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York University posts top scores in Times Higher Education Global Impact Ranking 2021

THE Banner for Sustainable YU

For the third year in a row, York University has been ranked highly by the Times Higher Education (THE) global Impact Ranking, which classifies universities on their work towards the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, York has placed 11th in Canada and 67th overall against 1,115 post-secondary institutions from 94 different countries.

Rhonda L. Lenton
Rhonda L. Lenton

“York’s strong performance in the rankings this year is a result of the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty, course directors, staff, and alumni, whose dedication to our communities and our planet has helped us make great strides in furthering the UN SDGs,” said York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton. “We are proud of the way our community members have come together in support of the SDGs, and grateful for their passion, enthusiasm, and continued commitment to driving positive change in our local and global communities.”

The THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ranking compares universities on research, stewardship, outreach and teaching across 17 categories.

York ranked in the top four per cent globally in two SDGs that closely align with the strategic focus of the University’s Academic Plan (2020), including third in Canada and 27th in the world for SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, which examines a university’s stewardship of resources and its preservation of community heritage, and fifth in Canada and 24th in the world for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, which looks at how the University supports and collaborates with other universities in working towards the SDGs.

Lisa Philipps
Lisa Philipps

“The Impact Ranking is a strong reflection of York’s progress in advancing the University Academic Plan 2020–2025 (UAP), which challenges us to build a better future, bringing our unique capacities to bear on the most urgent issues facing the world, while deepening our collective contributions to the SDGs,” said Provost and Vice President Academic Lisa Philipps. “I am very proud of the significant contributions that have been made to advance our UAP and address complex global issues.”

Partnerships for the goals: Global hubs, partnerships and collaborations improved ranking in SDG 17

Hosting global hubs for international initiatives, sharing best practices, and partnering with the federal government to offer expertise improved York’s ranking to 27th overall in Partnerships to Achieve Goals − a major improvement over last year’s rank of 50th.

Driven by a welcoming and diverse community with a uniquely global perspective, York’s international network of partnerships helps our students and faculty make a difference across the world.

York hosts four significant global partnerships and hubs that contribute to the pursuit of the SDGs.

Charles Hopkins
Charles Hopkins

The UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Educations Towards Sustainability, held by Charles A. Hopkins, works in association with the many other entities, including the International Network of Teacher Education Institutions and the #IndigenousESD, towards achieving the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The Ecological Footprint Initiative, which hosts a data centre at York, focuses on researching, investigating, mapping, and explaining humanity’s ecological footprint on the planet.

Professor Steven Hoffman
Professor Steven Hoffman

The World Health Organization has recognized the work of York’s Global Strategy Lab team led by Director Steven J. Hoffman, a professor of global health, law and political science and the Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal Epidemiology, by designating it as the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Governance of Antimicrobial Resistance (WHOCC). The Glendon Accelerator for Innovation and Best Practices in French Teaching will also host a new knowledge mobilization hub to meet the need for French as a second language teachers at a time when they are in short supply.

In addition to these international hubs, the Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom won the 7th Airbus Global Engineering Deans Council Diversity Award for its efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in engineering education.

Deborah McGregor
Deborah McGregor

Finally, through the leadership of Osgoode Hall Law School Associate Professor Deborah McGregor, who is cross appointed to the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, the Osgoode Environmental Justice and Sustainability Clinic intervened successfully with the federal government to obtain a regional impact assessment for proposed mining and road infrastructure in Ontario’s Ring of Fire.

Sustainable cities and communities: COVID-19 research and new green buildings recognized in SDG 11

New Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified buildings, timely COVID-19 research, projects funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and a new Charter Centre on Homelessness propelled York to 24th overall in the Sustainable Cities and Communities ranking. York University’s top ranking in this category is further proof of its commitment to make things right for our community, the planet and our future.

York’s researchers have also been helping lead the fight against COVID-19, with a pair of projects to simulate mass vaccination sites and model COVID-19 transmission.

Ali Asgary
Ali Asgary

Ali Asgary, associate professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, and Jianhong Wu, a Canada Research Chair in Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the NSERC/Sanofi Industrial Research Chair in Vaccine Mathematics, Modelling and Manufacturing and York Distinguished Research Professor in Mathematics, have together developed a simulation that models ongoing processes in a drive through vaccination clinic. The innovative approach is being used in Canada and the United States and has been listed as one of the best community models available.

