UMASA Events 2020-2021

UMASA is hosting a number of social and academic events this year for students. If you are an Anthropology student or simply interested in Anthropology we are sure you will enjoy what we have planned for the year. Come join us for our Socials, Monthly Movie Nights, AnthroTalks, and general meetings. We will also share events forwarded to us by the faculty, so stay tuned!

​Upcoming Events:

Please stay tuned and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive the most current updates on all of our events this year! We also have a Facebook group chat that you can request to be added in!
​If you have any event ideas or have information of an event that is open to Anthropology students, please reach out to us at umasa@myumanitoba.ca or fill in the contact form.

“Making Grad School Accessible” webinar
"Topics of Discussion:  
  • What is grad school? 
  • Why should I go to grad school? 
  • Benefits for the future 
  • Occupational opportunities  
  • How do I prepare for Grad school?  
  • Admission process for grad school including basic requirements such as a cv, reference letters, transcripts, statement of intent 
  • How to seek a supervisor  
  • How to pick: 
  • Your school 
  • The department 
  • Your field of studies 
  • References  
  • Funding for Grad School:  
  • RAships, TAships, picking the best funding package, OGS and SSHRC applications
​The ACMP encourages not only ACB students but is also suited for all individuals of different races/ethnicities, genders, or social classes. Anyone who has thought about pursuing graduate level education can benefit from this FREE event."
Find more details and register using the link below:
https://weareacmp.com/how-to-get-into-grad-school-making-grad-school-accessible/ 


UM Art Hive
"What is Art Hive? 
UM Art Hive is a virtual space to explore creativity and grow community through art and creative expression. We usually start our meetings with a short mindfulness activity/art warm-up, spend roughly one hour doing art (you bring what you want to work on during this time or use the prompt for inspiration), and then we wrap-up by sharing what we did. Sharing is always optional and no cameras are required.  
You can check out some former projects on our Instagram @JUSTBE.UM.ARTHIVE 
When is it? 
Starting October 19th, Art Hive will run every Tuesday from 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Winnipeg time) for the remainder of the term. Participants are welcome to join every week or drop-in when they can. 
What supplies are needed?  
Each week will offer a different theme/prompt and participants will be invited to engage with it however feels best for them. You are welcome to use ANY artistic medium (painting, drawing, dancing, singing, gardening, beading, sewing, baking, etc.). We have suggestions for low-cost/free supplies in our weekly reminder email and on our Instagram page.  
Do I need to have any artistic skill? 
​ABSOLUTELY NO ARTISTIC SKILL IS NEEDED. This is a space for participants to play, explore, and experiment at their own pace. 
Who is eligible? 
Art Hive is meant to be an informal, calm, and inclusive space. All staff and students are welcome, and you are welcome to bring a friend, child, family member, or roommate. 
What is the cost? 
Art Hive is free to attend! While you are welcome to purchase supplies, we will do our best to inspire your imagination with materials you can find around your home. "
 
You can get in touch with Katie and Jodie directly at arthive@umanitoba.ca 

UMASA Volunteer Opportunities 2021/2022

Executive Committee Member: Communications Chair and Social and Fundraising positions are available (See "About section" for more details). Email Madelaine at umasa@myumanitoba.ca if you are interested.

​Public Outreach: 
  1. Online social media research for a resource list (1-2 hours)
  2. Research possible organizations we can partner with for outreach efforts (1-2 hours)
  3. Graduate students: opportunities to talk about your research (1 hour)
  4. Helping design laboratory activities for in-person outreach (archaeological and biological anthropology topics; 2 hours)
  5. Let’s Talk Science High School Summer Camp: June 2022 ​ (2 hours)
​In order for projects to be successful, many volunteers are needed. If you are interested, please email Chenée at umasa@myumanitoba.ca for more details! All volunteers with varying levels of knowledge are welcome.

Indigenous Youth Outreach: Brandi is looking for Indigenous students who are interested in speaking about their university experiences to Indigenous youth. Contact Brandi at umasa@myumanitoba.ca  

Journal committee member: Contact Liz at umasa@myumanitoba.ca for more details.

