Happening Wednesday Night (April 4, 2018)
7:00 @ The Rocket Room
FREE, All-ages
LIMITED SPACE- Register Here

A Festival of Knowledge. Take in fast-paced presentations for a crash course in Memorial University projects funded by the Harris Centre and Memorial’s Office of Public Engagement. Presentations include:

Retention and Integration of Refugees in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Kerri Neil, Research Assistant, Jarislowsky Chair of Cultural and Economic Transformation, MUN

The potential demographic and economic benefits of refugee settlement in the province cannot be realized if refugees come but then choose to leave.This study examines experiences of refugees that have settled in Newfoundland and Labrador and analyzes factors that can potentially enhance refugee integration and factors that can negatively impact their settlement experiences and retention in the province.

Bad Energy Governance and Why the Political Executive Remains the Core Problem:

Stephen Tomblin, professor, department of political science, faculty of humanities and social sciences

In an era of fiscal crisis, and an ongoing “democratic deficit problem” there is an ongoing struggle and effort to better understand the factors that led to knowledge gaps and bad decisions.  The focus of my presentation is how the power and autonomy of the executive branch contributed in a significant way to these bad outcomes, yet is still not receiving the kind of attention it should.  My presentation will discuss the challenges of political control over energy decision-making in recent times and why this remains a critical problem.

Patterns of Arts Support in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Jennifer Dyer, Associate Professor and Interim Head, Department of Gender Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Dyer conducts research on (among other things) the social value of art, strategic philanthropy, Newfoundland painting, the metaphysics of light, and philosophical aesthetics generally. Her most recent research about the arts in Newfoundland is about Patterns of Arts Support in Newfoundland and Labrador, the role of light in Newfoundland’s regional ecoaesthetic, and narratives of illumination in Newfoundland painting.

The Real Ministers of Health: Your City Council

Catherine Donovan, Associate Professor, Public Health, Community Health & Humanities, Faculty of Medicine

This presentation will discuss how health and wellness really happen in the community and not the healthcare system.  It will describe some of the features of a health promoting community and we will talk about how the policies and programs set by your community council impact the ability of individuals and communities to be healthy.