January 12, 2024
The Order of Canada medal (Photo source: Governor General of Canada)
Professors Claire Crooks, Joy MacDermid and Fred Possmayer are among 13 members of the Western community recently recognized with national, provincial and local honours.
Ursuline Hall, Brescia (Photo source: Brescia Communications)
The governing boards of Brescia and Western have approved final plans to integrate as of May 2024. Both institutions are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for students, staff, faculty and alumni.
Carol Off (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Award-winning author and Western grad Carol Off has joined the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities as a visiting lecturer, teaching a fourth-year capstone course based on her upcoming book on the weaponization of words.
Miguel Quiñones-Mateu (Photo source: Western Research)
Miguel Quiñones-Mateu, a world-leading virologist helping to establish a viral vaccine seed bank at Western, is one of nine elite researchers supported by the Western Research Chairs program.
Téa Mutonji (Photo source: Sarah Bodri)
Writer-in-residence Téa Mutonji’s debut short story collection, Shut Up You’re Pretty, has been shortlisted for CBC's Canada Reads.
Engineering grad Michael Marcarian (Photo source: Western Engineering)
Recent engineering graduates collaborated with local community organization LifeSpin to design a cost-effective and ingenious solution to a recurring transportation challenge.
Working at Western
(Photo source: Careers & Experience)
Free headshots on campus
Get a free, professional headshot at Careers & Experience, located in UCC 210, during business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) The headshot booth is fast, easy to use and includes access to onsite and online editing tools.
Senate elections – call for nominations
Nominations open Jan.15 for staff and faculty membership on Western’s Senate. There is one administrative staff seat and 25 faculty seats available for the 2024-2026 term. More information can be found on the University Secretariat website.
Award-winning course on climate change beings January 15
Registration is open for Connecting for Climate Change Action. Offered for free through Coursera, this course braids Indigenous knowledge with Eurowestern science to motivate action on climate change.
Photo of the Week
Winter arrived on campus just as staff, faculty and students returned from the holiday break. (Talbot Colle photo from @WesternUMusic)
Coming Up
(Photo source: Student Experience)
January 15 (1:30 to 3 p.m.)
Therapy dogs visit Weldon Library
Looking to de-stress? Drop by Weldon Library to visit furry friends from the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dogs program.
January 16 (10:30 to 11:30 a.m.)
AI, Data and the City
Katharine S. Willis, Western Academy for Advanced Research (WAFAR) visiting fellow and professor in the School of Art, Design and Architecture at University of Plymouth, will discuss smart cities, digital technologies and the role of space, place, and the implications for AI, data and the city. International and Graduate Affairs Building, Rm 3N72.
January 18 (8 to 9:30 p.m.)
2023 Fred Pattison Piano Award winner’s recital
Hear 2023 Award recipient Terrence Wu give his award-winning solo piano recital. No registration required. Music Building, von Kuster Hall.
January 19 (1 to 3 p.m.)
Gathering kindling: The emerging Indigenous scholars circle
Join Shauneen Pete from Royal Roads for a Western Research Scholars Academy mentor talk. Pete will discuss the faculty development plan for the Emerging Indigenous Scholars Circle at Royal Roads University. Reserve your spot. Weldon Library, Community Room.
Western in the News
(From left) Katrina Moser and Sara Mai Chitty (Photo source: CBC/Kate Dubinski)
CBC What on Earth
Connecting for Climate Change Action: a climate course that won’t bum you out (32:21)
Katrina Moser, geography and environment professor and chair, and Sara Mai Chitty, curriculum and pedagogy advisor in the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, discuss their course that integrates Eurowestern science and Indigenous knowledge to provide a unique perspective on climate change problems and solutions.
The Globe and Mail
Interventions peeled back to reveal a building’s brutalist beauty
The Globe and Mail describes the transformation at D.B. Weldon library as “breathtaking.” Vice-provost and Chief Librarian Catherine Steeves explains how the renovated space provides opportunities for the campus community to gather at the heart of campus.
CBC News
Amid rise in AI deepfakes, experts urge school curriculum updates for online behaviour
A new report co-authored by sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes suggests how schools can better prepare students to prevent and appropriately respond to technology-facilitated sexual violence.
CBC London
Remember O-Pee-Chee? This researcher might want to talk to you
A public history research project aims to document the social and cultural aspects of the iconic O-Pee-Chee factory that operated in London for 85 years. History professor Michael Dove is hoping to speak to former employees who once made some of Canada's most popular candies and sports trading cards.
Commentary
(Photo source: Whitcomberd/Adobe Images)
In this Conversation article, a team of Western researchers discuss the link between neighbourhood amenities and youth mental health during the pandemic, highlighting the need for thoughtful urban planning to support well-being.
