Author: lmacadam

Lassonde partnership leverages 3D printing to address housing crisis

Lassonde/Printerra construction site

At York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, building relationships with external partners is a key objective that not only enhances Lassonde’s reach and reputation but provides students with unique learning opportunities and experiences.

Liam Butler
Liam Butler

Recently, Liam Butler, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, teamed up with construction company Printerra, which offers 3D construction printing. Together, they are helping to address Canada’s growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing by manufacturing 3D-printed concrete homes. Using state-of-the-art printing technology and low-carbon concrete materials, the project’s goal is to transform the future of housing construction by reducing both labour costs and construction time.

In support of this initiative, Butler received funding through the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Alliance Advantage program. In addition to aiding research objectives, this funding will allow for the training and recruitment of graduate-level student researchers, who will have the opportunity to advance their engineering skills through lab testing and field monitoring.

“The major goals of this project are testing the feasibility of 3D-printed concrete homes and their long-term performance against different climate conditions,” says Butler.

This project will take advantage of innovative facilities at Lassonde, including the High Bay Structures Lab and the Climate-Data-Driven Design (CD3) Facility – a unique space that allows for outdoor testing and monitoring of natural and infrastructure materials to evaluate their performance under realistic climate conditions.

3D-concrete printing of structural components at the CD3 facility
3D concrete printing of structural components at Lassonde’s Climate-Data-Driven Design Facility.

“Printerra is the first industry partner to directly undertake work at the CD3 Facility,” says Butler. “This project fulfills the entire vision of the facility, and we hope it will put us on the map and generate further interest from industry partners.”

In addition to performance testing, Butler will focus on the development of low-carbon concrete mixtures that can be used to 3D print structural components.

Similar to 3D printing with plastics and metals, using concrete involves the successive deposition of thin layers of material through an extrusion nozzle. The properties of the concrete must be closely controlled to ensure each layer hardens and holds its shape prior to adding the next layer.

Typically, these mixtures contain significant amounts of Portland cement, a conventional material used to make concrete – and a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. By developing new, low-carbon concrete materials, Butler will establish a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete, helping to offset the associated carbon footprint of 3D-printed housing.

This project also gives student researchers the chance to collaborate with industry professionals and achieve research outcomes that directly relate to industrial applications. Such opportunities are crucial for career preparation, offering learners hands-on experiences and connections that are invaluable as they transition from academia to their professional careers.

“This project is going to demonstrate the strong potential of 3D-printed concrete homes while building trust in new, low-carbon concrete materials and construction technologies – it is a very exciting time for our research group,” says Butler.

York U in the news: Trump assassination attempt, right-to-repair law and more

The Trump assassination attempt has historical precedents – and future security implications
An op-ed by York University Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky wad published in the Conversation July 14.

Attempted assassination of Trump: The long history of violence against U.S. presidents
An op-ed by York University Professor Thomas Klassen was published in the Conversation July 14.

A medical ‘right to repair’ can empower consumers – and save lives
An op-ed by York University Professor Natasha Tusikov was published in the Conversation July 14.

Early or not? Trudeau and Ford eye one another over when to call elections
An op-ed by York University Professor Thomas Klassen was published in the Conversation July 14.

The U.S. faces two difficult questions as Republicans gather in wake of Trump assassination attempt
York University Professor Thomas Klassen was quoted in the Globe and Mail July 15.

Drawn to Mars, these researchers found themselves in Yukon instead
York University PhD candidate Pruthvi Acharya was quoted in CBC News July 13.

Use any tools offered to monitor credit following Ticketmaster data breach, says expert
York University Professor Evan Light was quoted in CBC News July 14.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity’: An exploding star could light up southern Canada’s night time skies this summer, on the heels of May’s northern lights show and April’s total eclipse
York University Professor Elaina Hyde was quoted on InsideHalton.com July 13.

Universities fuelling self-driving innovation
York University student Hunter Schofield was interviewed on CTV News July 11.

How to be a law student in Canada
York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School was mentioned in Canadian Lawyer July 11.

Two Montreal universities ranked among the most beautiful in Canada
York University was mentioned in Canadian Reviews July 15.

See more ways York University is making headlines at News @ York.

