Human beings have been storytelling creatures since the very beginning, and the narrative impulse permeates countless facets of our world. Narrative is pivotal not just to literature, in other words, but to cognition and emotion, memory and community, politics and religion, culture and identity, counselling and learning. In the same way that any story deals with a number of subjects at once, so the study of story is the province of no one field.
In 2003, St. Thomas approved a Strategic Research Plan which identified narrative as one of six key areas for research across the institution. That interest in narrative has taken root at STU is not surprising, given its collegial environment and accessible size, its tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration, and its commitment to the integration of scholarship, teaching, and practice. In 2007, a group of us made application to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for funding through its Aid to Small Universities Program, and in April 2008, a grant was awarded.
The NBASRDC's small research grant competitions are now closed. Current grant holders are asked to submit their final report to the Centre's administrative assistant by April 30, 2009.
Members of NBASRDC will have an interest in the work of the NBASRDC and a willingness to prepare a short profile for posting on the website of NBASRDC.
The Centre has helped researchers develop their ideas and research agendas by providing opportunities to present at interdisciplinary conferences and symposia. In its four-year existence, the NBASRDC has hosted to two symposia and two conferences.
To enrich, expand and develop knowledge about the Atlantic Canadian region, particularly the province of New Brunswick, through individual, collaborative, interdisciplinary and inter-institutional research studies.
St. Thomas University’s New Brunswick and Atlantic Studies Research and Development Centre focuses on individual interdisciplinary and inter-institutional studies on New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada. It also intends to apply research knowledge gained in similar regions for the benefit of New Brunswick.