Conference committee member: Help organize and run the student conference. The conference will not run if there are not enough volunteers. Opportunities include:
  1.  Programming manager: The leader. Decides timeline for organizing and running the event, assigns tasks, makes sure people are on track for the timeline through reminders, reaching out to and confirming speakers, making sure the event runs smoothly
  2.  Design manager: making conference posters, organizing abstracts into a pamphlet
  3.  Finance manager: coordinates with UMASA treasurer, deciding the budget for the event, reaching out to sponsors (if in-person), applying for funding for the conference, if available
  4. Communications manager: advertising the event to other universities and anthropology groups across Canada, communicating with participants and attendees about the event (answering questions, sending out instructions etc)
  5.  Social coordinator: organize social events relating to the conference if conference is in-person (ex. coffee breaks, dinners, trivia event), organizing catering, booking rooms etc.
  6.  General volunteer opportunities: Helping decide on conference theme, reading presentation abstracts and accepting presentations, MC for conference, any other tasks needed by any of the event managers
Email Madelaine at umasa@myumanitoba.ca if you are interested.

Volunteer Opportunities with Faculty 2021/2022

Warren Clarke:
(Cultural anthropology)
We are collaborating with Dr. Clarke to begin a community driven project. This will be a great opportunity if you feel very strongly about certain public issues and want to make an impact. If you would like to join this project and voice your ideas about which community (ex. specific gender, age, etc) or issues you think we should focus on, please contact Chenée​ at umasa@myumanitoba.ca.

Dr. ten Bruggencate
(Great opportunity if you are taking Osteology as a class in Winter 2022)
 
Dear UMASA students,
 
The Anthropology labs are looking for student volunteers to help with a short-term cleaning project (with our teaching collection). Volunteers would be most welcome to come in for shifts on Tuesdays between 1:30pm and 4:30pm and Fridays between 10am and 4:30pm until the work is done. If you’re interested, please contact Chenée at umasa@myumanitoba.ca for more information and to schedule your shifts (so we don’t go over our room limits).
 
Thanks so much!
 
Dr. ten B
 
Dr. Greenfield
Great opportunity to learn skills relevant to archaeology and bioanthropology
  • Reconstruction of ceramics.
  • Organizing display cases.
  • Cleaning, conservation, and analysis of archaeological remains.
  • Digitizing and processing of images and data from archaeological excavations.
  • Creating maps in ArcGIS
  • Creation and editing of documentary film materials.
  • Preparing images and data for publication.
  • Preparation (maceration and conservation) of remains for comparative zooarchaeological collection.
  • Bibliographic analysis.
  • Data entry.
  • Web editing
I am also open to do things virtually.
 
Sincerely yours,
Haskel J. Greenfield, Distinguished Professor
 
Contact Dr. Greenfield directly at haskel.greenfield@umanitoba.ca, or Chenée at umasa@myumanitoba.ca who can introduce you!

Field Schools and Workshops

Ethnographic Field School in Isla Mujeres, Mexico 
The Isla Mujeres Ethnographic Field School specializes in community-based projects and trains students on how to conduct ethnographic research. Located on a small Mexican Caribbean island, much of the student research is focused on community needs per their request. We also encourage students to have their research align with the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This allows for the students to not only consider their research within the context of theory and previous research or how it can impact the local community, but also how it can be of service in a much larger global effort and context. Students from all levels are accepted into our programs, from undergraduate to post-doctorate.

Summer 2021 Sessions:

    Advanced Methods (8 weeks): June 5 - August 1
The main program is our 8-week long Advanced Methods course (June 5 to August 1) where students create a professional research proposal (using the Wenner Gren Foundation format) in advance of their arrival, conduct the research, and present their data in a professional conference-style format, as well as prepare academic journal-style articles intended for publication. This session also includes PADI Open Water Diver training and certification, dives observing the reefs and Sea Turtle mating season, swimming with Whale Sharks (and Giant Mantas), as well as a visit to Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and a swim in an ancient underground cenote. 
    Deadline: April 5, 2021
    http://www.anthrofieldschool.com/6-week-advanced-methods

    Methods Practicum (3 weeks): June 12 - July 3 
We are also enrolling students in our 3-week Methods Practicum session (June 12-July 3). The Practicum embeds the students within a current research project where they will learn various methods, the theories behind them, and get to put those methods to practice, along with various other ethnographic data collection tasks, fieldnotes, and analysis.
    Deadline: May 12, 2021
    http://www.anthrofieldschool.com/3-week-practicum-courses


Students will participate in formal lectures, informal presentations, service learning, government meetings and briefings, and ethnographic research that serves to assist the people of Isla Mujeres either through applied anthropological techniques or through creating a more full ethnographic record that illuminates the island's past, present, and possible future. Students will be immersed in the culture of the island and will conduct collaborative research with its residents. Students will learn the value of teamwork by helping each other on projects, talking through field research problems, and supporting each other in their professional development.
We train both undergraduate and graduate students. We also have post-docs who attend the Field School for further training and career development. Our program gives students the cutting edge needed to get into good graduate school programs, develop graduate school dissertation research (which will help in securing research funding for dissertations), and will help them land the job they want in the discipline. Some undergraduates have used their experience and data for senior thesis projects, while graduate students use it for pilot research to develop their Master's thesis or doctoral dissertations. 

