The UPEI Philosophy Reading Group will meet on Wednesday, February 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Lady Slipper Room, Charlottetown Library Learning Centre (97 Queen Street).

We will discuss pages 68 (“Second Aspect of the Eternal Return”) to 87 (up to “Plan of The Genealogy of Morals”) from Gilles Deleuze’s Nietzsche and Philosophy.

This group is an invitation to think with Deleuze — and with one another. No prior experience is required. Just an open mind and a willingness to experiment with ideas.

If you would like to attend, please reach out to Dr. Max Schaefer at mschaefer@upei.ca for more information.

“Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live.” — Gustave Flaubert

Following the launch of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk Fee for Service (FFS) Process, effective February 9, 2026, the Contracts and Insurance Office will be offering an additional information session for faculty and staff who were unable to attend earlier sessions or those who would like further clarification. 

What’s Changed? 

Under the new process, Fee for Service engagements valued at $50,000 or less that meet established low-risk criteria no longer require a Fee for Service Agreement. 

About the Information Session

This session will help departments understand the new process and will provide an opportunity to ask questions. The session will include.  

• An overview of the Contracts and Insurance Office 

• An overview of Fee for Service Agreements 

• A walkthrough of the new Low-Value, Low-Risk FFS Process 

• A Q & A period for participant questions 

Session Details:  

• February 25, 2026 | 11:00–12:00 pm | Andrew Hall 142 | Register Here  

Questions:  

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact the Contracts and Insurance Office at contracts@upei.ca 

Please be advised that Financial Services and Procurement Services (KMB 131) will be closed from 12:00 - 4:00 pm on Friday, February 20 for a staff function. 

This closure also includes the Student Financial Services office (DH 202), and the Shipping and Receiving offices (AVC 1011N and HEF 143).

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. RSVP Here.

The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our  strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:  

• What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
• As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
• How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?  

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:

• Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
• Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
• Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
• Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
• Facilitated Round table Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.  

The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 23, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.  

Proposals can be submitted here.  

Great workplaces thrive on recognition! The University Awards of Excellence celebrate employees who make UPEI an inspiring place to work and learn. By nominating a colleague, or someone who has supported your success at UPEI, you not only honor their contributions but also help create a culture of respect, teamwork, and appreciation. 

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, and students.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate those who make an impact in our community. Nominate today! 

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

For more information about each award including eligibility and the nomination process, please click here

Black histories and perspectives are relevant across disciplines, not only in history-focused courses. The TLC recommends this guide from Unwritten Histories, which compiles Canadian online resources, including primary sources, lesson plans, and teaching tools for integrating Black history across subjects in post-secondary settings.

The Health, Safety, and Environment Department (HSE) is offering Basic (previously called Emergency) First Aid/CPR training sessions on the following date:

• March 2, 2026, 8:30 am–4:00 pm. Registration cut off: February 20, 2026

**Seats are limited, please register early to guarantee your spot!

To register, please email HSE@upei.ca. Include your name, department, contact number and the session date you are registering for. 

The cost of registration will be covered by HSE for all UPEI faculty and staff, including students who require training for on-campus employment. Students who do not require training for on-campus employment are welcome to attend; however, the cost of registration will not be covered by HSE. 

Intermediate (Previously called Standard) First Aid/CPR training is a comprehensive two-day course that offers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for those who need enhanced training as a work requirement. Please contact HSE at HSE@upei.ca if you require this training.

A groundbreaking collection of essays titled "Turning the Tide: Climate Change, Social Change and Islandness" will be launched on March 2, at 7 pm, in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building Room 201, University of Prince Edward Island. The collection is published by Island Studies Press.

The book launch will include a panel discussion with co-editors Jean Mitchell and Laurie Brinklow from the University of Prince Edward Island, local contributors, and co-editors Eric Mijts from the University of Aruba and islands researcher Anouk Mertens, who will join virtually. The panel will engage in a unique conversation that spans art, agriculture, labour, and energy. Authors will highlight key findings from their chapters and answer questions about how art can function as a bridge between climate change and social change, or how remote islands face unique challenges when it comes to meeting energy needs, or what local and Indigenous knowledge can offer to resilient food systems.

This interdisciplinary book foregrounds island storytellers as they convey worldviews, knowledge, and cultural values, beliefs, and emotions that are often missing from climate change discourses. How are the effects of climate change and catastrophic weather experienced and narrated by islanders? What stories need to be told? How do local, traditional, and Indigenous knowledge practices facilitate the capacity to improvise, innovate, and adapt to volatile weather events? How do social relations on climate-stressed islands continue to flourish? How do governance structures and issues of sovereignty support and/or inhibit climate and social justice?

This wide-ranging and deep conversation places islands and islanders at the centre of climate change. The event is free, and all are welcome. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at Island Studies Press at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.

