Election 2021

Dalhousie has faculty who can provide expertise on the 2021 federal and Nova Scotia provincial elections: https://bit.ly/3z9ulk9

Play and learn outside
Unstructured outdoor playtime is an essential part of fostering good mental and physical health for young students. Dr. Michelle Stone, an assistant professor in Dalhousie’s School of Health and Human Performance, can discuss the importance of ensuring children get outside as much as possible during the school day, and that they have quality outdoor play experiences during that time. She can also provide insight on how encouraging outdoor playtime and learning at school is not only a way to mitigate the risk of the spreading COVID-19, but how it is also a critical component to children’s development. 

Supporting students through a return to normal schedules
Navigating the pandemic has had an impact on many students who for months were unable to attend school, participate in hobbies, see their friends and do activities that kept them happy and healthy. Returning to regular activities and schedules can bring additional stress, and students may need support coping with these changes. Dr. Michael Ungar, professor in Dalhousie’s School of Social Work, can provide perspective on how parents and educators can help mitigate the impacts of the changes and challenges children will experience when they go back to school this fall. 

Active Commuting
For many people, the return to work could be a way to think about new ways to move around, especially given the urgent need to take actions that mitigate climate change. Dr. Sara Kirk, professor in Dalhousie’s School of Health and Human Performance and the Scientific Director of the Healthy Populations Institute, can speak to active commuting, and two of her projects, The UpLift Partnership and Pedal Poll 2021.

The economy of a post-pandemic world
As the economy opens back up, what will the “new normal” of the post-Covid era look like? What should it look like? Dr. Lars Osberg Professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Economics can provide perspective on a post-pandemic economy.

Managing finances in post-pandemic world
During the pandemic, spending habits changed for many people. More shopping was done online, job losses may have changed the household budget, perhaps some people saved money, while others spent more. Dr. Dan Shaw, Senior Instructor and Director of MBA Programs in Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business can speak to how personal spending habits may have changed, the effect the pandemic has had on brick-and-mortar vs online shopping and related topics.

Understanding COVID-19 variants and children
With students back to class this fall, and a fourth wave heavy on minds, teachers and parents may find themselves facing a certain level of anxiety about continuing to keep their students and children safe from the many impacts of COVID-19, the virus itself, and its variants. Assistant professor and COVID-19 researcher with Dalhousie University, Dr. Lisa Barrett, can offer insight on how variants may affect students and children and ways to help them stay safe as we return to a new normal.

Protecting personal privacy in a virtual world
The COVID-19 pandemic created an increasingly virtual world, and while life may begin to return to a new normal, many students, teachers and parents will continue to utilize online accounts for learning and working. Dr. Nur Zincir-Heywood, professor in Dal’s Faculty of Computer Science, is able to offer some insightful advice on how people can protect their online accounts and personal information.   

Better Nights, Better Days for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (BNBD-NDD)
The return to the school year following summer vacation, which often includes long breaks from regular schedules and routines, ensuring children get a good night’s sleep is especially important. Up to 90% of Canadian children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) experience insomnia symptoms including trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or waking too early. Dr. Penny Corkum, professor in Dalhousie’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscienceand Department of Psychiatry, and her colleagues at institutions across Canada, have developed an online sleep intervention program, BNBD-NDD,to support parents with children ages 4-12 years old with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) that experience insomnia. The BNBD-NDDprogram can help parents help their children sleep better so that they can achieve the best academic outcomes.

Dr. Corkum is able to provide insight into this study and how behavioural treatments can help to ensure parents are equipped to support their children in getting a better night’s sleep. She can also speak to how the BNBD-NDDresearch team is currently looking for 150 families with children living with ADHD, ASD, CP and/or FASD from across Canada to participate in a study that will evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Staying centered in challenging times – Mindfulness for personal and professional well-being
Everyone experiences stress. Nobody is immune, it's universal and has become more so since the global pandemic of 2020. On one hand, it's an amazing source of energy; but for most of us, prolonged stress can cause serious problems, both physical and psychological. Rita Wuebbeler, M.A., PCC, and instructor in Dal’s College of Continuing Education, can discuss ways that individuals who have experienced prolonged stress can reduce their stress levels to achieve a greater sense of well-being and focus. She can also provide insight as to how the practice of mindfulness is a well-documented method for helping calm our nervous system and helping us stay centered, especially in times of high stress, volatility, and uncertainty. 

Please note– It’s up to the faculty members' discretion as to whether they’re able to accommodate interview requests.