Campus Notices
Due to budget constraints, RefWorks access for UPEI users through Robertson Library will now end on April 30, 2026. This is one year earlier than our previously-announced transition date. We are adopting Zotero–a free, open-source, and user-friendly citation manager–as a replacement for RefWorks.
If you have used RefWorks, the most important thing to do before April 30 is to export your citation data and any attached files from RefWorks. We have a written and video tutorial to guide you through this process.
If you want to continue using a citation manager, you can use Zotero for free. The Library website has instructions showing how to install Zotero and how to migrate your RefWorks data to Zotero. The Zotero Connector browser plug-in makes it easy to import your RefWorks data into Zotero.
If you are writing a document and adding citations with RefWorks in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you will need to finish adding citations by April 30 or re-insert your citations with Zotero. There is no automatic document conversion process.
If you do not currently plan to use Zotero or another citation manager, make sure you back up your RefWorks data somewhere that you will be able to find it in the future.
Your subject librarian can answer questions about setting up Zotero and exporting from RefWorks. If you are not sure who to contact, you can e-mail reference@upei.ca, use the Library’s online chat tool, or ask at the Library service desk.
We have also scheduled several times when you can get support from librarians in person or via Teams. These times are open to all students, staff, faculty, and other UPEI-affiliated people.
Drop-In Times (individual or small group help available during these windows) All sessions are hybrid. Note that each date has a separate Teams link.
Friday, March 27 - 9:30-11:30 am, RL 264 and Teams
Wednesday, April 1 - 1:00-3:00 pm, RL 264 and Teams
Thursday, April 16 - 9:30-11:30 am, RL 264 and Teams
Monday, April 27 - 1:30-3:30 pm, RL 264 and Teams
Thursday, April 30 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, RL 264 and Teams
Workshops (more structured guidance; please arrive at the start time)
Tuesday, April 7 - 10:30-11:15 am, online–register here
Wednesday, April 8 - 1:30-2:15 pm, RL 264
There will be some required maintenance of the UPEI network on Saturday March 28, 2026 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. We expect at most minor interruptions in services across campus. Thank you for your cooperation.
Join us for to celebrate and say farewell to Dr. Rhoda Speare, UPEI Biosafety Officer, as she begins her retirement.
Thursday, March 26, 10-11am
AVC Learning Commons (AVC 285N)
All welcome!
Join the UPEI Student Union for an insightful and engaging panel discussion on March 31, 11:30 am in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, featuring two distinguished physicians: Dr. Preston Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Peter MacPherson. They will share their expertise, experiences, and perspectives on the medical field.
This event is open to all community members and students interested in healthcare and medicine. It’s a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with professionals and peers alike.
Dr. Preston Smith has dedicated his career to advancing medical education. With 25 years as a family physician in Moncton and serving as VP of Medicine in New Brunswick, he gained significant expertise in health system reform. As Senior Associate Dean of Education at Dalhousie University, he played a key role in launching the Dalhousie medical education program in Saint John and starting new family medicine residency programs in PEI, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Most recently, as Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, he led a major restructuring of the college. Dr. Smith is eager to contribute to the development of a unique medical education program in Prince Edward Island in partnership with Memorial University. His passion for the evolution of medical education and research drives his interest in corporate governance. He has served on the boards of AFMC, VIDO, and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Dr. Peter MacPherson is Memorial University's Associate Dean for the PEI regional campus. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Alberta. He completed his pediatrics residency and a Master of Education degree at Memorial University. After residency, he worked as a clinician educator at Queen’s University and held several educational leadership roles related to undergraduate medical education there. He is also a consultant general pediatrician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
Final exams will be here before we know it, and Accessibility Services has begun to make arrangements for accommodated exams. Unfortunately, Accessibility Services emails that were sent to instructors via Accommodate have been filtered into receiver's spam folders. Please check your spam folder for instructions around final exam bookings and details.
If adjustments are needed, please email astesting@upei.ca.
The UPEI MBA in Global Leadership (MBA-GL) program will host an Open House on Thursday, April 9, from 3:30–5:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.
This session will offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about the program and application process, ask questions, and connect with students, professors, and staff from the McDougall Faculty of Business.
Attendees will be able to apply on-site (please bring a laptop or mobile device) and have their UPEI application fee waived ($50 CAD value). UPEI graduates are automatically eligible for a $2,000 MBA Future Leaders: UPEI Alumni Scholarship!
For more information, visit upei.ca/globalmba, or email mba@upei.ca.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Can’t make the Open House? Contact the program office at 902-566-6474, or mba@upei.ca to request more information or book a one-on-one meeting.
The President's Town Hall originally scheduled for Thursday, March 26 has been postponed. Once a date is determined for the next Town Hall later this spring, a campus-wide email will be issued. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Members of the campus community and the general public are invited to attend a free public forum on music education on Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 to 4:15 pm, at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre.
