Race, Equity & Action Speaker Series

The Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) has launched the Race, Equity & Action Speaker Series for 2020–2021. Join ARCDO on October 14 for the first session “The Way Forward: Deconstructing Systemic Racism” featuring speaker Kerry-Ann Douglas-Powell.

2020 SSHRC Insight Development Grant — Live Information Webinar

The Faculty of Arts & Science Research Services Office is holding a live online information session for the February 2021 SSHRC Insight Development Grant (IDG). An overview of the IDG program will be provided along with information about the adjudication process, elements of a strong proposal, budget considerations, and U of T submission deadlines. Presenters include a U of T faculty member who served on the SSHRC IDG Merit Review Committee. This event is open to U of T professors in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

• Webinar organizer and lead presenter: Suzanne Jaeger, A&S Funded Research Officer
• Co-Presenter: Mark Bold, RSO Research Funding Officer
• Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2020,10 am–12 pm
• Registration required: Please email Suzanne Jaeger (Once you register, you will receive a Microsoft Teams link to the session.)

For more information on the 2021 SSHRC IDG competition and U of T deadlines, please visit the U of T Research and Innovation IDG website.

SSHRC Connection Grants — OVPI matching funds opportunity for U of T applicants

The University of Toronto Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI) has announced that it will contribute $5,000 in matching funds to U of T applicants applying for SSHRC Connection Grants (please see SSHRC CG eligibility guidelines). Deadlines to apply are:

• November 2020 CG competition: October 13, 2020
• February 2021 CG competition: January 13, 2021

For more information, visit the SSHRC Connection Grants website or contact Tak Koguchi, Research Officer, International.

Reminder: Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society — Faculty and Graduate Fellowships

The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society has announced its inaugural call for graduate student fellows and faculty fellows from around U of T. The Institute seeks fellows from all academic disciplines across the sciences, social sciences and humanities conducting work on ensuring powerful new technologies like AI are effective, safe, ethical and fair and who are interested in reconceptualizing notions of the ways technology, systems and society interact. Up to 15 graduate students and four faculty members will be appointed for a one-year term starting November 1, 2020. Deadline: October 9, 2020. Visit the Schwartz Reisman website for more information.

CRAFT Project Award Competition — Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies

The CRAFT Project Award aims to support high-risk/high-reward research projects focused on microfluidic device innovation with a clear translational objective (e.g., translation to the clinic or industry). It is the first funding competition of the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies, a joint partnership between the University of Toronto and the National Research Council.

Selected projects will receive up to $105,000 per year for up to two years.

Important dates:

• CRAFT fall meeting (including introduction to NRC researchers): October 13, 2020
• Deadline for one-page letter of intent (LOI): November 1, 2020
• Selected LOIs are invited to submit four-page application: December 1, 2020
• Deadline for four-page application: February 1, 2021
• Notification of award: March 2021
• Planned funding start date: April 1, 2021 (funds can be retroactively applied to cover costs incurred on/after January 1, 2021)

Contact Carrie-Lynn Keiski, CRAFT Research Program Manager, for more information.

Certificate in Effective Online Teaching Practices

The Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation and the Association of College and University Educators are launching the second iteration of the Certificate in Effective University Instruction with a new course for online teaching. This six-month online course provides synchronous and asynchronous modules, as well as a community of practice, that addresses essential teaching skills and knowledge. All continuing appointment faculty are eligible. Unit heads (deans/chairs/program directors) are asked to nominate up to three instructors for this program. The application deadline is October 30.

Call for Nominations — 2021 Awards of Excellence (PDAD&C #17)

The University of Toronto Alumni Association has opened nominations and applications for the 2020 Awards of Excellence. This annual program celebrates exemplary members of the U of T community who have made a significant impact through their efforts and engagement. The awards suite includes awards for students, faculty and staff.

Call for Nominations — Associate Vice-President, Research

An Associate Vice-President, Research role has been created to advance core research. The Associate Vice-President will work closely with the Research Advisory Board, the Advisory Board for the Centre for Research Innovation and Support, and divisional leadership to enhance supports for scholars. Nominations of individuals to be considered as Associate Vice-President are due October 14.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM)

Avoid computing impact and downtime at work and remotely by staying protected and secure. Visit U of T's information security awareness & education website for:

• Ongoing updates from the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• A Citizen Lab security planner
• Security resources for students, faculty and staff
• Helpful two-minute videos
• A remote security resource page for better password, research, remote and online computing protection

Connect with A&S IIT or your local departmental IT team for device and computing health checks any time. For October event details, check out the CSAM events calendar.

UTogether, COVID-19 Updates & FAQs

Visit U of T’s COVID-19 UTogether website for regular updates as new guidance, strategies and materials become available. Sign up for the Provost's Digest to stay informed. And refer to the following resources, which are updated frequently:

• A&S Student FAQs: A&S-specific answers to questions from students, updates to academic policies and deadlines, and messages from Dean Woodin.
• Top 10 COVID-19 Research Updates: A&S round-up of COVID-19 related research information, resources, funding opportunities and supports.
• HR & Equity COVID-19 website: Guidance on topics such as telecommuting, flex-time arrangements and pay continuity.