Combined pitch email - January 1

Check out these pitches from News, Opinion, and Arts & Culture!

Author

Lily Polenchuk
January 01, 2024

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! We’re excited to see what the new year will bring, and we hope you are too!

An update on pitch meetings: for the winter semester they will be held on Mondays at 4:00 p.m., the first one being on January 8. We can’t wait to see you there!

Best,

Lily

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Researchers examined the records of more than 36,000 high school students who took computer science courses between 2009 and 2019. They found the subject area had an annual average growth rate of more than 30 per cent.

Speak with David Dale-Johnson, executive professor of real estate at the University of Alberta's business school about the contributing factors to rent inflation.

Excellence in Leadership — Nicole Firth, academic department manager in the department of pediatrics, won the award for her work in creating a safe work space where people can connect.

Excellence in Learning Support — M. Scott Hanna is a lab technician in the department of biological sciences. Hanna is being recognized for promoting active learning and supporting students.

A survey of Canadian pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) warns that Canada’s ability to respond to a pandemic of critically ill children may be seriously limited. In early 2022, Canada’s 19 PICUs reported 275 funded beds to support a mechanically ventilated child. The units said they could free up another 108 if needed. Dr. Daniel Garros, a U of A clinical professor of pediatrics and author of the study, said that won’t be nearly enough.

Talk to U of A professor of biological sciences, Mark Boyce, about the larger ramifications this will have on the environment.

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Anna at [email protected] or over Slack!

CBC New Years Special Cancelled: This year the CBC was forced to cancel their New Years’ special due to financial pressures. What does this say about the importance of the CBC in our society, and what does this say about the future of publicly funded journalism?

Alberta Insurance Premiums: As of 2023, Alberta has the highest insurance premiums on vehicles in the country. This is a stark difference to Saskatchewan and Manitoba where insurance is regulated and thus citizens pay significantly lower insurance rates. Does Albertan law allow for insurance companies to take advantage of their clients? What should be done about Albertan insurance premiums?

Social Media Detox: Social media is known to be harmful to our mental health, and overall not super beneficial. However, it does allow for new connections to be formed globally. Is social media something we should detox from our lives and leave in 2023, or does it continue to hold an important place in our society? Write an article on what social media should look like in our lives going forward

Marble Pedestal/Burlap Sack - New Years’ Resolutions: Do you love New Years’ resolutions and make yourself a list every year? Or do you think they’re ridiculous, and get annoyed with the surplus of resolutioners taking over the gyms in early January? Share your take on New Years’ resolutions with this marble pedestal or burlap sack! 

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Album Review: Haley Blais’ Wisecrack

Vancouver indie artist Haley Blais is touring, one of her stops being Edmonton on February 11. Listen to and review her sophomore album, Wisecrack, ahead of time! The album itself is mature, and focuses on themes of maturing.

January 19, 7-9:00 p.m., FAB Gallery

FAB Gallery is kicking off 2024 with two new exhibits, with a reception for both on January 19. Visit the reception and write about both exhibits!

Interview: Local artists receive $15,000 to celebrate 25th anniversary of arts award. Choose one to speak to!

Cheyenne Rain LeGrande ᑭᒥᐘᐣ (she/her) is a Nehiyaw Isko visual artist, originally from Bigstone Cree Nation. Her work often explores history, knowledge and traditional practices. Through the use of her body and language, she speaks to the past, present and future.

Daniel Foreman (he/him) is a Métis writer, director, producer and musician who creates independent film and video. He is also one of the founders of the Edmonton Short Film Festival which has screened over 250 Alberta films and helped many Edmonton filmmakers transition to the next level in their professional development.

Kathryn Gwun-Yeen 君妍 Lennon (she/her) is a poet and editor. She is the co-creator of Hungry Zine, an award-winning, food-focused publication that centers voices missing in mainstream food media. As an artist, she is passionate about building more inclusive, beautiful, and connected communities, through storytelling and placemaking.

Shawn Tse (he/him) is a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and organizer that practices primarily in film/video, theatre, and public art. Placekeeping in Chinatown is a prominent theme in his artistic practice and he is a co-founder of aiya哎呀 collective and Chinatown Greetings.

Book Review or Author Interview: No Killers

“When University of Alberta alumnus Ken Budd set out in a Volkswagen van to explore the west coast of Vancouver Island in the early 1970s, he had no idea that he was embarking on a creative journey that would take over 50 years to complete. Since that first trip to what was then the sleepy fishing village of Tofino, BC, the narrative for his newest book release, NO KILLERS, has morphed and expanded almost beyond recognition. A few key elements, however, have remained constant: a world in turmoil, a nascent Canadian war strategy, a young protagonist at a crossroads, a chilling reality of the treatment of Japanese-Canadians and local First Nations, and the rugged beauty of Canada’s Pacific coastline.”

Speak with Ken or review his book!