Welcome to McMaster University!

The local arrangements co-chairs and all of the McMaster community are very happy to bring back the SSC meeting to McMaster after 24 years. This provides us with a terrific opportunity to showcase our beautiful campus and facilitate connections and interactions amongst colleagues and collaborators from across Canada and abroad. We are especially excited to welcome the large cohort of students who will be visiting our campus! We sincerely hope all guests enjoy their time in Hamilton.

Land acknowledgement

McMaster University recognizes and acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement".

The City of Waterfalls

Hamilton is located on the western tip of Lake Ontario, nestled between Niagara Falls and Toronto. Hamilton is a part of the Niagara Escarpment, resting on Lake Ontario within driving distance of Toronto and Niagara Falls. The city is split between the lower mountain and the remainder on the escarpment itself (the "mountain"). The population of Hamilton is approximately 600,000 and continues to grow and flourish as a home for many.

Hamilton is known as the City of Waterfalls with over 130 waterfalls. Some of the most impressive locations are Tiffany Falls, Albion Falls, Webster’s Falls, Tew's Falls and Devil’s Punchbowl. All are within a short drive from the McMaster campus. Hamilton is also close to several conservation areas, such as Christie Lake Conservation are and Dundas Valley Conservation area, each containing lakes and trails.

Downtown Hamilton is home to Jackson Square, within which is the Hamilton Central Library, the Farmer's Market, along with some eateries and shops. Also downtown, across from Jackson Square, is the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Having opened in 1914, the gallery is an integral part of the downtown core. Also downtown are two entertainment/conference venues, namely Hamilton Place and TD Coliseum where the Junos took place this year. Between downtown and McMaster lies Westdale Village, a segment of King St. West lined with shops and eateries. Only a 15 minute walk to campus, with various food options, banks, a theatre, pharmacy and bakery, it is a popular destination amongst students, faculty and visitors to McMaster. We highly recommend you take time to visit Westdale Village.

Getting around Hamilton is not difficult, primarily by The Hamilton Street Railway (HSR). The HSR provides convenient and efficient bus transportation throughout the city. With accessible busses, fare assistance programs and PRESTO Cards, HSR has become a primary mode of transportation for many Hamiltonians. For our visitors from the nation’s capital region, your Ottawa PRESTO cards will work on all transit networks serving Hamilton.

McMaster University is accessible via HSR from every area of the city. From the mountain, riders can take any one of several bus routes coming to the downtown core, and then transfer at the Macnab street terminal, directly across the street from Jackson Square. From the east end of the city, two main lines run, one with a reduced number of stops, and from the west, there are busses from the Dundas area that run along Main St. W. Riders can also easily reach McMaster from the downtown Go Transit Centre. Go Transit runs local trains and busses from local cities, and even has a hub on campus with busses to/from Mississauga and the University of Waterloo. Hamilton also has a new Go Train station in the West Harbour with convenient trains to Union Station in Toronto, and now offers trains to Niagara Falls. For more information, including HSR routes and schedules, you can visit HSR's website here.

We truly hope you enjoy your time in Hamilton and the surrounding area!

About McMaster University

McMaster University has an interesting history. The university was founded in Toronto in 1887 when Senator William McMaster bequeathed $900,000. McMaster University was formed as a result of the merging of the Toronto Baptist College and Woodstock College and opened in Toronto in 1890. In 1930, the university relocated to Hamilton, where land had been gifted and funds secured to build through donations from alumni, Baptist church members and Hamilton residents. In 1957, the university became public and, since then, has continuously grown and developed to become the well-known university it currently is. Some important developments have been the establishment of the nuclear reactor in 1959 and the world-renowned School of Medicine in 1965. Michael DeGroote and his family have been major benefactors to McMaster University over the years. Their generosity has helped create the De Groote School of Business, as well as funding the construction of MDCL where all our scientific talks will take place. The McMaster University Student Centre was opened in 2002, and one of the first big functions there was the 2002 SSC meeting. It will be the setting for the Welcome Reception as well as all lunches for this year’s meeting.

About Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics recently celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2024 and is now home to approximately 42 regular faculty members and 15 postdoctoral fellows, as well as many graduate students. The Department offers many undergraduate programs in several areas, including algebra, analysis, financial mathematics, mathematical biology, probability and statistics. Many students also enroll in the Faculty of Science co-op programs, often finding placements across the Greater Toronto Area in a wide span of industries. As well as programs in mathematics, we have MSc and PhD programs in statistics which attract a large number of domestic and international applicants every year.

The Department moved from the Burke Science Building to a fully renovated Hamilton Hall in 2003, which was rebranded as the James Stewart Centre for Mathematics. Please do make sure to visit our building, as it really is something we are proud to call home. The bequests from Prof. James Stewart have also helped to fund summer research experience for our top undergraduate students.

Organizers

Scientific Program Committee

Dr. Johanna G. Nešlehová (Chair ), McGill University
Dr. Jean-François Bégin, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Celia Greenwood, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill University
Dr. Dave Campbell, Carleton University
Dr. Joshua Speagle, University of Toronto
Dr. Priscilla (Cindy) Greenwood, University of British Columbia
Dr. Harsha Perera, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Steve Matthews, Statistics Canada

Local Arrangements Committee @ McMaster University

Dr. Angelo Canty, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Dr. Katherine Davies, Department of Mathematics and Statistics

We also wish to extend gratitude to the following whose support was vital in putting this conference together and is most appreciated.

Office of the Provost, McMaster University
Conference Services, McMaster University
Catering Services, McMaster University
Media Production Services, McMaster University
Department of Mathematics & Statistics, McMaster University
McMaster Students Union
SSC Office Staff
Alleyway Sound
Soundbox Pro
WHOVA

We are also very grateful to our student volunteers who have helped tremendously with ensuring this conference goes well. You will see these volunteers in their red t-shirts around the conference. Please join us in thanking them for their service to the SSC.

General Information

NOTE – To be environmentally conscious, the SSC Board decided to no longer provide printed programs.

We suggest you download the free WHOVA app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. This app allows you to view the program, set up your personal agenda, and connect with fellow attendees. The program is available in both English and French, depending on your device's language settings. You can use TRACKS to navigate through the program. All registrants will receive an email with instructions on using WHOVA for SSC2026.

Alternatively, the SSC meeting website offers the entire program online or as a PDF file, with and without abstracts, which you can print if needed.

Please note that by attending the SSC Annual Meeting, all attendees agree to adhere to the SSC Code of Conduct.

Directions

Air Travel: There are direct flights to John C. Monroe Hamilton International airport by Air Canada and Porter from a number of Canadian cities. The airport is located just a short drive from downtown Hamilton, making it easy for visitors to reach their accommodations and start exploring the city. For cities without direct flights to Hamilton, Toronto Pearson International Airport or the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are about an hour away.
Ground Transportation to Hamilton: Hamilton is very well served by the GO network of buses and trains. From downtown Toronto, you can take the Lakeshore West GO train to Aldershot where there are bus connections to downtown Hamilton (#18) and McMaster University (#15). A fast and convenient way to Downtown Hamilton from Pearson Airport is the #40 GO Bus. More information about the GO network can be found at https://www.gotransit.com
Ground Transportation in Hamilton: The public transit service in Hamilton is called the Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) with a network of buses from all over the city to the MacNab terminal in the heart of downtown. A number of buses service McMaster University including the 1A and 5A which enter the campus and stop very close to the main conference sites. See https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/hsr for more information.
There are two major taxi services in Hamilton as well as Uber and Lyft rideshare programs.

All SSC 2026 talks are scheduled to take place Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL).

The Opening Reception on Sunday, May 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., will be held in the Marketplace of the McMaster University Students Centre (MUSC). There will be appetizers provided and a bar will be open. Note that McMaster Campus is entirely cash-free so payments must be made by debit or credit card.

The banquet will be held at the historic Liuna Station (360 James St N, Hamilton). There will be a cash/bar and cocktails from 6pm followed by dinner service at 7pm. Music will be provided by the talented local duo of Siobhán Kerr (harp) and Michael McAllister (flute). Buses will be provided from the University campus to Liuna Station on Tuesday after the end of the scientific sessions.

