Graduate student research on Canada’s North will be the focus of the fourth annual Trent Northern Studies Colloquium to be held on January 29, 2014, from 9:00 am- 4:00 pm at the Gathering Space, Gzowski College.

The event, which is open to anyone interested will also feature a talk with the University’s Jack Matthews Fellow, CBC Radio host Shelagh Rogers, and a keynote address from Science North’s staff scientist, Frank Mariotti.

“The colloquium is organized by Trent graduate students to share their knowledge, passion and interest in Canada’s North with other students, faculty and members of the Peterborough community,” said supervising faculty member Dr. Chris Furgal, Trent University. “The day has been designed to promote a balanced, multi-disciplinary exploration and discussion of the complex issues, ideas and agendas that affect Northern communities and residents.”

Alongside student presentations, Shelagh Rogers will share stories of her travels, experiences and journalism. Ms. Rogers is the 2014 Jack Matthews Fellow and serves as an honorary witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The evening event, which is also open to the public, will take place at the Canadian Canoe Museum starting at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30pm).  It will feature the keynote address from Franco Mariotti, staff scientist at Science North in Sudbury, Ontario. In his talk “Engaging the Arctic”, he will be presenting his experiences in the Arctic, his vast knowledge of Arctic issues, and the challenges he sees in communicating these issues to the public, as he helps to develop Science North’s ‘Arctic Voices’ exhibit.

The Northern Studies Colloquium is free and open to the community. All are welcome.  A full schedule of events is available at the Northern Studies Colloquium website .