Media releases

• Encryption, espionage and the Enigma machine at centre of public Brock event

  Tuesday, January 16, 2024 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: January 16 2024 – R0005

  History and technology tie together at an upcoming Brock University event that will discuss the German Enigma encryption device, its role in the Second World War and its impact on modern encryption and computational sciences.

  Organized by Brock University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science in partnership with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, “Beyond the Imitation Game: From Dieppe and James Bond to Blackberry and Quantum Encryption” will feature Enigma and cryptology artifacts as well as discussions about the significance of the Enigma — and of the Allies breaking its code — on world and Canadian history, along with its impact on modern espionage and encryption technology.

  “More than any other encryption device, it was the German Enigma machine that embodied the unleashing of a covert war between rival intelligence services and capabilities, and it was the breaking of the Enigma code that gave the Allies a critical edge over the Nazis,” says Peter Berg, a computational physicist and Dean for Brock University’s Faculty of Mathematics of Science.

  “The Enigma was arguably the first serious, semi-automated encryption device to be employed on a large scale. Its functionality, flaws in operation, vulnerabilities and associated codebreaking methodologies spurred advancements in computing and shaped the development of modern encryption technologies and algorithms,” he says. “Physicists are now trying to move beyond conventional encryption and utilize quantum mechanics to generate more secure communication channels, even via satellites.”

  Berg is one of three guests speaking at the event set to take place Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) in St. Catharines. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested price of $20.

  Joining Berg on stage will be Richard Brisson, a mathematician and collector of cryptology artifacts, who will be showcasing the rare Enigma machine, and Thomas Jennewein, Associate Professor for the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing and Department of Physics and Astronomy, who will discuss the Enigma’s impact on modern technology, such as space-based quantum communication technology.

  The community engagement event is one of several in which Brock University has partnered closely with the PAC.

  “The FirstOntario PAC thrives on our partnership with Brock University, and we enthusiastically welcome collaborations with multiple departments annually,” says Sara Palmieri, Director of Programming and Marketing at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the Faculty of Mathematics and Science on this fascinating program to help deepen understanding and appreciation of this important piece of our history.”

  Complementing the “Beyond the Imitation Game” event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre will be free academic lectures by Brisson and Jennewin at Brock University.

  Brisson will present Cryptologic History and Canada on Friday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. in Rankin Family Pavilion room RFP 214/215 as part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Seminar Series. The presentation will shed light on some of the most meaningful instances of cryptologic history in Canada through a selection of events and artifacts from the Second World War and the Cold War as well as the 18th and 19th centuries.

  Jennewein will present a technical talk on quantum physics on Friday, Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. in Thistle Complex room TH 257.

  For those interested in diving deeper into the Enigma machine, a film screening of The Imitation Game is taking place Sunday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the PAC. Tickets are $9.50 for the general public or $7.50 for Film House members.

  For more information, and to reserve tickets for “Beyond the Imitation Game: From Dieppe and James Bond to Blackberry and Quantum Encryption,” visit the FirstOntario Performing Arts website. Limited tickets are available, and advance registration is encouraged.

  The event is supported with sponsorship by the Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209 

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock researcher says kindness is key through winter months

  Monday, January 15, 2024 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: January 15 2024 – R0004

  A Brock University researcher studying the effects of kindness on mental health and well-being is encouraging people to practice kindness, especially during the winter months.

  Sandra Bosacki, Professor in the Faculty of Education and Director of Brock’s Theory of Mind in Education (ToME) Lab, said acts of kindness can go a long way to help people — including those carrying out the kind acts — fend off the winter blues.

  Bosacki said that small, kind gestures, such as helping with a task, opening a door for others, or the act of smiling or talking with someone can have a significant impact on one’s well-being and mental state.

  “The effects of kindness, with many people struggling with a low mood or feeling sad, can be transformative for people of all ages, including youth,” she said.

  Through the Mentalization, Kindness and Well-being Teen Study — research led by Bosacki exploring how kindness plays a role in the links between young people’s mentalization skills — Bosacki and her team aim to contribute to the growing global awareness about the importance of kindness on mental health.

  “We also hope that our research inspires others to take part in ‘Random Acts of Kindness Day’ on Feb. 17, which concludes ‘Kindness Week’ beginning Feb. 11,” Bosacki said.

  Since the research study on kindness began this past summer, Bosacki said the team is grateful to have received a positive response with preliminary findings suggesting that teenagers share diverse and complex ideas about what kindness means and how to foster kindness in oneself and others.

  The research outcomes of the study will also shed light on what type of social skills help teenagers negotiate their relationships and life challenges in their day-to-day lives, such as academic and social pressures.

  “As young people leave the world of childhood and enter the unfamiliar landscape of being a teen, one of their main tasks is to prepare for their life journey as an adult,” Bosacki said. “Similar to an emergency survival kit for camping or travelling, teens need to learn how to make a life survival mental tool kit.”

  Adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years old are invited to participate in the ongoing study. Each participant is required to have a personal email address and informed consent provided by one parent.

  Participants will complete an online survey, which takes place using Qualtrics and over Microsoft Teams with a researcher to help guide them through the process, which usually takes about 60 minutes and involves watching short video clips and filling out questionnaires.

  After the session is completed, participants’ parents will be sent a digital gift card, and will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up study next year.

  Anyone interested in taking part can contact the Theory of Mind in Education lab by email at tomelab@brocku.ca

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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  Categories: Media releases