TOMORROW’S IDEAS, NOW

Jerry Varsava, Founding Director, KIAS

Gillian Edwards, Executive Manager, KIAS

KIAS: VISION

To foster an innovative intellectual environment for

the interdisciplinary study of major modern and

historical, political, social, economic, and cultural

issues and, therein, advance society and global

polity in a manner consistent with the high

humanitarian ideals of the founding

benefactors, Drs. Peter and Doris Kule.

KIAS THEMES

Fall 2010, KIAS engaged in an extensive

consultation of undergraduates and graduate

students, faculty, and research administrators, in an

effort to identify topics of major local, national, and

global consequence that, consistent with the

Institute’s mandate, could be explored from a

socially-engaged, interdisciplinary standpoint by

researchers and creative artists in the

Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts.

STEWARDSHIP OF THE PLANET

Ethically informed stewardship of the planet can be pursued from a number of points of view and in a variety of contexts, but there is an urgency to examine the issue now, and to propose tenable responses to this challenge. Phenomena like global population growth, climate change, and heightened environmental risk call out for the attention of socially-engaged researchers today.

PLACE, BELONGING, AND OTHERNESS

There is a foundational human concern to understand one’s place in, not only the physical world, but also in the social spaces in which we move, and to which we may feel affinity or distance. The theme of Place, Belonging, and Otherness encourages an examination of a broad range of relationships in order to better understand the human social condition, whether in the early twenty-first century or at antecedent historical points.

CULTURE, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

In an age saturated with new technologies and a proliferation of representational media, there is a need to reconsider both traditional forms of cultural expression and new ones enabled by technological advancement. This topic encourages an engagement of the imaginative, material, and social conditions of arts’ production and reception.

WHAT DOES THE CONFERENCE DO

FOR ME?

TOMORROW’S IDEAS, NOW 2011

40 students attended first conference

100% take-up of registration

Abstracts ranged in different fields and topics

Arts, Education, Physical Education & Recreation among the faculties in attendance

TO

MO

RR

OW

’SID

EA

S, N

OW

2011

Students from the

2011 Tomorrow’s

Ideas, Now

Conference at the

Closing BBQ

August 19, 2011

Alumni House

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

Students from 4 continents, 8 countries, 23 cities attended 2011 Tomorrow’s Ideas, Now Canada

United States

United Kingdom

Germany

Mexico

China

Japan

Australia

Opportunities for U of A students to meet peers and study abroad after the conference

Kei Narita, 2011 Student Keynote

TO

MO

RR

OW

’SID

EA

S, N

OW

2011

Students discuss

the papers

presented during a

panel session.

August 19, 2011

Humanities Centre

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Research conferences give students an opportunity

to develop their professional and personal skills

Employers are looking for motivated and highly-

skilled individuals to hire

Gives opportunity to advance public

speaking, collaboration, and presentation skills

Excellent for graduate school applications

Excellent for scholarship applications

TO

MO

RR

OW

’SID

EA

S, N

OW

2011

Panel presenters listen to

audience questions, with

Dr. Stuart Landon

(Economics).

August 18, 2011

Humanities Centre

Petros Kusmu, U of A

Katre Leino, U of York

Danielle

Maggio, Columbia College

Chicago

LEADERSHIP

KIAS themes focus on issues that will affect young

people for years to come

Chance to share your ideas with a new audience

Opportunity to promote change

Become a leader early in your life

TO

MO

RR

OW

’SID

EA

S, N

OW

2011

Kaz Tsujii ,U of

Bristol, presenting

during his panel.

August 19, 2011

Humanities Centre

TOMORROW’S IDEAS, NOW 2012

THE CONFERENCE

August 16-18, 2012

$100 Registration: covers all food and event costs

If outside Edmonton Metro Area, accommodation and travel awards available competitively

External students stay at Lister Centre

Social functions in the evening

Fringe Festival on Whyte

Welcome Reception

Closing BBQ and Party

Learning Opportunities

CAPS: Information session on resume writing for students

Go Abroad: Information for exchanges for U of A students to partner institutions

Swag bags

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Deadline: March 19 @ Noon

Abstract

300 words

Application Form

Online Google Form

Submit only when all materials are complete

Confirmation of enrolment

Letter confirming that you are an undergraduate student

in good standing at time of application

Template is online

DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL LAST MINUTE

ABSTRACTS: WHAT ARE THEY?

An abstract is a brief summary of your presentation.

You might think about writing two paragraphs, one

in which you outline the subject of your paper—

WHAT you will be discussing—and a paragraph on

your specific approach to the subject—HOW you

will be approaching the WHAT. Remember, by

definition, an abstract is succinct; do not exceed

three-hundred words.

Ask your professor to take a look at your abstract –

it will help to have a set of experienced eyes!

ADJUDICATION CRITERIA

Alignment with one or another of KIAS’s

three themes

Clarity and organization of abstracts

Completeness of application at time of submission

N.B. All abstracts and application forms should be

carefully proofread and edited for accuracy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?

March 8, 2012: KIAS & Undergraduate Research

Initiative Masterclass

Put Your Research To Work

Register on: www.kias.ualberta.ca

Email: kiasconference@gmail.com

Check our website FAQs: www.kias.ualberta.ca