that he loves being able to apply frees her up for thinking. “What I’ve learned from what he’s learning as an engineering student to this lab is that I need to think big,” she says with a coming up with real-world applications. “You get smile. “You never know what you can do until you to do the research and have that level of explo - try. If you don’t take the first step, the second will ration without being a top-level scientist at Mi - never happen.” crosoft or Google or \RaR .” Her enthusiasm is shared by Dr. Vertegaal. “The beautiful moments are when you get the TURNING ON THE LIGHTS idea, and then when you see the thing work for the first time,” he says. “That’s why I do this. Indeed, it’s training that serves graduates of the Those experiences are out of this world.” Human Media Lab well: many of Dr. Vertegaal’s students become so adept at solving complicated TAKING RISKS problems in new ways that they often end up designing their own jobs, giving them a leg up in The Human Media Lab, whose reputation for the tech industry. innovation has enabled it to compete with larger They venture into the world with a future- institutions for high-calibre students, is entirely focus, and an ability to take what they’ve learned oriented toward experimentation and risk-taking. and apply it in new areas, just as Dr. Vertegaal Students are did in setting out to bring his idea for a visionary encouraged to find new lab to life. Socratic method: ways of doing things, “It’s cool that it has all panned out,” he says, the method of teaching ask each other questions, “although I never really had any doubt. I had a in which the teacher and help one another confidence that I think comes with experience: asks a sequence of explore new ways to solve as you shift fields, you take something you’ve questions, and by problems. Dr. Vertegaal learned and apply it to that new field. The confi - answering them sees the group dynamic as dence comes from knowing it already works in the pupil eventually “the Socratic method in ac - another context. Then all you have to do is turn B comes to the desired tion,” as his students find a on the lights – and it will work.” knowledge. common understanding and teach each other, both at for - See the BitDrones and other 8:9 technology in action: mal brainstorming sessions hml.queensu.ca/videos/.
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview ln spotlight ON TEACHING
Digital dream s: empowe ring women to code BY KIRSTEEN MACLEOD
endy Powley, Artsci’}y (Psychology), Ed’}z, attended teacher’s college, before realizing that MSc’~u (Computer Science), clearly loves teaching junior-primary wasn’t for her. She took her work in computing. “When you solve a a job at Queen’s running a research study in the Wproblem, there’s a programming high, a real psychology department, where she had her first endorphin rush,” she says. “I live for that feeling!” experience with programming. “I had to automate Ms. Powley, a continuing adjunct in the School data collection and perform calculations on our of Computing and a term adjunct in the Faculty streaming data using a personal computer – of Education, is also a dynamic champion and I was fascinated.” mentor for women who want to study computer This discovery sparked her to take under - science and pursue careers in technology. graduate computing courses at Queen’s . Next, These days, she is excited to notice more she completed her Master of Computing degree. women in her classrooms. “In my first-year coding In v~~w, she was hired as a researcher at the classes, about yz per cent of the students are Queen’s Database Systems Laboratory, and in female – a phenomenal increase from a few v~~~, she began teaching – and mentoring – years ago.” other women. “Part of my role is to inspire and A mix of computer science majors and curious motivate others,” she says. upper-year students in other disciplines, these At Queen’s , efforts to attract more women to women are learning to create code, or computer computing have been highly successful. Back in programming language. “If I can inspire them to wuux, only about wu per cent of the undergradu - try computing in that first course, many continue ates enrolled in computer science were female, on. They get a taste of it, recognize the potential, better than a North American average of about and say, ‘Wow, this is great!’” vv per cent. Today, that’s jumped to xy per cent at Often, she notes, women feel excluded from Queen’s , compared with about vz per cent for computing, which is usually portrayed in the North America. media as male-dominated, geeky, and for only the What explains the increase in computing most brilliant. “It’s too bad! Women are missing women at Queen’s ? One factor is new programs, out on very lucrative jobs and fun, diverse careers. such as biomedical computing and cognitive And the workforce is missing the diverse popula - science, that tend to attract more women, she says. tion it needs to create the technology of the future.” But another factor is the promotion of opportu - When Wendy Powley started out, few women nities for women in computer science. “The way chose computing as a career, “mostly because we to get more women into the field is to get more didn’t know about it.” Today, she moves in tech- women into the field,” says Ms. Powley matter- savvy circles, both at work and at home. Husband of-factly. An increase toward gender parity results Gary (Comp’}y) retired recently as senior systems in a culture shift, one that is more cooperative, specialist in the School of Computing, daughter inclusive, and more inviting to women. Rachael is studying computer science at Western University, and son Michael, an engineering BUILDING A NETWORK student at University of Ottawa, has an interest in computing. So she took it upon herself to create new networks But in her student days, Ms. Powley had no for women. Ms. Powley is founder of the Queen’s computing mentors to guide her. Originally a School of Computing RS[-d Chapter, an informal math major, she switched to psychology and then support and social group for students and staff to
lo issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview T T O I L L E
T T E R R A G
Wendy Powley, School of Computing/Faculty of Education encourage female interest in computer sciences . largest educational and scientific computing “I tell my first-year students, ‘Computing will society. She will not only coordinate the celebra - make you cry,’” she says frankly. “It can be frustrat - tion in Canada but will supervise RS[-d ing – you have to be very persistent, you have to Celebrations that occur annually worldwide. problem-solve, you keep going back. Sometimes “Organizing the conference is the best thing I you get into dark places where you don’t know ever did,” she says. “There’s the Canadian one, and the answer and what else to do. So building this now we have w} regional conferences across the network of women who can support one another world. It’s great; they keep popping up!” is important.” Wendy Powley’s influence continues to ripple Building on this initiative, in wuvu, she founded out. She is proud of the accomplishments of her the Ontario Celebration of Women in Computing, students, like Melissa Mangos, Comp’v|, who which she oversaw for five years. Hosted by vari - founded Sudo, an organization that creates com - ous Ontario universities, the annual event “fos - munity through free coding workshops for girls tered the idea of the need for support for women and women in Kingston (see next page). “It’s a great in universities, and started the conversation.” initiative, and I’m so proud of Melissa,” Ms. Powley Last year, the popular conference went national. says. “It’s so satisfying to provide experiences that The second annual Canadian Celebration of will have a lasting impact on young people.” Women in Computing conference in Montreal Learning early is an idea she strongly supports. this November is expected to attract zuu attendees, She thinks computer science should be mandatory bringing together students, professors, and from kindergarten through high school, as it is in industry professionals to learn from, and network the United Kingdom. with, each other. “Computing teaches problem solving, critical thinking, and how to manipulate data: these are A NATIONAL NETWORK GOES GLOBAL abilities that everyone needs in the modern world,” she says. “If we want people to create the next cool Wendy Powley was also appointed as chair of the app or medical breakthrough or new technology, RS[-d Celebrations committee, a subgroup of the we need kids to understand what tech can do and Association for Computing Machinery, the world’s how to apply it in our society.” B
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview lp student LIFE
(soo’do) n. a powerful linux command allowing users “super user” access to install, update, and access files on a server. a kingston-based initiative started by Queen’s students Sudo with the mission to create a community where women can learn to code together. through monthly meet-ups and workshops, sudo strives to build an energetic and welcoming community of programmers to support women in improving their technical skills.
Annabel Kramer , sudo workshop and curriculum developer. “it’s wonderful to present content that you have created, and have the workshop participants see how powerful it can be. there’s no substitute for discovering things for Karina Kim , com’18, sudo social yourself.” an exchange student media marketing coordinator. from the U.k., she plans on working karina has brought her business for sudo remotely when she returns and marketing skills to the sudo home this summer. team. she is also inspired to learn new skills from her computer science teammates. “it’s important to step out of your bubble and try new things.”
lq issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview in january 2016, Melissa Mangos attended the canadian celebration of women in computing conference, inspired by Professor Wendy Powley . “it was so cool meeting women from different Learn more : schools and all the professional women in computing. it was how i came up with sudo. talking sudolabs.ca to a lot of people, i found that other cities like toronto and montreal had initiatives for women to @sudolabs_ learn programming but kingston didn’t have anything like that.” Four months later, she launched sudo in kingston, with the help of some Queen’s friends. Missing from this photo: sudo members Daisy Barrette, cara Falcon, callum tomkins-Flanagan, emily crawford, omar toutounji, and shubhi sharma.