Jianhong Wu
Jianhong Wu

Jude Kong, an assistant professor in Mathematics & Statistics at York, leads a team of 50 researchers from organizations across Africa and Canada to predict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their project builds on a South African-led COVID-19 dashboard and combines modelling at York to inform and support national policymakers from across Africa manage the virus in real time.

Jude Kong
Jude Kong

Two SSHRC grants awarded to York professors will enhance the ability to preserve local heritage in communities around the world. Laura Levin, associate professor in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design, and director of Sensorium: Centre for Digital Arts & Technology, leads the “Hemispheric Encounters” partnership project to build a network of organizations across Canada, the United States, and Latin America, with the aim of sharing knowledge and strategies for positive social change. Linda Peake, professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and director of the City Institute, leads “GenUrb,” a research project aiming to build a network to examine the changing relationship between gender, poverty, and inequality across the globe.

Laura Levin
Laura Levin

In working to make their own community more sustainable to live in, York Faculty of Education Professor Steven Gaetz leads a collaboration between the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness and A Way Home Canada, a successful partnership to prevent youth homelessness that was recognized by the United Nations.

The Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study and Research Building, part of the internationally renowned Schulich School of Business, became LEED Gold-certified earlier this year. The new site, which opened in 2019, features a glass solar chimney that provides natural ventilation for the facility.

Linda Peake
Linda Peake

Two more buildings under construction, the School of Continuing Studies at the Keele Campus, and the first phase of York’s Markham Centre Campus, are also aiming for the LEED Gold standard. The School of Continuing Studies features a high-performance prismatic façade, composed of photovoltaic panels and glazed openings to bring natural light into the building. The photovoltaic panels will also allow the building to produce its own power. The School of Continuing Studies is scheduled to open in the fall of this year, while the Markham Centre Campus will open in Fall 2023.

Steven Gaetz
Steven Gaetz

York’s ongoing success in the THE Impact Rankings is owed entirely to its community of positive changemakers. With so many projects, initiatives, and partnerships underway, and many more in development, York University continues to expand the work that makes the world a better place to live, learn and work.

A community empowered to protect our planet

two images of the earth taken from space

One of the core values of York University is sustainability.

York’s continued dedication and leadership in this space is reflected in the University Academic Plan, Building a Better Future: York University Academic Plan 2020-2025.

The academic plan focuses on making positive change for York University’s students, campuses and local and global communities. The plan is deeply rooted in York’s history and values of excellence, progressiveness, diversity and inclusivity, social justice, equity and sustainability.

The UAP 2020-2025 contains six priorities for action, which are based on the University’s enduring commitment to critical inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge that comes from many differing perspectives and ways of knowing. The six priorities are:

  1. 21st Century Learning: Diversifying Whom, What, and How We Teach
  2. Knowledge for the Future: From Creation to Application
  3. From Access to Success: Next Generation Student Supports
  4. Advancing Global Engagement
  5. Working in Partnership
  6. Living Well Together

In addition to the six priorities, the plan also responds with a challenge to elevate York’s contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). York University’s new UAP serves as a rallying call for students, faculty and staff – a call to bring their expertise from across disciplines to work together to build new tools, develop strategies and solutions to global challenges.

What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

The global goals are the core of the world’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All member states of the United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to work in partnership towards peace and prosperity for all people on the planet by 2030.

UAP Graphic
The University Academic Plan 2020-2025 identifies six academic priorities

The 17 SDGs represent the most pressing sustainability issues, defined by a list of 169 targets and 232 unique indicators. The goals are all integrated and interconnected as a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” and recognize the problems the world is facing and that actions taken in one area may reduce outcomes in other areas. To be successful, sustainable development must include a balance of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:

UN Sustainable Development Goals infographic
An infographic showing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals

How to take action

To achieve the SDGs by 2030, individuals, educational institutions, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and governments need to embrace creative approaches, innovation, technological advances, and restore the relationship with nature. These elements are needed from all members of society, in all contexts.

