Brantford - Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus is hosting a week of events March 12-16 to showcase student and faculty research, and provide learning experiences for the general public and the Laurier community.

The Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS), formerly known as Brantford Research Week, includes a keynote lecture about employment challenges in the creative industries by Associate Professor Nicole Cohen from the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

“The Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase is designed to feature the innovative research being conducted by undergraduate students at Laurier’s Brantford campus,” says Christina Han, assistant professor of history and event organizer. “Laurier’s Brantford campus has several undergraduate research initiatives to nurture high-level research skills that help our students excel after graduation. The week of events also offers students the chance for public exposure and feedback.”

The following are highlights of the events. A complete schedule of events is available online. The events are open to the general public. For additional information, email acers@wlu.ca.

Monday, March 12: Mini-Conference and Keynote Lecture

“Future of Work: Strategies for Millennials in the Digital Age” opens with a panel discussion at 12:30 p.m. featuring presentations by Abby Goodrum, professor in Laurier’s User Experience Design program; James Cairns, associate professor in Laurier’s Social and Environmental Justice program; Jodi Dean, speaker with the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction; and David Bush, workers’ rights organizer at Income Security Advocacy Centre.

At 2:30 p.m., Nicole Cohen, associate professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga, will deliver a keynote lecture, “Hustle, Cope, Organize: Resisting Precarity” to address some of the challenges faced by workers in creative industries such as media and communications.
12:30 to 4 p.m., SC Johnson Building, room 127, 38 Market Street, Brantford.

Tuesday, March 15: Faculty Research Rundowns

Faculty members will present their recent research projects.
11 a.m. – noon, Research and Academic Centre West (RCW), lobby, 150 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.

Wednesday, March 14: Creativity and Engagement Expo

Students will present their own creative and community engagement projects.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West (RCW), second floor foyer, 150 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.

Thursday, March 15: Undergraduate Research Academic Display Expo

Leading student researchers at Laurier’s Brantford campus will present their undergraduate research projects.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West, lobby, 150 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.

Friday, March 16: Undergraduate Research Apprentice Presentations

Undergraduate research apprentices at Laurier’s Brantford campus will present their research findings.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West, lobby, 150 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.