#12 Nerd Nite Hamilton (1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY) – August 12th, 2024
Talk 1: Veteran Homelessness in Canada
Contrary to popular belief Canada has had and continues to have a serious problem within the Veteran community, that problem is homelessness. Our men and women in uniform are coming home from war, getting out of the military, and finding that things are very difficult. These difficulties, combined with a lack of information, training and understanding have led to a situation where more and more often our veterans are ending up on the streets, and in situations that neither they nor anyone deserve. In this presentation we will review the unique drivers behind veteran homelessness, the problems that Veterans face, as well as what is and can be done to alleviate it.
Speaker: Lino is the founder of Ruck 2 Remember, a registered not for profit based out of Hamilton, Ontario. Ruck To Remember is an organization that serves as a tribute and support to those who have served as a front line responder or military in the present, past, and future. Their role is primarily about creating awareness and support for those within our front line responder communities which include, Paramedics, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and Military. They host an annual charity ruck march that covers between 130 and 160km and also take part in multiple events and fundraising efforts throughout the year to continue raising awareness and support. To date they have raised nearly $1.2MM dollars for Operation: Leave the Streets Behind. A charity dedicated to getting and keeping veterans off the street.
Talk 2: Empathy vs Catharsis in Acting
As a child actor, figuring out how NOT to take on a character’s trauma was a real-life quest that felt more like a never-ending side mission. The challenge? Immersing yourself so deeply in a role that you connect with your character’s emotions—without ending up needing extra therapy yourself! In this talk, I’ll explore the fine line between empathy and catharsis in acting. How can you connect authentically with a character’s struggles while keeping your own emotional health in check.
Speaker: Jessica Clement in a Hamilton-based actor with over 20 years of experience…despite still playing 16 year olds. She began her acting journey on the stage of Theatre Aquarius at 7 as young Cosette in Les Mis. Since then she has made leaps in her field as a film actor. After landing her first series regular in CBC’s Pure, she climbed her way through guest stars on series including “V.C. Andrews’ Casteel Family”, “So Help me Todd”, “Good Sam”, “Surrealestate”, and “CROSS”. Eventually securing leading roles alongside Nicolas Cage in A24’s “Dream Scenario”, Richard Gere in “Longing”, and Bryan Cranston & Allison Janney in “Everything’s Going to be Great”. She is currently working on season 2 of Amazon Prime’s spin off of “The Boys” series, titled “GEN V”. Jess owns and runs an acting studio in Hamilton (Hamont Acting Studio) where she helps aspiring actors nurture their careers.
Talk 3: Bridging the Divide: Navigating the Complex Intersections of Biomedical Expertise and Urban Community Beliefs
In an increasingly complex urban environment, the tension between the expertise of biomedical researchers, clinicians, and policymakers and the needs, experiences, and belief systems of underserved communities is growing. This talk will explore how these tensions manifest and what they reveal about the broader cultural, social, and political dynamics at play in modern healthcare. Drawing on ethnographic storytelling, human-centered design, and experimental ethnography, Dr. Cam will delve into the lived experiences of individuals within these communities, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for creating more inclusive and responsive healthcare systems. By examining these intersections, the talk will propose pathways for fostering greater understanding and collaboration between biomedical experts and the communities they aim to serve.
Speaker: Dr. Cam Murray is an anthropologist of science and medicine with a Ph.D. from York University’s Science & Technology Studies (STS) program. Over the past six years, he has served as a design researcher and strategist for hospitals, life science companies, community health organizations, and clinical research teams globally. His current postdoctoral fellowship at McMaster University’s Science in Society Lab and collaboration with the International Research Network for the Study of Science and Belief in Society focuses on exploring the intersection of biomedical expertise and the lived experiences of underserved urban communities.