Quality Education for all, which is UN SDG 4, is not only recognized as one goal but also a key enabler for all other SDGs. Universities play a crucial role in society’s advancement of the SDGs through leadership in research, teaching and learning, and by modeling sustainability in their institutions. Universities bring together diverse perspectives from their local and global communities, including Indigenous perspectives, academia, government, and industry, to understand and localize the SDGs, identify knowledge and data gaps, and identify innovative actions and pathways to contribute to achieving a better future. Universities can influence decision making, promoting new behaviour and mindsets, and speeding the transition through innovative solutions.

Many York University community members are actively involved in the global efforts to achieve the SDGs. The new UAP is now challenging us to continue to elevate our contributions to the SDGs, and there is significant opportunity to accelerate our efforts and for everyone to get involved.

New student-driven initiative offers a hub for students to take action on the SDGs

Usa globe resting in a forest - environment concept

A new student-driven initiative launched by York University’s Sustainability Office is helping students of all disciplines learn about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take action to help achieve them – both on and off-campus. The SDGs are a cornerstone of Building a Better Future, the University Academic Plan 2020-2025.

The SDG Student Hub was launched in fall 2020 as part of the partnership between York and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to bring world-class initiatives in sustainable development to its communities. The SDSN works with universities and other knowledge centers to help them activate sustainable development initiatives through knowledge mobilization; problem-solve partnerships with governments, business and civil society; and encourage local social entrepreneurship.

Althea Reyes
Althea Reyes

“The SDG Student Hub is a semi-physical, semi-virtual space in which university students can learn about, engage with, and take action on the SDGs,” says SDG Coordinator Althea Reyes, who spearheaded the SDG Student Hub initiative at York. “Students can meet fellow students who share a passion for the Sustainable Development Goals and interact to share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and meet professionals working in sustainability.”

Students can join the SDG Hub to network with other students at York University and other SDSN-member universities, learn critical skills and earn credits towards the SDG Students Program Certificate, a non-credit certificate jointly developed by SDSN Youth, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and the SDG Academy. “The certificate is not only a designation of a student’s engagement in the SDGs at the local level, but also a way of developing a deeper understanding of how the SDGs apply to their specific career pathway,” says Reyes.

To earn the certificate, students must fulfill requirements in three components focusing on learning about, engaging with and taking action on the SDGs.

“We plan two types of events to help students achieve the certificate: ‘Education,’ which helps students achieve the engagement component of the certificate, and ‘Solutions,’ which helps students achieve the action component,” explains Reyes. “These events provide students with not only a space to learn more about the SDGs, but also the opportunity to network with an array of professionals and speakers.”

Reyes, a third-year undergraduate student in International Development Studies who is also completing a Professional Certificate in Emergency Management, leads a team of eight other student officers at the Hub. During the Hub’s inaugural year, the team has organized seven events that raise awareness and promote student engagement with the SDGs. The “Ready for 2030? SDG Seminar Series” hosted a series of bi-monthly seminars exploring the challenges and opportunities to achieve the chosen ‘SDG of the Month,’ focusing on how the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact. Seminars so far have centered on “Inequalities and Sustainable Recoveries” (SDG 10) and “The Future of Food Systems” (SDG 2), which featured guest speaker Roderick J. MacRae, a national food policy expert and professor at York’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC).

Another successful initiative was the Climate Solutions Lab Workshop held this spring, an interactive design thinking-based workshop where participants proposed ambitious climate solutions for the City of Toronto. The event featured a keynote address by Mark Terry, EUC contract faculty, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and lead of the Youth Climate Report. Participation in the workshop counted towards the ‘action’ component of the SDG Students Program Certificate.

In recognition of Earth Day, the Hub hosted a virtual Open House on April 22 that celebrated the first year’s successes, shared exciting plans for next year, and offered information on how students can get involved.

Student members of York’s Hub are also encouraged to network and collaborate with peers at other SDG Student Hubs across Canada and the world. From April 23-25, student members have the opportunity to attend the first-ever Global Virtual Summit hosted by SDSN Youth, where attendees will develop leadership skills and gain insight into social entrepreneurship. Students will also bring their sustainability ideas to the forefront and learn how to scale their projects. York students from the SDG Student Hub, alongside team members at the University of Waterloo, will make up one of only 16 project teams chosen to present at the prestigious summit.

