University News

NEW STRATEGIC RESEARCH THEMES

December 8, 2009

Bishop’s University has just completed a planning process to identify its  strategic research themes. After months of consultation and discussion, the  following four themes have been selected. They build on existing or developing  strengths in the faculty, bring together researchers from many disciplines,  will lead to the development of graduate programs, and have potential for  regional, national and international collaborations.

Cosmology and Astrophysics
This group expresses an  interest in the study of gravitational fields applied to cosmology and the  study of compact objects in various astronomical contexts, with a focus on  topics relating to high-energy astrophysics. This is the smallest cluster with  three members in physics and one in mathematics. However, the cluster is  comprised of strong researchers in physics with years of demonstrated  publications. There is also significant funding attributed to certain members  of this group, with one member having held Bishop‘s only CRC to date. There is  also clear evidence of international collaborative work and an established  reputation for strong research.

Crossing Borders
This group proposes to study socially constructed categories and boundaries that mark differences among nationalities, ethno-linguistic communities, genders and social classes---particularly how they are constructed, challenged and transcended; with relevance to our immediate community where possible. The research axes are identity, gender, culture, class, ethnicity and space/geography with researchers and programs identified in each. The group draws upon several researchers in the Humanities (Classics, History, Modern Languages, English, Philosophy, Religion, Études françaises et québécoises), Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology), and Education. Members of this group span the full spectrum of junior to senior ranks.

Multi-Scale Climate and Environmental Change
The group proposes to study climate change at small, intermediate and large scales and of the many aspects of climate change and its impacts. In particular, they propose to study problems related to the mechanisms of climate change, the impact of climate change (biogeography) and adaptation measures taken towards climate change. It includes professors from the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, at both junior and senior ranks.

Psychological Health and Well-being
This group proposes to study the means to ensure that individuals, and the communities that they live in, are healthy, sustainable and vibrant. More specifically, the cluster will focus on psychological health, well-being, and basic psychological processes. It includes professors from the Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Business at different stages in their career. The cluster builds on existing research since a number of its members have external funding for projects directly related to its theme and axes, and many have published in peer-reviewed journals on related topics. This cluster is also committed to work in collaboration with the Eastern Townships community, while being active at the national and international level. It is linked to strong teaching programs and could lead to the development of graduate programs.

-30-