Registration

Registration opened in January and remains open. Registered participants must pick up their badges and food / banquet vouchers at the Registration Desk during the times indicated below. Walk-ins must register online and present their receipt at the registration desk. If you have already registered for the conference but wish to add a workshop, please contact es-admin@ssc.ca for instructions or visit the registration desk before the workshop on Sunday morning.

The Registration Desk is located in the lobby of MDCL. Additionally, there will be a registration desk in MUSC close to the Marketplace during the reception on the evening of May 31.

Registration desk in the lobby of Michael G. De Groote Centre for Learning and Discovery:

Sunday, May 31: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday, June 1: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 2: 8:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Registration desk in McMaster University Student Centre (location of the Welcoming Reception):

Sunday, May 31: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Parking

Paid public parking is available on campus in lots G, H and I. Parking costs $6 per hour to a maximum of $20 per day on weekdays and there is a flat rate of $8 for parking on weekends.

Campus Security

McMaster Campus Security Services work closely with the campus community and Hamilton Police Services to maintain a safe campus. They respond to emergencies and provide programs and services. Their officers patrol the campus on foot, bike and in marked patrol vehicles 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Red assistance phones are located throughout the McMaster campus. These phones provide direct access to Security Services. Additionally, the University’s main campus pay phones have a “Security Hot-Button” that also provides direct access to Security Services.

Emergency Assistance: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact

Hamilton Police Service 911
Campus Security Services: 905-522-4135 or 88 from any internal phone.

Non-Emergency Assistance: Contact McMaster Campus Security Services

Phone: 905-522-4135 (24 Hours)

Internet Access

The University is a member of eduroam, an authentication service allowing users (researchers, teachers, students, staff) from participating educational institutions to securely access wireless network of any eduroam-enabled institution by using the same credentials they would use at their home institution. Connecting through eduroam provides basic network connectivity for web browsing (HTTP), secure shell (SSH) and VPN access. Visitors to McMaster University from eduroam participating institutions can access basic wireless services using their university related credentials.
McMaster WIFI Network: Mac-Events, Password: spring2026 will be available from May 29 to June 3 and will cover MUSC and MDCL.

Food on Campus

Coffee Breaks: Morning coffee breaks will be held from 9:50am to 10:20am (10:00am to 10:30am on Sunday) in the lobby and corridors of the first floor of MDCL. Afternoon coffee breaks will be in the same location from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lunch: The lunch time is from 11:50am to 1:30pm (12:00pm to 1:30pm on Sunday). There will be two buffets and seating areas in the McMaster University Students Centre (MUSC). In the first floor Marketplace and outside CIBC Hall on the third floor. There will be seating in the Marketplace and CIBC Hall as well as the outdoor terrace near CIBC Hall. Lunch is included in your registration but you must wear your conference badge. For those taking part in Workshops or Board meetings on Sunday you should have a coloured sticker in the upper left of your conference badge to indicate that you are entitled to lunch on Sunday. The buffet on Sunday will be outside CIBC Hall on the third floor of MUSC only.
For those attending lunchtime business meetings, a boxed lunch will be provided and can be collected from the registration desk.
Food on Campus: There are limited places to eat on campus during the summer but there is a variety of food available at La Piazza near the Marketplace in MUSC as well as a Tim Horton’s. The Phoenix Craft House and Grill is also open and has a very nice outdoor patio.

Athletic Facilities

The David Braley Athletic Centre has squash courts, a pool, saunas as well as indoor and outdoor running tracks. The Pulse Fitness Centre is also housed there. Membership and daily passes to the facility is open to everyone including the USask community and the general public (https://active.mcmaster.ca/memberships/rates).

The Conference

An important feature of our meetings is the presentation of the abstracts and of the plenary session visual aids in both official languages. This translation was once again very ably carried out under the supervision of the Bilingualism Committee:

Thierry Chekouo Tekougang, Chair
Ismaila Baldé
Anne-Sophie Charest
Lajmi Lakhal Chaieb
Mamadou Yauck
Max Turgeon

and by the translators:

Catherine Cox
Olivier Tremblay

Scientific Sessions - Rooms

Talks will be held in the Michael G. De Groote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL).

Poster Sessions and Case Studies

Contributed posters and Case Study posters will be displayed in outer corridors on the first floor of MDCL.

