Dispatches · Issue 9 · Newsletter ·
The Existential Dispatch, Issue No. 9
This morning, I’m thinking about the small ethical moments that structure our work more than any grand policy: the instant we notice (or miss) the person in front of us. Thinker of the issue: Emmanuel Levinas.
A Word from the Founding Director
This morning, I’m thinking about the small ethical moments that structure our work more than any grand policy: the instant we notice (or miss) the person in front of us. In healthcare, existential inquiry often begins not with an answer, but with a refusal to reduce someone’s suffering to a checkbox.
Existential Thinker of the Issue
Emmanuel Levinas
Aphorism: “Do not kill me”. (Levinas, via Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Why it matters clinically: Levinas reminds us that ethics is not an afterthought to expertise; it arrives first, as a demand made by the vulnerable other. In practice, this can re-orient encounters toward safety, dignity, and a felt sense of being recognized—especially when patients and staff are exhausted, scared, or unseen. plato.stanford.edu
In Academia
Meaning-centered care meets GenAI: A June 2026 paper argues we should treat generative AI as “interactional infrastructure” for meaning-centered care in later life—supporting conversations about dignity, continuity of self, loneliness, and legacy (rather than replacing human care). frontiersin.org
In Film, Literature and Culture
A short, accessible Levinas refresher: A recent explainer video walks through Levinas’s idea of “the trace” and how ethical responsibility can be experienced as something that precedes choice—useful as a lightweight primer for students or reading groups. youtube.com
In Healthcare (Global)
Supporting staff after incidents: NHS Employers published a Post-Incident Support Framework (published July 1, 2026) with guidance for timely, practical, equitable support for staff affected by violence, abuse, harassment, and other traumatic workplace incidents. ahcs.ac.uk
Funding and Grant Opportunities
SSHRC Connection Grants: SSHRC deadline is Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (per UBC ORE listing). ore.educ.ubc.ca
CIHR Operating Grant (Data Analysis Using Existing Canadian Databases and Cohorts): registration deadline September 2, 2026; CIHR submission date September 22, 2026 (per Carleton R&I listing). research.carleton.ca
Conferences and Events
Critical Care Canada Forum (Nov 23–25, 2026): Call for Abstracts final submission deadline is September 1, 2026; accepted presenters confirm/register by September 30, 2026. criticalcarecanada.com
Startup and Innovation Watch
A gentle watch-point rather than a headline: the most interesting innovation right now may be “workflow humility”—tools that make space for meaning without over-automating it. If you see a concrete program, pilot, or product in this space (especially in oncology or end-of-life care), send it along and we’ll feature it.
To Close: An Existential Joke
I asked my calendar if I could have a day off. It said: “Sorry, you don’t have any free will slots available.”