Beyond engaging students on the SDGs, involvement in the Hub offers an invaluable opportunity for students to develop critical skills that help prepare them for their future careers.

“This initiative gave me the opportunity to develop a range of professional skills, including my interpersonal, communication, organization and overall leadership skills,” says Reyes.

She notes that the community and camaraderie she has found while working with her team at the SDG Student Hub has been the highlight of her experience and says that she is looking forward to continuing her involvement next year as a senior SDG coordinator.

“Overall, I am most looking forward to working with some of my officers again next year; I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with,” she says.

The SDG Student Hub, in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability and the Carbon Free Cooperative, is hosting a Student SDG Design Jam on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 11 to 2 p.m. Students can sign up here.

By Ariel Visconti, YFile communications officer

York University recognized as a global leader in 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

UN THE Banner for YFile FEATURED
UN THE Banner for YFile FEATURED

The following is an important message to the community from York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton and Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps:

La version française suit la version anglaise.

Dear Colleagues,

The 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings were released earlier Wednesday and York University has once again been recognized as a global leader in furthering the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

While a growing number of universities are competing in the Impact Rankings, York has ranked in the top 75 institutions in the world for the third consecutive year. York’s vision and values are reflected in our top 100 rankings in 12 of the 17 SDG categories.

Of particular note are our impressive results in the following categories: 

  • 24th in the world for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 27th in the world for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • 31st in the world for SDG 15: Life on Land
  • 55th in the world for SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

York’s strong performance in the rankings this year is a result of the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty, course directors, staff and alumni, whose dedication to our communities and our planet has helped us make great strides in furthering the UN SDGs. It also reflects our progress in advancing the University Academic Plan 2020–2025, which challenged us to build a better future, bringing our unique capacities to bear on the most urgent issues facing the world, while deepening our collective contributions to the SDGs.

We would like to thank all of you for the significant contributions you have made over the past year to advancing our University Academic Plan and addressing complex global issues — from climate change to inequality to the pandemic — and congratulate you on this achievement.

We are proud of the way our community has come together in support of the Sustainable Development Goals, and sincerely grateful for your passion, enthusiasm, and continued commitment to driving positive change in our local and global communities.

Warmest regards,

Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor 

Lisa Philipps
Vice-President Academic and Provost

L’Université York est reconnue comme un chef de file mondial au palmarès Times Higher Education en matière d’impact

Chers collègues,

Le palmarès du Times Higher Education en matière d’impact a été dévoilé en début de journée et, une fois de plus, l’Université York est reconnue comme étant un chef de file mondial dans l’avancement des 17 objectifs de développement durable (ODD) des Nations Unies.

Alors qu’un nombre croissant d’universités rivalisent chaque année, York se classe parmi les 75 meilleures institutions mondiales pour la troisième année consécutive, maintenant sa position parmi les 6 % des institutions mondiales les mieux placées. La vision et les valeurs de York sont reflétées dans 12 catégories sur 17 où elle occupe l’une des 100 premières places. Ses résultats dans les catégories suivantes sont particulièrement impressionnants :

  • 24e au monde pour l’ODD 11 : Villes et communautés durables
  • 27e au monde pour l’ODD 17 : Partenariats pour la réalisation des objectifs
  • 31e au monde pour l’ODD 15 : Vie terrestre
  • 55e au monde pour l’ODD 16 : Paix, justice et institutions efficaces

Les résultats solides de York au palmarès de cette année sont le fruit des efforts extraordinaires du corps étudiant, du corps professoral, de nos directeurs et directrices de cours, de notre personnel ainsi que de nos diplômés et de leur dévouement constant envers nos communautés et la planète, qui nous a permis de faire de grands progrès dans l’atteinte des ODD de l’ONU. Ces résultats témoignent de nos avancées dans la réalisation du Plan académique de l’Université 2020-2025, qui nous a mis au défi de bâtir un avenir meilleur, en mettant nos talents au service des problèmes mondiaux les plus pressants, tout en renforçant nos contributions collectives aux ODD.

Nous tenons à vous exprimer notre gratitude pour vos contributions significatives au cours de l’année écoulée afin de faire progresser le Plan académique de l’Université et de gérer des questions mondiales complexes — allant du changement climatique aux inégalités en passant par la pandémie — et à vous féliciter pour ces réalisations.