Jessica Dassanayake , comp’20, sudo workshop developer. “i was Melissa Mangos , comp’17, sudo looking for an opportunity to get founder . “ we are really pushing this involved in the kingston as a community. as well as the free community, and not just the workshops, we host meet-ups Queen’s community.” the sudo where people can come out and workshops have given the first-year network and learn from each other.” student a unique opportunity to the sudo team has a new teach a variety of women, ranging partnership this summer to reach from students to retirees. out to the next generation of
female coders. sudo trainers will k r a
be teaching programming to day l c
D
campers enrolled with Girls inc. and r a n r
since not all kids have their own e B computers, the focus will be on building computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview lr feature REPORT
The techno-ethicist Exploring moral dilemmas in the brave new world of deep learning BY MARK WITTEN
ls issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview Should your future autonomous car be equipped with a moral compass along with its ;<= ? n e s n a h - G e w e D o m
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n o i t a r t s U l l i
s machines get smarter and smarter, there is a Jason Millar, Sc’~~ (Engineering Physics), seductive temptation to give up control to the PhD’v{ (Philosophy), is a robot ethicist who asks automated systems that outperform humans. tough questions about how much control we A case in point is the slick, self-driving robot should give up to AI-powered machines that are that may soon be rolling into your driveway and in many respects more capable than humans. taking over your transportation world. Some To illustrate the moral dilemmas presented by Amazon and Microsoft tech veterans recently pro - driverless cars, Dr. Millar created an ethical posed a plan to ban human drivers from a stretch thought experiment that he published in an of highway linking Seattle and Vancouver, reserv - academic journal: “Pretend you’re alone in a ing it for self-driving vehicles. They argued that em - driverless car on a single-lane road that’s heading bracing the technology would save lives and ease into a tunnel. A child suddenly runs across the congestion, noting that “widespread and universal tunnel’s entrance, trips and falls. You can either adoption of autonomous vehicles is inevitable.” hit the child and save yourself or swerve into the If these tech gurus have their way, future itera - tunnel edifice, killing yourself but saving the child.” tions of the self-driving cars now being road-tested Of the people who responded online, {y per by Google, Uber, Tesla, and Mercedes will rule the cent said they would save themselves, while x{ road and, inevitably, their robot brethren will have per cent felt they would sacrifice themselves for free rein over the planet. the child. Dr. Millar suggests that from an ethical
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview lt perspective, there is no universal right answer. even more pressure and a stronger temptation to But in such cases, an individual’s deep moral relinquish control to autonomous machines. commitments could make the difference between Dr. Millar argues that creating good technology going straight or swerving. in the brave new world of deep-learning systems But this extreme scenario raises another interest - requires that engineers understand and think ing and key question: “Who gets to decide how the about the social dimensions of technologies they car reacts? With self-driving cars, we’re shifting the design. The broader role and ethical responsibility moral responsibility from a human driver to some of an engineer is to design solutions that take into programmed algorithm,” says Dr. Millar, a post- account human values and the impact on society: doctoral research fellow at the University of Ottawa “I use my background in engineering and Faculty of Law and researcher at the Center for philosophy to talk about human values and Automotive Research at Stanford ( SR`a ). understand how to translate human values into His hypothetical scenario is not far removed solutions. You’re making good technology when it from the real-life programming decisions being functions well, is efficient and easy to use, and in - made, or considered, by the leading manufactur - corporates a layer of ethics; it takes into account ers of self-driving cars today. Do you want to give human values and it respects the user’s autonomy up the right and responsibility to make moral and preferences.” decisions in life-and-death situations to the Dr. Millar first started asking questions and programmers and engineers who design the car, thinking about the social impact of technology or the corporation that directs them? while working as an engineer in aerospace elec - Before you answer, take a deep breath and tronics, after graduating in engineering physics consider this. from Queen’s . He was helping design electronics At the wuv{ Paris Motor Show, the manager of assemblies for commercial airliners one week and driverless safety for Mercedes-Benz told reporters guided bomb units the next. “As a young engineer, that its future Level y and Level z autonomous you’re not expected to investigate the ethical is - cars will be programmed to save the driver and sues and you don’t have the training or the lan - the car’s occupants in each and every situation. guage to figure them out. You don’t necessarily So, in another hypothetical scenario, if a crash have to think about the application of the technol - were unavoidable, the self-driving car – a ogy you’re designing, and you can’t easily say, ‘I’d Mercedes deluxe robot – might veer into a crowd rather not work on the bomb guidance system,’” of kids waiting for a bus rather than hit a wall or says Dr. Millar, who returned to academia to study another vehicle, if that choice were less likely to moral philosophy and apply that knowledge to the harm the car’s occupants. intersection of ethics, technology, and society. In his journal article “Technology as Moral THERE’S CAPABILITY, Proxy,” Dr. Millar argues that there is an ethical AND THEN THERE’S WISDOM requirement for engineers to broaden their professional duties to account for the social Machines may be super-capable, but do they pos - consequences of their technologies. Because sess the wisdom to choose what you or other engineers already function intentionally, or humans believe is the right thing to do? How unintentionally, as de facto policymakers by intro - much scope do you want to give self-driving cars, ducing new technologies that often have strong or other autonomous systems, to act and make social effects – whether they anticipate or think decisions on your behalf? about these effects or not – they should be trained As a techno-ethicist, Dr. Millar believes that and develop the knowledge to fulfill the duties of consumers, regulators, manufacturers, and espe - a more robust public role. cially the engineers who design self-driving cars and other autonomous systems need to think LEARNING LESSONS FROM hard about the social and ethical impacts of the HEALTH CARE new technologies emerging. That becomes even more important with advances in deep-learning Engineers must change and broaden their AI, which enable robots to succeed in highly approach to robot dilemmas with moral conse - complex environments – talking, driving, or quences, says Dr. Millar, just as health-care practi - serving as a soldier – by learning from their own tioners look at end-of-life or other high-risk health mistakes and improving their performance over decisions with a moral lens, not just a technical time. Deep-learning robots take a more intuitive one. To such questions, there often isn’t a universal, approach to solving problems, which results in ethically correct answer. In health care, where surprising and unpredictable behaviour that is moral choices must be made about cancer therapy more human-like and less robotic. So we feel or high-risk brain surgery, for example, it’s standard mk issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview with patients, families, and hospital staff on how to make informed decisions on these difficult bioethical issues. Embedding ethicists in tech - nology companies as part of their driverless car design pro - cesses is an idea that he has pro - posed to automotive engineers at international conferences. “Embedded ethicists are a way to train young engineers to identify and think about important ethi - cal and social issues arising out of a new technology, so they can design solutions that make the technology more user-friendly in an ethical way,” says Dr. Millar, noting that environmental engineers now play a vital role in many companies to identify
n issues of concern and work with e s n
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D Jason Millar has applied his o m
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U global military arena. Currently, l l i military drones – sometimes Young engineers should be trained to explore the social impact of the referred to as Remotely Oper - technologies they design, says Jason Millar. ated Weapons Systems ( `]da ) – are remotely operated: the deci - sion to use lethal force remains practice for medical staff to inform patients of their a human decision. However, technology is now reasonable treatment options and allow patients to being developed that would enable military robots make informed decisions that fit their personal to autonomously make the decision to kill without preferences. “This process is based on the ideas human intervention: “These robots would find a that individuals have the right to make decisions target and decide to kill on their own.” says Dr. about their own bodies,” he says. Millar. “The question is, do we want to automate Informed consent wasn’t always the standard the kill decision?” of practice in health care. “It used to be common for physicians to make important decisions on THE LINK BETWEEN DESIGN behalf of patients, often actively deceiving them AND MORAL PSYCHOLOGY as part of a treatment plan. Informed consent is now ethically and legally entrenched in health In wuvz, Dr. Millar was invited to give testimony at care, such that failing to obtain informed consent an informal meeting of experts on ZRda at the exposes a health-care professional to claims of United Nations in Geneva. His presentation was professional negligence,” he says. aimed at exploring some challenges that weapons systems designers could face if they try to design THE EMBEDDED ETHICIST for maintaining meaningful control over semi- autonomous weapons. He presented evidence While doing two clinical bioethics internships from the field of moral psychology showing how at Kingston General Hospital and the Children’s seemingly unimportant situational factors, such Hospital of Eastern Ontario during his doctoral as a noisy environment or sitting at a dirty desk, studies at Queen’s , Dr. Millar saw in-house clini - could significantly affect a person’s decision- cal ethicists in action, educating and consulting making. For example, researchers found that if
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview ml noise levels were low, }u per cent of people failing to meet users’ expectations of privacy. stopped to help an injured man, but when a power After the Mercedes official was quoted as lawnmower was running nearby, only vz per cent saying the company’s self-driving cars would did. Dr. Millar explained that if the particular de - prioritize the safety of occupants over pedestri - sign features of the automated critical functions of ans, there was a swift public backlash. Parent the weapons system create an unintended bias in company Daimler AG recalibrated and said the the human operator, this could result in a loss of official was misquoted: “For Daimler it is clear meaningful human control in the decision to use that neither programmers nor automated systems lethal force. “So, if we are going to design for are entitled to weigh the value of human lives,” meaningful human control, in addition to said Daimler, noting that it would be illegal in understanding the effects of automating critical Germany and other countries to make a decision functions, we’re going to have to invest time in favour of vehicle occupants and that, as a and effort trying to understand the relationship manufacturer, it would implement what is between design features and human moral deemed to be socially acceptable. psychology,” he said. Dr. Millar views this kind of public airing of Through the Open Roboethics initiative ( ]` i), ethical issues as a crucial part of the research and Dr. Millar and colleagues conducted an interna - development process. He hopes that through tional survey of people in more than zu countries such “social acceptance” `QT processes, engi - to gauge public opinion on the use of ZRda vs. neers, manufacturers, and regulators can address semi-autonomous `]da . “The majority of our and find solutions to the many ethical concerns participants indicated that all types of ZRda should about self-driving cars, and build trustworthy be internationally banned. More than |u per cent vehicles that do what people expect them to do, said they would rather their country use remotely safely. Choice and informed consent are critical operated instead of lethal autonomous systems components in the public discussion. This means when waging war. The most popular reason cited that everyone, from car users to pedestrians to for rejecting the development and use of ZRda in city planners, both have a meaningful say in, and battlefields was that humans should always be the retain some control over, safety decisions. “You ones to make life/death decisions,” he says. build trust in the technology when you anticipate its effects on users and society,” says Dr. Millar. Social failure mode Choosing an ethical route International law emphasizes the importance of public engagement in such matters. The Martens for your commute Clause, included in the additional protocols of the One way to give people choice and control over Geneva Convention, indi - their personal moral preferences could be to cates that the public should build reasonable ethical settings into robot cars. have a meaningful say on Dr. Millar is now doing research at the Center what is, and is not, permissi - for Automotive Research at Stanford University ble in armed conflict, espe - to explore mapping options for self-driving cars cially where new technolo - that would allow users to choose their personal gies are concerned. ethical preferences. “Does Google always get to Similarly, with au - decide the best route for you? Your preferred tonomous, driverless cars, route might be one that uses less fuel or avoids Dr. Millar believes that residential streets where there are likely to be companies and engineers small children,” he says. should engage and seek The role of a robot ethicist is not to block or input from the public on roll back advances in technology, says Dr. Millar, ethical and social issues to but to enhance the technology by giving users o t
o inform and influence their and society at large meaningful choices and con - h P design solutions. He uses the D
e trol over its use and effects. “I’m a complete i l
P concept of “a social failure P technophile, not a technophobe, and the first to U s mode” to identify and buy the next gadget. I want technology to make Dr. Jason Millar describe what happens when the world a better place,” he says. “Engineers can robotics or other new tech - help do this by making technology more user- nologies ignore or fail to properly address their friendly in an ethical way that respects the user’s impact on users and society. A prime example autonomy and preferences and takes into account of a social failure mode in technology is Facebook the social impact.” B mm issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview ca mpus SCENE Assistive and adaptive technologies
he term “ assistive technology ” is used for products, software, or equipment used to improve or maintain the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. T Examples of assistive technology include hearing aids, prosthetic devices, and reading glasses. Assistive devices range from low- to high-tech and can be off-the-shelf products or customized to the individual. They include products that support: hearing vision mobility
memory writing typing
pointing walking learning
A subset of assistive technology is adaptive technology , which adapts existing technology specifically to meet the needs of users with disabilities.
