Faculty of Arts & Science

Most people today, if they think about borders at all, can be forgiven for believing lines on a map are real things serving useful purposes. Demarcating the edges of nation-states is responsible for everything from shoring up sovereignty, nationalism and colonialism, to drawing the lines between “us” and “them.”

Dr. Sheila McManus, professor in the University of Lethbridge’s Department of History, sums it up by declaring succinctly, “Borders are stupid.” In fact, it’s the title of their upcoming PUBlic Professor Series talk on Thursday, Nov. 23, 7 p.m., at the Sandman Signature Lodge.

McManus says that by taking a closer look at the long, messy histories of borders, and their even messier contemporary functions, we will discover those invisible lines are, at best, lying to us. This talk explores why we believe the lies borders tell us, and why we shouldn’t.

Today’s cutting-edge geospatial technology is being utilized to honour and protect the past through a collaborative research project between the University of Lethbridge and Vulcan County.

The initiative, Locating Missing Grave Sites using Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems, involves the use of advanced geospatial technology to locate and document potentially lost grave sites, enriching our understanding of local history and providing a respectful approach to cemetery management.

“Unmarked graves have posed a significant challenge for rural communities for years. In Vulcan County, many of the cemeteries, which were associated with small towns, are now the responsibility of the municipalities and local service organizations to maintain, and many of these cemeteries have markers that have gone missing or were never recorded,” says Christopher Northcott, Vulcan County. “The absence of accurate records and mapping has not only hindered cemetery expansion but made it more likely for historical graves to be unintentionally disturbed during excavations.”

Geomatics students at the University of Lethbridge are the key benefactors of a substantial investment from TECTERRA today, as the Canadian non-profit supporter of geomatics technology innovation has invested $5.2 million in a Legacy Program for Alberta-based universities.

The University of Lethbridge, University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) are recipients of this program. The Legacy Program offers financial aid for geomatics undergraduates, helps geomatics graduates commercialize technologies within their institution, attracts aspiring geomatics enthusiasts, offers co-op and internship opportunities for job placement, and invests in advanced technology to enhance geomatics education.

What it means for ULethbridge is more than $1.3 million from TECTERRA to fund various undergraduate and graduate awards for students engaged in geomatics-related fields along with other supports to grow capacity in this important area of study. University of Lethbridge Board of Governors is also matching a portion of the funds as part of its commitment to student scholarships and bursaries.

Acknowledging her exceptional contributions to health sciences, neuroscientist Dr. Gerlinde Metz has become the University of Lethbridge’s first professor to be named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences Fellow (CAHS). Fellows are recognized by their peers nationally and internationally for their contributions to health sciences and have demonstrated leadership, distinctive competencies and a commitment to advance health sciences.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have been elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences,” says Metz. “It is truly an honour to join the ranks of CAHS and it is also a recognition of the excellent research environment at ULethbridge and the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience and the neuroscience department in particular. Achieving milestones in innovative health research is only possible through collaborative efforts with our colleagues and through the significant accomplishments of our trainees. This recognition is a tribute to all of them!”

Metz was one of 48 Fellows to be elected to the CAHS for 2023. Election to the CAHS Fellowship is considered one of the highest honours for those who work in health sciences in Canada.

The University of Lethbridge’s popular pub-style talk series, PUBlic Professor, will kick off its 10th season on Sept. 28, 2023. To celebrate a decade of casual, informative and engaging presentations from ULethbridge faculty members, the series has been reimagined to include speakers beyond the Faculty of Arts & Science — giving the public an opportunity to explore the breadth of expertise from across the entire institution.

The PUBlic Professor Series will feature six talks in total and touch on subjects in agriculture, therapeutic recreation, history, aboriginal health and new media, education, and neuroscience. Below is the talk schedule for the 2023/24 season.

September 28, 2023 | Recent Trends in the Food Industry

Dr. Digvir Jayas, University of Lethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor (Agricultural Studies)

October 26, 2023 | Person-centred Care from Rhetoric to Reality: Exploring the Role of Knowledge Translation and Mobilization in Health Care

Dr. Sienna Caspar (Therapeutic Recreation)

November 23, 2023 | Borders are Stupid

Dr. Sheila McManus (History)

January 25, 2024 | Weaving World Views: The Web as a Space for Cultural Vitality

Christine Clark (New Media) & Melissa Shouting (Aboriginal Health)

February 29, 2024 | Owning my Voice and Speaking my Truth in Academic Spaces

Dr. Sandra Dixon (Education)

March 28, 2024 | Why is the Brain Important?

Dr. Rob Sutherland (Neuroscience)

From using robotic systems in health-care delivery and building on quantum technologies to adapting highly sensitive space instruments to space and defence applications, University of Lethbridge researchers are involved in a host of projects receiving grants through Alberta’s Major Innovation Fund.

The Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation, announced an investment of $27.3 million into innovative research in Alberta’s post-secondary institutions. The funding is designed to accelerate research and commercialization in medical devices, electronic and mobile health, clean energy and space and defence technologies. The funding goes to the University of Alberta (U of A) and the University of Calgary (U of C) to lead four province-wide strategic initiatives. ULethbridge and Athabasca University are partners in the projects.

“Supporting fundamental research and initiatives that commercialize new technologies is critical to strengthening and diversifying the Alberta economy,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge vice-president (research). “This investment will encourage new and traditional sectors to grow, improving the economic prospects and quality of life for all Albertans.”