Nous sommes fières de la façon dont notre communauté s’est rassemblée pour appuyer les objectifs de développement durable. Nous vous remercions sincèrement pour votre passion, votre enthousiasme et votre engagement continu envers la création de changements positifs dans nos communautés locales et mondiales.

Cordialement,

Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière

Lisa Philipps
Vice-présidente aux affaires académiques et rectrice

York staff member’s startup Heal In Colour promotes inclusivity in healing

Three Heal In Colour bandages on someone's arm

Tianna McFarlane is proving that it’s not only York University faculty, students and alumni that are driving positive change in the world – but staff members, too.

In summer 2019, McFarlane – who is an administrative assistant at the Faculty of Science Office of the Dean – was looking for an adhesive bandage that matched her skin tone. Unable to find any, she decided to make her own and founded Heal In Colour, the first Canadian company to create adhesive bandages for black and brown skin.

Tianna McFarlane
Tianna McFarlane

“My mission is to make black and brown bandages the norm,” says McFarlane. “People with brown and black skin should have the option to buy bandages for their skin tone. Heal In Colour bandages look a lot better on black and brown skin than traditional pink/nude bandages do.”

McFarlane credits her diploma in operations management with giving her the knowledge needed to manage all aspects of developing her innovative bandages and launching her company, from writing a business plan and creating branding, to finding the right web developer, designer and suppliers to make her vision a reality.

Heal In Colour’s bandages address a need that has a long history of being neglected by big brands. Following the protests calling for racial justice that erupted after the police killing of George Floyd, Johnson & Johnson, the U.S. company that owns Band-Aid, announced in June 2020 that it would begin producing black and brown-toned adhesive bandages. As McFarlane noted during a recent appearance on CTV Morning Live Ottawa, the announcement came nearly a full century after the introduction of Band-Aid in 1921, prompting many to question why it took so long. The company responded that it had previously introduced a line of bandages for a range of skin tones in 2005, called Perfect Blend, but they were discontinued after just three years.

A box of Heal In Colour's adhesive bandages
Each box of Heal In Colour’s adhesive bandages contains 30 bandages in three shade varieties and two sizes

While other U.S.-based bandage companies for black and brown skin have launched in recent years, Heal In Colour is the first founded in Canada. Since launching for pre-orders on April 1, its bandages have immediately resonated with consumers, racking up over $2,000 in sales through the website in just four days. McFarlane says she has been receiving “amazing” community support and is steadily growing a following on social media.

“It’s clear that people with black and brown skin are interested in buying bandages that will better match their skin and not stick out like a sore thumb,” she says. “I want to give people the option to feel confident in their skin while they heal.”

McFarlane has partnered with the York University Bookstore to make Heal In Colour bandages available on campus. She is also working on partnering with Canadian school boards, and recently received a large order from a school in Durham Region School Board.

Going forward, she hopes to expand into health and wellness retailers, big box stores and pharmacies, as well as Canadian hospitals, community health care centres and long-term care homes. She also has ambitions of adding more products to Heal In Colour’s offerings, such as waterproof bandages, first aid kits and athletic wraps made for black and brown skin.

“I’m just excited to grow and scale and revolutionize the way people shop for bandages,” she says.

You can find Heal In Colour’s bandages in the York University bookstore beginning this summer. In the meantime, they are currently available for pre-order through the company’s website.

By Ariel Visconti, YFile communications officer

Undergrad student takes third place in Global Ethics Day Video Competition

Jonathan Waldman
Jonathan Waldman

A third-year undergraduate student in York University’s Disaster & Emergency Management program, in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, has won third place in an emergency management video competition.

Jonathan Waldman
Jonathan Waldman

Jonathan Waldman‘s video was selected as one of the top three entries for the Global Ethics Day Video Competition, which asked for submissions of videos that explore access and equity in emergency management for the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.

The 60-second video submitted by Waldman, titled “The Ethical Associations of Language in Disasters and Emergency Management,” describes the need to recognize the inherent ethical associations of language use in hazardous situations and emergency management.

“We need to address the social conditions which contribute and reproduce vulnerabilities in marginalized communities. Otherwise the cycle will continue to produce suffering for those communities facing discrimination and socio-economic hardships,” says Waldman.