Adaptive technologies include:
B screen enlarger software that makes text bigger on a computer screen and allows the user to zoom into specific parts of the screen;
B screen readers that turn the text on a computer screen into synthesized speech;
B voice recognition software that responds to voice commands to create documents, browse online, or open and navigate computer applications.
he Adaptive Technology Centre (Rb S) at Queen’ s provides technology and services that enable students with disabilities to study, research, and access library and course materials. Located on Tthe ground floor of Stauffer Library, the centre contains Library Accessibility Services, an Adaptive Technology Lab, the Technology Support Office, and the Adaptive Office of the Queen’ s Accessibility Coordinator. Opened in v~~v with funding from an anonymous donor, the Adaptive Technology Centre has assisted thousands of students in achieving academic success. Library Accessibility Services ensure that students have access to library and research materials, including textbooks in alternate formats, such as large print, mp x, or Braille. The Adaptive Technology Lab provides equipment and software that enable students with disabilities to access library and course materials. A loan program is available for students registered with the RbS so they can try out adaptive devices in their classes or while studying at home.
Learn more about the RbS : queensu.ca/atc A future issue of the Review will explore disability and accessibility issues at Queen’s in more depth.
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview mn EX libris New books by faculty and alumni Elan Mastai explores time travel and the downside of a technological utopia in his new novel . Tom Barren lives in the world we were supposed to have. The technological utopia envisioned by the optimistic science fiction of the ?CA>s … Yet Tom can’t seem to find his place in this perfect utopia and feels like a constant disappointment to his brilliant but distant father. When the girl of his dreams turns his life upside down, Tom does what you do when you’re heartbroken and have a time machine – something stupid. “ ll the banal functions of daily life are taken care or contradict existing science, but also at the logis - of by technology. There are no grocery stores tical reasons why it hasn’t happened. Once I find or gas stations or fast-food joints. Nobody collects out where the holes are, I can start plugging them garbage from a bin at the curb or fixes your car up with plausible scientific notions, things that are with, like, tools in a garage. The menial and man - hypothetically possible even if no one has actually ual jobs that dominated the global workforce in proven them yet. Even with something as far out past eras are now automated and mechanized, as time travel, it’s establishing what we know for and the international conglomerates that maintain sure, what we think we know, and what we’re those technologies keep totally clueless about. My approach with research busy tinkering with minor is to do way more than is necessary and then refinements. If your organic only include the most interesting and entertaining waste disposal module mal - bits for the reader. I never want to lose anyone in functions, you wouldn’t call arcane technical data. It’s a novel. It’s supposed to a plumber, even if plumbers be fun to read. still existed, because your Q: What’s a piece of technology that you couldn’t building has repair drones at imagine life without? What kind of futuristic technology the ready. A lamplighter with would you most want to have? a jug of kerosene and a wick on a pole has as much rele - A: I mean, on an essential level, I can’t imagine life s e
y vance to contemporary life without books. The printing press, in its day, was e l
D i as tailors and janitors and as groundbreaking a technological innovation as V a
D gardeners and carpenters. the smartphones in our pocket or the satellites Elan Mastai, Artsci’CB, author of Places like bookstores above our heads. The ability to read the printed All Our Wrong Todays and cafes still exist, but words of other people is so embedded in our they’re specialized niche everyday life that it doesn’t even feel like a tech - businesses aimed at nostalgia fetishists. You can nology. It’s part of what makes us human. The go to an actual restaurant and have a chef prepare most successful kinds of technology are like that. your meal by hand. But the waiter who serves you They become prosthetics. is essentially an actor playing a role on a set in In terms of futuristic technology, as someone which you’re also a performer, an immersive, live- who chronically runs late for things – definitely action narrative spooling around you in real time.” teleportation. Of course, if I knew I could just teleport wherever I want to go, I’d probably run ~ Excerpt from All Our Wrong Todays even later for things. That’s the problem with Q: There’s some fairly persuasive-sounding science in technology. It can solve all sorts of problems, but this novel about innovative technology and time travel. it can’t fix human nature. How did you tackle the research for the book? B Alison Migneault A: Typically, I think about what sorts of inventions or technologies I want to use in the story and then In the digital Review, Alison Migneault chats further work backward to figure out the current state of with Elan Mastai about his writing process and how the technology, how it might either complement how he developed the ideas for All Our Wrong Todays. mo issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview Dean Curran , artsci’02 (economics, history), PhD’13 Chris McCreery , ma’98, PhD’03, (sociology), is the author of Risk, Power, and Inequality in has two new books out marking the >=st Century . this book provides a new analysis of the 50th anniversary of the order the increasingly important relationship between risk of canada. Fifty Years Honouring and widening inequalities. the massive, and often un - Canadians: The Order of Canada, equal, impacts of contemporary risks are recognized =C@A–><=A traces the origins of the widely in popular discussions – be it the fallout from the order, from the debate surround - 2008 financial crisis or 2005’s hurricane katrina – yet ing canadians accepting peerages there is a distinct neglect in social science of the overall and knighthoods that took place systemic impacts of these risks for increasing inequali - during the First world war through to Vincent massey ties. this book identifies novel intersections of risk and and lester Pearson’s great desire to see their fellow inequalities, showing how key processes associated citizens recognized with a truly canadian honour. The with risk society – the social production and distribution Order of Canada: Genesis of an Honours System (second of risks as side-effects – are intensifying inequalities in edition) sheds new light on the development of cana - fundamental ways. Dr. curran is assistant professor of dian honours in the early 1930s, the imposed prohibition sociology at the University of calgary. on honours from 1946 to 1967, and new details on those who have been removed or resigned from the order. Keith Garebian , PhD’73 (english), has a new book out – his 22nd. Jessica Polzer , artsci’91 (msc, PhD, U of t), and Elaine Lerner and Loewe’s ‘My Fair Lady’ is Power are the editors of Neoliberal Governance and part of routledge’s new Fourth Health: Duties, Risks, and Vulnerabilities. Provoking wall series, which explores some urgent questions about the politics of health in the of modern theatre’s best-loved 21st century, this collection interrogates how neoliberal works. Dr. Garebian takes a fresh approaches to governance frame health and risk in look at the libretto, explores the ways that promote individual responsibility and the biographies of rex harrison, julie implications of such framings for the well-being of the andrews, and moss hart to discover how their roles collective. the essays examine a range of important intersected with real life, and examines the gender issues, including childhood obesity, genetic testing, codes in the musical. hPV vaccination, aboriginal health, pandemic prepared - ness, environmental health, disability policy, aging, Faye Kert , arts’70 ( ma , carleton, PhD, and women’s access to social services. Dr. Polzer is an leiden), is the author of Privateering: associate professor in the Department of women’s Patriots and Profits in the War of =B=> . studies and Feminist research and the school of health During the war of 1812, most clashes studies at western University. Dr. Power is an associate on the high seas involved privately professor in the school of kinesiology and health owned merchant ships. licensed by studies at Queen’s. their home governments and consid - ered key weapons of maritime war - Donald G. Wetherell , PhD’81 fare, these ships were authorized to (history), is the author of Wildlife, attack and seize enemy traders. once the prizes were Land, and People: A Century of legally condemned by a prize court, the privateers Change in Prairie Canada . encounters could sell off ships and cargo and pocket the proceeds. with wild animals are among the Because only a handful of ship-to-ship engagements most significant interactions occurred between the royal navy and the United states between humans and the natural navy, it was really the privateers who fought – and won – world. Presenting a history of the war at sea. Building on two decades of research, human relationships with wildlife Dr. kert highlights the economic, strategic, social, and in alberta, manitoba, and saskatchewan between political impact of privateering on both sides and ex - 1870 and 1960, this book examines the confrontations plains why its toll on normal shipping helped convince that led to diverse consequences – and finds the roots the British that the war had grown too costly. the book of these relationships in people’s needs for food, sport, won the john lyman award for american maritime security, economic development, personal fulfillment, history from the north american society for oceanic and identity. Dr. wetherell is professor emeritus of history and the keith matthews Book award from the heritage resources management at athabasca canadian nautical research society. University. B
issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview mp KEEPING News from classmates and friends Send notes to: [email protected] Phone: WSU.VUU.WRRR ext .XXRSW ın touch Online edition: queensu.ca/alumnireview Queen’s Alumni Review, Queen’s University YY University Avenue, Kingston, Ont. KXL UNW To update your address or change your subscription from print to digital, email: [email protected] S D N O F
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S ’ N E E U Q The Queen’s Computing Computing at Queen’s In 1755, Queen’s bought its first big mainframe computer, an .-/ 350, model 40, and Centre, installed it in newly opened Dupuis Hall. John Coleman, head of mathematics, prophetically told Principal Alex circa 1756 Corry that the 350 marked “an extremely important” moment in Queen’s history. Computing thus became a centralized university function staffed by highly skilled operators. .-/ -trained Mers Kutt, an early director of the computing centre, would, for instance, go on to a distinguished career as a pioneer of the personal computer. The 1750s brought two new realizations. Computers were quickly recognized as useful facilitators of research. Not only could the .-/ mainframe manipulate raw data into variable outcomes, but it could also store that data. The .-/ 350, for example, could store up to 126 kilobits of data, less than a fraction of the size of a modern mp3. By the late 1750s, it was common to see professors and students queueing outside Dupuis Hall for processing time. Eighty per cent of the processing on the 350 was done by punch card submission of data.