York U researchers awarded seed grants for global health projects

artistic crafts earth hands heart BANNER

Following the fifth annual Critical Social Science Perspectives in Global Health Research (CPGH) Workshop, York University’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research and the CPGH steering committee have awarded four York U researchers this year’s $7,000 CPGH Seed Grants to initiate novel and innovative ideas that take a critical social science approach to global health research.

The recipients and their projects are:

  • Agnès Berthelot-Raffard, a professor in the Faculty of Health, “Towards Gender-Inclusive Social Innovation in Community Care: Lessons from Experiential Knowledge in Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Caribbeans”;
  • Christo El Morr, a professor in the Faculty of Health, “An AI-Driven Tool for Disability Rights Monitoring”; 
  • Andrew Dawson, a professor in the Department of Sociology at Glendon College, “Trust and Compliance: A Cross-National Investigation of the Relationship between Trust in Political Institutions and Healthcare Systems”; and
  • Raju J. Das, a professor in the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change, “Scorching Sites: Examining the Health Impacts of Climate Change on Construction Workers.”

The CPGH Seed Grants support York University-based research that contributes to the research themes of the Dahdaleh Institute: planetary health; global health and humanitarianism; and global health foresighting. The grants are meant to encourage faculty to develop fuller grant proposals for fall Tri-Council funding and other grant deadlines. This year’s recipients will present the progress of their research at next year’s CPGH Workshop. 

Watch a full recording of the workshop on YouTube. For more information about CPGH, visit the project page.

Model EU brings students from across Canada to York U

Model EU at York U

By Elaine Smith

When political science major Sara Harsini heard York University was hosting a Model European Union (EU) for university students nationwide, she signed up to participate and convinced her third-year classmate, Nawal Alhawari, to join her.

Nawal Alhawari (left) and Sara Harsini (right).

The Model EU, a simulation of the work done by the European governing body, was held this spring and organized by Heather MacRae, an associate professor in York U’s Department of Politics. Sponsored by the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada, it brought 55 students from across the country to the Keele Campus to experience politics and diplomacy in action.

“It was an excellent experiential education exercise,” MacRae said. “The students had to do advance work, both reading and research, and then they put it into action. They learned a lot about how the EU works and a lot about climate change.”

The event was the second of its kind to be held in Canada; last year, it was held in Ottawa. According to MacRae, the goal going forward is to have universities assume the role of hosting.

The Hungarian Consulate hosted the opening reception, an event that brought students and diplomats together to hear an opening speech by EU ambassador Melita Gabrič and to discuss the issues of the day. Many of the conversations centred around the European Green Deal – the EU climate law requiring a 55 per cent reduction of emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 – since it was the focus of the weekend’s sessions. The students were tasked with creating a resolution, addressing how they would achieve its goals.

Students worked in pairs to represent the governments of the 27 EU nations. Alhawari and Harsini chose to represent Austria, because they wanted to embody a nation that was forward thinking in its environmental policies. After researching green policies and Austria’s contribution to the EU, they were delighted to meet a representative from the Austrian Consulate at the reception.

“It was fantastic to meet him and discuss Austria’s green policies,” said Harsini. “A major part of our success came from his commentary and insights.”

Gabriele Alexandru, head of the political, press and information section at the EU Delegation to Canada, gave the opening talk the following day, before the students got to work on their Green Deal resolutions. The event was entirely student run, with a pair from the University of Victoria acting as Chairs.

“It’s an opportunity to hone so many skills, including negotiation, co-operation, public speaking and research,” MacRae said. “There’s an extra benefit getting to know people interested in similar issues from across the country. We’re building a community of European scholars.”

This was the first time Alhawari and Harsini had participated in a simulation exercise. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are considering trying a Model United Nations simulation next.

“We always have a notion that government work takes too long, but this shed light on the fact that every nation’s voice had to be heard,” said Harsini. “Now, I understand why it takes time.”

Added Alhawari, “The actual Green Deal already exists, so we were just adding to it. I realized that if the real EU was able to forge an agreement, so could we.”

MacRae liked the idea of giving students a sponsored opportunity to learn more about the EU.

“There is an EU study tour each summer, which our students can take part in, but it is expensive,” she said. “Since not all students can afford to go to Europe, we bring Europe to them.”

J.J. McMurtry, dean of York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), believes the exercise was extremely valuable.