The forum is being held to present the findings of Access to Music Education (AMusE), a multidisciplinary research project led by Dr. Annabel Cohen, professor of psychology at UPEI, with co-lead Dr. Linyuan Guo-Brennan, professor of education. There will be presentations from parents; teachers; UPEI faculty members and current or former students from Education, Business, Economics, Psychology, Music, and Mathematics; and other stakeholder representatives. Audience members will have the opportunity to provide feedback. There will also be musical performances.
The goal of the AMusE project, which began in 2021, was to determine whether the Canadian school system meets the need for musical education, to identify possible inequities and barriers, and to consider ways to reduce them. The investigators also sought to understand the musical experience of educational stakeholders.
Attendance at the event is free, but people are asked to register. To register and for further information, please go to https://musicog.discoveryspace.ca/amuse.
Stop by the UPEI Bookstore Tuesday to Thursday--this week only--from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and spin our prize wheel for your chance to win discount coupons, free items, and prize giveaways. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest contests and promotions.
MSc in Environmental Sciences thesis defence by Jiayue (Lucy) Li
March 27, 2026, 1:00 pm, via web conference
Title: "Mental Health Impacts of Coastal Erosion Following Hurricane Fiona in Prince Edward Island"
Climate change has intensified coastal erosion and extreme weather, increasing psychosocial vulnerability in coastal communities. Hurricane Fiona (2022) caused significant damage and disruption in Prince Edward Island (PEI), yet its mental health impacts related to coastal erosion remain underexplored. This study examines the psychosocial effects of coastal erosion following Fiona across demographic groups. A mixed-methods approach was used, including a cross-sectional survey (n = 105) and semi-structured interviews (n = 9). Quantitative analyses (Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests) assessed associations between demographic factors and mental health outcomes, while qualitative data provided contextual insights. Psychological distress was widespread, including among those without direct physical impacts. Differences emerged across age, income, and gender, indicating varied vulnerability patterns. Key stressors included prolonged outages, infrastructure disruption, anticipated land loss, and institutional response gaps, while community cohesion acted as a protective factor. Findings highlight that mental health impacts extend beyond direct exposure and are shaped by perceived risk and environmental uncertainty. Adaptation strategies should integrate both physical and psychosocial dimensions to strengthen community resilience.
If you wish to attend the public presentation, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator at gsc@upei.ca to receive the link.
Researchers at UPEI are looking to understand how students, faculty, staff, and community members get to and from the UPEI campus. This will help identify ways to make it easier to get to and from UPEI with or without a vehicle. The anonymous survey will take five to ten minutes to complete, and participants who complete the survey will be eligible for a draw for one of five $50 VISA gift cards. For more information or to complete the survey, please go to https://forms.office.com/r/Ck97PRtw4N. For questions, you can also email the lead investigator, Dr. Travis Saunders, at trsaunders@upei.ca. This project has been reviewed by the UPEI Research Ethics Board.
With the semester coming to a close, this session is particularly valuable to both students still searching for their summer employment as well as those graduating and looking for that perfect next-step! Sign up today. The session will take place on March 26 at 12:00 pm, in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.
Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers.
He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money.
Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Permjot holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Leeds and an MBA from Open University (UK). He is an MIT-trained mentor program manager.
Get excited for the changing of seasons with the Swing into Spring 5k hosted by the AVC Class of 2029 as a fundraiser event for our white coat ceremony and the PEI Humane Society!
When: March 28, 10 am start
Where: Confederation Trail
Registration is ONLY $10 and is now open on our website for runners (and volunteers)! Everyone within the community is encouraged to participate; bring the fam, friends, pets, etc.!
We can't wait to see you at the start line! https://swingintospring5km.rsvpify.com
The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship is hosting an in-person workshop on pitching fundamentals on Friday, March 27, from 12:00-3:00 pm with world-renowned pitch coach Permjot Valia! Participants will learn tools, tips, and tricks around executing a business pitch effectively, efficiently, and engagingly! This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend!
The session will take place in the Schurman Market Square (MCDH 248), Don and Marion McDougall Hall. Sign up today!
More about the Facilitator, Permjot Valia:Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialise their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers.
He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money.
Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Permjot holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Leeds and an MBA from Open University (UK). He is an MIT-trained mentor program manager.
Join the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship for an engaging session on risk mitigation delivered by Permjot Valia! This in-person workshop will provide insight on what types of risk exist, how startups and organizations can categorize and prioritize risks, how risks can be perceived as opportunities, and what tools can be used to demonstrate risk to external stakeholders. This event is part of the Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program, but anyone from the public is welcome to attend!
The workshop is taking place in 128A-B Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering on Thursday, March 26 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Sign up today!
