The women history forgot

Madame de La Tour. Esther Wheelwright. Isobel Gunn. Ever heard of them? Today in The Conversation Canada, women historians Donica Belisle of the University of Regina and Andrea Eidinger of the University of British Columbia tell us about some of Canada’s most important women who lived before the 20th century – histories that are rarely taught in mainstream courses.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said he trusts climate science “to a certain degree.” Chad Walker of Queen’s University points out that the Ford government’s ambivalence on climate change is part of the ongoing political divide in Canada on important environment topics – including wind-powered energy.

As governments and planners continue to develop “smart cities,” Cheryl Gladu of Concordia University says they should consider the concept of “cohousing” – a system that allows citizens to be involved in all aspects of the design of their neighbourhoods.

And finally…as winter sets in, it’s easy for all of us to avoid exercising. Scott Lear of Simon Fraser University looks at the growing trend of doctors prescribing physical activity in the same way they prescribe pills.

Regards,

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Stories
Mother Earth: Aataentsic is a woman in Wendat legend who falls from the sky and gives birth to humankind. Viv Lynch/Flickr

Who are Canada’s ‘most historically significant’ women?

Donica Belisle, University of Regina; Andrea Eidinger, University of British Columbia

Inspired by a recent poll that said Canadians don't know enough about women's history, some media outlets explored women's history but they left out some important stories.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks at an anti-carbon-tax rally in Calgary, in October 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Let’s create climate policy that will survive elections

Chad Walker, Queen's University, Ontario

In order to address a warming planet over the medium and long-term, climate policy must be designed to be adaptable and indeed attractive to those across the political spectrum.
Barcelona is a city where various “smart” aspects contribute to everyday life. Photo by Tim Easley on Unsplash

Cohousing is an inclusive approach to smart, sustainable cities

Cheryl Gladu, Concordia University

Smart cities need places for people to engage in meaningful ways, and cohousing is one model of smart citizen development.
Clinical research has established exercise as a safe and effective intervention to counteract the adverse physical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia is the first to recommend exercise as part of regular cancer care. (Unsplash/curtis macnewton)

Exercise is medicine, and doctors are starting to prescribe it

Scott Lear, Simon Fraser University

From weekend walks with your doctor to free gym memberships, there is a global movement afoot.

Health + Medicine

  • A vaccine that could block mosquitoes from transmitting malaria

    Wei-Chiao Huang, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Jonathan Lovell, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

    Researchers have tried unsuccessfully for decades to develop a malaria vaccine. Now a new approach, showing promise in mice, suggests it is possible to block mosquitoes from spreading the disease.

Politics

Culture + Society

  • Why are some Americans changing their names?

    Kirsten Fermaglich, Michigan State University

    The demographics of name change petitioners today – and the reasons that they give – tell a complicated story of race, class and culture.