UVic hosts fourth IdeaFest, March 2-7

When does a disease turn into an epidemic? How do scientific and Indigenous knowledge intersect to help us prepare for tsunamis? How can we improve our wellness as we age? How do we teach tomorrow’s business leaders to think beyond the bottom line?

These are just a few of the topics to be featured at the University of Victoria’s fourth annual IdeaFest, which runs March 2-7. More than 50 events—all free and open to the public—will provide a glimpse into the world-class research and creative activity at UVic that’s having an impact on our lives and the world around us.

“Engagement with the community is a vital part of the knowledge creation and transfer process,” says David Castle, UVic’s vice-president research. “Our researchers, scholars and artists are eager for the two-way interaction—discussion, questions and lively debate are what make IdeaFest a true celebration of ideas.”

A variety of panels, hands-on workshops, exhibits, lectures, performances, screenings and tours will cover topics such as cancer detection, epidemics, the oceans and climate change, healthy aging, the war against ISIS, orcas of Vancouver Island, and renewable energy, to name a few.

The full IdeaFest program is available online at www.uvic.ca/ideafest, searchable by day or category. The schedule scales to all mobile devices. Here’s a small sampling from the event menu:

Change-makers: Bright minds and big ideas. Short presentations.
March 2, 7-9 p.m., Hickman Bldg., room 105
UVic is home to 38 Canada Research Chairs, who are all internationally recognized leaders in their fields. In an informal plain-language format, four of these pre-eminent scholars will share their stories of innovation and impact in the fields of Indigenous law, cancer research, climate change and astrophysics.
Media contact: Valerie Shore (University Communications + Marketing) at 250-721-7641 or vshore@uvic.ca

The mythology of the mad genius: Five myths about creativity. Panel discussion.
March 3, 4-6 p.m., MacLaurin Bldg., room D110
Where do creative ideas come from? Are all artists really that eccentric? Find out as a panel representing music, writing, theatre, visual arts, and art history/visual studies deconstructs the myths of creativity in this zesty and informative discussion.
Media contact: John Threlfall (Faculty of Fine Arts communications) at 250-721-6222 or johnt@uvic.ca

Nuu-chah-nulth place-based stories and tsunami science. Lecture/workshop.
March 5, 3-4:30 p.m. First Peoples House Ceremonial Hall
This event will highlight current tsunami detection and earthquake monitoring science by UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada, as well as Nuu-chah-nulth stories of the 1964 tsunami and oral histories of the megaquake event off Vancouver Island in January 1700.
Media contact: Virginia Keast (ONC media relations) at 250-853-3538 or 250-216-7510 cell or vkeast@uvic.ca

Understanding epidemics: Why do they happen? Panel discussion.
March 5, 7-9 p.m. Engineering/Computer Science Bldg., room 125
Why are there so many epidemics and emerging diseases? How are diseases spread? A panel of experts from across campus will explore the changing patterns of disease and the impacts on human health.
Media contact: Erin King (Faculty of Science communications) at 250-721-8745 or 778-987-2527 cell or scieaco@uvic.ca

Canada’s war against ISIS. Panel discussion.
March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Turpin Bldg., room A102
Canada’s role in the “war against ISIS” demands we understand the impacts of taking military action in the Middle East. What are the risks of Canada’s role expanding? Can militarism successfully dismantle the ISIS regime?
Media contact: Jodie Walsh (Centre for Global Studies) at 250-721-8800 or jodie@uvic.ca

Orcas of Vancouver Island. Presentation.
March 6, 3-5 p.m. Elliott Bldg., room 062
Graduate student Kristen Kanes dives into the world of orcas. Listen to orca vocalizations. Hear about their culture, hunting tactics and complex social lives. And find out more about the urgent conservation challenges facing these iconic whales in this region, and what you can do to help.
Media contacts:
Kristen Kanes (grad student) at 250-721-8738 or 778-679-4172 or sitbdo@uvic.ca
Erin King (Faculty of Science communications) at 250-721-8745 or 778-987-2527 cell or scieaco@uvic.ca

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