For his third-place finish in the inaugural contest, Waldman earned a $250 scholarship.

Report shows lessons learned from changes to sex ed curriculum relevant during COVID-19

online learning
online learning

Changes to health, sexual and physical education curriculums in Ontario had a dramatic effect on teachers, but those lessons are even more salient today, says York University Professor Sarah Flicker.

Sarah-Flicker
Sarah Flicker

The lessons learned from changes to these curriculums in 2015 and 2019 are outlined in a new report, Changing the Rules: Ontario Teacher Reflections on Implementing Shifting Health and Physical Education Curricula, launching April 27.

Although most teachers interviewed for this report welcomed changes to the 1998 health, sex and physical education curriculum, they felt highly surveilled and stressed, and frustrated with the way the new curriculums were rolled out without adequate supports, training and resources. In the space of several years, they were asked to teach three different curriculums.

The researchers wanted to know how teachers at the frontlines of this confluence of ideological battles between governments, parents, teachers, human rights and students were navigating this charged political environment, and what could be done differently next time.

“While we collected the data pre-COVID, in many ways I think so many of the recommendations that are coming out of this report in terms of the kind of supports that teachers need, and more supportive work environments, are even more salient today,” says Flicker, York Research Chair in Community-Based Participatory Research in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. 

“They’re trying to navigate teaching and learning and communicating around health and safety in this new environment, in this very changed landscape, thinking about sexuality, risk and relationships. I don’t think public health has had a moment when more of us were paying attention to things like hygiene and setting boundaries, understanding consent, and understanding the well-being of ourselves and others.”

Health and physical education teachers play an important role in helping young people think about their bodies, their well-being, making safer decisions and reducing risks, but in many ways, teachers are even more surveilled now as they Zoom in from their homes into their students’ homes, says Flicker.

The report will launch at a virtual event – Teaching Health & Physical Education in Uncertain Times – on April 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The event will include a talk by Flicker on the key findings of her study, followed by Faculty of Education Professor Sarah Barrett sharing her final report, Emergency Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Teachers’ Perspectives, released last month. To register, visit the Zoom conference registration website.

For the Changing the Rules study, Flicker and her team, including Faculty of Education Associate Professor Jen Gilbert, interviewed 34 teachers who had taught health and physical education in K-12 Ontario schools for at least five years. They hailed from 17 school boards, including public school boards, independent First Nations boards, Catholic boards, and French boards. 

Almost all teachers interviewed agreed the curriculum needed updating and the proposed changes were important. They felt young people need to be able to talk about how things like cell phones and the internet impact their lives, including sexually and romantically, and have teachers be able to discuss these issues with them as part of the curriculum. Many felt that sharing information about substance use, STIs, pregnancy, hygiene, and healthy relationships would help young people make decisions that would help them grow up to live happier or healthier lives.

Teachers said they need more resources particularly in the context of changing demographics in Ontario.

“As the province becomes more diverse, teachers need resources that reflect that diversity and help them have health and physical education conversations in ways that honour very different cultural traditions and understandings around the body and health, and well-being,” says Flicker.

Some of the suggestions for the future included changing the curriculum incrementally on a regular basis to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to the changing realities of Ontario students. Diverse stakeholders should be included in future consultations to ensure the curriculum is meeting the needs of all students and their communities. In addition, policies, templates and strategies need to be put in place to accommodate those students not participating in sex education classes. A culture of learning and support for teachers and students should be fostered.

Watch Flicker discuss the results of her study and their relevancy to today in the series of videos below:

York University recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for a ninth time

Image shows a hand holding a pine cone against a lush backdrop of greenery

York University has received the designation of being one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth consecutive time, a testament to its dedication to sustainability through action, research, education and partnerships.

Selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc., the 2021 Canada’s Greenest Employers title recognizes organizations who make strides to reduce their ecological footprint, a commitment York has long been a leader in and holds as one of its core values.

Green Employers logo
For the ninth time, York University has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers

“Being selected as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for the ninth consecutive year is both a celebration of the accomplishments that have been made, and a source of inspiration to continue forging towards making things right for our communities, our planet and our future,” said Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. “In a time of global uncertainty, institutions are being challenged to reaffirm their commitment to sustainability. York is proud of its continued dedication and leadership in this space and will continue to do its part through collaboration, engagement and innovation, with opportunities to make an impact in our local and global communities.”

