MacEwan University
AC-10: Support for Research

The Earth Common Journal (ECJ) is an international undergraduate peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum where students communicate a diversity of ideas and information on issues concerning conservation, sustainability, and climate change. It is published by the MacEwan University Bachelor of Communication Studies program and aims to provide a forum where primarily undergraduate students communicate a diversity of ideas and information on issues concerning conservation, sustainability and climate change. Incentives include, but are not limited to: - Creating a forum for undergraduate students from all disciplines to express, communicate, and voice their understandings, knowledge, and ideas on the topics of conservation, sustainability and climate change. - Offering mentorship and a platform for students in order to gain valuable skills and professional experience researching, editing and peer-reviewing academic research papers - Developing a critical mass of information that identifies and acknowledges the diversity of undergraduate student understandings regarding the topics of conservation, sustainability and climate change. - Accessibility through JournalQuest, an international academic database Outcomes: (I) Earth Common Journal: Synthesis--Uniting Health, Nutrition, and Earth, Vol. 7 (1) 2017 was published November 20, 2017. The theme of this issue focuses on how we synthesize our environment, health, and social aspects in our daily lives, in relation to the areas of sustainability, climate change, and conservation. (II) Earth Common Journal - Changing Climates: Social, Political, Economic, Vol. 6 (1) 2016 was published October 30, 2016. The theme of this issue focuses on how changes in social, political, and economic perspectives and situations can affect how we view and approach issues and concerns in the areas of sustainability, climate change, and conservation. (III) Earth Common Journal - Convergence, Vol 5 (1) 2015 was published October 17, 2015. The theme of this issue focuses on convergence which is the merging of distinct human, technological, industrial, social, and environmental resources into a unified whole to support issues concerning sustainability, conservation, and climate change. For more information visit: https://journals.macewan.ca/earthcommon/home

Strategic Research Grants are available to faculty who are interested in developing interdisciplinary partnerships on campus, in the community, with other academic institutions or with industry. A maximum of $20,000 may be granted. Research proposals need to address one or more of the five goals described in the Strategic Plan for Research, Scholarly Activity and Creative Achievement.   The Strategic Plan for Research (https://www.macewan.ca/contribute/groups/public/documents/document/research_strategic_plan.pdf) outlines two research goals in particular, which link back to the university's sustainability pillar as well as to sustainability goals specified in the university-wide Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP): - Research Goal: Achieve Excellence in Community-engaged Scholarship (University Pillars: An Engaged University, Sustainability, At the Heart of the City; Goals outlined in ISP:E2, E3, E4, E5) - Research Goal: Increase Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research (University Pillars: An Engaged University, Sustainability, At the Heart of the City, The MacEwan University Spirit; Goals outlined in ISP: B5, E6, F1, G1)   To view the ISP visit: https://www.macewan.ca/wcm/Discover/OurPriorities/IntegratedStrategicPlan/index.htm https://www.macewan.ca/contribute/groups/public/documents/document/integrated_strategic_plan_2014.pdf   Project and Dissemination grants available to faculty may also be focused on addressing the goals of the strategic plan for research and university pillars. The SSHRC Institutional Grant that is awarded to MacEwan for internal disbursement may also be used to address the research plan and pillars. This grant allows for reserach acitivities, dissemination, and workshops to improve networks and promote collaboration.

The library subscribes to a number of relevant databases including Environment Complete and GreenFILE. A sustainability interdisciplinary parameter has been applied across all disciplines that the library collects materials for. When books are deselected, those that meet its criteria are donated to Better World Books (https://www.betterworldbooks.com). Over the last two years a librarian has led a session for the university's sustainability course (SUST 201) on climate change and information literacy, and is available to provide research support in this area. "Sustain Abilities" is a newsletter that was launched in January 2018 by two librarians. The newsletter is distributed via email to 50 librarians as well as other staff members who voiced interest. In addition to the newsletter, the two initiators create a monthly display highlighting library material on that month’s theme and a PPT slide that is shown on the monitors behind Borrower Services and the Reference desks.

Responsible Party regarding library support: Robyn Hall Librarian 780-633-3478 hallr27@macewan.ca