Members of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) recently gathered on campus to celebrate works many of them have produced over the past year.听
The annual celebration of FASS publications and creative activities offers a chance to recognize the many contributions of faculty members and their research successes.听
Dr. Karen Foster, associate dean of research in FASS, an associate professor of sociology, and this year鈥檚 event emcee, shone a light on the many faculty members who published books, articles, and reports, delivered presentations at conferences and in communities, and put on artistic performances.听
She also highlighted the millions of dollars in research faculty members have drawn in over the past year, noting how FASS ranked fourth in the latest Maclean鈥檚 university rankings in social sciences and humanities research funding among 15 Medical-Doctoral Institutions.
鈥淚 like to think that we鈥檝e done all this without being a cut-throat, hyper-competitive environment in which to work, and I hope we keep it that way,鈥� she said, which encouraged a chuckle from the attendees.
Dr. Karen Foster, centre, chats with colleagues.
Seeking refuge
The 2024 presentation included works by 21 faculty members in Arts and Social Sciences at Dal. Dr. Jennifer Andrews, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, was one of them.
鈥淚 am immensely proud of the amazing research, performances, and creative activities that our faculty have produced over the last year,鈥� said Dr. Andrews. 鈥淭his celebration showcases the range and depth of this incredible work and acknowledges the ongoing commitment faculty members demonstrate as they engage with their colleagues, peers, and students, and change the world for the better!鈥�
A professor in the Department of English at Dal and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant holder, Dr. Andrews鈥檚 recent book was among the works featured in this year鈥檚 presentation.听
Last month, Dr. Andrews hosted a two-day conference for twenty graduate students and faculty members from across Canada at 鲍鱼tv called 鈥淢aking Exceptions, Taking Refuge: Canadian and American Border Crossings.鈥澨� Funded by a SSHRC Connections Grant, the event featured plenary speakers, four panels of academic papers, a workshop on podcasting, and a workshop on how to turn a conference paper into a publishable article or essay. Additionally, she hosted a mentorship breakfast which paired graduate students with faculty members to create meaningful new professional connections.听
鈥淭he ultimate aim of this gathering is to publish an edited collection of essays with a major Canadian academic press, accompanied by podcast episodes to promote the monograph,鈥� Dr. Andrews added.
Drs. Jennifer Andrews, left, and Stephanie Kapusta.
A lighter side
Dr. Stephanie Kapusta, an associate professor in Dal鈥檚 Department of Philosophy, participated in an initiative by Bright Club Halifax that aims to invite researchers to present their work in stand-up comedy format.听
鈥淚 was excited to take part, as I had performed some stand up over the years,鈥� said Dr. Kapusta. 鈥淏ut I soon discovered that presenting research in a comical and humorous manner is quite a challenge, partly because I 鈥� and many other researchers, I'm sure 鈥� work on themes that are not to be laughed about.鈥� She works on injustices that arise in communication and argumentational situations.听
Dr. Kapusta said the more than 40 attendees in the audience at the Oxford Tap Room seemed to enjoy the show, which featured five researchers representing diverse fields at 鲍鱼tv and Saint Mary鈥檚 University.听
鈥淢aking people laugh has always been a source of joy for me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope I can continue to communicate my research ideas in this challenging, but rewarding, format.鈥�
Capturing the immigrant experience
Dr. Asha Jeffers, an associate professor in Dal鈥檚 Department of English and interim coordinator of the Gender and Women鈥檚 Studies program, was also featured in the presentation for her work as co-editor of the book, .
The collection brings together works by established and emerging scholars from the humanities and the social sciences whose work considers the daughters of immigrants. Dr. Jeffers鈥檚 decision to bring together this collection came after hosting a virtual symposium.
Dr. Asha Jeffers.
鈥淭hanks to 鲍鱼tv's Belong Fellowship, I was able to host a virtual symposium in 2021 about the daughters of immigrants through both a literary/cultural as well as a social science lens,鈥� Dr. Jeffers said. She added that after hearing the amazing work of the participants, she decided to put together an edited collection so that this work could be shared more broadly.听
Dr. Catherine Bryan, an associate professor in Dal鈥檚 School of Social Work, agreed to be Dr. Jeffers鈥檚 co-editor so that they could bring both a humanities and social science perspective to the editorial process.听
鈥淚'm really proud of how this book came together because it puts a wide variety of voices and approaches into conversation with each other,鈥� said Dr. Jeffers. 鈥淭his project is special because it was created during a time of profound disconnection 鈥� the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� as a means of encouraging meaningful connection.鈥澨