The title of Canada’s Greenest Employers is awarded to national organizations in recognition of exceptional sustainability initiatives, work and commitment toward meeting sustainability goals, and the development of a culture of environmental awareness.

“Equity, diversity and inclusion principles extend to sustainability and employee engagement in workplace innovation,” said York Vice-President Equity, People and Culture Sheila Cote-Meek. “I am proud of all York University community members for their collective commitment and leadership in improving the University’s carbon footprint and engagement in personal and institutional sustainability.”

The editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers select which organizations will be named Canada’s Greenest Employers every year based on the development of unique environmental initiatives and programs, their success rate in reducing the organization’s own environmental footprint and in engaging employees in these environmental efforts. They also look at how closely the institution’s public identity is linked to these sustainable initiatives, and their ability to attract new employees and clients as a result.

Additional York sustainability highlights:

  • The University’s Academic Plan (2020 to 2025) is a University-wide challenge to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in everything the University does. This is just one example of how York upholds sustainability, both environmental and societal, as a compass for its decisions. York will continue to do its part to address the growing environmental crisis through collaboration, engagement, leadership and innovation.
  • As a leader in sustainability, York is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and to becoming carbon neutral on or before 2049. This University-wide challenge will create positive change, locally and globally, for our students, the communities we serve, and the world around us.
  • The new Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building, part of the Schulich School of Business, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification – one of the highest standards of sustainability for a building. To attain LEED gold, a building must be designed to meet several sustainability criteria, including water efficiency, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and indoor environmental quality.
  • As a testament to York University’s commitment to sustainability, it is ranked 33rd in the world for the Times Higher Education 2020 Impact Rankings. These global rankings look at how well 768 universities from 85 countries are accomplishing the UN SDGs.
  • York’s new brand strategy incorporates a commitment to contribute to the UN SDGs by tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as inequality, racism and climate change.

Read more about York’s commitment to sustainability: http://sustainability.info.yorku.ca/

University provides update on strengthened enforcement of stay-at-home order

Image: CDC
An image of the COVID-19 virus. Image: CDC

The following is a message from York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton:

La version française suit la version anglaise. 

Dear York Community,

As recently announced, the Ontario Government is permitting strengthened enforcement of the stay-at-home order, while imposing new travel restrictions and additional measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. These new measures came into effect on April 17 at 12:01 a.m. and are expected to remain in place until at least May 20.

The province has recently revised their position around the enforcement of these measures and has restricted the reasons that police may stop individuals outside of their homes. Nevertheless, as a precaution for our employees and in recognition of the importance of minimizing in-person contacts during this critical period, letters confirming who needs to be on campus will be made available for staff, researchers and course directors designated as required workers. Colleagues seeking these letters should go to their respective faculty offices or managers this week. The letter can be presented in the event that anyone should be asked to confirm why they need to come to York’s campuses.

That said, we want to again remind all members of the York community not to come to campus unless it is absolutely necessary and to carefully consider your need to do so. Further updates will also be shared with York’s researchers around what these latest restrictions mean for access to on-campus facilities.

As also announced by the province, those who are 40 and older can now receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and we encourage all eligible required services staff to book their vaccine appointments at participating pharmacies across the province. We have made great efforts to ensure the health and safety of all staff who are required to be on our campuses and we continue to be incredibly grateful for their efforts to uphold the operations of the University. As more updates become available, please continue to visit YU Better Together.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor

Mise à jour sur les mesures renforcées de l’ordre de rester à domicile

Chers membres de la communauté de York, 

Comme récemment annoncé, le gouvernement de l’Ontario renforce le Décret ordonnant de rester à domicile, tout en imposant de nouvelles restrictions relatives aux déplacements et des mesures supplémentaires afin de freiner la propagation de la COVID-19. Ces mesures sont entrées en vigueur le 17 avril à 0 h 01 et il est prévu qu’elles restent en place au moins jusqu’au 20 mai.  