“Participating in opportunities such as the Model EU simulation is a vital component of experiential learning and internationalization at LA&PS,” he said. “These experiences enhance students’ understanding of global affairs, cultivate critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills. By actively participating in these activities, our students not only enrich their academic pursuits but also develop the necessary competencies to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.”

By giving students a greater understanding of European governance, MacRae is helping to fulfil the University Academic Plan‘s goal of advancing global engagement and bring its new Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy to life.

York U mature students take their studies abroad this summer

Map plane travel international world

By Elaine Smith

York University’s summertime, faculty-led study abroad opportunities continue to be popular post-pandemic, and it’s not only 20-somethings who are taking advantage of the chance to broaden their cultural horizons. Mature students, too, are registering for courses that take them across the globe.

York International, the University’s hub for both international students and international education programs, supports Faculties and academic units in offering study abroad opportunities led by York U course directors, and mature students are eager to participate.

F. Evnur Taran on a research trip in Georgia.

Human geography PhD student F. Evnur Taran, for example, studied in Mexico City last month. Meanwhile, undergraduate student Paula Kaston is off to York U’s Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica and Richard Smith has headed to China. None of them had studied abroad previously, but their life experiences made them confident that they would succeed in an unfamiliar environment.

“I’m excited,” says Taran. Called Free Trade, Unfree Labour and Environmental Justice in Continental North America, it looks at the current North American free trade agreement. Students in this intensive course, led by Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) Professor Anna Zalik, spend a week studying with peers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and reconvened the following week at York U.

“It’s an opportunity to be in a university in another country and see what their system is like,” says Taran.

Taran loves both travelling and learning. Once her children were grown, she earned a second bachelor’s degree at Glendon College. Next came a master’s degree in international development studies, which led her to apply for the PhD program in human geography.

“I’m living my second youth,” she says. “I love to study and to be active, and I’ll continue as long as life permits me.”

Kaston, who is retired, is finishing her bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability. She decided that a course at York U’s EcoCampus would be a wonderful end to her undergraduate studies.

Years earlier, career opportunities lured Kaston away from her university studies, so she is fulfilling her long-term goal now by earning a degree. In fact, she has enjoyed the experience so much that she is continuing on to a master’s program in environmental science this fall.

“Environmental sustainability has been a passion of mine for a long time,” she says, “and when I found the York program, I decided to go full on.”

Kaston registered for a course called Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Wellbeing, led by EUC professor and Las Nubes director Felipe Montoya. The course explores the ways Costa Rica is succeeding with sustainable development.

“I want to see what these initiatives that we read about really look like on the ground,” Kaston says.

Smith, who retired from York U last year as director of institutional planning, began taking language courses prior to retirement. This summer, he embarked on an intensive course in Mandarin – Intermediate Chinese Language and Culture in China: Shanghai as an International and Chinese Centre – taught by Assistant Professor Gang Pan in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. It brought him to China at the end of May.

“I’m fascinated by how people in other countries do the same things in different and often surprising ways,” he says.

To help support his trip, Smith received a $2,000 award from the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program Global Skills Opportunity (GSO). The funding is meant to offset the cost of travel while increasing the participation of under-represented groups in international learning opportunities.

Smith and 10 of his classmates studied at Fudan University in Shanghai for a month, lived in the residences there and ate in the dining hall. Their course was intensive, with five hours of language classes daily, but the month-long session ended with a five-day trip to the cities of Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing, as well as the Shaolin monastery (the birthplace of Buddhism) and the countryside of Zhejiang Province to experience first-hand the culture, history and landscapes – and put their language skills to the ultimate test.

“I’ve been dropped into cities with a different language before,” Smith says, “but here, it may be hard to find English speakers, so I’ll pretty much have to rely on my Chinese.”

Ashley Laracy, associate director of global learning for York International, urges students of all ages to follow in the footsteps of these mature students.

“Faculty-led study abroad programs create a supportive space for students to travel abroad with a group of their known peers,” she says. “We’re excited to see the diversity of our student population reflected in our global learning programs. Our Global Engagement Strategy outlines York’s commitment to building and facilitating opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to our students. Global learning is lifelong learning.”

This summer, York University has more than 300 students abroad as part of faculty-led programs. With the help of the GSO funding, the University has been able to increase its participation levels in summer study abroad initiatives, with more than 220 participating students receiving financial support towards their global learning.

