Campus Notices
This Tea(ching) Break comes from a special issue of the journal Teaching in Higher Education - Critical Perspectives, focusing on the theme 'Reconsidering the role of authenticity in assessment in higher education'. This link takes you to the editorial that introduces this special issue. The multiplicity of authenticity in higher education assessment
A gentle reminder that the deadline to submit a proposal for the 2025 Teaching Community Conference Teaching at the Intersections: Inclusion, Accessibility, and Courage in Education is Friday March 28, 2025.
Master of Applied Health Services Research, thesis defence presented by Madeline Kuiper on March 27, 9:00 am, AVC, Room 286C.
Title of the Thesis: "Inconveniencing the Institution”: An Interpretive Exploration of Pregnancy Experiences of Royal Canadian Navy Service Members"
Abstract: Pregnancy is a significant life event that impacts an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. While common, pregnancy presents unique challenges for those in professions like the military. The experience of pregnancy in the military context remains underexplored.
This study aimed to explore the experiences of Royal Canadian Navy members who were pregnant while serving. Semi structured interviews were conducted with ten participants, allowing them to reflect on their pregnancies and interactions with the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, chain of command, and institutional structures. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and de-identified.
The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology emphasizing personal meaning-making. IPA’s phenomenological, hermeneutic, and idiographic approach enabled a deep exploration of how participants navigated pregnancy within the RCN’s cultural and operational framework.
This study identified three key group experiential themes: 1) shaping an internal locus of control, 2) exposure to external locus of control, and 3) identifying as an imposition to the institution. Participants described balancing professional duties with personal well-being, systemic policy challenges, and interpersonal dynamics in their chain of command. Many also shared strategies for asserting agency within a male-dominated organization.
Findings highlight the need for improved institutional policies and cultural shifts to support pregnant service members, fostering inclusivity and equity in operational environments. This research contributes to military health services literature by offering practical recommendations for creating supportive workplaces for pregnant personnel.
Everyone is welcome.
The Canadian Postsecondary Alcohol and Drug Use Survey (CPADS) is live until March 31. If you are a student attending UPEI consider participating in this very quick survey for the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to the UPEI Bookstore. Go to:https://surveys.advanis.ca/cpads24?r=UPEI. For any student who completes the survey, there is now an option at the end of the survey to leave your email and a draw will be made on April 1 for the two gift certificates. Thank you to those who choose to participate. The results of this survey can help us understand alcohol and drug use on campus, build awareness of potential harms and develop interventions for individuals who may feel they have developed unhealthy use of alcohol and/or drugs.
The Robertson Library invites the campus community to a candidate presentation for the library’s permanent-track position of Clinical Librarian.
Candidate: Mr. John Bayhi
Title: evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners
When: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Where: Robertson Library, Room 264
Mr. John Bayhi will visit the Library on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 for an interview for the Clinical Librarian position.
At 1:00 pm, Mr. Bayhi will give a 45-minute demonstration, on evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners, with 15 minutes for questions and answers.
John holds an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Studies degree from the University of Oklahoma. He is currently a Librarian and Director for Research Services at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Library appointments committee: Kim Mears, (Chair), Rosie Le Faive, Lisa Chilton (History), Sarah Peddle (Medicine), Tammie Muise (Medicine), Joe Gordon (AVC/Medicine)
The Robertson Library invites the campus community to a candidate presentation for the library’s permanent-track position of Clinical Librarian.
Candidate: Mr. Jarrod Irwin
Title: evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners
When: Friday, March 28, 2025
Where: Robertson Library, Room 264
At 10:30, Mr. Irwin will give a 45-minute demonstration, on evidence-based medicine for undergraduate medical learners, with 15 minutes for questions and answers.
Jarrod holds an ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Studies degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is currently the Behavioral and Health Sciences Librarian at Eastern Michigan University.
Library Appointments Committee: Kim Mears, (Chair), Rosie Le Faive, Lisa Chilton (History), Sarah Peddle (Medicine), Tammie Muise (Medicine), Joe Gordon (AVC/Medicine)
Calling all Students!
