Media releases

• Goodman symposium to focus on creating circular economy in Niagara and Ontario

  Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: November 1 2023 – R0103

  Creating a more sustainable and resilient economy, both in Niagara and across the province, will be at the centre of discussions at a Brock University symposium Friday, Nov. 3.

  Hosted by the Goodman School of Business’ CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy and Innovation in Accounting, the event strives to educate and engage the community in the circular economy movement, intended to improve the economy by prioritizing reusing, repairing, sharing, remanufacturing, redesigning and reducing.

  “We believe that the accounting profession has a role to play in driving these changes in business,” said Kareen Brown, Professor of Accounting and Director of the CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy and Innovation in Accounting. “What businesses cannot measure adequately, they cannot change or improve.”

  The symposium will bring together researchers, students, local chartered professional accountants (CPAs), business leaders and local government officials to explore ways to drive change in this area.

  “Accounting can help firms achieve circular economy metrics because our job is measurement,” Brown said. “We want to encourage our students to take the lead in helping to create a more sustainable future.”

  The keynote presentation will be given by Assistant Professor Leanne Keddie from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University and will focus on the role of accounting in helping companies move towards a circular economy.

  Other sessions include:

  • The importance of a circular economy with Jennifer Li, Goodman Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Accounting
  • Insights from the renewable resources industry with Paul Smith, Vice-President of Finance at Walker Industries
  • How accounting adds value to ESG reporting with Ramsha Ahmed, Manager of ESG Sustainability and Climate Change at KPMG
  • Climate risk and asymmetric cost behaviour with Sohyng Kim, Brock Associate Professor of Accounting, and Cheol Lee, Professor of Accounting from Wayne State University
  • Sustainability and a circular economy with Liette Vasseur, Brock Professor of Biological Sciences, who also holds the UNESCO Chair on Community Sustainability: from Local to Global

  The day will end with a panel discussion on creating a circular economy in Niagara in the Goodman Atrium from 3:15 to 4 p.m. The panel will include Mishka Balsom, CEO of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce; Gary Zalepa, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake; Mani Siddiqui, founder of Jitto, as well as event speakers Smith and Ahmed.

  “The Niagara region has a unique environmental and geographical significance for Canada,” Brown said. “The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere is one of four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Ontario and must be protected by citizens, businesses and government officials. We hope that this event will increase awareness of this issue.”

  While registration for the symposium is closed, those interested in attending the panel discussion can contact Claire Adam at cadam@brocku.ca to reserve a seat.

  Media are invited to attend the symposium.

  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-led project to support Ontario veterans through innovative wellness program

  Friday, October 27, 2023 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: October 27 2023 – R0102

  Brock researchers are on a mission to help veterans rebuild social connections and decrease post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after returning home from serving their country.

  Comrades in Well-being is a two-part program offering evidence-based wellness practices for veterans to improve mental health using sound healing, breathwork, yoga and peer support beginning Saturday, Nov. 4.

  Brock has teamed up with Boots on the Ground, a volunteer organization offering confidential peer support for first responders across Ontario, to deliver the program to veterans.

  “It’s about finding different ways to show up for yourself to support your mental wellness, whether that is showing up physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. There are different ways to show up on different levels,” says clinical co-lead on the project Tiffany Hunt, Adjunct Professor in Brock’s Faculty of Education and Registered Clinical and Health Psychologist.

  The program will offer a full-day retreat Nov. 4 at Brock University followed by 12 weeks of weekly peer-led virtual meetings.

  “In addition to talk therapy, we know people make connections in different ways,” Hunt says. “People often make deeper connections when they feel things, not only talk about them — these treatments can be transformative.”

  The retreat will include a panel discussion led by veterans sharing their lived experiences, a talk addressing trauma and healing given by Hunt and Tessa Alexander, Registered Psychological Associate and co-clinician on the project, and sessions on sound healing, breathwork and yoga followed by an opportunity to reflect as a group.

  The virtual meetings that follow will include sessions in one of the alternative methods and a reflection circle.

  According to Hunt and the research team — which includes lead researcher Brock Professor of Educational Studies Vera Woloshyn, Associate Professor of Educational Studies Michael Savage and Adjunct Professor and Instructor Lauren Cripps — a key aspect of the program is the followup, helping veterans to experience the benefits of structured, consistent treatments.

  Hunt is especially motivated to continue the research given mounting clinical support for expanding mental health and wellness benefits in Ontario, citing growing research evidence that mindfulness-based practices are helpful for reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD in various populations.

  “There is so much value in building on this research and offering it to veterans,” Hunt says. “If you want different results, you need to do something different.”

  Through funding from True Patriot Love, Canada’s foundation supporting military members, veterans and their families, Comrades in Wellbeing is free for Ontario veterans, including RCMP.

  “We have a fantastic team at Brock working with community partners on a great cause,” Hunt says.

  Registration is still being accepted for the program, and veterans interested in applying can do so through Comrades in Well-being or Boots on the Ground.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University mstdenis@brocku.ca or 905-246-0256 

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  Categories: Media releases