Read more about the history of computing at Queen’s : queensu.ca/QWU/computing-queens
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Zellerbach in San Francisco. Edward C. Burritt Collins , MD’49, died in Up to ! ! . is survived by his wife, Anne, children November 2016, aged 93. In Burritt’s John, Linda, and Barbara, and their memory, please commit many Family news families. Edward’s kind words and random acts of kindness to the Bill , Sc’50, and Pam (Clarke) Lowry , smile will be greatly missed by his unsuspecting. Arts’50, celebrated their 65th family and friends. The very defini - C. Ross Green , MD’53, died Dec. 16, wedding anniversary on Dec. 29, tion of a compassionate, loving, 2016, at home in Thorndale, Ont. 2016. They still live at the house in caring person, Edward was well Ross was the beloved husband of Etobicoke they moved into in 1953. known for his lifetime enthusiasm for Shirley (Hitchon) Green for more They have three sons. learning, and a boyish inquisitiveness than 64 years. He is also survived by to explore the wonders of our world. Notes his five children, nine grandchildren, In memory of his passing, Edward’s and three great-grandchildren. Tom McCavour , Sc’52, recently pub - family asks that Queen’s friends Margaret (Robinson) Gussow , lished his fifth book, Me, Myself & I , a remember him as they plant a tree BA’36, died Feb. 4 in Ottawa, aged collection of memories about the or garden this spring. events in his life, the people he met, 103. Survived by her sons Christo - Shirley Hodgins Brind , BA’49, died and a description of the times over a pher and David and their families, Jan. 9 at home in Canandaigua, N.Y. period of eight decades. The 1950s Margaret was predeceased by her Shirley grew up in Kingston, the period records his time at Queen’s husband, William Gussow, BSc’33, daughter of Marjorie (Murray), BA’26, and how that experience shaped his MSc’35, and her son James. At and W. Charles Hodgins, BA’21. later life. Tom went on to found his Queen’s, Margaret studied lan - Shirley studied chemistry and biol - own engineering company. Follow - guages, learning French, Spanish, ogy at Queen’s, graduating with first- ing retirement, he graduated as a and German. (Later in life, she also class honours. Active in sports, she master gardener and pursued his studied Russian, Japanese, and earned her Levana “Q” in swimming. lifelong dream of writing novels. Chinese.) She was required to take a After graduation, she moved to the science course, so she chose geol - Deaths U.S., working as a research assistant ogy. This is how she met William, in biology at Brown University before Douglas Theodore Arkett , BSc’49, then a graduate student in geology being appointed to the faculty at the died peacefully Nov. 23, 2016, aged and a teaching assistant in Mar - Albany Medical College as a research 92, after living life on his terms. He garet’s class. They married after her and teaching fellow in physiology. was predeceased by his wives Joan graduation and went to Boston while At Albany Medical College, she (Crozier), BA’60, in 1994, and Pearl William completed his PhD at the published eight papers on cardiac (Burbank) in 2004. There is a Queen’s Massachusetts Institute of Technol - research in the Journal of Circulation bursary offered through the Ban Righ ogy. After William finished his doctor - Research. In 1954, Shirley married Centre in Joan’s name. Predeceased ate, the couple took 10 months to David Hutchison Brind. They settled by his daughter, Jane Whyte, Doug is travel around the world. Later in Geneva, N.Y., where Shirley be - survived by his son Ron (Kathy), four Margaret went on to get her master’s came involved in many community grandchildren, and his sister Fay. Doug degree in library science at the Uni - organizations, from the Geneva enlisted in the RCAF in 1942, then versity of Southern California. Mar - General Hospital to the local school came to Queen’s in 1945, graduating garet was a librarian for many years; board to the North Presbyterian with a degree in chemical engineer - she also taught in some of the places Church. She received many awards ing. He had a varied career, working they lived. William’s geology work for her community service. Shirley first in industry and then as a high took the family to Alberta, California, dedicated her life to her family, her school teacher. He went on to work at and Japan before they returned to church, and her community with McMaster University as assistant regis - Ottawa. Both Margaret and William love, intellectual inquiry, and action trar before coming back to Queen’s, were active with the Ottawa alumni to benefit others. Her motto was “I where he worked in administration branch. They were members of the always try to do my best.” She is sur - for 20 years. Doug enjoyed reading, Queen’s Royal Legacy Society in vived by David, her loving husband travel, golf and tennis, and meditation. recognition of their thoughtful of 63 years, her children Susan Brind planned gift for Queen’s. Edward Berkyto , BSc’48, died Oct. Morrow (Lance) and Charles (Nancy), Glen Harrison , 28, 2016, aged 91. From Queen’s, Ed - and two granddaughters. She is also BSc’46, died Aug. ward went on to graduate from Yale survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy 20, 2016. Prede - University with a master’s in chemi - Wallace, and cousins John Murray ceased by his wife, cal engineering, followed by post- (Sylvia, NSc’59), Barbara Dell, and Margaret, he is graduate studies in Sweden. His life’s Jeffery Dell. work in the pulp and paper industry survived by his Nancy Elizabeth (Lowe) Clare , took him from Quebec and British children David, BCom’53, died Jan. 31 in Toronto. Columbia to Brazil and Chile, eventu - Jeffrey, Ted, Anne, She was predeceased by her hus - ally retiring from the position of vice- and Jeannie and band, James, and survived by her president, manufacturing, for Crown their families. He is children George and Muriel.
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also survived by his brother John honesty, integrity, organizational the Second World War. Donald is re - and predeceased by his four other skills and, last but not least, an engi - membered by his clients and friends, brothers, including Ralph, BSc’47. neering approach to many of life’s with whom he shared a story, a joke, Arthur Charles Hubbard, BSc’51, challenges. He left a generous gift to a song, a work of art, a poem, a spe - died Feb. 2. After studying engineer - Queen’s in his will. cial memory, a theatre production, a ing and physics at Queen’s, Chuck William Lavrench , gourmet meal, or a glass of fine wine. began his career in electronics engi - BSc’48½, MSc’50, Friends and family will particularly neering. In 1955, he joined Lamont died March 4, remember Donald’s love for that Doherty Geological Observatory at 2016. He is sur - special place: his “camp” on Calm Bay Columbia University, working in vived by his wife, at Batchawana. marine geophysics. He had many Ruth, children William T. Peria , BSc’48, died Feb. 1. adventures at sea, including measur - Catherine and He is survived by his four children, ing magnetic fields at a floating ice Peter, three grand - their families, and his sisters. After island between Point Barrow and the children, and his brother Peter, Arts’55. studying physics at Queen’s, he went North Pole. In 1957, he met the love A physicist, Bill worked at the National on to earn his PhD in that field at of his life at the Metropolitan Mu - Research Council for 38 years. UBC. As a professor at the University seum of Art in New York, while she Neil F. McLean , BSc’53, died at home of Minnesota, he led cutting-edge was visiting from the Netherlands. July 19, 2016, in his 88th year. He is research in surface physics for nearly He is survived by Nel, his wife of 58 survived by Leslie, his wife of 58 half a century, enabling the found - years, and extended family. years, children Neil Jr., Craig, and ing, by his PhD students, of Physical Maxwell Russell Jackson , BSc’50, Karen, Artsci’88, their spouses, and Electronics Inc., provider of crucial died March 31, 2016. Max’s life was nine grandchildren. Neil graduated surface analytical equipment to the marked by several notable achieve - from RMC in 1952, then studied civil semiconductor industry. Widely ments. He joined the Royal Canadian engineering at Queen’s. He did vari - respected and feared by his under - Navy early in the Second World War, ous engineering and construction grads, he convinced legions of them serving on the corvette HMCS Port jobs before going to McMaster to either to learn or to leave electrical Arthur. He participated in convoy obtain his MBA, graduating in 1970. engineering. Ever the teacher, in duty in the North Atlantic and Eng - He had a successful career with retirement he volunteered to help lish Channel, including on D-Day, Noranda Sales Ltd., retiring in 1993 young students learn to read. June 6, 1944. Max came home deter - as vice-president. Neil’s hobbies in - George Francis mined to utilize what he learned cluded the investment business, (Frank) Rosebor - aboard the ship; he enrolled at golf, family life, and volunteer church ough , MD’55, died Queen’s, where he earned his degree work. He was always mild-mannered, Oct. 1, 2016. He in mechanical engineering. He held generous when giving, and thor - was predeceased, many jobs over the course of his ough when working. He managed just four months career, eventually becoming plant to navigate his way through life with earlier, by Nancy manager at the Windsor casting grace and dignity, always following Anne (Code), plant of the Ford Motor Company. the guiding principle to treat others BNSc’54, his wife of 61 years. Frank is Family was very important to Max. as he would have them treat him. survived by his children Lorne, Kim - He met his future wife, Margo He was always so pleased whenever berlee, Trevor, Gwynneth, Artsci’85, (Gouthro), at a Queen’s football he met a fellow Queen’s graduate. and Glen, Artsci’87 (Shelley Osborne, game. It was love