First annual Student Engagement Mixer
Join Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, and members of the UPEI Board of Governors and UPEI Student Union for the first annual Student Engagement Mixer!
Thursday, March 27, 2025
5:00–7:00 pm
McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre
Enjoy some food and conversation at this fun opportunity to engage and share your experiences at the University with UPEI’s Board of Governors and senior leadership team! There will be opportunities to win some great prizes, including a tuition credit!
Title: Land Use Land Cover Classification Analysis Using Remote Sensing Technology and Machine Learning
Thursday, March 27 at 1:00 pm.
Location - Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building, Room 223. Online option to join is also available. Contact Lisa Sanderson - lmsanderson@upei.ca for link
Everyone is welcome to attend.
On March 27, the UPEI Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dale Sorensen, will present a concert of music on the theme of exploration-of nature, space, sound, and self. The program will include an arrangement of Bedrich Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau), alongside evocative works by Julie Giroux (Mystery on Mena Mountain), Judith Zaimont (City Rain), and Canadian composer Nova Pon (Tilting Sunward). Of special note will be the performance of Rescue by PEI-born composer E.K.R. (Evan) Hammell, a former student at UPEI. Rounding out the program will be works by Andrew Boysen, Jr. (I Am), Giovanni Gabrieli (Canzon in Double Echo for three antiphonal brass choirs), Yukiko Nishimura (Star Ship), and Dana Wilson (Sang!).
Tickets are available in advance at upei.universitytickets.com or by cash at the door. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Accessible parking is available, and the recital hall has an accessible entrance via elevator.
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting an in-person workshop on pitching fundamentals on Wednesday, March 26, from 4:00-6:00 pm with world-renowned pitch coach Permjot Valia! Participants will learn tools, tips, and tricks around executing a business pitch effectively, efficiently, and engagingly!
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend!
The session will take place in the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship, 201 Robertson Library. Register to attend the in-person workshop here.
Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for an engaging session on risk mitigation delivered by Permjot Valia! This in-person workshop will provide insight on what types of risk exist, how startups and organizations can categorize and prioritize risks, how risks can be perceived as opportunities, and what tools can be used to demonstrate risk to external stakeholders.
This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend!
The workshop is taking place in Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship, 201 Robertson Library on Wednesday, March 26 from 1:00-3:00 pm. You can register to attend the in-person workshop here!
Permjot Valia (he/him) is a globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers. He is an expert pitch coach, with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money. Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership.
The UPEI Faculty of Education invites all to attend the public presentation of Paulina Huayamave Hernandez's PhD dissertation defense, "Transformative Teacher Education in Search of the Sumak Kawsay (the Good Living): A Mixed-Methods Study on Critical Global Citizenship Education in Ecuador" on March 27 at 11:30 am.
Please join us in person in Memorial Hall, Room 417 or via Zoom at https://upei.zoom.us/j/65282001257?pwd=B7Tu73zBAAMGJPl7yzCHCMDOb3Igsa.1
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to scramble your way through a presentation you have no control over? It’s more fun than you think, and you can experience it yourself (or just come to watch!) on Tuesday, April 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship in 201 Robertson Library! No pre-registration required!
Note: If you would like to participate, please bring a phone or computer that can access wi-fi or cellular data.
A gentle reminder that the deadline to submit a proposal for the 2025 Teaching Community Conference Teaching at the Intersections: Inclusion, Accessibility, and Courage in Education is Friday March 28, 2025.
Master of Applied Health Services Research, thesis defence presented by Madeline Kuiper on March 27, 9:00 am, AVC, Room 286C.
Title of the Thesis: "Inconveniencing the Institution”: An Interpretive Exploration of Pregnancy Experiences of Royal Canadian Navy Service Members"
Abstract: Pregnancy is a significant life event that impacts an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. While common, pregnancy presents unique challenges for those in professions like the military. The experience of pregnancy in the military context remains underexplored.
