Articles from:April 2022

• Schedule set for 111th Brock University Convocation

  Thursday, April 28, 2022 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 28 April 2022 – R0045

  For the first time in more than two years, the pomp and circumstance of Brock University Convocation ceremonies will be seen in person this spring.

  The University announced recently that Spring 2022 Convocation will be held in person at Ian Beddis Gymnasium with nine ceremonies over five days from June 13 to 17. This will mark Brock’s 111th Convocation event.

  About 3,500 graduands from seven Faculties will cross the stage as the University returns to more formal in-person celebrations after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 and 2021 Spring and Fall Convocations to be held online.

  “We’re very excited to celebrate our Class of 2022 in the traditional Brock University manner,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells. “While the public health situation hasn’t permitted that in previous years, we’re pleased to return with our formal Convocation ceremony in June. We know how important it can be for our incredible students to complete this chapter of their academic journey by walking across that stage.”

  Each ceremony will include addresses from a variety of speakers, the presentation of academic awards and, of course, the conferring of degrees. A number of honorary doctorates will be handed out throughout the week with recipients to be announced in the coming weeks.

  In order to ensure the health and safety of the Brock community, there will be a number of important COVID-19 protocols in place throughout the week:

  • All Spring 2022 Convocation attendees, including graduands and their guests, must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth. Masks must remain in place at all times except for speakers who are at a podium delivering an address.
  • Everyone attending is required to be fully vaccinated.
  • Only two guests per graduand will be permitted. There’s no cost to attend, but guests must register in advance and will require a ticket to check in. Registration for tickets will open in the near future.

  For those with extra guests, an overflow room on the main Brock campus will be available where a live broadcast of each Convocation ceremony will be shown. All ceremonies will also be available to watch for free live on the Brock University website.

  “Our online Convocation portals and celebrations over the past two years allowed people from around the world to experience graduation alongside their loved ones,” said Brock Registrar Geraldine Jones. “With the return to an in-person celebration, we want to take the best of both types of Convocation and give our graduands and their friends and families an unforgettable experience.”

  With the return of in-person celebrations also comes the ability to have degree parchments framed on site after each ceremony. Brock Campus store is encouraging the pre-purchase of degree frames to avoid lineups and is offering a free souvenir gown with the purchase of a frame from May 9 to 22.

  Students not planning to attend Convocation in person must update their address and phone number in the student portal to have their degree parchment mailed to them.

  For more information, visit the Brock University Convocation web page.

  111th Brock University Convocation schedule

  Monday, June 13: Faculty of Education, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

  Tuesday, June 14: Faculty of Social Sciences, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

  Wednesday, June 15: Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

  Thursday, June 16: Goodman School of Business, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

  Friday, June 17: Faculty of Humanities; Faculty of Mathematics and Science, 10 a.m.

  To see a full breakdown of which degrees will be conferred in the morning and afternoon ceremonies, see the full schedule on the Convocation web page.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected] or 905-347-1970 

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock autism researchers share insights during World Autism Awareness Month

  Thursday, April 21, 2022 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 21 April 2022 – R0044

  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that presents both challenges and opportunities.

  Brock University researchers are investigating many aspects of ASD, providing strong leadership and insights in the field as they do so.

  April is World Autism Awareness Month and several Brock University researchers are sharing their expertise:

  Julie Koudys and Kendra Thomson, Associate Professors in the Department of Applied Disability Studies, are experts in applied behaviour analysis (ABA), which uses scientific principles to better understand how behaviour and learning occur.

  The theory is applied to real-life situations to increase language and communication skills, decrease behaviours that may be challenging, and improve social skills, attention, focus and academic performance.

  Koudys, a behaviour analyst and clinical psychologist, focuses on teaching parents skills they can apply to a variety of situations and activities their children encounter, including addressing communication, behavioural and sleep challenges.

  “There are many day-to-day activities that are much more challenging for children and youth diagnosed with ASD and their family members, things many people take for granted,” says Koudys. “Research is important, but we also need to look closely at how our communities and service systems are structured and make changes to better support the daily success of autistic individuals and their families.”

  Thomson conducts community-based research that focuses broadly on translating evidence-based behavioural strategies to empower care providers, professionals and people with developmental disabilities and their families to increase independence and improve quality of life.

  “ABA is meant to be empowering, so our applied research attempts to understand how to best build capacity of those who support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities,” she says. “If people providing support feel empowered and confident that can have positive impacts for autistic individuals.”

  Thomson notes that people who have been diagnosed with ASD experience autism in many different ways.

  “Some identify with the diagnosis, and some do not. Some autistic people have communication challenges, so it is important that we don’t make assumptions about how they feel about certain things,” she says.

  Thomson points out that some autistic people may find awareness events such as Autism Awareness Month “triggering.”

  Alison Cox, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies, is also an ABA practitioner. She’s an expert in assessing and treating severe challenging behaviour in individuals with dual diagnosis — individuals with an intellectual developmental disability who also experience a mental health condition — and supervising early intensive behavioural intervention programs.

  “I encourage clinicians, caregivers and stakeholders to look for opportunities to get involved in research,” says Cox. “The benefits for themselves, their loved ones and the disability community are expansive. Participating in applied research expedites generating research outcomes, which can directly impact service quality.”

  Laura Mullins, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies, examines topics related to addressing individual, organizational and systemic factors that impact the quality of life of persons with disabilities. These are in many areas, including post-secondary education, housing and direct and clinical support services.

  “When conducting research about people on the spectrum and other disabilities it is critical to conduct the research with them to the greatest extent possible,” says Mullins. “I use a variety of methods and accommodations to ensure we are hearing the lived experiences directly from those that are affected.”

  Maureen Connolly, Professor of Kinesiology, is founder and Director of the Supporting Neurodiversity through Adaptive Programming (SNAP). Running since the mid-1990s, the weekly program integrates movement and education concepts into physical activities for children and youth ages five and up experiencing disability in the Niagara region. SNAP also offers a suite of teen and adult programs.

  “It is our responsibility to pay attention to the bodies and expressive modalities of our neurodiverse participants and to learn from them how to make activity programming relevant and meaningful as well as fun,” she says.

  All of the Brock experts listed are available for media interviews.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected] or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases