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(Wolfville,
NS) - Dr. Jan Marontate of Acadia University has been
named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Technology and Culture by
the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRC). Dr. Marontate’s
appointment was announced in Winnipeg, April 22nd by the Honourable
David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and minister responsible for
the Canada Research Chairs Program.
“Dr. Marontate’s new
award marks the sixth Canada Research Chair for Acadia since the
program began in 2000,” said Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, President and
Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University. “Funding from the Canada
Research Chairs Program has enabled Acadia to attract and retain top
scholars like Dr. Marontate, and build a reputation as an
undergraduate university capable of contributing significant
research knowledge to Canada.”
Dr. Marontate will
study techno-cultural change and its impact on the creative work of
musicians, artists, scientists, and engineers. She is concerned with
how the new technologies of digital visual images, sound, and text
are affecting the working lives of these knowledge-based
professionals and will help develop strategies for sustainable
careers in techno-cultural innovation. Dr. Marontate will also seek
ways to preserve records of work done with computers as part of our
cultural heritage and to keep it accessible for future generations.
“New technologies and
the creative practices associated with them are changing the way we
live, but we need to develop strategies for preserving records of
the things we do with computers. Preserving creative work in the
arts and the sciences is a vital first step because of its potential
to inspire positive social change, and raise living standards,” said
Dr. Marontate. “I want to find ways to preserve creative works and
scientific findings in new media so that they can be disseminated
and accessible for on-going use.”
Dr. Marontate is
recognized as an exceptional emerging researcher and is acknowledged
by peers as having the potential to lead in her field. Her CRC award
is worth $100,000 per year for five years.
In addition, the
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will provide $109,369 in
funding through its CRC Infrastructure Fund to develop research
facilities for Dr. Marontate. Included will be data analysis and
interview facilities and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment that
will enhance the New Media facilities of the Acadia Digital Culture
Observatory, a previously funded CFI project.
"The Canada Research
Chairs Program is a significant gain for universities and colleges
across the country," said Minister Emerson. "It ensures Canadian
research excellence for years to come, and gives our students -the
next generation of leaders and thinkers- the opportunity to learn
from the best and brightest minds in the world."
The Canada Research
Chair program was developed by the federal government to provide
opportunities for outstanding individuals to further their careers
through financed research, as well as promote innovation and
excellence in Canadian universities.
Acadia University, in
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s
premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and
internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes
and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers
students an experience that includes academic achievement combined
with personal growth and development. For more information about
Acadia, visit our website at
www.acadiau.ca.
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