Version:  8  January  

  1  

Canadian Mountain Network NCE Planning Workshop January 11 – 12, 2016 - University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Canadian Mountain Network NCE Planning Workshop The next call for Canadian Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE - http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/) is anticipated in spring 2017. This workshop will determine if there is sufficient interest to develop a Letter of Intent and Full Application for a new NCE that will be focused on Canada’s mountains places, environments, people, communities, economies and futures. Workshop participants will help to define the potential, organizational structure, priorities and possible partners for a Canadian Mountain Network NCE.   Workshop Objectives:

1- Summarize steps taken during 2015 to establish a framework for preparing a NCE application focused on Canadian Mountains;

2-­‐ Review existing and proposed policy and research initiatives relevant to a possible

Canadian Mountain NCE;    

3-­‐ Establish the guiding principles for the Canadian Mountain NCE governance, participation, research priorities, partnerships, HQP training, aboriginal and community engagement, and knowledge translation;  

 4- Identify potential Mountain NCE research themes, research platforms and cross-cutting

(interdisciplinary, transboundary, local to national, etc) initiatives, and end-users of new knowledge and a strategy to engage them in this planning process;

5- Confirm the outline of a workplan for the next 6 months, and identify activity leads and an

organizational framework.  For more information about the workshop program contact David Hik (dhik@ualberta.ca)  Instruction for joining the teleconference l ine:

On Tuesday morning from 0750 to 1215 MT, this phone line will be open into the conference room. Please dial in directly for any parts of the discussion that you would like to join: 780 492 5283

Version:  8  January  

  2  

Canadian Mountain Network NCE Planning Workshop: January 11 – 12, 2016 - University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Monday, January 11 LOCATION: Dean of Science Boardroom, 6-176 CCIS [see map] PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS and PUBLIC PANEL  13:30 Welcome and introductions

(al l welcome, with some arriving a bit later in the afternoon) 14:15 Preparatory Discussions: What is the scope of Mountain

Studies in Canada, and who are the key partners and stakeholders? David Hik (Workshop Chair) will present a brief overview of the NCE planning process so far, and proposed next steps. This will be followed by discussion that is focused on the main interests of those in the room, and to elaborate on both their specific interests and any broader issues that could help develop the NCE (partners, funding, HQP training, infrastructure, etc).

 15:30 Wrap up discussion and short break before public panel      

Public Panel and Discussion LOCATION: Room CCIS 1-140 [see map]  16:00 – 18:00 Mountain Communities, Economies, and Environments –

Adapting to Change in the 21st Century This engaging public session will begin with five short presentations followed by open discussion and Q&A about changing mountain spaces and environments. This event is co-hosted by the Canadian Mountain Studies Initiative (mountains.ualberta.ca).

Bill Milsom – High Altitude Physiologist , UBC Liza Piper – Environmental Historian, U Alberta Ben Gadd – Author & Naturalist, Canmore, Alberta Stephen Slemon – Mountain Literature, U Alberta Mike Demuth – Glaciologist, Natural Resources Canada  

Version:  8  January  

  3  

Canadian Mountain Network NCE Planning Workshop January 11 – 12, 2016 - University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Tuesday, January 12 LOCATION: Stollery Executive Development Centre, 5th f loor, Alberta School of Business [see map] CANADIAN MOUNTAIN NETWORK NCE PLANNING WORKSHOP  07:30 Breakfast & Coffee (provided for al l participants)  08:00 Welcome and roundtable introductions Jonathan Schaeffer (UA Dean of Science)  08:25 Introduction to the Workshop and Key Objectives David Hik (UA BioSciences, Workshop Chair) 08:40 Panel: Setting the Context: What is an NCE

Panelists will provide background information about recent conversations with the NCE Secretariat, and their experiences writing, securing and participating in successful NCEs.

 • What we know about the next call for NCE proposals (Aynslie Ogden, Senior

Science Advisor, Yukon Government) • ArcticNet: what can we learn from a successful NCE (Greg Henry, UBC

Geography) • Some essential elements for a successful NCE proposal (Tania Bubela, UA

School of Public Health) 09:00 A snapshot of Mountain Research activities in Canada

Workshop participants from universities, colleges, government agencies (and anyone else not speaking on a panel) are invited to briefly summarize (3-4 minutes) their personal and/or institutional Mountain-related research, training and/or policy-relevant activities.

 University of Victoria University of British Columbia Simon Fraser University University of Northern BC Thompson Rivers University University of Calgary University of Alberta University of Saskatchewan

University of Manitoba Aurora College    Yukon College Yukon Govt NWT Govt Alberta Govt Canada Govt  

Version:  8  January  

  4  

BREAK (10:00 to 10:20)  10:20 Panel: The Landscape of Mountain Studies in Canada

Panelists will provide an overview of Canadian mountain research and policy related initiatives.