More about the Facilitator: Permjot Valia:Permjot Valia (he/him) is co-founder at Nava Develop Inc., a business development firm serving innovation focused corporates, startup organizations and academic institutions. A globally recognized mentor, facilitator and business coach, he has led strategic planning successes for organizations throughout Canada’s innovation ecosystem. He founded MentorCamp and was Lead Mentor of Cape Breton’s Navigate Startup House. He served as a Mentor-in-Residence at the University of Arkansas Sam Walton School of Business and has helped multiple researchers commercialize their research. This work continues through the 3 day Lab2Market program he delivers across Canada to researchers.
He is an expert pitch coach with companies he has coached winning over $10m in prize money.
Permjot serves on Boards of several startups, works with Dal Innovates, and lectures globally on business modelling, strategy and leadership. He is passionate about contributing to Canada’s economic development and cultural success.
Permjot holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from University of Leeds and an MBA from Open University (UK). He is an MIT-trained mentor program manager.
Join the UPEI Student Union for an insightful and engaging panel discussion on March 31, 11:30 am in McMillan Hall, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, featuring two distinguished physicians: Dr. Preston Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Peter MacPherson. They will share their expertise, experiences, and perspectives on the medical field.
This event is open to all community members and students interested in healthcare and medicine. It’s a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and connect with professionals and peers alike.
Dr. Preston Smith has dedicated his career to advancing medical education. With 25 years as a family physician in Moncton and serving as VP of Medicine in New Brunswick, he gained significant expertise in health system reform. As Senior Associate Dean of Education at Dalhousie University, he played a key role in launching the Dalhousie medical education program in Saint John and starting new family medicine residency programs in PEI, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Most recently, as Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, he led a major restructuring of the college. Dr. Smith is eager to contribute to the development of a unique medical education program in Prince Edward Island in partnership with Memorial University. His passion for the evolution of medical education and research drives his interest in corporate governance. He has served on the boards of AFMC, VIDO, and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Dr. Peter MacPherson is Memorial University's Associate Dean for the PEI regional campus. He obtained his medical degree at the University of Alberta. He completed his pediatrics residency and a Master of Education degree at Memorial University. After residency, he worked as a clinician educator at Queen’s University and held several educational leadership roles related to undergraduate medical education there. He is also a consultant general pediatrician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
The President's Town Hall originally scheduled for Thursday, March 26 has been postponed. Once a date is determined for the next Town Hall later this spring, a campus-wide email will be issued. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Join us for a symposium on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the environment. The symposium is organized by Environmental Studies students on March 25 from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Alex MacKinnon Auditorium (Room 242), Don and Marion McDougall Hall . All are welcome.
Three informative speakers will provide distinct views on the interactions between AI and the environment. The event is designed to encourage balanced, thoughtful dialogue that examines both the potential benefits of AI and its environmental impacts, rather than presenting the technology as entirely positive or negative. Following the presentations, there will be a question-and-answer period open to the audience.
Dr. Dania Tamayo-Vera is an assistant professor in Mathematical and Computational Sciences at UPEI. She will discuss how AI can help address complex environmental challenges and support sustainable development. Particularly, the use of machine learning to improve crop modelling and optimize agricultural strategies in the context of climate change.
Dr. Pamela Courtenay-Hall is an associate professor in Philosophy at UPEI. She will examine the social and ethical dimensions of AI development. Considering environmental justice and how funding directed toward AI technologies can result in unevenly distributed benefits and environmental costs.
Dr. Tushar Sharma is an assistant professor in Computer Science at Dalhousie. He will discuss the environmental costs of AI, such as water and energy consumption. He will then discuss how AI technology can be made more efficient, drawing on his research in sustainable AI and software engineering.
Members of the campus community and the general public are invited to attend a free public forum on music education on Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 to 4:15 pm, at the UPEI Performing Arts Centre.
The forum is being held to present the findings of Access to Music Education (AMusE), a multidisciplinary research project led by Dr. Annabel Cohen, professor of psychology at UPEI, with co-lead Dr. Linyuan Guo-Brennan, professor of education. There will be presentations from parents; teachers; UPEI faculty members and current or former students from Education, Business, Economics, Psychology, Music, and Mathematics; and other stakeholder representatives. Audience members will have the opportunity to provide feedback. There will also be musical performances.
The goal of the AMusE project, which began in 2021, was to determine whether the Canadian school system meets the need for musical education, to identify possible inequities and barriers, and to consider ways to reduce them. The investigators also sought to understand the musical experience of educational stakeholders.
Attendance at the event is free, but people are asked to register. To register and for further information, please go to https://musicog.discoveryspace.ca/amuse.
Stop by the UPEI Bookstore Tuesday to Thursday--this week only--from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, and spin our prize wheel for your chance to win discount coupons, free items, and prize giveaways. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest contests and promotions.