The week of February 16-20 is not only Reading Week but also the beginning of holy seasons for many. Lent and Ramadan follow a similar schedule this year.  

The Chaplaincy Centre will NOT be hosting our annual pancake breakfast on Tuesday February 17.  The Chaplaincy Centre will have Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 4:00 pm.  

The University Award for Exemplary Service will be presented to a UPEI employee who has demonstrated outstanding service and/or who has made significant contributions to the University community beyond that normally expected of their position. This award has two categories: i) staff, and ii) faculty members.

Nominated candidates will have demonstrated outstanding service to the University community. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: consistent, long-term, outstanding service to the UPEI community; and, evidence of successful efforts to improve the university experience for students, employees, and visitors to UPEI.

• Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof.
• Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of the faculty or staff of UPEI.
• Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made. Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.

Nominations are submitted in confidence through the online nomination form.

Questions may be directed to universityawards@upei.ca.

Nominations close on Friday, February 27, 2026

For more information about each award including eligibility and the nomination process, please click here

The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a workshop focused on teaching the basics about creating a business plan on Monday, February 23, from 5PM - 7PM. Participants will learn about the major components of a business plan and what sort of information should be included in the document.

Attendees participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program will also receive suggestions, tips, and tricks for how to make the most of their business plan for their written award submissions. The event is open to the public, but those participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program Accelerate stream will have the event count towards their attendance boost for the Entrepreneurial written awards if present.

Sign up today!

The University of Prince Edward Island has lowered flags to half-mast to join all Canadians in mourning the tragic attack that took place in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia on February 10. The entire UPEI community offers its deepest condolences to all those who have been impacted. Read the full message sent to the campus community.

The flags near Kelley Memorial Building will remain at half-mast until February 17.
 

The UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is hosting its annual full-day Teaching Community Conference on Tuesday April 28, 2026.  This year’s theme will be: Connected Teaching: Connecting with Community, Self, and Place. RSVP Here.

The Teaching Community Conference is an opportunity to breathe further life into our  strategic commitment to innovative and connected teaching, research, and scholarship by sharing our experiences, challenges, and opportunities of advancing teaching and learning at UPEI. Conference participants are invited to reflect on this theme and consider relevant questions such as:  

• What supports, skills, and critical capacities do faculty need to embrace the relational and connected nature of teaching?
• As we consider expanding the walls of our classrooms and broadening our partnerships, how do we ensure we aren’t simply supplementing traditional teaching practices but rather transforming what teaching itself means?
• How does a commitment to relational and connected teaching help build faculty capacity to recognize and respond to structural barriers students face?  

We are looking for proposals from the UPEI community that highlight current teaching and learning initiatives, share new ideas, and build collaborative strategies for a more inclusive accessible, and courageous university. Proposals from staff and faculty are welcome. There are four formats suggested for proposals:

• Traditional Oral Presentation: Presenters share a talk about a teaching and learning project or topic related to the theme, speaking for about 20 minutes, followed by 5-10 minutes for questions.
• Lightning Talk: "Small Shifts, Significant Gains." Presenters share a teaching strategy or practice that they’ve found effective in supporting student learning, speaking for about ten minutes, followed by a short group discussion.
• Interactive Workshop: A hands-on session that encourages active participation and collaboration among attendees. The workshop could involve group activities, discussions, practical exercises, etc.
• Indigenous Sharing Circle: A facilitated, safe space for individuals to come together to discuss topics related to the theme, share their experiences, listen to each other, build relationships, offer support, and connect with each other.
• Facilitated Round table Discussion: A structured, collaborative conversation led by a facilitator to encourage open dialogue, balanced participation, and exploration of shared issues among participants. The session is guided by clear objectives and prompts, resulting in documented insights and agreed‑upon themes or recommendations.  

The deadline for submissions is Monday, February 23, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to TLC@upei.ca.  

Proposals can be submitted here.  

The week of February 16-20 is not only Reading Week but also the beginning of holy seasons for many. Lent and Ramadan follow a similar schedule this year.  

The Chaplaincy Centre will NOT be hosting our annual pancake breakfast on Tuesday February 17.  The Chaplaincy Centre will have Mass on Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 4:00 pm.  

The University Research Excellence Award recognizes faculty members for outstanding research and scholarly accomplishments and significant contributions to advancing the University’s national and international reputation for research excellence. 

Nominated candidates will have demonstrated outstanding achievements in research, creative, scholarly, clinical, or diagnostic activities. Among the factors to be considered by the Committee will be: sustained and outstanding research achievement of excellent quality as documented through publications and/or other scholarly outcomes; recognition by one’s peers in the field of research; intellectual and creative endeavors that have made an exceptional impact on the community of interest; and/or, scholarly clinical or diagnostic activities of outstanding contribution to their scholarly disciplines. 

• Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, or a combination thereof.
• Nominations must be supported by two nominators. At least one nominator must be a member of UPEI's faculty or staff.
• Nominations must include a dated statement of no more than two (2) pages proposing the nomination, describing and justifying the achievements in the category for which the application is being made. Nominations must provide specific examples to support the nomination.

Nominations are submitted in confidence through the online nomination form. 

The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting a workshop focused on teaching the basics about creating a business plan on Monday, February 23, from 5PM - 7PM. Participants will learn about the major components of a business plan and what sort of information should be included in the document.

Attendees participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program will also receive suggestions, tips, and tricks for how to make the most of their business plan for their written award submissions. The event is open to the public, but those participating in the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program Accelerate stream will have the event count towards their attendance boost for the Entrepreneurial written awards if present.

Sign up today!

The Office of Research Services and the Teaching and Learning Centre are collaborating to put on a workshop about incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) in Research*.   

Dr. Shilpa Dogra is Professor in Kinesiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University. Dr. Dogra’s diverse research program has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. Some of her CIHR funded projects focus on the inclusion of older adults from equity deserving groups in research. She has co-authored papers on the development of a sex and gender-based analysis tool (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0323834), a call to action on Indigenization and EDIA (https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/22/6/article-p644.xml), and has served on several CIHR review panels, including the Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award.   

Dr. Dogra will join Dr. Nola Etkin, Dr. Josh MacFayden, Dr. Marissa Clapson, Dr. Cinthya Guzman, and Research Grants Coordinator Leslie Cudmore for an interactive workshop on incorporating EDIA into grant applications.   

In this session, researchers will explore their positionality, integrate EDIA into their proposal and highly qualified personnel (HQP) sections, and leave with actionable material to include in their next grant application.  

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026 

Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm 

Location: FSDE 128A 

Open to all faculty members. Please RSVP here: EDIA in Research Workshop – Fill out form 

Storm date: Friday, February 20, 2026, 1-3 pm. FSDE 128A

*This session was previously marketed as a Indigenization and EDIA in Research Workshop. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the Indigenization portion has been removed from this session. We hope to run a separate Indigenization in Research session in the future.   

Questions can be directed to Julie VanLeeuwen (jmvanleeuwen@upei.ca), Research Navigator. 

Volunteers wanted for sauna and blood sugar and sauna study

Research study at the University of Prince Edward Island
Principal Investigator: Dr. Étienne Myette-Côté

Study Title:

The Effects of Acute Sauna Therapy on Glucose Control in Individuals at Risk for Metabolic Impairments.

What’s involved: Help us understand how a single 45-minute infrared sauna session affects blood sugar levels. Participants will complete two sessions (sauna and rest), wear a small blood sugar sensor (CGM), and attend a total of three lab visits. All meals for study days will be provided.

You may be eligible if you

• are 30–49 years old
• have a body mass index of ≥ 27 kg/m²
• have a waist size >102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)
• have access to transportation for the last 2 visits (e.g., car, public transit, or drop-off) or live within a five-minute walk of the university.
• are cleared for participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+).

You cannot participate if you

• take medications that affect blood sugar
• exercise intensely 2+ times/week
• have diabetes, heart issues, low blood sugar or pressure
• are pregnant
• regularly use saunas or other heat therapy

Location: All sessions take place at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Interested? Contact us to learn more or see if you're eligible: researchupei@outlook.com

Faculty members and post-docs who supervise, mentor, and/or instruct graduate students are invited to join the upcoming Community of Practice on Excellence in Graduate Supervision session. 

Being a graduate student is just one of the many concurrent identities of the students we supervise/mentor/instruct. When competing priorities or impactful world events arise but research deadlines are looming, it can be difficult to know how to strike a balance between expecting progress and being compassionate in our supervision. Join peers for a dialogue about experiences, insights, and tools to support being mentors/supervisors/instructors of the whole grad student.

What: CoP: Mentoring and Supervision of the whole grad student – Balancing accountability with compassion
When: 10:30-11:45 am, Wednesday, February 18
Where: Rm 230 – Teaching and Learning Centre, UPEI Robertson Library Annex

Light refreshments will be provided.

For questions or more information, please contact Charlene VanLeeuwen at cvanleeuwen@upei.ca or Kendra Mellish at kmellish@upei.ca

Join the Master of Cleantech Leadership and Transformation (MCLT) for a hands-on, creative student mixer on February 25, 2026, from 1:30–3:30 pm in McMillan Hall.

Open to all students (undergraduate and graduate), participants can sign up in teams of three to build sustainability-themed miniatures—such as green homes and pollinator gardens—while learning about the MCLT program.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, with additional door prizes, food, and a relaxed opportunity for students to connect and explore future pathways in sustainability and graduate studies.

The event is free to attend but space is limited, so sign up today: MCLT Mixer & Miniature-Making Event - Sign Up – Fill out form

Questions? Email cleantech@upei.ca