Normally (when there isn’t a pandemic!), the hustle and bustle of campus life throughout September includes catching up with colleagues and the energy of forming new connections through exchanges of ideas, shared interests, and activities.  To facilitate dialogue and connection in the absence of such opportunities, we are delighted to debut an online initiative called “Faculty Voices” that will feature interviews with faculty members sharing their innovative research and scholarship, creative projects, and community partnerships. Housed within the Faculty of Arts blog, “Faculty Voices” aims to raise awareness across Arts about the exciting work being pursued by faculty and to help everyone stay connected during Covid. 

This inaugural edition of Faculty Voices showcases the interconnected creative projects of Fine Arts department member Amy Huestis. Amy’s inspiring projects bring together her artistic practice and environmental stewardship in transformative ways for the wider community. Over the past few years, Amy has been pursuing artistic work on Important Bird Areas in Richmond and Delta and collaborative projects in our landscape. A past recipient of the Faculty of Arts Excellence and Advancement Fund, Amy recently received a Canada Council of the Arts Research and Creation Grant. In the spring of 2021, Amy will serve as Artist-in-Residence at the Richmond Art Gallery. Congratulations, Amy, on these many accomplishments! To learn more about Amy’s creative works (and how she is adjusting some of her plans in the Covid context), please link to “Faculty Voices” to read her interview “Where Art and Biodiversity Meet.” You may also link to Amy’s video demonstration of drawing and painting techniques on location at Brunswick Point.  

National Dialogue on Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion: Canadian universities and colleges across the country are coming together to have a national conversation around equity and inclusion in Canadian post-secondary education and to develop concrete actions for change in higher education.  Earlier this week, KPU became a signatory to this initiative. The first in the series is a National Dialogue that will focus on anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education, and will take place on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. (ET). While registration has now closed, you can learn more about the National Dialogue here. Recordings will be made available to the public after the event concludes.

Calling for Change and Supporting First Nations during Covid: Criminology’s co-chair Mike Larsen recently provided advice and support to several BC First Nations through his professional capacities both at KPU and as president of FIPA (Freedom of Information and Privacy Association).  Mike offered support in the preparation of an application to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to seek the release of proximate COVID data from the Ministry of Health. The case has the potential to be precedent setting: if the Commissioner recognizes Indigenous Information rights under DRIPA (Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act), it will fundamentally change information law in Canada. To learn more, link to the Social Justice Centre website, where you can watch Mike speak about the case and link to recent news coverage, including an interview that aired on APTN.

Let A Thousand Voices Bloom – PDEC’s Multicultural Calendar: A reminder that the President’s Diversity and Equity Committee (PDEC) supports a 3-year subscription to the Multicultural calendar, the link to which is available for download here. You can use the full calendar online through the SharePoint link or download it and integrate it with your Outlook calendar. This is a great way to keep abreast of a diverse array of holidays and observances that may be meaningful to students, colleagues, and staff. 

Digital Pedagogy Webinar Series, featuring five exceptional and internationally renowned speakers who each bring deep expertise and a unique perspective on pedagogy in this digital age. Digital Pedagogy is not about teaching online as much as it is about using digital tools from a critical pedagogical perspective. Accordingly, this year’s series will critically explore topics including digital literacies, creativity, privacy perils, and inclusion (see below or the attached flyer for details). All webinars will be held on Tuesdays from 12-1pm. Learn more and register for free via this link.

We would like to continue to voice our sincere gratitude and appreciation for KPU’s Faculty of Arts and wish everyone a restful weekend, 

Diane, Wade, Greg, and Shelley