at first sight; they John Donald Nixon , Artsci’89), and grandchildren Victo - were married for 56 years. Max and BA’49, died Nov. 12, ria, Alexandra, and Nicholas. Frank Margo, who predeceased him in 2015. Donald was studied science at UBC before get - 2005, were very proud of their three predeceased by his ting his medical degree from children, seven grandchildren, and wife, Elizabeth. He is Queen’s. While at university, he two great-grandchildren. Volunteer survived by his chil - joined the Canadian Officer Training work was also important to both of dren Tracy (Wendy), Corps. In the late 1950s, he served them. The couple delivered meals for Jay (Karen) and George (Pia), six with the Canadian Regular Army as Meals on Wheels, canvassed locally grandchildren, and brother Peter, a medical officer for the United Na - for charities, and instilled their love Sc’53 (Dorothy, Arts’53). Donald tions Emergency Forces peacekeep - of community in their children. Max began his education in a one-room ing mission during the Suez Canal had an eclectic range of hobbies and school in West Korah, Ont., and Crisis. In the Middle East, Frank devel - interests, including teaching, sailing, continued on to Sault Collegiate, oped a keen interest in eye diseases. boating, flying, skeet shooting, re - Queen’s, and Osgoode Hall. He prac - He studied at the Kresge Eye Institute pairing antique clocks, and pro bono tised law for more than 50 years, in Michigan and became an ophthal - tax preparation services for older during which time he was named mologist. Frank and Nancy estab - adults in his community. Max was Queen’s Counsel. He served as an lished two ophthalmology practices, well recognized for his generosity, officer in the Canadian Army during in Victoria and Duncan, B.C. For many
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years, they also hosted the send-off for Queen’s Hockey, Jim was named Arthur Hubert “Hugh” Webster , for new Queen’s students from the the 2016 recipient of the Men’s BA’53, MA’54, died Nov. 2, 2016. He Victoria community. V arsity Hockey Outstanding Gael was the son of Agnes and Arthur A. Gordon James Award. In his memory, Jim’s former Webster, BSc 1920. Hugh is survived Mark (Jim) teammates have established an by his wife, Constance (Anglin), Shearn , BSc’59, endowed athletic award at Queen’s. Arts’53, children Arthur, Sc’83, IR’60, LLB’67, died George Toller , BA’49, died Dec. 13, MSc’86, Margaret Devey, Artsci’87, Aug. 7, 2016. He is 2016, in Ottawa. George is survived and David, and grandchildren Leah survived by Mar - by Ruth, his wife of 54 years, children Webster and Clara and Christian jorie, his wife of 52 Susan (Jeff), Carol, Artsci’87 (Chris), Devey. Hugh is also survived by his years, children and Sheila, and two grandchildren. sisters Heather Humphries, Arts’62, Gordon, Artsci’93, and Jennifer, their George was predeceased by his and Monica Webster, Arts’60. He spouses, and two grandchildren. Jim brother, Eric, BA’50, BCom’51. George was predeceased by his brothers was a constant presence on the was a dedicated volunteer at Charles, BSc’43, and Ian, BSc’57. After Gaels blueline in the 1950s and ’60s, Queen’s, holding positions on the graduating with a PhD in metallurgy playing as the captain of the hockey Board of Trustees, University Council, from UBC in 1957, Hugh spent his team for four years from 1956 to and Queen’s University Alumni Asso - working career with CANMET, 1960 and returning to the roster ciation. He received the university’s Department of Energy, Mines and from 1964 to 1967. His hockey-play - Distinguished Service Award in 1985. Resources, in Ottawa. ing days continued into his 80th year He was an active member of Arts’49 Shelagh (Dunwoody) Whitaker , with weekly games. Jim was also a and was instrumental in the creation BA’51, died Dec. 20, 2016. She is member of the Gaels defence for the of the Arts’49 Principal Wallace Fel - survived by her four daughters and football team during the 1958 and lowship at Queen’s. The fellowship their families. She was predeceased 1959 seasons. After getting his was created at the class’s 50th an - by her husband, Brigadier General engineering and law degrees, Jim niversary in honour of Queen’s 11th W. Denis Whitaker, with whom she opened his own patent and trade - principal, Robert Charles Wallace. co-wrote four books on Canada’s in - mark practice while acting as patent George had a fondness for history, volvement in the Second World War. counsel for Borden Ladner Gervais. canoeing, Robbie Burns poetry, and, Beginning in 1967, Shelagh worked His travels took him afar, including most of all, people. He was a warm as a freelance journalist. Her work on skiing, climbing, and sailing trips. and generous friend to many. Those was featured in the Toronto daily Jim was a proud member of Sc’59 who knew George will always re - newspapers and a variety of national and proud supporter of Queen’s and member the twinkle in his eye and magazines. She incorporated her the Gaels. At the most recent Paul his ready smile. own corporate sports public relation Stothart Memorial Golf Tournament firm and founded two sports maga - zines. Shelagh’s last book was an A SESQUICENTENNIAL CIRCUMNAVIGATION account of the history of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Starting on July Q, Bob Dengler , Sc’VU, on a course that will cover SW,PPP km, DSc’XX, is marking Canada’s QUPth an - visit more than QPP airports in QT coun - ! s. niversary in a big way. He and his son tries, and make stops in every Canadian Steven are embarking on the world’s first province and territory. Family news Canadian helicopter circumnavigation Bob started flying helicopters at the flight. With fellow pilot Dugal MacDuff, age of VV, after he retired from Dynatec the Denglers will pilot the Canadian- Mining Corp., the company he founded. made Bell TRY Global Ranger helicopter “It is hard to describe how beautiful it is to fly over the countryside in a helicop - ter,” he says. “The scenery is great. I have flown coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. I have also flown to the Canadian Major (RCAF, retired) George Arctic – all the way to Pond Inlet in Nishimura , Arts’67, and his wife, Baffin Island! Pictures do not do justice Grace, celebrated their 60th wedding to the views I have seen.” anniversary in July. George and You can follow the =QUP Global Grace, who live in Mississauga, were Odyssey adventure on Facebook, Twitter, feted by family members at the Geor -
O gian Bay cottage of their daughter T and Instagram – just search for “ =QUP ?C .” O
H Rosanne Nishimura and son-in-law P Thanks to Steven’s wife, Bruna Pace, D E
I Dean Smith. They also received a L
P Sc’YU, for letting us know about the P
U B congratulatory letter from HM Queen S father-son adventure. Elizabeth II on the happy occasion.
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George and Grace’s grandson work and the camaraderie of his November. The reception, hosted by Nicholas Smith is in his final year of clients and co-workers. At the HRH Prince Michael of Kent, cele - law at Queen’s. memorial gathering to honour brated the 125th anniversary of the Dhon’s life, Bill Watters, Arts’62 (his Royal Life Saving Society. At the re - Deaths brother-in-law), spoke of Dhon’s ception, John received a special cer - Paul Amey , BA’68 (member of extensive travels worldwide with his tificate of merit, given to individuals Arts’69), died Jan. 17. He is survived family, his infectious laugh, and his “whose voluntary contribution and by his wife, Michelle, children ability to focus on the positive as - achievements have significantly im - Christopher and Stefanie, and two pects of life. Norm Mainland, Sc’65, pacted on the Royal Life Saving Soci - grandchildren. Paul started practis - Dhon’s closest friend and best man at ety or have represented the Society ing law in 1973 and later became a his wedding, spoke of their student in an exemplary way, particularly in partner of Waterous Holden Amey days as lab partners and their long- the fields of sport, youth and drown - Hitchon LLP, in Brantford, Ont. He term friendship. Norm said of Dhon, ing prevention.” John and his fellow was passionate about golf and was “You will never forget someone who recipients and their guests then at - an avid skier. Paul had a great love for gave you so much to remember.” tended a reception to celebrate the jazz music and travelled near and far Donations in Dhon’s memory may be society’s anniversary hosted by Her for jazz festivals. made to the Michele Mainland Me - Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her Dhonald Welch MacKinnon , BSc’65, morial Scholarship Fund at Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. died Feb. 6 in Oakville, Ont. Dhon University. Queen’s friends can reach Marc Hornbeek , Sc’78, has been leaves his wife, Sally (Watters) Sally at [email protected]. honoured by the Institute of Electri - MacKinnon, NSc’68, son David cal and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). (Kelly), daughter Nancy (Scott) and ! s. Marc was named 2016 outstanding 10 cherished grandchildren. Dhon’s engineer for region 6, which covers professional career involved project Honours the western United States. The award management for many large Cana - John F. Bankes , Arts’73, was among is given for “outstanding contribu - dian food and beverage industries the volunteers with the Royal Life tions to the field of automation and, ultimately, private consulting Saving Society honoured at a re - applied to development and testing services to Proctor & Gamble. He ception at Buckingham Palace in of networks, systems and protocols, always enjoyed the challenges of his labs and DevOps.” Marc is a principal
“We believe that education can be a game changer,” says Catherine. “It can break the cycle of poverty, not just for students, but for their families as well. Our kids were in good shape, so we thought we could help someone else’s children. We had an opportunity to do something special… Life is short and this is important.”