 • Parks Canada and Mountain Parks (Lee Smith, Policy Advisor & Michel Boivin,

A/ED Mountain Parks, Parks Canada) • An assessment of priorities identified in science and research planning

documents in Yukon, NWT, Alberta and BC (Susan File, Policy Analyst, Polar Knowledge Canada)

 10:45 Panel: First Nation and Community Perspectives

Earlier discussions have confirmed that the Canadian Mountain NCE proposal will be distinguished by the substantive ways in which it (1) incorporates traditional, indigenous and local knowledge; (2) engages both indigenous and mountain communities; and (3) innovatively defines opportunities for the training of ‘highly qualified people’. This panel will address experiences engaging in research processes, and identify opportunities and best practices for collaboration.

• Bill Snow, Consultation Manager, Stoney-Nakoda First Nation • Deb Simmons, Executive Director, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board • Bob Van Dijken, Director Circumpolar Relations, Council of Yukon First Nations  • Ben Gadd, Author and Naturalist, Canmore/Jasper resident  

11:45 Panel: A Governance Model for a Canadian Mountain

Network (and NCE) Governance of an NCE is one of the most important criteria during proposal evaluation. The establishment of a robust governance structure is necessary for operational reasons, but also to build relationships with governments, private sector and community partners who will be the end-users of the knowledge generated by the NCE. David Hik will present a brief summary of a proposed governance model for the NCE planning phase, followed by several other perspectives, comment and discussion.

 • Yukon Perspectives (Andrea Buckley, ADM, Executive Council Office, Yukon

Government) • NWT Perspectives (Erin Kelly, ADM Environment & Natural Resources, GNWT)  • University of Alberta Perspectives (Roger Epp, Director, UA North)

     

Version:  8  January  

  5  

12:15 TO 13:15 LUNCH - will be provided on-site for all workshop participants. This is a good time for networking!  13:15 Plenary: Defining Research Themes, Platforms, and

Interdisciplinary Opportunities #1 During previous meetings and discussions in 2015 several potential research themes and infrastructure platforms have been identified. First, David Hik will briefly summarize ideas about themes and some of the opportunities that may exist for cross-cutting and interdisciplinary initiatives. Second, summaries will be provided by several workshop participants who are responsible for and/or leading various research infrastructure initiatives.

• Eric Higgs, UVic (Mountain Legacy Project) • Ed Johnson/Adrienne Cunnings, UofC (Biogeosciences Institute &

Kananaskis Field Station)  • Janice Cooke, UA (genomics and environmental DNA) • Sarah Adamowicz, UGuelph and Biodiversity Institute of Ontario • Chris Hawkins, Vice President Research and Community Engagement at

Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College (Cold Climate Innovation Center & other Yukon infrastructure)  

• Andrew Applejohn, (Science Advisor, GNWT)      14:00 Breakout ‘Groups A’: Defining Research Themes and

Interdisciplinary Opportunities Workshop participants will be asked to participate in one of four breakout tables depending on their interests (Water Towers, Environment, Economies, Societies), to discuss potential research questions and projects, AND to consider possible interdisciplinary linkages, opportunities for knowledge translation, as well as obvious gaps. Suggestions for Theme and Project Leaders would be welcome.

   BREAK (15:00 to 15:15)  15:15 Plenary: Defining Research Themes, Platforms, and

Interdisciplinary Opportunities #2 • Martin Sharp and Bill Shotyk, UA (National Ice Core Facility & Labs)  • Mike Demuth, Linkages with national and international Cryosphere &

Hydrology Programs    

Version:  8  January  

  6  

15:25 Breakout ‘Groups B’: Defining Research Platforms

This second round of discussions should emphasize infrastructure requirements (platforms) to support the NCE activities and legacy, AND consider possible multidisciplinary linkages, as well as obvious gaps.

 16:00 Plenary: Summary of Breakout Discussions

Rapporteurs from each of the Breakout Groups will summarize key points for the entire workshop, followed by discussion.

 16:45 Meeting Wrap-up

• Summary of Discussions: Is there a viable future for a Canadian Mountains Network NCE?  

• Who are our partners, stakeholders and what possibilities exist for co-funding?  

• Proposed Workplan and Next Steps  17:15 Reception at Faculty Club    18:00 Dinner (Hosted by Dean of Science) LOCATION: University of Alberta Faculty Club, Papaschase Room [see map]