Why Engage?
Public engagement across all campuses is a critical component of Memorial University’s mission as a public university. Memorial is fulfilling its special obligation to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador through its university-wide Public Engagement Framework, a document that provides vision, values and goals, along with tangible objectives for Memorial students, faculty and staff who actively engage the public through their work and research.
The Environmental Policy Institute (EPI) plays an important role in fostering public engagement at Grenfell Campus by researching and facilitating debate on critical environmental policy issues within and beyond Newfoundland and Labrador. Through its external partnerships and collaborations, community-based research initiatives, and public-oriented events, EPI seeks to engage citizens of the region, the province, the country, and the world. Below you’ll find more information about what EPI has been up to, as well as how you can get involved.
EPI Public Engagement Initiatives
The Flirt talk series is co-chaired by EPI’s Assistant Professor, Garrett Richards. These sessions are informal, highly interactive presentations about interesting research work or opportunities at Grenfell Campus. Each Flirt session is generally 30 minutes of presentation, followed by 30 minutes of discussion and refreshments.
To kick off its 2019 Winter season on January 11, Dr. Jose Lam gave a fascinating talk about the research he did while on sabbatical India (The influences on Indian entrepreneurs). For more information about upcoming Flirt talks or if you have a great idea for a Flirt talk, contact Garrett Richards grichards@grenfell.mun.ca .
The Green Drinks Speaker Series is a 4 part series hosted and organized by Grenfell Campus and the Western Environment Centre and held at the Bootleg Brew Company.
Each series is meant to be a short presentation set in a casual atmosphere to inspire questions and discussion.
Series 1 on November 14, 2018 – “Can Aquaculture be a Sustainable Prt of the NL Fishereries?” Two speakers Dr. Robert Scott of Grenfell Campus and Don Ivany of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. All are welcome.
Series 2 on January 16, 2019 – “How Can NL Achieve a Sustainable Food System?” Presentations from Dr. Ivan Emke, Grenfell Campus and Kim Thistle, Greenhouse & Garden Store
Series 3 on February 27, 2019 – “How Can NL Become a Low Carbon Economy?” Presentations from Dr. Garrett Richards, Environmental Policy Institute, Grenfell Campus and Conor Curtis, Climate Watch NL.
Series 4 on April 3, 2019 – ” What Role Does Sustainability Play in Rural Resilience?” Presentations from Joanie Cranston, Bonne Bay Cottage Heritage Hospital Corporation and Dr. Kelly Vodden, Environmental Policy Institute, Grenfell Campus
June 3-4, 2019 Environmental Studies Association of Canada (ESAC)
Each year ESAC hosts its Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting. The conference is open to ESAC members and offers an opportunity for participants to share (both in a formal and informal setting) research, ideas and discussions in the field of environmental studies.
ESAC’s Annual Conference provides an opportunity for Canada’s leading and emerging environmental scholars to gather, network and share their research with one another. It differs from more ‘traditional’ academic conferences in its more interdisciplinary focus, its small, friendly and collegial setting. There are opportunities for standard research presentations, as well as openings for pre-organized panel sessions and special roundtable discussions.
EPI’s Assistant Professor Dr. Garrett Richards facilitated a conference held at the Environmental Policy Institute and linked virtually with the ESAC in Vancouver. MAEP students who attended and presented at the conference were Claudia Friedetzky, Choyon Saha, Mayra Sanchez Alvarez and Brady Reid.
April 9, 2019 Building Climate Resilience: A Conference on Incorporating Climate Change Into Public Infrastructure Planning and Design
Dr. Wade Bowers and MAEP students Victoria Gallagher and Mohammad Nazrul Islam attended this conference held in St. John’s, NL. The purpose of the conference was to enhance understanding of the opportunities and requirements for integrating climate resilience into public infrastructure planning and design. In addition to encourage and facilitate networking opportunities for those involved in infrastructure planning, design and decision-making across sectors and to promote best and promising practices in Newfoundland and Labrador.
March 20-22, 2019 Violated Earth – Violent Earth
The Technical University of Munich and the Bavarian Government invited Dr. Andreas Klinke, Director of EPI, to an interdisciplinary workshop entitled “Violated Earth – Violent Earth” held in Munich/Raitenhaslach in Germany. The participants discussed the future of the earth system in terms of climate change, loss of biodiversity and other global environmental issues. The workshop results will be published as an edited volume and as an executive summary that will be handled over to the Bavarian Government, the German Parliament and members of the European Union.
February 28, 2019 CleanTechWest
This workshop hosted by NEIA was held in Corner Brook, NL. It explored clean technology and green economy business opportunities specific to the Western region. The workshop brought together environmental entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, decision-makers, regulators, support agencies, and other stakeholders to network and learn about what’s new and what’s possible in the region. MAEP Students Claudia Friedetzky, Natasha Pennell and Dongjun Lee attended this conference along with Assistant Professor Dr. Garrett Richards who also delivered a presentation entitled ” Emerging Energy Research at Grenfell’s Environmental Policy Institute (EPI). The thesis of the presentation was to invite others to colloborate with industry on his emerging project “Identifying Stakeholder Research Needs for Energy Planning and Development in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
November 28, 2018 WWF: Coastal Restoration Planning Project in Newfoundland and Labrador
EPI hosted a public talk on “Coastal Restoration Planning in Newfoundland and Labrador” by Randal Green. Mr. Green discussed the multi-year initiative of World Wildlife Fund Canada (Coastal Restoration fund) focusing on coastal habitats for Capelin, Arctic Char, Atlantic Salmon and coordinating effective coastal restoration and enhancement work at a series of sites in Newfoundland and Labrador.
May 2018 Coastal Communities in a Changing Climate May
Four EPI MAEP graduate students, Dongjun Lee, Vincent Chireh, Abdulai Abdul-Rahim and Mohammad Nazrul Islam attended and participated in this regional climate change symposium held in Corner Brook and Rocky Harbour. This conference was hosted jointly by Grenfell Campus and the Gros Morne Cooperating Association. The symposium sought to outline and discuss the impacts, challenges, and solutions around climate change in relation to the target region of Gros Morne, Newfoundland and Labrador.