Catherine Purcell, Artsci’+,, Ed’,*, MEd’-, & Michael Purcell, Sc’+* Queen’s University alumni planning and insurance donors makes a di e queensu.ca/alumni/giftplanning
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consultant at Trace3, an IT solutions with Augusto G. Silva, who illustrated participating in provincial initiatives provider in California. the SummitRun board. that focus on seniors care. Dr. Ingram is a specialist in internal and geriatric Family news medicine, practising in Peterborough and surrounding communities. She is the geriatric medicine chair at the Peterborough Regional Health Cen - tre, founder and principal investiga - tor of the Kawartha Regional Memory Clinic, and founding chair of the Peterborough Council on Aging. Nick Gudewill , Sc’72, did some Dr. Ingram is also the geriatric medi - Carol (Sinclair) Doucette , Ed’74, sightseeing this past winter. Nick cine lead for the College of Physi - shared this family photo with us. writes, “I made a 13,000 km journey cians and Surgeons of Ontario. In Here is Carol with daughter Aimée on my BMW 1200 Adventure motor - 2016, she was awarded the Irma M. (Doucette) MacLean, Artsci’06, Ed’07, cycle from Cape Town to Cairo, Parhad Award for outstanding contri - and Aimée’s daughter Gabrielle travelling through 11 countries. butions to the understanding and MacLean (Queen’s class of 2035?). I travelled with a company called treatment of patients suffering from Globeriders LLC with 10 other riders. cognitive disorders from the Consor - Notes At 68 years of age, I can safely say tium of Canadian Centres for Clinical Thomas Cromwell , Mus’73, Law’76, that it was the most involved, excit - Cognitive Research. She also re - LLD’10, retired as a justice of the ing, and intense two months of my ceived the Glenn Sawyer Service Supreme Court of Canada and life and I am very happy that I am still Award from the Ontario Medical deputy of the Governor General in able to take on such challenges. In Association for her outstanding September 2016. He joined Borden 2011, I completed a similar journey contributions to the medical Ladner Gervais LLP as counsel to their on the Silk Road starting in Istanbul, profession and community. national litigation practice and can be Turkey, and finishing in Xian, China. David Raymont , Artsci’77, worked reached at [email protected] . He is Early next year, I plan on a third trip with volunteers with Heritage York also a 2017 mentor for The Pierre with Globeriders travelling from and the York Pioneer & Historical Elliott Trudeau Foundation. The Bogota, Columbia, to Tierra del Association to put into print the un - foundation’s mentorship program Fuego.” You can read more about published memoirs of Sir William connects highly accomplished and Nick’s adventures on his blog: Howland. The only American-born engaged Canadians from the public, nickgudewill.blogspot.ca. Father of Confederation, Howland private, cultural, and not-for-profit On July 1, as Canada celebrates its grew up near St. Vincent, N.Y., near sectors with Trudeau scholars, 150th anniversary, the president of Wolfe Island and Kingston. Did allowing them to guide the next the British Association for Canadian Howland save Confederation by re - generation of leaders in the social Studies will be Alan Hallsworth , maining with the Coalition govern - sciences and humanities. MA’71 (Geography). Dr Hallsworth, ment after his leader George Brown Carol Professor Emeritus, Staffordshire bolted? Read Howland’s memoir, Franks , University, last held this post in 2000. Dare to do what is right , and decide for yourself: yorkpioneers.org. Arts’71, is K. Jennifer In - the creator gram , Meds’74, Deaths of Summit - has been ap - George Thomas McCaffrey , BSc’71, RUN, a board pointed as physi - MSc’73, died Nov. 25, 2016, in Ot - game that cian lead for tawa. Partner of Nan Farley, beloved highlights seniors care for the father of Justin and Kathryn, the rich cul - Central East Local Artsci/PHE’16. George is also greatly tures of the Spanish-speaking coun - Health Integration missed by his brother Bill, numerous tries of Latin America. The game Network. In this cousins, and his former wife, and offers trivia questions for those just role, she will work with other physi - good friend, Nadeane McCaffrey. learning Spanish, intermediate learn - cian leads, the Ontario-wide Seniors George was predeceased by his ers, advanced learners, and English- Care Network, regional and local daughter Danielle. George served only speakers. This is Carol’s second health service providers, and other nearly 40 years with J.L. Richards & educational board game. The first, partners involved in caring for Associates Ltd. as an engineer and Verb It, taught Spanish verbs. (Learn older adults. She will provide lead - senior executive, the last eight be - more at verbitgame.com.) Carol, a ership to increase the involvement fore his retirement as president and retired journalist and innkeeper, of primary care physicians in sup - CEO, an honour of which he was divides her time between Canada porting seniors, ensuring the use of extremely proud. He was principled, and Nicaragua. Carol is seen here best practices for seniors care, and
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Elections 0./2 Vote online* June 1 to /3
Alumni are invited to elect, from amongst themselves, ten members to sit on the University Council. University Council Established by statute in
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL Election of Councillors by alumni for a four-year term (0./2-0.0/) You may VOTE FOR A MAXIMUM OF TEN (54)
Patrick Allin Michael Kocsis Jonathan Scarlett Maya Bielinski Patrick Lounsbury Kenneth Sutton Michael Ceci Robert Marsh Neil Wainwright Marc-André Cyr Cathy Matthews Chu Wang Keith de Bellefeuille Percy Sean McGrady Katie Wei Raymond Enone Ngabe Ejang Rebecca Finley-Schidlowsky Jessica Weshler Greg Frankson Tka Pinnock Karen Wianecki John Frezell Kathy Pritchard Kate Wilson Taylor Hannah-Gunness Julia Reid Andrew Witzke Anjali Helferty Jennifer Safruk Tom Woodhall
Jonathan Cescon was acclaimed to a one-year term position (=; *Alumni who have not received an email with voting instructions by June B are asked to contact the University Secretariat at [email protected] KEEPING IN TOUCH ! s pragmatic, and thoroughly profes - She uplifted people with her intel - called Prohibition University – that sional in his approach to business lect, charm, grace, and love of life. offers three- and six-day hands-on and with people. He was intensely distillery workshops in Kelowna, B.C., loyal to his family, friends, firm, and ! s. Edmonton, Alta., and Regina, Sask. co-workers. A skilled and imaginative Workshop participants learn the sci - building science professional, he Honours ence behind the fermentation and leaves behind a legacy of remarkable distillation of whisky, gin, vodka, and Janice C. and enduring works, in Canada and liqueur, all while getting hands-on Heard , abroad. George was a fierce competi - experience in an actual working craft Artsci/PHE’80, tor who loved golf, had a wry wit, distillery. Malcolm’s most recent (MD, University and cherished his children and their book on the subject of distilling is of Calgary) was accomplishments in life. Fittingly, The Recipe: Reviving the Lost Art of awarded the George was given a rousing send-off, Home Distilling. Order of the complete with irreverent stories, at a University of Ken Tamminga , MPL’86, has been well-attended memorial gathering Calgary at its active as both practitioner and at a Royal Oak pub in Ottawa in convocation on Nov. 10, 2016, in scholar in spatial planning and land - December, an event he planned with recognition of her significant accom - scape architecture, both in Canada his family during his last days. plishments in medicine and public and the U.S. He writes, “I’ve been on Judith Patter - service, both locally and internation - the faculty at Penn State University son , BSc’77, ally. Janice was honoured by the since 1993 and have just been pro - died peacefully university for her contributions as a moted to distinguished professor of at home on clinical assistant professor, as execu - landscape architecture.” Jan. 27, sur - tive director of Alumni Affairs at the rounded by Cumming School of Medicine, by Family news friends and establishing a student bursary, and Christine (Huck) , Artsci’82, and with her through one of the university’s inter - Lanny Reid , Sc’83, welcome with beloved Ger - national projects: improving health lots of love their first grandchild, Gre - man shepherd care in rural Laos. Her citation read gory Joseph Reid, born Dec. 24, 2016. by her side. Predeceased by her “She serves with humility, compas - Greg was a wonderful Christmas pre - beloved husband, Jamie Tiller, BA’74, sion, and a belief in pursuing what is sent for everyone, especially his par - her parents Glen, BSc’41, and Barbara possible.” Janice and her husband, ents, Shannon (Bell) and Jake Reid , Patterson, and her dear sister Laurie, Bruce McFarlane , Artsci/PHE’78, both Sc’11. In true Queen’s style, Judy leaves a large group of friends have been in Calgary for 37 years Gregory already has first tricolour who will miss her enthusiasm for life. following their graduations from polo shirt and will soon be learning Judy was an associate professor of Queen’s. Janice continues to practise to Oil Thigh! geology at Concordia University, pediatrics, primarily in the develop - where she taught in the environmen - mental field with children at risk and Notes tal geoscience program. After study - with vulnerable populations. She Katherine Crewe , ICD.D, Sc’81, ing geology at Queen’s, she went on also sits on the board of a number successfully completed the Institute to receive an MSc from the University of charitable foundations and volun - of Corporate Directors – Directors of Calgary and a PhD from Virginia teers her time in Laos twice a year for Education Program in the first cohort Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, various projects. Bruce still works in in Ottawa. She writes, “One of our Va. She did her graduate studies in the oil and gas business as a negotia - esteemed lecturers was Queen’s the Baker Lake region of the North - tor in the role of V-P business devel - alumnus Rick Powers (Artsci/PHE’78, west Territories and maintained a opment for RMP Energy Inc. Bruce is MBA’83, Law’86). Several of my class - love of the far north throughout her the incoming chair of the board of mates were also Queen’s alumni. In life. Her recent area of research was directors for the United Way of Cal - February 2017, I completed the final modern environments, in particular gary and continues to support all evaluations of the institute’s corpo - the impact of fossil fuel combustion things “Queen’s.” Bruce and Janice’s rate director’s accreditation and can on the atmosphere, specifically from newest project is being grandparents use the ICD.D designation.” the transportation sector. Her work to Archer and Edison, sons of Erin After 36 years with conservation has been published in a variety of (McFarlane) Rathwell, Artsci/PHE’04, authorities in Ontario, mostly with journals. Judy was an ardent world and her husband, Mark. the Cataraqui Region and the last traveller; in recent years, she enjoyed 12 as general manager, Steve trips to the Himalaya Mountains in Job news Knechtel , Ed’80, has