Partnering with Municipalities

Navigating Partnered Research is a digital series hosted by the Knowledge Engagement team in Research Services to provide support and guidance for faculty members interested in pursuing partnered research projects in the social sciences and humanities.

This multi-part series will cover a variety of topics and supports including identifying and exploring funding opportunities for partnered research initiatives, engaging with community, building partnerships for research, and mobilizing partnered research knowledge

Session 4: Partnering with Municipalities

Webinar | March 28, 2022, 1 - 2 p.m. MT

• In this session, join the University of Calgary’s Urban Alliance Coordinator Dr. Barry Phipps, PhD, UCalgary Associate Vice-President Government Relations John Alho, UCalgary researcher Dr. Gavin McCormack, PhD, and Director of Calgary Neighbourhoods Melanie Hulsker, to learn how to partner with The City of Calgary to conduct research that benefits our communities. 

About the Speakers

Dr. Barry Phipps, PhD, Urban Alliance Coordinator, University of Calgary

• Barry Phipps has a PhD in Biochemistry and was formerly a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry (Munich), the National Research Council (Ottawa) and the University of Calgary. He is currently Strategic Research Initiatives Coordinator in the Office of the Vice-President Research. A major part of his role is serving as the Coordinator of the Urban Alliance, a strategic research partnership between the University of Calgary and The City of Calgary.

John Alho, UCalgary Associate Vice-President Government Relations

• John Alho serves as the Associate Vice-President, Government Relations at the University of Calgary and is one the longest serving government relations professionals in the Canadian post-secondary sector. He joined the university in March 2013 and oversees the university’s strategic government relations.  John works closely with the president and other members of the university’s Senior Leadership Team, to further the University of Calgary’s external relations objectives.

Melanie Hulsker, Director, Calgary Neighbourhoods, City of Calgary

• Melanie Hulsker is the Director of the Calgary Neighbourhoods business unit at the City of Calgary that champions social wellbeing and works with community members to ensure that Calgary is a vibrant city with strong and inclusive neighbourhoods where citizens are empowered, connected and involved.  With 17 years of government experience at both the federal and municipal level, Melanie leads a team of over 200 dedicated employees who use a community development approach to foster inspiring neighbourhoods, work to ensure integrated service delivery to populations experiencing vulnerabilities including seniors, Indigenous populations, those with disabilities, culturally, ethnically, racially and gender diverse populations and those living in poverty and  who build strong and thriving partnerships and collaborations with community groups and non-profit service providers.

Dr. Gavin McCormack, PhD, Associate Professor, Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary

• Dr. Gavin McCormack, PhD, holds a faculty appointment as an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine (University of Calgary), and is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (University of Calgary), and the Faculty of Kinesiology (University of Calgary). He also holds an adjunct researcher position with Waseda University (Japan). Gavin has an MSc in Sports Science (Exercise Physiology specialization) from Edith Cowan University (Western Australia) and PhD in Public Health from the University of Western Australia. Since 2014, he has been an Associate Scientific Editor for the Public Health Agency of Canada’s flagship journal “Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada”. He leads the Built Environment and Healthy Living Lab which undertakes research investigating the links between neighbourhood urban design and health including physical activity, active living, diet, sedentary behaviour, weight status, and cardiovascular health among adults and children.