The University of Waterloo welcomes eight new postdoctoral scholars, as the inaugural group funded through the Provost's Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars and the Provost's Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars. The cohort got together for the first time at a recent luncheon.
The aim of the Provost's Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars is to support emerging scholars who are engaging in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research that identify and solve increasingly complex, real-world challenges.
The focus of the Provost's Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars is to support Black and Indigenous scholars, as part of the University's strategic plan to strengthen sustainable and diverse communities, with particular attention to promoting Indigenous initiatives and ensuring a culture of equity, diversity and inclusivity for all.
Each of the two-year programs provides $60,000 annually, plus a $5,000 research fund.
"The University believes that interdisciplinary knowledge rooted in inclusivity will provide the solutions - and discoveries - this world needs to overcome our most challenging issues," says James Rush, vice-president, Academic and Provost.
"As an institution, we're committed to developing these postdoctoral programs to support ground-breaking research that tests the status quo, that pushes the bounds of understanding and inspires others to pursue their passion for learning here. With these programs, we hope to help break down the barriers for Black and Indigenous scholars while at the same time, creating a culture of equity, diversity and inclusivity for all at Waterloo."
Meet the 2023 recipients of the Provost's Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars:
Sebastian Cmentowski
Faculty of Arts, Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business
Faculty of Health, School of Public Health Sciences
Dr. Cmentowski's research will examine exergame-based training and gamification for older adults as a means for improving overall health outcomes.
James Kim
Faculty of Arts, Department of Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies, St. Jerome's University
Faculty of Environment, Departments of Knowledge Integration and Sociology and Legal Studies
Dr. Kim's research will identify distinguishing features of modern misogynistic ideologies and convert findings into a novel methodological tool. This will enable new waves of empirical research on the sources and outcomes of modern misogynistic ideologies, creating the necessary foundation for evidence-based, empirically-informed solutions to combat gender-based violence - one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world.
Christine Mills
Faculty of Health, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health, School of Public Health Sciences
Dr. Mills' research will work with older adults in a setting where they congregate and use an aco-design approach to create nutrition education programming to be delivered in that setting. The goal is to create a program that can be delivered by non-dietitians, such as non-specialist staff, volunteers or undergraduate students.
Stuart Schussler
Faculty of Arts, Department of Social Development Studies, Renison College
Faculty of Environment, Department of Knowledge Integration
Dr. Schussler's postdoctoral research explores how member-led community organizations are at the heart of the social movements that make history. Yet the very characteristics that create such dynamism - their inclusive and non-hierarchical membership, and the flexibility of not having legal status - mean that universities seldom engage them as viable sites of service learning. This research will aim to remedy this.
The Provost's Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars supports scholars whose work will bridge across different faculties and departments, synthesizing the knowledge of two or more disciplines, resulting in high impact and innovative outcomes.
Applications are now open for the 2024 provost-funded postdoctoral scholar opportunities. Visit the Provost's Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars
