Gradzette THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE November 2012
Gradzette The UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE Gradzette c/o The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation 105 University Centre University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 General inquiries and advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: publisher@Gradzette.com
Editor: Sheldon Birnie Copy Editor: Ryan Harby Designer: Leif Larsen Contributors: Jennifer Wasko, Brian Hauri, Beibei Lu Cover: Beibei Lu
The Gradzette is the official student magazine of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published on the first Monday of each month byThe Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens. The magazine’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please contact the Editor for submission guidelines. The Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with members from St. John’s to Victoria. All contents are ©2012 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. Yearly subscriptions to the Gradzette are available, please contact publisher@Gradzette.com for more information.
A message from the GSA
Hello all, It’s that time of year again and the UMSU & GSA Holiday Hampers are being prepared! If you require a holiday hamper this holiday season, please completely fill out the Holiday Hamper Registration Form found at www.umgsa.ca, in the “services" section (Holiday Hampers Program on the left column). Hampers will be delivered or will be available for pickup at your request at either the Fort Garry Campus or Bannatyne Campus. Please fill out the form no later than Friday, November 30th, 2012, at 12 p.m.. For more information, or to volunteer to help out, please contact Jennifer Chen, Vice-President Academic at: vpa@umgsa.ca, (204)474-9181.
Jennifer Chen, GSA VP Academic
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Library construction update Elizabeth Dafoe expected completion date pushed back to mid-November By Jennifer Wasko
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off of materials, are currently conducted on the second floor at the Public he whirs, buzz, and bangs of renovation still disturb the normally peaceful atmosphere of the University of Manitoba's main library, Elizabeth Dafoe. Ordinarily it is difficult to find a spot to sit in the
library, but this fall finding an open chair or carrel is easy. It is clear that the noise %
of
constr uction
is
ke e p i n g
students
a w a y.
“We hope to be done by mid-November,” head of Dafoe Library Nicole
Michaud-Oystryk told the Gradzette. The construction was set to be finished in October, but “we've had constr uction delays, it’s an old building.” %
When walls are opened in many old buildings, structural or other
problems can come to light that need addressing. Michaud-Ostryk assured the Gradette, however, that those behind the project understand that the construction has been an inconvenience to students. The university remains committed to the understanding that the renovation will be done right and will be
completed
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The main library services, including pick-up of reserve material and drop-
as
soon
as
p o s s i b l e .
Service desk. Drop-off of materials must be deposited in the labeled bin during library hours as the external drop-off system is closed during construction. Materials requested through document delivery must be picked up at the Sciences and Technology Library in Machray Hall. Although the reference collection is currently inaccessible to students, the staff will help you out, all y o u h a v e t o d o i s a s k . %
“At least we have our Starbucks back,” commented one student in a long
line behind me as we casually talk about the construction while waiting to order our %
d r i n k s . The Starbucks lounge has been open since Oct. 9 with its usual entrance
at the front of Elizabeth Dafoe. This is the noisiest spot of the building, with only a thin plastic film wall separating the coffee shop from the construction but it doesn't seem to bother the patrons who visit and enjoy their break as if there was nothing unusual about the drills and bangs.
Entrance to the library is still accessible through the rear entrance of the
building with many bright yellow signs guiding the way. The library elevator is
For more information on the U of M’s Elizabeth Dafoe Library, including
still
construction updates, please visit: http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/dafoe.
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accessible
as
w e l l .
Librar y staff have also remained committed to helping students
throughout this chaotic time. For those still in need of a quiet study space, one
See construction pictures on next page.
cheerful staff member recommends the Icelandic reading room on the third floor
–
possibly
the
quietest
place
in
the
b u i l d i n g .