This study aimed to explore the experiences of Royal Canadian Navy members who were pregnant while serving. Semi structured interviews were conducted with ten participants, allowing them to reflect on their pregnancies and interactions with the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, chain of command, and institutional structures. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and de-identified.
The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology emphasizing personal meaning-making. IPA’s phenomenological, hermeneutic, and idiographic approach enabled a deep exploration of how participants navigated pregnancy within the RCN’s cultural and operational framework.
This study identified three key group experiential themes: 1) shaping an internal locus of control, 2) exposure to external locus of control, and 3) identifying as an imposition to the institution. Participants described balancing professional duties with personal well-being, systemic policy challenges, and interpersonal dynamics in their chain of command. Many also shared strategies for asserting agency within a male-dominated organization.
Findings highlight the need for improved institutional policies and cultural shifts to support pregnant service members, fostering inclusivity and equity in operational environments. This research contributes to military health services literature by offering practical recommendations for creating supportive workplaces for pregnant personnel.
Everyone is welcome.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada and every three days, someone on PEI is diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Month. Current colorectal cancer screening guidelines on PEI recommend a FIT test (fecal immunochemical test) every two years for Islanders aged 50-74 years of age for average risk individuals. If you are at a higher risk for colorectal cancer (positive family history, blood in the stool, history of colorectal cancer, notice a change in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, experience long-standing diarrhea or constipation) then you should have a colonoscopy and this can be arranged at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre.
The FIT test is available for anyone who is average risk and aged 50-74 at the UPEI Health & Wellness Centre, located on the second floor north at the W.A. Murphy Building (above the bookstore). If you identify as being higher risk, make an appointment to see a nurse practitioner at the health centre and they can review the screening that is best for you, referring for gastroenterology consult if necessary.
Detecting colorectal cancer at an earlier stage improves your chances of survival and avoidance of treatment. For more information, check out Health PEI’s Provincial Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre (SJDAWC) at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) invites you to its three-part webinar series exploring animal welfare issues in small mammals kept as pets. This series will provide participants with insights on the care and welfare of small companion animals, with an emphasis on rabbits and rodents.
The webinars feature Dr. Lee Niel, Dr. Carol Tinga, and Dr. Dan O’Neill, and will take place on April 15, 22, and 29, beginning at 4:00 pm.
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are eligible for continuing education credit. The webinar cost is $50 per webinar, or $120 for all three. There will be no charge for students.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Participating veterinarians and veterinary technicians are eligible to earn one hour of RACE-accredited continuing education per webinar. Participants are required to attend the live webinar to earn this credit. RACE-program number: 20-1286545.
Calling all Students!
First annual Student Engagement Mixer
Join Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, and members of the UPEI Board of Governors and UPEI Student Union for the first annual Student Engagement Mixer!
Thursday, March 27, 2025
5:00–7:00 pm
McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre
Enjoy some food and conversation at this fun opportunity to engage and share your experiences at the University with UPEI’s Board of Governors and senior leadership team! There will be opportunities to win some great prizes, including a tuition credit!
The third in this series of President's town halls for the 2025 winter academic semester is called "It's Easy 'Bein' Green'!"
For this town hall, we have invited students to bring forward their ideas for actions that UPEI and its community members can take quickly and easily to enhance our environmental sustainability and reduce negative environmental impact on the University campus.
Students will provide very brief presentations on what actions could be taken from their points of view. The audience will be able to commit to green-enhancing activities too!
President's Town Hall: It’s Easy “Bein’ Green!”
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Amphitheatre, Performing Arts Centre and Residence building (PAC121S)
If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us virtually at this Teams Town Hall link.
Title: Land Use Land Cover Classification Analysis Using Remote Sensing Technology and Machine Learning
Thursday, March 27 at 1:00 pm.
Location - Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering building, Room 223. Online option to join is also available. Contact Lisa Sanderson - lmsanderson@upei.ca for link
Everyone is welcome to attend.