**Note: All student activities, research, and presentations will be conducted within very strict Covid protocols. Testing will be required upon arrival and just before leaving as well.

Contact information:
http://www.AnthroFieldSchool.com 
Info@AnthroFieldSchool.com
https://www.facebook.com/Islamujeresethnographicfieldschool
http://instagram.com/anthrofieldschool



Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop - Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania
Adult Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop dates: June 6 - July 3, 2021
Juvenile Osteology Research Laboratory Workshop dates: July 4 - July 31, 2021.

Our 4-week long (each) intensive training programs, respectively the Adult Osteology Research Workshop and the Juvenile Osteology Research Workshop will train students, both undergraduate and graduate, to conduct osteological analyses and frame appropriate research questions. Participants will receive daily lectures on topics related to human skeletal biology and spend the first two weeks intensively reviewing human osteology through the hands-on study of our extensive human skeletal research collection. Other lecture topics will include discussions of sex and age estimation, osteometrics, and an introduction to skeletal and dental pathologies. The Juvenile Osteology Workshop will further provide participants with an intensive review of juvenile osteology and an overview of the ways in which this kind of unique information is interpreted.  During the Juvenile Osteology Workshop, participants will have the chance to study the growth and development of the human skeleton across various juvenile age cohorts, weaning and dietary stress, as well as reconstruction and interpretation of infant mortality.
 
These programs provide an unique opportunity to conduct extensive hands-on training and research on an exceptional osteological collection. The very high state of preservation has allowed us to retrieve the skeletal remains of more than 1200 adult individuals and over 400 juveniles, ranging from pre-natal to sub-adult. Our research collections come from five archaeologically excavated medieval lost churches around the town of Odorheiu Secuiesc (Transylvania, Romania), as well as from our on-going “Lost Church” excavation at Patakfalva (RO: Valeni, Harghita County, Romania).
 
The combination of an exceptionally rich and well preserved skeletal research collection, the intensive hands-on laboratory training, and relatively small research groups will ensure that each participant develops an extensive osteological skill set. The latter will comprise an in-depth knowledge of all bones in the human body, including landmarks, muscles attachments and articulations, determining sex and age, development and pathologies; an understanding of fundamental concepts related to the human dentition; how to obtain basic demographic data from skeletal populations; and how to conduct proper intensive research under laboratory conditions.
 
Participants can register to one or both Osteology Workshops, or, in order to develop a wider array of bioarchaeological skills, combine an Osteology Workshop with a session of our Medieval Cemetery Funerary Excavation. Undergraduate and graduate academic credits can be acquired separately from University of South Florida (although it is not mandatory to register for credits to participate in our programs)

Contact:
https://www.archaeotek-archaeology.org/osteology-laboratory-and-workshop 
Adult Osteology Workshop Syllabus: https://3fab7da4-7e55-4713-888c-16896f7f46e3.filesusr.com/ugd/3ff7f8_cb604211bb3b4339b565b1d49201afe2.pdf
Juvenile Osteology Research Syllabus: https://3fab7da4-7e55-4713-888c-16896f7f46e3.filesusr.com/ugd/3ff7f8_452d1d9f4c8f47beb91f1943cf99128e.pdf
Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Bethard (University of South Florida)
Contact: Dr. Andre Gonciar at archaeology@archaeotek.org

Next Meeting!

Our next general meeting is TBA!

*All UMASA meetings will be held virtually for the time being due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like to come, please contact us for the Zoom link!

Continuous Events

UMASA Journal

Accepted and peer-reviewed manuscripts are published online periodically throughout the year. An electronic copy of the years journal will be made available online at the end of each academic year. 

You can submit your work at any time.
Virtual 50/50 Fundraiser

Support UMASA's activities and have a chance to win some cash by participating in our virtual 50/50 fundraiser! Half of the money raised goes to the winner and the other half goes to UMASA. The draw date is Sunday, May 2, 2021.