Case Study posters are scheduled on Monday. Presenters for Case Study #1 are requested to put up their posters between 8:00am and 10:00am, and are expected to be with their posters during the 10:20-11:50 session. Case Study #1 presenters should remove their poster by 1pm. Case Study #2 teams can put up their posters between 1pm and 1:30pm and are expected to be at their posters during the 13:30-15:00 session. Posters should be removed by 17:30 on Monday.

The assigned sessions for contributed poster presentations are Tuesday, 10:20am -11:50am and 1:30pm-3:00pm. Presenters should put up their posters between 8am and 10am. All contributed posters will be displayed between 10:00am and 4:00pm, the authors being with their posters during their assigned session time. All posters should be removed between 16:00 and 17:30 on Tuesday.

Workshops

Workshops organized by the Sections will be held on Sunday, May 31, in the Michael G. De Groote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL). Note that the Statistical Education and Data Science and Analytics workshops will be combined in the morning.

Refreshment breaks will take place in the MDCL lobby between 10:00 and 10:30, and between 15:00 and 15:30. Lunch for the Workshops will be held in CIBC Hall in the McMaster University Students Centre between 12:00 and 13:30. Lunch is provided for all workshop attendees including those attending the half day Biostatistics workshop which starts at 1pm.

Other Meetings

NSERC Discovery Grant Information Session: Monday, June 1, 17:10 – 19:10 in room MDCL 1110.

This workshop will be presented by NSERC Research Grants staff and will cover the Notification of Intent to Apply (NOI) and Full Application process, the Discovery Grant evaluation process principles (criteria and ratings), the Conference Model and tips for preparing a Discovery Grant application. Following the Workshop, there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

Social events

Welcome Reception

Sunday, May 31, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Welcome Reception will be held in the Marketplace area of the McMaster University Students Centre. All conference attendees are welcome to join us for some appetizers in good company. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase from the bar. Note that all purchases can be completed by debit or credit card only.

SSC Banquet

Tuesday, June 2, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The banquet will be held at Liuna Station (360 James St N, Hamilton), with a cash bar/cocktails starting at 6:00pm in the Grand Lobby, followed by dinner service at 7:00pm in the Grand Central Ballroom. All conference participants who have selected a meal for the banquet will find one banquet ticket with their selected meal in their registration badge. You must place the banquet ticket on the table in front of you when your table is served. Please notify your server of any food allergies.

If you have a banquet ticket but do not wish to attend the banquet, please return it to the Registration Desk by noon on Tuesday, June 2. This will help us better plan for attendance at the banquet.

Shuttle buses will transport conference attendees between McMaster and Liuna at both the start and end of the banquet. Buses will be available from approximately 5:30pm just east of the McMaster University Students Centre; return buses will be available from approximately 10pm in front of Liuna Station.

Student Barbeque

Monday, June 1, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Burke Science Building Field.
The student BBQ is free for undergraduate and graduate students; advance registration is required. Those who have registered for the BBQ will receive a ticket with their registration badge. In the event of inclement weather, the BBQ will move to the MUSC Marketplace.

Other Social Events

New Members and First-Time Attendees Social Lunch

Monday, June 1 from 11:50am-1:30pm at CIBC Hall
The SSC Membership Committee invites all new SSC members and those attending the conference for the first time to join us in the CIBC Room during the lunch break on Monday, June 1. Lunch is being served for all meeting participants at the buffet outside CIBC Hall. But we have reserved a few tables where you can join members of the membership committee and other new SSC members and first-time attendees after having gotten your lunch at the buffet outside CIBC Hall.

2026 SSC Accreditation Social Event

Monday, June 1 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at Phoenix Craft House and Grill.
All accredited members, and anyone interested in learning more about Accreditation, are invited to the annual Accreditation Social on Monday evening, after the Accreditation panel session "Applied Professional Consulting and Collaborating Practices”. Head over to the Phoenix Craft House and Grill and the Accreditation Services Committee will provide light snacks and a beverage of your choice. Anyone wanting dinner can order from the menu, which features a fine selection of local craft beers.

New Investigators Social Event 2026

Monday, June 1, 5:30pm-7:30pm at Phoenix Craft House and Grill.

PDF

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