retired. He China, Sikkim, and Nepal. An avid Malcolm Bucholtz , Sc’86, has found and his wife, Dawn, also Ed’80, live curler during the winter months, a unique way to dust off and apply in Kingston and can be reached at Judy cherished her free days in the his old engineering skills. In 2014, he [email protected]. summer at her cottage on Aylen Lake founded a consultancy – amusingly in the Madawaska Valley of Ontario. JK Issue T, TRSX | alumnireview.queensu.ca KEEPING IN TOUCH !! s Commitments Wayne joined Southern Medical !! s. Group (SMG) in 2002. His primary ex - Thierry del Prado , Artsci’94, married pertise is in structural/valvular heart Christian Duc on Sept. 28, 2016, in Births disease, coronary and peripheral ar - North Hatley, QC. Among the Caitlin Jenney , terial disease, carotid artery disease, attendants were best men Jason Artsci’99, and her and clinical research in interventional Desroches and Fabien Nanchen as spouse, Josh Gries - cardiology. He has a particular inter - well as Thierry’s brother, Gregory. bach, who live in est in radial artery access coronary Thierry works as a human rights Denver, welcomed interventions and has performed lawyer at the United Nations Office Hudson James more than 4,000 radial procedures. of the High Commissioner for Kingston Gries - He was instrumental in starting the Human Rights in Geneva, Switzer - bach at Kingston General Hospital structural/valvular heart program land, and Christian is the director Nov. 9, 2016. Hudson surprised his at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital in of the tax department at Berney and parents by arriving at 28 weeks, fol - 2011 and currently serves as the Associates. lowing Caitlin’s baby shower on chair of the Interventional Cardiol - Amherst Island. The couple is thrilled Honours ogy Council at Tallahassee Memorial that Hudson wasn’t born on the ferry Hospital. He is also currently presi - Wayne Batchelor , (although it was close) and that he dent of the Tallahassee Research Meds’90, received was able to be airlifted back to Den - institute and has overseen and/or the 2017 Outstand - ver after nearly six weeks in the KGH participated in more than 140 clinical ing Physician NICU. Hudson was released from studies in cardiovascular medicine, Award from the Children’s Hospital Colorado’s NICU being principal investigator in more Capital Medical on Jan. 31, a day after his due date. than 40 studies. Active in his commu - Society in Tallahas - The threesome will make frequent nity, he mentors health science stu - see, Fla. He was visits back to Caitlin and Hudson’s dents from Florida A&M University chosen by his peers for the award in birth country, specifically Kingston, interested in careers in medicine. In recognition of his leadership within to visit friends and family including 2013, he served on the Tallahassee the profession, his clinical excellence, the wonderful nurses, doctors, and Mayor’s Summit on Healthcare and his contribution to the educa - staff at KGH – Hudson’s honorary Disparities and through his lifetime aunties and uncles. tion of future medical professionals. Thank you, Queen’s supporters, ffoor creating opportunities ffoor students. B More than $&,### of you supported the Queen’’ss Annual Appeal this year. B YYoour gifts totalled more than )( million. B YYoou funded student "nancial assistance, library acquisitions, new equipment ffoor classrooms and labs, student initiatives, and much more! B Every gift matters. When we added up all the gifts of less than )%'#, they totalled more than )$ million! TThhankkss ffoor makkiing a ddiieerreence! Issue T, TRSX | alumnireview.queensu.ca JL ® Coca-Cola Ltd., used under license. © 1986 Panda symbol WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature (also known as World Wildlife Fund) ® “WWF” is a WWF Registered Trademark We’re working hard to drive environmental change. At Coca-Cola, we’ve teamed up with WWF to reduce our impact on our planet. By improving energy efficiency across our entire business and introducing Canada’s first ever heavy duty hybrid electric trucks, we’ve reduced our overall carbon footprint by 11% in just two years. As you can see, we’re committed to delivering more than just refreshment. To learn more about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, join us at livepositively.ca 30/3/11 4:41 PM KEEPING IN TOUCH s membership and support of the As - been wearing her tricolour socks with sociation of Black Cardiologists and pride and loves visiting with grand - membership in the National Medical parents Michael du Manoir (Sc’74, Association, he has continued to MBA’76) and Janet Gow (Meds’75) advocate for minority health issues. and FaceTiming with Auntie Margot du Manoir (Artsci’08). Job news Brett House , Artsci’94, was ap - Honours pointed deputy chief economist at In March, Paul Finkelstein , Scotiabank in November. He looks Artsci/Ed’01, received the Meritori - forward to re-connecting with ous Service Medal (Civil Division) Queen’s friends in southern Ontario from the Governor General of and across Canada. He can be con - Canada. Paul’s MSM citation says, tacted at [email protected]. “With his organic gardens and expe - Karen Krull , Artsci’95, is now vice- riential teaching approach, Paul president of people and culture at Finkelstein is the backbone of the Mayfair. She lives in Calgary with her Screaming Avocado Café. This alter - husband and two daughters. native, student-run cafeteria, located inside Stratford Northwestern Sec - ondary School, teaches students the s. ins and outs of running a business as they develop healthy eating habits.” Births Laura (Herdman) , Notes BISC’08 and ’09, A Daniel Dutton , Artsci’06, and Bren - Artsci’11, and dan Knapman , Sc’06, recently com - Bram Bontje , pleted watching the Lord of the Rings Artsci’07, Sc’10, extended edition trilogy. With three welcomed Julia children between them (not to - Alice on Oct. 8, 2016, in London, Ont. gether), this was no mean feat. It Bram and Laura met in 2009 at the only took them two months to find Queen’s Swing Dance Club and were the time to finish these masterpieces. married in 2014. They look forward Paul Kehs , Artsci’09, received his to visiting both the Kingston and Master of Science in Nursing from Herstmonceux campuses with Julia University of Maryland Baltimore. in the future. Paul is now in an operating room Elizabeth nursing fellowship program at (Lee) , University of Maryland Medical Artsci’04, Center/Shock Trauma Center. Ed’05, and David Crausen , s. Ed’05, wel - comed Benjamin Lee on Jan. 5 in Commitments Toronto. Ben’s sister Alyssa Belle is thrilled to have a new baby in the house. Elizabeth comes from a family of 16 Queen’s alumni originally from Kingston. Shannon Knights , Artsci’04, Meds’08, and Sunir Shah welcomed daughter Priya Opal on Dec. 22, 2016, in Toronto, a sister for Maya and Kieran. Kevin du Manoir , Artsci’04, Artsci’12, and Laura Seliske , MSc’07, PhD’12, welcomed Emma Jean du Manoir to the world on Dec. 15, 2016, in Toronto. Baby Emma has KC Williams , NSc’12, and David Zagrodney , Sc’12, were married Issue T, TRSX | alumnireview.queensu.ca JN KEEPING IN TOUCH s Feb. 1 in the Dominican Republic. parents, Lesley Patterson, Artsci’84, Colin Moore , They first met at Queen’s at Clark and Tom Zagrodney, Sc’84 (who also MSc’11 Hall Pub’s Ritual. Joining them to started dating at Queen’s), and (Anatomical celebrate were fellow Queen’s grads many other friends from their time Sciences), including the bride’s mom, Nan at Queen’s. KC and David now live married Vickie Williams, Sc’74, and the groom’s in Calgary. Ming , MSc’10 (Occupational ENGAGEMENT NEWS :FROM THE FORMER QUAALLBB; Therapy), on Aug. 20, 2016, Victoria Versteeg, BD; ’QS, and William Brooke , in Toronto. B; ’QT, BD; ’QT, recently became engaged. William They were writes, “We completely missed each other during joined by family, friends, and many our time on campus and did not meet until we Queen’s alumni in celebration of both found ourselves working in a government their big day. Vickie works in Toronto as an occupational therapist specializ - office in the small and isolated hamlet of Lac La ing in stroke rehabilitation. Colin is Biche in northern Alberta. We were very sur - currently completing his PhD in prised to find fellow Queen’s BD; grads in the kinesiology at Western, specializing same small town and we became friends after a in neuromuscular physiology. few meetings of the impromptu ‘ EF;;AA<< ,’ as we called it, or the Queen’s University Alumni Job news Association Lac La Biche Branch! I proposed to Emir Beriker , S c’13, attended Dart - Y H her in a Queen’s rugby sweater, and we had a set P mouth College for his MSc before A R G of engagement photos taken in our tricolour garb working at PwC in New York. Emir O T O outside of the Lieutenant Governor’s residence in H recently moved to San Francisco for a P S R Charlottetown, D>@ .” new role at Simon-Kucher & Partners, E T E P Victoria and William now live in Nova a German strategy consulting firm. L E H Scotia’s beautiful Annapolis Valley and work Students interested in career opportu - C A R in government. B nities at Simon-Kucher should contact him: [email protected]. Displaayy yyoour Queen’s diploma wwiith prriide. Whether it’s for you or ffoor the next graduate in your familyy,, our distinctive diploma frames are specially designed to showcase this accomplishment! Browse all the diploma frame designs and other items available at alumni.queensu.ca/merchandise JO Issue T, TRSX | alumnireview.queensu.ca YOUR glAL bUMNaI NlETWORK Queen’s innovation in California Queen’s Provost Benoit-antoine Bacon joined Greg Bavington, sc’85, and sidneyeve matrix of the Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s innovation centre, and alumni in santa monica and san Francisco to talk innovation. the centre is launching regional alumni nodes in los angeles and san Francisco and is asking alumni to help support student ventures, connect with students, and support online curriculum. if you s i r r would like to get involved with a h y one of these nodes, email r r a Upcoming events queensu.ca/alumni/events facebook.com/queensualumni Kingston Montreal Toronto June A – Padre Laverty and June AC – John B. Stirling June BB – Big Data AFD Jim Bennett awards dinner Montreal Medal cocktail dînatoire join the toronto Branch at a join the kingston Branch to join the montreal Branch to screening of Citizenfour , the celebrate the achievements of local celebrate Greg David, com’89, and academy award-winning alumni David m.c. walker, meds’71, neil rossy, artsci’92, montreal documentary about edward steven koopman, artsci’98, and business leaders who have delivered snowden, who helped expose the cristiano Vilela, artsci’04, at a special transformational change to the depth of big data and its many reception and dinner. Dr. walker is student experience at Queen’s uses in society. after the screening, receiving the Padre laverty award through their development and there will be a discussion and Q&a for his outstanding volunteer support of initiatives aimed at on the “Big Brother” topic led by leadership of Queen’s 175th improving mental health awareness David lyon, Director, Queen’s celebrations and of mental health on campus. surveillance studies centre/ and wellness on campus. mr. Principal investigator of the koopman (former media relations Calgary “Big Data surveillance” team officer, kingston Police) and mr. June AD – Calgary Branch project, 2015 –2020. Vilela (creator of make it home yGk ) annual dinner are receiving the jim Bennett award the calgary Branch invites you to for their thoughtful service and this special annual tradition hosted innovative collaboration through at the home of kim sturgess, sc’77, social media that help keep our Dsc’16. wear Queen’s tricolour or communities safe. your cowboy gear and join us for an evening of fun and celebration. ok issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview A Historic Decade in Review A year following the celebration of the Initiative Campaign, ueen’s invites you to read the stories of the dedicated volunteers and donors who have set ueen’s people, spaces, and ideas on a new trajectory for the future. 