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Photos by Beibei Lu Gradzette
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Career services at the U of M Take advantage of free resources while still a student Brian Hauri
A
s a graduate
variety of books on careers
student in my
specific to the various degrees
final year of an
offered at the U of M. In
MA degree, the
addition, they had an area
question of what I’m going
devoted to answering the
to do after I graduate
question “What can I do with
arises with increasing
a degree in…?” and binders for
frequency. I figured it
specific areas of specialization.
prudent, both for my own
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benefit and for that of
I met up with the advisors,
other graduate students,
turned on my tape recorder,
to explore the career
and enjoyed a 45 minute
services available to
interview/discussion I wish
students here at the
had participated in when I
University of Manitoba.
Photo by Beibei Lu
Such was the impetus for
Once 3 p.m. rolled around,
first started my degree. I learned both about the
my recent discussion with Elizabeth Boyle, Lindsey Hiebert, and Lynda Peto,
extensive online resources available through the career services website as well
advisors with the Student Counselling and Career Centre, located at 474
as the benefit that an in-person meeting with a career or employment counselor
University Centre.
can have.
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I arrived early to my meeting and used that opportunity to look around
Through an assessment of your education and extra-curricular
the career services centre. Amidst the public use computers and comfy chairs,
background, they can offer you career paths that will use your specific
they had an extensive career library with books on job searching and
background. In my case, a background with degrees in both philosophy and
networking, interview preparation, resume and cover letter preparation, and a
experimental psychology opened up career options in a field I hadn’t thought of
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before, that of “market research analyst.” If I were to pursue this career further,
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“Are there any skills or experience that can be gained through work and
another great benefit of the career services department is their mentor program.
volunteering that will affect my marketability and help me get the most out of
The mentor program service is a very savvy way of looking for work and building
my time at the U of M?”
a professional network. The advisors at career services can help you prepare for
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your meeting with a mentor and also make the initial contact, setting up a face-
services website and the webshops, workbooks and workshops detailed in the
to-face meeting with a professional in your desired field.
sidebar, I learned firsthand that there is immense value to talking in person with
Although it is certainly possible to get a lot of help through the career
a career or employment counselor. They can help with the initial decision making process and steer you in the right direction for a career that best meets I learned firsthand that there is immense value to talking in person with
your preferences and needs, but they can also give you a push to take a chance
a career or employment counselor . . . I encourage you to make use of
and encourage you with the decisions that you do make.
this amazing free resource we have available
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The career and employment advisors at the U of M are here to help you
to achieve your goals and I encourage you to make use of this amazing free %
Another one of the many functions of the career services department is
in helping students find a career that they will enjoy based on their interests, values, personality preferences, skills/aptitudes, dreams, experiences, and life influences. They have tools such as the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test, which are tools used to assess your personality, preferences, and the types of careers that may be right for you. %
One of the many important points I gleaned from my discussion with the
resource we have available. %
Career and employment advisors at the U of M are offer "ee, in person or online
workshops in the areas of career planning, resume writing, CV writing, job searching, interview preparation, and career fair success. Pre-registration is necessary for these workshops, as space is limited. Resources are available online at umanitoba.ca/student/ careerservices/ Photo by Beibei Lu
advisors is that more education does not always mean more opportunities. A key factor in finding gainful employment is to be mindful of the needs of the employer. This is where the time spent outside of courses can make a big difference. Thus, to get the most out of your degree, it is important to selfreflect early on as to why you chose the degree you did. Ask yourself questions like: %
“Which career am I interested in and are there specific employers I
would like to work for?”
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U of A grad student tackles eutrophication Research could benefit Canadian university Katelyn Hoffart – The Gateway (University of Alberta)
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DMONTON (CUP) — A grad student at the University of Alberta
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has discovered that lakes across Canada have been contaminated by
development where people have mowed down that vegetation it exhausts your
strains of algae species that produce toxins.
last line of defense. “
Along with a team of 17 researchers, Diane Orihel, a PhD student in the
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“So if you have a developed shoreline, like if you have cottage
Orihel expected prairie regions and areas of Southern Alberta,
Department of Biological Sciences, has spent the past two years analyzing
Saskatchewan and Manitoba to carry the toxic algae in the water, but was
existing data on blue-green algae, which contain high levels of nutrients
surprised to discover it was present in other parts of Canada.
including cyanobacteria — known to produce harmful toxins.
