On the Road
Adam Wellstead (SS) presented a paper with Bryan Evans (Ryerson University) at the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration Conference (May 27-28) held at Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario. The paper was entitled, “Tales of Policy Estrangement: Non-governmental Policy Work and Capacity in Three Canadian Provinces.”
From Tech Today.
Ten New Faculty Members Hired in SFHI: Water Systems and Future Transportation Systems
Michigan Tech has hired ten new faculty members as part of the University’s most recent Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiatives (SFHI), which were conducted in parallel over the last two years. The research done by six of the new hires focuses on the cross-disciplinary theme of water systems. The other four new faculty members conduct research in future transportation systems.
Emma Norman filled an open line in the Department of Social Sciences. She earned her PhD in Geography at the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining Michigan Tech, she was a faculty member at Northwest Indian College (Washington). She works closely with the Great Lakes Research Center and the Program on Water Governance at the University of British Columbia. Her research specialties are transboundary water governance, water security, political and cultural geography, and environmental governance. An already well-published young scholar, she will bring a perspective on water politics and indigenous issues to collaborations with fishery biologists, ecologists and social scientists.
Read more at Tech Today, by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Telling stories of the strike
Presentation describes process of building historical exhibit
Gary Kaunonen, project historian for “Tumult & Tragedy: Michigan’s 1913-14 Copper Strike,” spoke at the Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Fourth Thursday presentation at the park’s Calumet Visitor Center.
Kaunonen said besides himself, the creation of the exhibit included former Michigan Technological University archivist Erik Nordberg and graphic designer Mike Stockwell. There was also a nine-member “narrative committee.”
Read more at the Mining Gazette, by Kurt Hauglie.
Students and faculty at Michigan Tech collaborated with the North Woods Conservancy on a project to help maintain a small piece of nature for future generations.
Senior Lecturer A. J. Hamlin joined this project because her Engineering Modeling and Design course bridges the needs of the NWC and the goals of Social Sciences Assistant Professor Emma Norman’s World Resources and Development course perfectly. “When Emma asked if my first-year students might be interested in building a compostable toilet, I thought it would make a great design project,” Hamlin said.
Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Kevin Hodur.
Associate Professor Mary Durfee (SS) gave an invited lecture to graduate students and faculty at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomacy on May 16 at the University of Malta. The talk was on, “The Problem of US Power (and why the rise of China is good for America).”
From Tech Today.
PI Mark Rouleau and co-PIs Richelle Winkler and Audrey Mayer (SS) have been awarded a $79,985 research grant for “Self-Regulated Forest Sustainability: A Simulation and Sociological Analysis of Voluntary Incentive Programs” from the National Science Foundation.
From Tech Today.
Michigan Tech Employee Service Recognition Event
On May 15, faculty and staff members, along with their guests, gathered at the Memorial Union Ballroom for an awards dinner recognizing 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service to Michigan Tech.
Professor Emeritus of History Terry Reynolds was recognized for 30 years of service.
Professor and Chair Patrick Martin was recognized for 35 years of service.
Read more at Tech Today.
Study: Art Strengthens Community Ties in Calumet
Art has long fostered human connection. Now a Michigan Technological University social sciences professor and her class are examining how art is working as a social glue in Calumet.
Students in Richelle Winkler’s Topics in Rural Community Sustainability class focused on the art scene in Calumet to better understand how the village’s First Fridays art tours benefit the community. On the first Friday of each month, Calumet’s participating art galleries and cafes extend their business hours late into the evening, offering refreshments, artist receptions, demonstrations, menu specials and more, depending on the season.
Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Karina Jousma.
Emma S. Norman (SS) recently published an article, “Who’s counting? Spatial politics, ecocolonisation and the politics of calculation in Boundary Bay,” in Area and has been made freely available for a year as part of a Virtual Issue on New geographical frontiers, the theme of this year’s conference (www.rgs.org/AC2013). You can see the Virtual Issue at: www.rgs.org/FrontiersVI.
From Tech Today.
Assistant Professor Pasi Lautala (CEE/MTTI), Assistant Professor Louise Nelson Dyble (SS/MTTI) and Joan Shumaker Chadde (CEE/MTTI), “CFIRE University Transportation Center-National,” University of Wisconsin-Madison.
From Tech Today.