For more information about York University faculty-led abroad opportunities, contact yuabroad@yorku.ca.

Patrick Cernea

Patrick Cernea, director of data strategy and governance in York U’s Office of Institutional Planning & Analysis, received the Canadian Association of University Business Officers’ Emerging Leader Award 

York U in the news: Ticketmaster data breach, federally funded video game and more

Ticketmaster says customers’ credit card information affected by data breach
York University Professor Evan Light was quoted in Radio Canada International July 9.

Developing a video game where players learn about Anishinaabe culture
York University Professor Maya Chacaby was interviewed on CBC’s “Here and Now” July 5.

Frank Stronach allegations highlight harassment in the workplace
An op-ed by York University Adjunct Professor Ena Chadha was published in the Conversation July 9.

Hollow promises won’t stop climate change, says Toronto reader
A letter by York University Professor Emeritus Tom McElroy was published in the Hill Times July 11.

Buy tickets for the Tattoo, have your credit card number stolen
York University Professor Evan Light was quoted in the Halifax Examiner July 9.

Exploited in the workplace: the ‘Canadian dream’ turns into a nightmare for international students
York University Professor Tania Das Gupta was quoted on theijf.org July 9.

Cormorants have taken over the Toronto Islands. The reason? Two bald eagles
York University Professor Gail Fraser was quoted in CityNews Toronto July 10.

U of T encampment court ruling could affect future campus protests, experts say
Osgoode Hall Law School Professor Bruce Ryder was quoted in the Toronto Star July 11.

While Europeans vacation, Denmark attacks livestock farmers with cow tax
York University Professor William A. van Wijngaarden was mentioned in the Daily Signal July 10.

See more ways York University is making headlines at News @ York.

YSpace participates in federal program supporting prospective immigrant entrepreneurs

YSpace

By Elaine Smith

This month, as one of the designated organizations in the Government of Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, YSpace – York University’s entrepreneurship and innovation hub – is welcoming a group of entrepreneurs from 10 startup companies based outside of Canada who are seeking to expand their businesses here. Advancing global entrepreneurship through initiatives like this one, in both Canada and overseas, is a priority of York U’s Global Engagement Strategy.

The federal government’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that will create jobs. As one of the program’s selected partners, YSpace, which has a long history of assisting startups seeking to enter the North American market, works with these potential immigrant entrepreneurs to familiarize them with the Canadian business landscape.

“There are a limited number of designated organizations and it’s a highly coveted label,” said David Kwok, director of entrepreneurship and innovation at YSpace. “We are one of the few at the university level.”

YSpace received its formal designation last August and has since shepherded a pilot cohort and a full cohort of entrepreneurs through the program – 15 companies in total, primarily originating from South America and Asia. The team is planning to promote the program to European entrepreneurs next.

YSpace's Jason Muloongo (right) with John Beluca, a participant in the Start-up Visa Program and founder of Gipo.
YSpace’s Jason Muloongo (right) with John Beluca, a participant in the Start-up Visa Program and founder of Gipo.

Each Government of Canada-designated organization creates its own process for the program and chooses its own entrepreneurs to mentor. YSpace’s Start-up Visa Program focuses on innovative technology companies across all sectors but has gained the most traction with artificial intelligence (AI) ventures. It accepts applications throughout the year and invites a selection of companies to participate.

YSpace’s process begins with Blueprint, a six-week boot camp where entrepreneurs assess the Canadian market and do a feasibility study for their business. Upon successful completion of Blueprint, participants become eligible for the Launchpad program, a year-long coaching and mentorship experience designed to provide strategic advice while ensuring consistent progress. YSpace works with the startups – up to five people from each company – to create and execute their business plans and facilitate opportunities to meet potential customers and buyers.

The businesses the Start-up Visa Program assists are not new ventures, but ones that are already operational in their home countries.

“We help them adapt their existing strategy to new markets,” said Ellen Kim, Start-up Visa Program officer. “It’s a new way to support industry looking to come to Canada and seeking a way to explore the market.”

For instance, the Korean company Kloser recently launched its AI-powered referral marketing tool in Canada after working with YSpace. The innovation hub is also working with Brazilian entrepreneur Milo Andreo to help him launch an English version of his successful piano learning app.