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“Those lakes typically have poor water quality. These are shallow lakes
and the water’s just developed for agriculture and they’re known to have algal “How is the government going to make decisions on how to manage our lakes, how to monitor our fish population when we no longer have the best tool in order to answer those questions?” -Diane Orthel
blooms.” %
“I wasn’t expecting to see these toxins in kind of the more pristine areas,”
Orihel said, particularly noting the east and west coast. %
Health problems have been linked to the exposure of the algae through
ingestion of the water. This can occur through recreational activities such as swimming or inhaling water spray during jet skiing. Another possibility also %
Orihel’s team looked into more than 3,000 records and samples from the
past ten years in order to gain a picture of the toxic algae’s national presence in Canadian lakes. The nutrients causing algal blooms can be deposited into lakes in the form of sewage, fertilizers or artificial canals. Shoreline property where the wild vegetation is cut down can also make it easier for these nutrients to find their way into the lake. %
“The one thing to understand is the riparian zone—the vegetation
around the lake—is really important for filtering nutrients before they hit the
includes the consumption of fish that have ingested the algae. %
Managing the algae has proven difficult. According to Orihel, it is
unknown why the algae creates toxins out of the excess nutrients, but the only way to control the cyanobacteria population is to sever the nutrients. This includes managing livestock waste near water systems, controlling fertilizers and redeveloping vegetation along shorelines. %
“The message is that everyone has a role to play,” Orihel said.
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“Right from choices that individuals make to municipalities putting in
water,” Orihel said.
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Photo curtesy CUPwire
bylaws, to how provincial governments put in
in the water. She feels that the experiment would
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regulations and direct funding for particular
be able to guide government policy to help
decisions on how to manage our lakes, how to
research and monitoring.”
control the deadly algae.
monitor our fish population when we no longer
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have the best tool in order to answer those
Orihel said she wants to take the study to
However, the only area where this is
the next level by conducting a manipulation
permitted is in a world-class test area in northwest
experiment, where the research team tests their
Ontario called the Experimental Lakes Area. This
findings in a controlled ecosystem with
test area was shut down in May by the federal
predetermined levels of phosphorus and nitrogen
government.
“How is the government going to make
questions?”
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RESEARCHER PROFILE
Timothy J. Graham By Brian Hauri As time went on, and especially as I was introduced to ideas from psychology,
T
these fields seemed to be increasingly inadequate. While they are important in imothy J. Graham is a University of Manitoba graduate student researching visually guided actions. A undergraduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, Graham’s interest lies in “universal principles of behaviour
and in finding real, demonstrable answers to questions.” The Gradzette sat down
their own right, poli-sci, religious studies, anthropology/sociology don’t actually seek to answer questions about why or how humans behave so much as they describe that behaviour through dominant narratives (conservatism, Judaism, feminism, post-colonialism, etc.).
with Graham to talk about his research and interests. My interest has always been in more universal principles of behaviour and in Gradzette: What drew you to study psychology?
finding real, demonstrable answers to questions. As such, psychological science seemed to be a better fit for what I wanted to pursue.
“Having a base of knowledge that says how this behaviour
G: Where do you get your ideas and main research questions from?
is observed in a healthy population can illuminate early detection of neurological decay or even suggest possible
TJG: Generally speaking, my theoretical approach to psychology is that of
methods of rehabilitation.
