Articles by author: Brock University

  • Roméo Dallaire to speak at Brock University on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    MEDIA RELEASE: 1 November 2017 – R00201

    Not all disabilities are visible. Few know this more than Lieutenant General, the Honorable Roméo Dallaire.

    Appointed as commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda, Dallaire was witness to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, where it’s estimated that between 500,000 and one million people were killed in the span of 100 days.

    Dallaire now lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has become an internationally known advocate for human rights.

    To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Dallaire will speak at Brock University in a free event on Friday, Dec. 1 in Sean O’Sullivan Theatre.

    Brock AODA Co-ordinator Chris Lytle, who has heard Dallaire speak in the past, said the event provides a much-needed bridge between what has traditionally been considered a disability, and mental health issues such as PTSD.

    “We’re trying to expand the conversation around what exactly is a disability,” he said. “This is a form of disability that is distinctly discriminated against because it’s not visible. It’s highly stigmatized.”

    The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was started by the United Nations in 1992 in order to promote inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life. The theme for 2017 is Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all.

    “General Dallaire’s engagement at Brock signifies that we are committed to creating an environment that pushes the level of discussion around mental health and inclusion so that we can become cognizant of where we can grow,” said Lytle, adding that this event is something he’s been working toward for many years.

    “I’ve had a real interest in supporting every aspect of the way disability presents itself and ensuring that the concept of disability is broadened enough that it incorporates every aspect that Canadians might encounter. That’s something Canada has to work hard at,” he said. “In order to facilitate that discussion, we’re doing this right here at Brock, which I think is amazing.”

    Dallaire’s talk is free to attend and open to the public, but advance tickets are required. They’re available on the Brock Accessibility website. Non-perishable food items will be collected at the door for Community Care.

    Media are invited to attend. Limited interview opportunities with Dallaire will be available after the event is complete.

    What: The International Day of Persons with Disabilities

    Who: Lieutenant General, The Honorable Roméo Dallaire (Ret’d)

    When: Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m.

    Where: Sean O’Sullivan Theatre, Brock University

    Tickets: Free at Brocku.ca/accessibility

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

    Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Entrepreneur to talk data collection with Brock students

    MEDIA RELEASE: 31 October 2017 – R00200

    Whether it’s market research into consumer behaviour or academic research into how humans react to various circumstances, collecting data effectively is an important piece of the puzzle. Adam Froman has long made innovative data collection his business.

    The founder and CEO of digital innovation company Delvinia will share insight into his business this week while speaking with Brock University students about how leaps in technology — from virtual reality to the ‘internet of things’ — have changed the game in the field of data collection.

    “With the prevalence of digital technologies and the ever-changing business landscape, organizations today are looking for new and innovative ways to gain consumer insights,” says Froman.

    “For an institution that’s engaging in research, it’s important to be aware of the disruptive technologies that are emerging and shaping the industry today, and to understand how to apply them within an academic setting.”

    Froman’s talk, taking place at Brock on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10:30 a.m., is co-hosted by the University’s Department of Political Science and the Centre for Business Analytics in the Goodman School of Business. The lecture is the second in the Innovation Speaker Series organized by Political Science Assistant Professor Nicole Goodman.

    Goodman says Froman will get students and faculty thinking about how innovations in data collection may be applied in their own research to improve results and transform the traditional timeframe for collecting data.

    “We live in a rapidly changing and complex world where political problems and issues are increasingly multi-sectoral,” says Goodman. “Adequately understanding and interpreting these problems and issues requires new ways of thinking and, perhaps, new ways of collecting data and carrying out research.”

    Goodman and Froman have collaborated on several projects in the past, including the creation of the Centre for e-Democracy in 2014. The centre is a charitable organization dedicated to generating, translating and disseminating scholarly findings and knowledge about how digital technologies affect politics and democracy.

    Delvinia is also partnering with Brock University on a Mitacs-funded research fellowship to study brain drain, examining where Canadian STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent is going and why.

    “One of the biggest challenges facing tech companies is managing the talent pipeline and keeping great talent in Canada,” Froman says. “It is my hope that the research conducted through this Mitacs Accelerate fellowship will provide us with a better understanding of how to address this issue.”

    Froman’s lecture takes place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Brock’s Plaza 600F.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

    Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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    Categories: Media releases