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Announcements

Comment on the draft Suicide Prevention Framework by April 16
A draft version of MRU’s Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework is now available to the Mount Royal community for their comments. To make sure this framework and the recommendations within it meet the needs of campus members, the Steering Committee would like your feedback. Please add your perspectives to this Google Form by Friday, April 16.

How to fit self-care into your workday, not just your free time
The chair of student counselling, Dr. Mirjam Knapik, PhD, explains why work-life balance is a moving target and describes how to make self-care part of how you do your job. Watch now. Learn more about Wellness at Work.

Students can now submit to the 2021 Library Awards for Research Excellence
Applications are now open for the Library Awards for Research Excellence, where students can receive up to $1,500. Encourage students to submit their outstanding scholarly projects such as papers, film projects, posters, technology-based projects, or creative works that demonstrate research skills and the effective use of information resources by May 14. Questions can be sent to libraryawards@mtroyal.ca.

Apply by May 17 for an Open Educational Resources Grant
The Academic Development Centre (ADC) and the University Library invite applications for the new Open Educational Resources Grant program available to all faculty members. Recipients can receive from $1,000 to $2,000 in funding to be used towards hiring a student partner, as well as in-kind support from both the Library and the ADC for effectively incorporating open pedagogy and materials into their course. Learn more at information sessions on May 4 and May 10.

The Cougar Campus Store is having a stationery sale
Browse the wide selection of stationery at the Cougars Campus Store, all at 25 per cent off when using the promo code "Pencil25". This limited-time offer is valid from now until April 23.

Did you know?
Mount Royal's Policies and Procedures are all available on MyMRU. Go to the Employee/Resources and Timesheets and look in the Office of General Counsel, Legislative Resources and Policies portlet for the link to Policies and Procedures.

Bleed Blue – Celebrating MRU

Professor contributes to Royal Society of Canada COVID-19 report
Dr. Leah Hamilton, PhD, management professor with the Bissett School of Business, has contributed to the Royal Society of Canada’s (RSC) policy briefing titled “Supporting Canada’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Through Robust Immigration Policy and Programs.” The RSC Task Force on COVID-19 was mandated to provide evidence-informed perspectives on major societal challenges in response to and recovery from COVID-19.

Economics students take second in international competition
Aymie Haslam (policy studies), Diamond Reid (policy studies), Elliot Ryland (sociology), Janine Shen (accounting) and Thomas Tram (accounting), also known as “The Dismal Scientists,” won second place in the international EconGames competition. The faculty advisor was assistant professor of economics Lavinia Moldovan, who is also this year's recipient of the Faculty of Arts’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Read the full story.

PLAY conference for physical literacy
Dr. Nadine Van Wyk, PhD, and Dr. Lynne Lafave, PhD, are the recipients of a Health and Innovation grant, which is being used to connect physical literacy students to the greater community. They have partnered with the Be Fit for Life network and created an amazing lineup of presenters for the PLAY mini-conference being held today. This mini-conference will explore different perspectives on physical literacy across multiple sectors.

Two first-year teachers nominated for prestigious Edwin Parr Award
Every year, each school district in Alberta nominates a first-year teacher for the Edwin Parr Award. This year, two recent Bachelor of Education grads were recognized. Mikaela McNabb was nominated for the Lethbridge School Division and Jessie McCauley was nominated for the Foothills School Division. Both have shown incredible dedication and resilience during a year of teaching like no other. Watch a video about McNabb.

Events – More information at mru.ca/Events

Trico Changemakers Studio Presents Changemaker Conversations
Thurs., April 1 from 12: 30 to 1:30 p.m. — Online
This second of a two-part Changemaker Conversations series will share the Calgary Foundation’s transformational journey to adopt a systems approach to create lasting change. Register.

Research and Scholarship Days (RSD) 2021
Tues., Apr. 6 to Tues., Apr. 13 — Online
Attend a live event, browse featured student research and join in the celebration of what research and scholarship looks like at MRU. View the full calendar of events.

RSD: 2020 Research Recognition Awards
Tues., Apr. 6 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Review our 2020 winners and watch the live stream to hear the winners talk about their research in a lightning-talk format. Live stream.

RSD: Faculty of Science and Technology Research Showcase
Wed., Apr. 7 at 12:30 p.m. — Fourwaves
View student poster presentations and hear keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph L. Graves, NCAT University, speak on his research of bacterial resistance to nanomaterials. Register.

RSD: Student Oral Research Presentations
Thurs., Apr. 8 — Google Meet
Presentation Room A from 10:20 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Presentation Room B from 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Presentation Room C from 2:20 to 3:40 p.m.
Students from across the University will virtually present their research in three Google Meet presentation rooms running concurrently. Join Presentation Room A. Join Presentation Room B. Join Presentation Room C.

RSD: Catamount Community Showcase
Fri., Apr. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. — Zoom
Engage with the Catamount Fellows on the systemic issues they've been exploring through their creative works, discovery snapshots and research findings. Register.

RSD: Psychology 21 Honours Research
Fri., Apr. 9 to Tues., Apr. 13 — Online
A live virtual conference to showcase and celebrate research led by psychology honours students and independent projects completed by senior psychology students. Information.

RSD: Anthropology 4451 — Advanced Topics in Biological Anthropology
Fri., Apr. 9 — Google Meet
Morning session from 8:30 a.m. to noon
Afternoon session from 1 to 4 p.m.
Join this mini-conference held via Google Meet with student project presentations organized into panels. Program.

RSD: JHM LaunchPad Competition Finals
Mon., Apr. 12 at 5:30 p.m. — Online
MRU students from all programs pitch their business in hopes of winning major cash prizes. Email innovate@mtroyal.ca for information on tickets for students, alumni and staff.

RSD: 2021 Research Recognition Awards
Tues., Apr. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. — Google Meet
Celebrate our 2021 faculty Research Recognition Award winners. Live stream.

Protecting Yourself Against Cybercrime 2020/2021
Wed., Apr. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ― Google Meet
This informative workshop gives you all the tools you need to keep you and yours cybersafe and fulfills the annual mandatory cybersecurity training requirement. Register.

RSD: Map the System MRU Finals
Wed., Apr. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon ― Online
The top four MRU teams will present their research projects to a panel of community judges, with the winning team advancing to the Canadian finals. Register.