Flipped classrooms. Algae power. Presenteeism. Paris Climate Conference.

The scholarly work of Concordia faculty and researchers informs and improves society on many issues that affect our daily lives. Visit the Research section to read news stories involving research at Concordia, or read the most recent items here:   

• Numerous media outlets report on a five-year study of 'flipped' classrooms, led by Calvin Kalman, a professor in the Department of Physics and principal of Concordia's Science College, who set out to improve the learning experience for students in his and other disciplines. The concept of the flipped classroom involves putting students in a collaborative learning environment where they engage in what the study refers to as 'reflective writing' about what they learn from their textbooks, peers and teachers: Science Daily, Health Medicine Network, Phys Org, Science Codex, Newswise, Mozaaf (linking to Science Daily) and AMEQ en ligne. The paper was recently published in the journal Physical Review.
• A Concordia study of alternative energy sources continues to spark interest, with The Spoked Blog reporting on the development of a power cell that harnesses electrical energy from the photosynthesis and respiration of blue-green algae. It results from research led by Muthukumaran Packirisamy, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.
• MSN News reprises an earlier article about workplace presenteeism. It quotes management professor Gary Johns, who has conducted his own research on the phenomenon. 
• Renaud Gignac, an invited researcher in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, is interviewed for Agence Science-Presse about the recent Paris Climate Conference, where he was an observer. Gignac, first heard at the 10:10 mark, is co-author, with associate professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment Damon Matthews, of the research paper Allocating a 2 °C cumulative carbon budget to countries.

 More Researchers in the news