INTRODUCTION:
New technologies are revolutionizing society, creating a ‘techno-social collective’ where humans and intelligent technologies are deeply interconnected. While such advances present exciting opportunities, they also present significant risks, especially for vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. The Connected Minds Program –supported by the Canada Research Excellence Fund, York and Queens’ Universities, and our many partners from multiple sectors—envisions a world where breakthroughs in technology promote social health and justice for all, with special focus on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. For further details, see: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/general-information/.
Connected Minds Long-Term Goals:
- To understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels
- To predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective
- To use these predictions to drive new research and technology development
As such, we expect all funded initiatives and awards to contribute towards the long-term goals of our program.
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Research Themes: Connected Minds research aligns with three core themes: Theme I (Co- creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact) projects will mobilize transdisciplinary academics expertise and non-academic partnerships (including Indigenous Communities) to co- create research topics, priorities, and approaches. Theme II (Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks) projects will study different levels and scales, from the local (e.g., cortical microcircuits, network modules, system components) to global (e.g., whole- brain functional connectivity, control systems), to the social networks composed of both humans and machines. Theme III (Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies) projects will engage current and new partners in industry, healthcare, government, and not-for-profit sectors to develop these intelligent technologies, and promulgate policies that promote a healthy, just society, and bench to world validation.
BASIC INFORMATION:
The Connected Minds Master’s Scholarship will provide financial support to high-calibre trainees doing scholarly work that is aligned with the Connected Minds program.
Connected Minds will support interdisciplinary training programs across its three pillars and will support training opportunities with partners in industry, government and non-profit sectors that will enhance the trainee’s graduate experience. Scholarships will be awarded competitively based on the strength of the candidate, the strength of the research proposal, and fit with the goals of the Connected Minds program in addition to the Affirmative Action policies noted below.
Specifically, successful Applicants are expected to make meaningful contributions towards fulfilling a subset of Connected Minds’ strategic objectives and pivotal performance benchmarks, encompassing:
- Collaborations with industry, academic, government, & community partners (including Indigenous Peoples & Communities)
- Increased interdisciplinary scholarship, research, & art creation
- Increased international recognition, collaboration, & leadership
- Contributions to one or more of the following three National Science and Innovation Priority Areas (NSIPA): 1) Healthy Canadians, 2) Innovative Resilient Communities 3) Technologically Advanced Canada
In recognition of the underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous Peoples within these fields, at least 10% of available scholarships will be designated for qualified applicants identifying as African, Caribbean, and Black, and at least 10% for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), totaling at least 20% of scholarships. To qualify for these designated awards, applicants must complete the voluntary self-identification form and meet the minimum requirements set for the award.
Additionally, if you belong to one of the other underrepresented groups (racialized individuals; persons with disabilities; women and 2SLGBTQIA+), self identification will be used as a tiebreaker for candidates who are deemed equal. The tie breaker situation is directly linked to thresholds the Connected Minds program seeks to achieve based on our Affirmative Action targets.
Award Details:
*Up to $10K/yr up to 2 years
As per CFREF rules, these funds cannot be used to replace any existing university funding mechanism, they must be used as top-up.
* $3,333.33/term (FA/WI/SR) that the student is actively registered in.
New Application Deadline:
January 10, 2025
Application Link Coming Soon
Last updated: 03/06/2024