2006 – 2016 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE Read Celebrating a Historic Decade of Giving – Initiative Campaign 2006 – 2016 now available online. Please visit TXHHQVXFDLQLWLDWLYHÀQDOUHSRUW QUAA PRESIDENT’S mess age Connect, learn, celebrate onnect. Learn. Celebrate. These are just a few B Stacy Kelly , Artsci’~x, director, global branch Cof the key elements of the annual Alumni network Volunteer Summit, a weekend of professional B Colin McLeod , Artsci’vu, director at large, development for Queen’s alumni volunteers held young alumni on April }. We were delighted to have volunteers B Jeremy Mosher , Artsci’u}, executive vice- from across our communities, including reunion president, recruitment and recognition planners, branch volunteers, the _cRR Board of B Zahra Valani , Artsci’ux, Ed’uy, executive Directors, and members of University Council, to vice-president, operations name a few. We “welcomed home” alumni from We had two board members retire and I would across Canada and the U.S. and as far away as like to say thank you to Josephine Tsang , PhD’u{, Hong Kong, London, and Honduras. It was a and Iain Reeve , [R ’u~, PhD’vy, for their outstanding fantastic day of connecting with alumni peers service to the board, the association, and Queen’s . as we examined the role of change in volunteer I’d also like to thank another member of the organizations. _cRR board, Judith Brown . Judith has served in That evening we held the Alumni Awards Gala to Advancement since v~~x, and as associate vice- celebrate achievements of alumni and students, as principal (Advancement) and executive director well as this year’s recipient of the _cRR ’s Excellence (Alumni Relations and Annual Giving) since wuu}; in Teaching Award. The nominations for the wuv} she is retiring at the end of May. Judith has been awards are now open and we would love to hear instrumental to the success of the _cRR and the from you if you know a graduate, student, or teacher board of directors, and an incredible mentor and who deserves to be recognized by the association. guide for eight _cRR presidents and their boards. A list of the awards and the terms can be found The alumni association and the _cRR board have on our website at queensu.ca/alumni/awards. strengthened, matured, and grown throughout For more information, please email me at Judith’s tenure. In recognition of her service to the _cRR [email protected]. association, a donation has been made to the Ban The annual general meeting of the association Righ Centre’s Judith Brown Bursary. Established by was also held during that weekend. It gives me great Drs. Alfred and Isabel Bader in honour of Judith, pleasure to introduce you to our wuv|–v} board of this bursary is awarded to female students who directors. I am very fortunate to be able to work with have experienced an interruption in their formal these outstanding and dedicated volunteers. education and who are registered in any faculty B Dave Babin , Artsci’u|, [R ’u~, director, or school at Queen’s . marketing and communications At the _cRR , we celebrate the spirit of giving B Johanne Blansche , NSc’}}, director at large, and this is evident in many of our volunteer com - reunion coordinators munities. At the board level, we are proud to have B Rico Garcia , Artsci’vy, director, Alumni achieved vuu per cent participation in annual Volunteer Summit giving for the seventh year in a row, and our sister B Lisa Hood , Artsci’uy, director, alumni giving organization, the Queen’s Student Alumni Associa - tion ( _aRR ), also achieved vuu per cent participa - tion with its ambassador team. This last Home - coming, we had yy classes organize class gifts in support of the university. Our branch network is also committed to giving with five branches – Calgary, Guelph, Kingston, Ottawa, and Toronto – each supporting a bursary for a student from their local community to attend Queen’s . And of course, to all the individual alumni donors, thank you for your continued support of Queen’s . Cha Gheill! B Sue Bates , Artsci’~v Volunteer President, Queen’s University Alumni Association _cRR [email protected] @_cRR President om issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview mar ket plaTo place your cad, e me ail advertKqueensu.ca REAL ESTATE Ottawa Real Estate. Buying or sell - ing in the nation’s capital? let me put my 30 years experience to work for you! references gladly provided. COOOKEK jeff rosebrugh, artsci’81, sales repre - sentative, royal lePage Performance realty. toll free 1.877.757.7386. [email protected]. www.jannyjeffandshan.com. TRAVEL/VACATION RENTALS Rainforest Eco lodge in south Pacific costa rica owned and oper - ated by maureen (sc’81) and john cookkekingston.com (sc’78) Paterson. 10% off for Queen’s alumni. [email protected], www.riomagnolia.com C613..453.2067 marjorie@cookeke ingston.com MARKETPLACE AD INFORMATION classified-style ACCREDITED SENIOR AGENT and small display ad placements 80 Queen St., Kingston, ON T613.544.4141 F613.548.3830 available. ad sizes are flexible. Please contact the advertising coordinator for further information. advertKqueensu.ca Paper or digital? Your choice. email review.updates@ queensu.ca if you want to change your 5$1'< =$5,&+1< subscription preference 3UR$OOLDQFH5HDOW\%URNHUDJH or your address. %URNHU 4XHHQ6WUHHW 7 ]DULFKQ\#NLQJVWRQQHWUDQG\]DULFKQ\FD .LQJVWRQ21 ) issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview on THE LAST word Nature computes BY SELIM G. AKL n our never-ending quest to understand the x. identify problems where natural processes Iworkings of Nature, we humans began with themselves are the only viable approach to - the biological cell as a good first place to look ward a solution. Such computational problems for clues. Later, we went down to the may occur in environments where conven - molecule, and then further down to the atom, tional computers are inept, in particular when in hopes of unravelling the mysteries of Nature. living organisms, including the human body Today, however, a growing number of scien - itself, are the subject of the computation. tists are suggesting that the most essential y. obtain a more general definition of what it constituent of the universe is the bit, the means “to compute.” For example, is there unit of information and computation. Not more to computing than arithmetic and logic? the cell, not the molecule, not the atom, but Natural phenomena involve receiving informa - the bit may very well be the ultimate key to tion from, and producing information to, the reading Nature’s mind. external physical environment – are these Does Nature compute? Indeed, we can computations? model all the processes of Nature as in - The motto of the Queen’s School of Computing formation processes. For example, cell is “Sum ergo computo,” which means “I am, there - multiplication and T\R replication are fore I compute.” The motto speaks at different seen as instances of text processing. levels. At one level, it expresses our identity. The A chemical reaction is simply an motto says that we are computer scientists. Com - exchange of electrons, that is, an puting is what we do. Our professional reason for exchange of information between being is the theory and two molecules. The spin of an practice of computing. It atom, whether it spins up or spins The bit may be also says that virtually down, is a binary process, the answer the ultimate every activity in the world to a “yes or no” question. Information in which we live is run by and computation are present in all key to reading a computer, in our homes, natural occurrences, from the simplest to Nature’s mind. our offices, our factories, the most complex. From reproduction in our hospitals, our places ciliates to quorum sensing in bacterial colonies, of entertainment and education, our means of from respiration and photosynthesis in plants to transportation and communication. Just by virtue the migration of birds and butterflies, and from of living in this society, we are always computing. morphogenesis to foraging for food, all the way At a deeper level, the motto asserts that “Being to human cognition, Nature appears to be is computing.” Computing permeates the universe continually processing information. and drives it: every atom, every molecule, every Computer scientists study informa - cell, everything, everywhere, at every moment, is tion and computation in Nature in performing a computation. To be is to compute. order to: Today, more than ever, it is great to be a com - v. better understand natural phenomena. puter scientist. Never before has there been a We endeavour to show that the computa - more exciting period in the history of computing. tional paradigm is capable of modelling Not only is our field shaping all aspects of today’s Nature’s work with great precision. Thus, society, but information and computation are when viewed as computations, the processes being recognized as fundamental to life itself! B of Nature may be better explained and better understood at their most basic state. Selim G. Akl is a professor at the Queen’s School of w. exhibit examples of natural algorithms whose Computing, where he leads the Parallel and Unconven - features are sufficiently attractive, so as to tional Computation Group. His research interests are D G r inspire effective algorithms for conventional primarily in the area of algorithm design and analysis, , n o s computers. Nature’s algorithms may be more in particular for problems in parallel computing and e i m a efficient than conventional ones and may lead unconventional computation. He completes his term as j e n i to better answers in a variety of computational director of the School of Computing in June of this year. t s i r situations. h c oo issue 2, 2017 | queensu.ca/alumnireview Queens U 2017 English S 8.125"W x 10.875"H C “The littlest thing tripped me up in more ways than one.” Whatever life brings your way, small or big, take advantage of a range of insurance options at preferential group rates. Getting coverage for life-changing events may seem like a given to some of us. But small things can mean big changes too. Like an unexpected interruption to your income. Alumni insurance plans can have you covered at every stage of life, every step of the way. You’ll enjoy affordable rates on Term Life Insurance, Major Accident Protection, Income Protection Disability, Health & Dental Insurance and others. The protection you need. The competitive rates you want. Get a quote today. Call 1-888-913-6333 or visit us at manulife.com/RVFFOTV. 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