“functionalism.” This means, when I put together new ideas, or generate new
-Timothy J. Graham
research questions, my main concern is what function the behaviour or concept serves to the individual. This function can be at many levels, such as the behaviour providing an evolutionary benefit or the behaviour being developed
Timothy J. Graham: I’ve always had a general interest in people and their behaviour. I’m very interested in not only what people think, but why they
through a person’s life to serve some purpose. G: What research are you currently conducting?
think it. When I was younger this took root as an intense interest in issues like politics and religion. In fact, I was admitted into undergrad (at Wilfrid Laurier
TJG: My current research deals with how visual information is used to guide
University) as part of the religion and culture department with the intention of
simple hand movements, essentially eye-hand coordination. The study has
declaring a major in political science.
subjects reach to grasp a target object while navigating their hand around an
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obstacle, placed at various positions
looking at an item and looking at it with the
between the subject and the target. The
intent to use it. Thus, my interest in this field
goal is to try and describe how and when
came from wishing to move what I had learned
visual information is used to guide the
during undergraduate work into this vision-for-
hand. Essentially, what function does
action paradigm.
vision provide while we act? What visual information does an individual prioritize as relevant and how does this
G: How is this research important and what benefits can it have?
prioritization impact how a behaviour is
TJG: This depends a lot on what is meant by
performed?
“important.” I tend to be of the belief that
G: What was your initial interest in this field of research?
knowledge in and of itself has value, so answering any question is important as it provides new knowledge that humanity didn’t have prior. More
TJG: My research as an undergraduate
d i r e c t l y, r e a c h i n g t o g r a s p o b j e c t s i s
dealt with visual perception and
fundamentally the way humans interact with
attention. Research into basic perception
their environment. For us, and our evolutionary
is fa scinating and ver y wor thwhile;
ancestors, the ability to interact with objects
however, I am personally interested in
through reaching, the ability to view objects as
attempting to describe behaviour in more
potential tools, underlie what fundamentally
realistic settings.
s h a p e d h u m a n p h y s i o l o g y a n d co g n i t i o n . Therefore, by understanding more about
James Gibson described visual perception as active rather than passive, meaning that what we see and pay attention to is
reaching we can understand, at the most basic level, what it means for humans to interact with their environment.
not merely a passive recreation of the world around us, but is shaped by what we want to do in the environment. This
Additionally, this research has direct implications for clinical disorders. Many
has been backed up by research that shows there is a difference between just
neurological issues also present errors in the control of the limbs or eyes, and
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having a base of knowledge that says how this behaviour is observed in a healthy
unrealistic scenarios, whereas research into more complex movement and real
population can illuminate early detection of neurological decay or even suggest
world environments sacrifices much of the specificity available with simpler
possible methods of rehabilitation. This research could also provide some
designs and tends to focus on broader sequences of actions. There are
insight into how to better design robotic equipment or user interfaces for
exceptions and as technology improves so will this gulf. However, at this point it is very difficult to bridge the gap between the specificity available in simple, lab based experiments and the realism offered by less controlled settings.
“I would love to be able to describe even the more enigmatic parts
G: What career goals do you have for the future?
of the human mind as being a byproduct of neurological systems that played an adaptive and functional role for our evolutionary
TJG: My immediate goals are obviously to finish my graduate work and
ancestors.
hopefully find employment in academia. Beyond that, broadly speaking, I want
-Timothy J. Graham
to move forward the idea of functionalism as a driving method of explanation in psychology, much like evolution informs biology. I would love to be able to describe even the more enigmatic parts of the human mind — conscious experience, for instance — as being a byproduct of neurological systems that
human-computer interactions. G: How is the research conducted?
played an adaptive and functional role for our evolutionary ancestors or in how these systems provide a specific functional benefit to us as individuals, given the unique experiences we have had in our lives.
TJG: Subjects are fitted with an eye-tracking headband and several infrared sensors on their index, thumb and wrist. On each trial, they reach out and grasp a target object and place it in front of themselves. Data is collected from the
G: When you’re not working, how do you "escape" from your work? TJG: I’m a news junkie.
eyes and arm and sent into a single software package used by our lab. From this, we are able to look at positions of the eyes and hand in a shared coordinate system, something that technology is just now allowing researchers to do. G: What do you see as the main challenge for your research field in the future? TJG: Most research into the coordination of vision and action falls into one of two categories, mainly because of technological limitations. Research into simple movements tend to use a lot of computer generated objects and
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