Upcoming virtual events

We are excited to announce our new virtual events schedule! You can register now for the following:

May 11 at 6 p.m. ADT Panel discussion – Wellness in a Time of Isolation: Mental Health; Spiritual Health; Physical Health; Nutrition. Panelists include: Dr. Kathryn Bell (Psychology), Dr. Anna Robbins (’93, ‘97, President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology), Barb Anderson (’77, Director, Nutrition and Dietetics); and Dr. Jonathan Fowles (School of Kinesiology and Director of Acadia’s Centre of Lifestyle Studies). Register here.

May 25 at 6 p.m. ADT Fish That Live in Trees: Dr. Suzie Currie (’91, Dean of Pure and Applied Science). Register here.

June 8 at 6 p.m. ADT Anne of Green Gables: Dr. Laura Robinson (’88, Dean of Arts). Register here.

June 22 at 6 p.m. ADT The Science of Relationships in a Time of Isolation: Dr. Lisa Price ('89, Psychology) and Dr. Diane Holmberg (Psychology). Register here.

More to come!

Meeting invitations will be sent out the morning of the event as a reminder to those who have registered.

As Acadia University meets the many challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the Office of Advancement is happy to offer members of our alumni audience learning and engagement opportunities by hosting a series of virtual events.

Featuring faculty, staff and members of our alumni community, these events aim to provide insight into the important work being done on campus and shine a light on the many avenues of endeavour that characterize the diverse skill set of our outstanding alumni.

Each event will be 60 minutes long and hosted through Microsoft Teams, with time allotted for questions and a cap of 25 participants per session. Manager, Alumni Affairs (Acting) Oonagh Proudfoot (’93, ’06) will serve as moderator.

Speakers

Professor Barb Anderson (’77) is Director of the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University. Her background in Public Health Nutrition and Management has framed her teaching interests in: Adult Learning applied to Nutrition and Dietetic Practice; Leadership in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics; Health Promotion; and Community Nutrition. She is also interested in student learning related to reconnecting nutrition to food issues, especially food sustainability. A former President of the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association, Chair of Dietitians of Canada, and President of the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research, Barb is also a Fellow of Dietitians of Canada and a Life Member of both the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada.

Dr. Kathryn Bell is a clinical psychologist in the Psychology Department at Acadia University. She completed her PhD in clinical psychology at Western Michigan University and did post-doctoral work in the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Dr. Bell's primary research interests centre on the investigation of risk and resiliency factors associated with interpersonal violence, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault. She recently received grant funding for two projects investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on coping, mental well-being, and interpersonal conflict. Dr. Bell is a registered psychologist in Nova Scotia with clinical expertise in the assessment and treatment of trauma, anxiety and addictions.

Dr. Jonathan Fowles is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Acadia University and currently Chair of the National Advisory Council for Exercise is Medicine Canada. He is also a scientific affiliate with the Nova Scotia Health Authority and leads ‘Exercise is Medicine’ initiatives in health care and the workplace in the province. His work through the Centre of Lifestyle Studies at Acadia has focused on promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle behaviours to improve health. Dr. Fowles has spearheaded initiatives with many national and regional health organizations to increase capacity for physical activity counselling by health care providers and to raise standards and improve actions of exercise professionals in society.

Dr. Anna Robbins is Dean of Theology at Acadia University and President of the Acadia Divinity College. A two-time Acadia graduate, Dr. Robbins holds a Master of Religious Education (’93) and Master of Arts - Theology (’97) as well as a PhD from the University of Wales. She is passionate about helping people engage in matters of contemporary culture and faith and, through a wide spectrum of service as an ordained minister, a faculty member with the London School of Theology in the UK, a theological consultant to faith-based organizations, and as a faculty member and academic leader at Acadia, Dr. Robbins has inspired audiences to examine real-life issues from the perspective of faith.

Dr. Suzie Currie ('91) is the Dean, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science and Professor of Biology at Acadia.  Her career was inspired by many Acadia faculty and staff beginning with her Honours Biology degree in 1991.  Suzie left Acadia to study for her Master’s in Science and then her PhD at Queen’s University and was supervised by Acadia alumnus, Dr. Bruce Tufts (Class of 82). Notably, Bruce played football at Acadia and was part of the 1979 and 1981 Vanier Cup champion teams!  Shortly after completing her PhD, Suzie went on to the Charles and Katherine Darwin Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, UK, where again, she worked with an Acadia alumnus, Dr. Bob Boutilier (Acadia Class of 1976, DSC, 1996).  Her Acadia roots run deep!  In addition to being Dean of the Faculty of Science, Suzie is an active researcher and marine and freshwater biologist, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Together with her students, she studies how fishes respond to climate warming and environmental stress.  

Believe it or not, there are over 300 species of air-breathing fishes. Suzie will provide an introduction to these amphibious animals and how they can shed light on our evolution and on the perils of climate warming in marine and freshwater environments. She will also discuss how social isolation, even in fish, can impact the ability to cope with stress.