“These companies want to tap into the AI talent here in Canada and leverage the English-speaking local talent to adapt their products to the North American market,” said Jason Muloongo, Start-up Visa Program advisor.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), based at the Korean Consulate in Toronto, has placed a company in each of YSpace’s Start-up Visa Program cohorts to date and encourages its startups to work with YSpace.

“The partnership between YSpace and KOTRA Toronto has been beneficial for us,” said Miki Cho, deputy general manager of KOTRA Toronto. “Our collaborative efforts have provided invaluable resources and support, enabling Korean entrepreneurs to thrive in the Canadian market.”

When it comes to assisting startups, YSpace has a proven track record. Through its wide array of programs, it has supported 985 ventures to date, which have collectively generated $277 million in revenue, raised $143 million in funding and created 1,493 jobs. This federal program involvement will allow YSpace to further solidify its reputation as an industry-leading incubator for entrepreneurs and innovators alike.

“The growing interest in YSpace’s Start-up Visa Program is an indication of YSpace’s success in moving towards the goal of building York University into a global brand for entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Kwok. “The recent success has led to an increased interest in our soft-landing and market discovery programs from trade agencies across the world.”

Project brings together dance students from York U, Japan

Lisa Sandlos in Japan with dance students

By Elaine Smith

Students from York University have an opportunity to collaborate with students from Japan’s Mukogawa Women’s University this month as the result of a globally networked learning (GNL) award granted to Lisa Sandlos, a contract faculty member in York U’s School of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies and the Faculty of Education, by the GNL team at York International.

GNL is an approach to teaching and learning that enables people from different locations worldwide to work together on knowledge-making processes and research projects. It provides cross-cultural opportunities for students who might not have the chance to study abroad – a definite benefit in today’s global economy.

Sandlos will be pairing students in her summer course GSWS/DANC4528 3.0 – Feminism, Dance and The Body: Performance, Movement and Transformation – with students in a course at Mukogawa Women’s University taught by Naoko Murakoshi, who offers a seminar focusing on somatic movement, education and dance. The two women studied together in a professional training program at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now called the Dance Arts Institute) and were faculty colleagues at York U for several years before Murakoshi returned to teach in her native Japan.

Lisa Sandlos and Naoko Murakosh.
Lisa Sandlos in Japan with students.

Thanks to a Hyogo Overseas Research Network fellowship, Sandlos was able to travel to Japan this spring and plan the GNL exercise with Murakoshi in person.

“Because we are considering bodies, movement and dance, it was helpful to be together in a physical space with her students,” Sandlos said. “I was there doing research, but I also taught five classes and gave a lecture on gender, sexuality and sexualization in competitive dance.”

Murakoshi noted, “It was good to have Lisa here so we could create the GNL plans together. The process is very important, and we wanted to share our thoughts.”

The York U course, which began at the end of June, is six weeks long. Sandlos introduced the GNL component during the second class, and provided another assignment option for students who preferred not to participate.

As part of the GNL component, both students in each pair will create a video “about any aspect of their identity that they wish to share,” Sandlos said. “They will then observe their partner’s video and write a reflection on what they observe and what they have experienced. They will also reflect on what the body can tell us, especially through movement and dance.”

Once the students begin the project, they will be able to work either asynchronously or synchronously, but the 13-hour time difference will likely play a part in their decisions.

Through this project, the two professors hope their students will gain an understanding of the cultural and social dimensions of movement.

“Ideas about the body are social and cultural and aren’t fixed,” Sandlos said. “When we communicate cross-culturally, we realize that people collectively create their understanding about the world and the body. Movement is culturally coded and we need to understand the level of diversity that exists in order to communicate effectively.”

Murakoshi noted that bodies are socially conditioned. In Eastern philosophy and Japanese culture, she explained, small gestures can carry great meaning.

“This exchange will help the students start to reveal their own biases and understand that how they perceive things is societal,” said Murakoshi. “This is revealed clearly when they exchange movement, and I want them to experience that with peers.”

Sandlos hopes students will find the GNL project informative, not only as a cross-cultural exchange but as experiential education, which was her impetus for creating it.

Joel Lexchin

Joel Lexchin

Professor Emeritus Joel Lexchin, named the 2024 Hall Laureate by the Justice Emmett Hall Memorial Foundation, presented a lecture on pharmacare at the Canadian Association for Health Services & Policy Research Conference