La province a récemment modifié sa position relative à la mise en œuvre de ces mesures et a restreint les raisons pour lesquelles la police peut arrêter des personnes à l’extérieur de leur domicile. Néanmoins, par mesure de précaution pour nos employés et pour minimiser les contacts en personne pendant cette période critique, des lettres confirmant quelles personnes ont besoin d’être sur le campus seront mises à la disposition des membres du personnel, des équipes de recherches et des directeurs et directrices de cours considérés comme étant des travailleurs essentiels. Les collègues qui souhaitent obtenir ces lettres doivent contacter cette semaine leurs bureaux facultaires respectifs ou leurs gestionnaires. La lettre pourra être présentée dans l’éventualité où quelqu’un devrait confirmer la raison de sa présence sur les campus de York.  

Cela dit, nous tenons à rappeler à tous les membres de la communauté de York de bien réfléchir et de ne venir sur le campus qu’en cas de nécessité absolue. D’autres mises au point seront également communiquées aux chercheurs et chercheuses de York au sujet des répercussions des nouvelles restrictions sur l’accès aux installations du campus.  

Comme la province vient également de l’annoncer, les personnes âgées de 40 ans et plus peuvent maintenant recevoir le vaccin AstraZeneca contre la COVID-19. Nous encourageons tous les membres admissibles du personnel des services essentiels à prendre rendez-vous pour se faire vacciner dans les pharmacies participantes de la province. Nous avons fait de grands efforts pour assurer la santé et la sécurité de tous les membres du personnel qui doivent rester sur nos campus. Nous sommes incroyablement reconnaissants des efforts qu’ils fournissent pour assurer le maintien des activités de l’Université. Veuillez continuer à visiter le site YU Better Together pour toutes les dernières nouvelles.  

Sincères salutations, 

Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière     

Muscle Health Awareness Day features eight speakers for 12th annual event

A depiction of myofibrils, any of the elongated contractile threads found in striated muscle cells
The Muscle Health Research Centre (MHRC) at York University will host its 12th annual Muscle Health Awareness Day (MHAD12) online via Zoom on May 28 and will feature eight speakers from across the globe. The conference, organized by MHRC Director David Hood and Louise Solomon, centre coordinator, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include abstracts and presentations, in addition to the guest speakers.

The event is free to attend; however, registration is encouraged.

Confirmed distinguished invited speakers, and their topics of discussion, for this year’s event include:

  • Kristian Gundersen, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway – “Muscle memory. A feature of the syncytial muscle cell”
  • Matthijs Hesselink, Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands – presentation TBA
  • Helga Ellingsgaard, Centre for Physical Activity Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark – “Exercise-induced interleukin-6, a physiological regulator of adipose tissue masse in humans”
  • Philip Atherton, Metabolic & Molecular Physiology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom – “Testosterone and muscle hypertrophy regulation in young/old humans”
  • Katrien De Bock, Department of Health Sciences & Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland – “Endothelial cells control muscle regeneration through angiocrine lactate”
  • John Floras, Mount Sinai Hospital Division of Cardiology, Toronto, Canada – “Muscle sympathetic responses to acute exercise of patients with heart failure”
  • Jeffery Woods, Kinesiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, U.S. – “Your microbes and exercise: Are microbes involved in endurance exercise adaptations?”
  • Melissa Spencer, Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA, California, U.S. – “CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy”

Learn more about our speakers by viewing the speaker profiles.

Submit an abstract

In addition to guest speakers, organizers invite abstracts from undergraduate students, master’s and PhD students, as well as post-doctoral Fellows on any topic related to muscle (skeletal, cardiac or smooth), exercise, health, disease, blood flow or metabolism. Submissions can include abstracts previously used within the last 12 months at any scientific meeting, or abstracts that are to be presented at upcoming meetings. There is no word count limit for these abstracts, however, they are typically in the 300 word count range. Please do not include any figures with an abstract.

Abstracts can be submitted as usual via the website, and all abstracts submitted on time will be published in the MHAD12 proceedings. A selection of 10 of these from both MSC and PhD categories, will be chosen for short oral presentations via Zoom. These selected abstracts will be awarded $200 poster prizes each.

To submit an abstract, fill out this form and return it by email to mhrc@yorku.ca in order to receive the ZOOM invitation to attend MHAD12. The deadline to submit is May 21 at 12 p.m. (noon) to be eligible for an award; however, abstracts can be submitted until May 24 at 12 p.m.

For more on abstract criteria, visit the event page.