Hi everyone,

The semester is finishing up, so good luck to everyone! We’re almost at the finish line. But don’t forget to take care of yourselves.

Have a good week,

Dylana

News Pitches

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

Three New Canada Excellence Research Chairs coming to the U of A

Kalyan Das is the new Research Chair in Antiviral Drug Design. He intends to enhance the U of A’s leadership in pandemic preparedness. 

 Shinichi Nakagawa, the new Research Chair in Open Science and Synthesis in Ecology and Evolution, will use artificial intelligence to establish a project to weed out flawed studies.

Review of 120 years’ of research could help farmers in Prairie provinces adapt to regional effects of climate change

A review of various scientific literature looked at the effects of climate change on the cropland of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba from 1901 to 2021, showing a consistent trend of higher air temperatures in winter and spring, less snowfall and more disruptive weather, such as frequent and intense rainfalls.

Improving men's mental health with work sheds

‘Men’s Sheds’ are communal spaces offering men a place to transition into retirement by connecting with other men. University of Alberta researchers believe that these spaces could be a practical way to provide rural Alberta men with mental health services.

Hospitalization risk due to Covid for the elderly

University of Alberta Hospital infectious diseases specialist Dr. Stephanie Smith said she's seen a steady stream of COVID-19 in the last few months. Her hospital is admitting between 45 and 60 COVID patients every day, she said. Provincial data indicates that 1,120 Albertans 70 and older have been hospitalized due to COVID since the end of August. There have been 31 ICU admissions in that age range and 150 deaths.

Diet and exercise could pave the way for diabetes remission

Researchers at the U of A are attempting to find out how diet and excercise could impact or halt the progression of type 2 diabetes.

Sports

December 1- WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL vs University of Regina, 7:00 PM

December 1 - MEN’S HOCKEY vs MacEwan University, Clare Drake Arena, 7:00 PM

December 2 - WOMEN’S HOCKEY vs MacEwan University, Clare Drake Arena, 7:00 PM

December 2 - WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL vs University of Regina, 7:00 PM

Opinion Pitches

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

ETS Electric Buses: In 2020 ETS rolled out electric buses to Edmonton’s transit system  for a greener solution. However the electric buses seem to be failing, and constantly needing repairs. Additionally the company the buses come from has filed for bankruptcy. These buses are now “not roadworthy.” How does this reflect ETS priorities for greener transit? What can be done instead to promote environmentally conscious options for ETS?

Brown Christmas: It is nearly December and there is absolutely no snow. Christmas is coming up, but without snow on the ground, Edmonton is looking a little dreary. How does this contribute to people’s feeling of festiveness for the holiday season? Can Christmas still be Christmas without snow? Does this pose a larger issue of global warming? Is this something that might be in store for us every year?

Potential Strike of City Library Workers and Administrative Staff: Edmonton Public Library staff and other administrative workers are anticipating a strike — with part of the reason being they have not had contracts since 2020 and have been without raises since 2018. What does this mean for EPL and other administrative staff affected by this? Should they go on strike? What does this anticipated strike say about how EPL staff are treated and prioritized in Edmonton?

Edmonton Construction Season: The construction season in Edmonton is coming to an end. While this provides some relief for a quieter season, one without construction, some business owners are grieving about the impact certain construction projects have had on their business. How can the city improve construction in the city? Should businesses and residents simply have to put up with the effects of construction? Write about how this can be improved.

International Students Enrolment Rates: The U of A is currently seeing record high enrolment rates for international students. How is this changing the social landscape of the U of A? What does this say about the U of A, as international students don’t have the same privileges as domestic students, such as a tuition cap or the ability to work certain hours. Is the U of A providing students with new opportunities, or are they taking advantage of international students?

A&C Pitches

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

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.

Nuela Charles (she/her) is a three-time JUNO Award nominated alternative/pop singer-songwriter with a soulful edge. Born in Kenya, raised in Switzerland, Canada and the Bahamas before settling back in Canada, Charles’ music is infused with her multicultural upbringing.

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!

Interview: Edify Top 40 Under 40: Byron Martin 

Byron Martin, the founder of Grindstone Theatre, made the 2023 Edify Top 40 under 40 list! He made the list because he “creates stages for emerging local performers to shine.” Talk to Martin about the founding of Grindstone and his work now!

Exhibit Review: CodesWitcher at FAB Gallery

This exhibition is by Lisa Mayes, an intermedia graduate student at the U of A. The authoethnographic exhibition represents Mayes “as a black body with the intersectionality of Acadian, African American, Muscogee Creek, Irish, and Scottish heritage.” The exhibit explores “a conceptual construction of identity” while following “the colonial and postcolonial diasporic displacement trajectory within North American narratives.”

A&C Columns

Hobby Hole: Do you have a favourite hobby that you like to do? Guide us through it! Here’s a fun example.

Playlist: Share your fall music picks in a curated playlist!

Comic Stans: Love comics or graphic novels? This column is for you! Highlight your favourite comics and how they might include representation for women and LGBTQIA2S+ people!

Retro on Retro: Is some classic piece of media on your mind? Reflect on it with the distance of time in this column. Discuss the qualities, staying power, and impact of your favourite old movie, video game, album, book, play, or whatever else!

Gateway to Gastronomy, winter edition: Do you have a fun and easy to follow recipe that you love to make during winter? Share it in this reoccurring segment.

Illustration Pitches

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

We are looking for illustrators to create new graphics for the following A&C columns: Gateway to Gastronomy, Eating Edmonton, Hobby Hole, Top 5, and Retro on Retro. Reach out to Lily if you’re interested in taking one on