Research sharing and networking event strengthens the regional research ecosystem.
Emma Heath says graduate school can sometimes be a lonely experience. Digging deep into a niche area of interest, it can feel like you are on a path by yourself. It’s why Heath says events like the Graduate Student Research Sharing and Exchange are important to build a community between graduate students.
“To have a network of people who maybe don't understand exactly what you're doing, but they understand what you're going through, that’s very important to have,” she says.
Heath, a co-president of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management’s (FKRM) graduate student association, says the exchange event was for graduate students to build connections, strengthen their professional skills and meet other students with similar interests.
The Research Sharing and Exchange event hosted by the faculty serves a vital purpose for the university and the broader academic community. By bringing together students, faculty, staff and alumni from other Canadian institutions—including Lakehead University and the universities of Manitoba, Regina and Saskatchewan—the exchange strengthens the regional research ecosystem and provides a collaborative launchpad for future academic work.
Over the two-day event participants shared knowledge across the areas of physiology; sport, exercise, and health psychology; sociology, history, philosophy, and physical education; recreation, leisure, and tourism; and motor control, learning, and biomechanics.
“Meeting students and faculty from other institutions is a great way to identify potential collaborators and start building relationships you will have for years to come,” says Dr. Janet Lawson, an Assistant Professor in the faculty.
Lawson, the keynote speaker for the event, says she values the connections she made at similar events while in graduate school. As an early-career academic, she built a foundation for her interests, knowledge and skills to grow from the people she met.
For the university and the student experience alike, the event provides a safe space for academic development.
“I think opportunities for graduate students to practice presentation skills in front of their peers is hugely important,” Lawson says. “Student-focused events like this create a low-stakes environment for students to develop their skills confidently.”
Issak Fast says the exchange was an opportunity to lean into what you don’t know with an eagerness to learn.
“You have to understand it’s okay to ask a question,” says Fast. “Lean into it and learn from it. It’s okay not to know and just learn. That’s what we’re here for.”
Beyond research presentations, the weekend contributed to the student experience by providing an opportunity for students to gap between academic study and future career paths. Professional development sessions were led by faculty, graduates and community members. They discussed promoting yourself, preparing for academic careers and alternative fields after graduate school.
Ultimately, Heath says the event was all about learning how to challenge yourself, step outside your comfort zone and see that research doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
“You're often the only person who knows exactly what you're doing and what you're talking about. Just embrace that challenge,” says Heath. “You can carry those lessons with you outside of graduate school.”
Looking forward, Lawson says she hopes the exchange, or events like it, can become a tradition in the faculty. For her, it’s an important opportunity to engage with academic peers at a crucial stage of a graduate student’s development.
At UM, we encourage life-long curiosity while providing tools – inside and outside the classroom – to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Empowering learners is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
Students and staff will have opportunities obtain their UM photo ID at Bannatyne campus ahead of the Fall term.
UM researchers are exploring how our DNA can predict MS decline.
New tech fights bacteria
The Bisons Integrated Support Team brings a holistic approach to supporting student-athletes
