February 4, 2022
Florentine Strzelczyk. (Photo source: Rich Blenkinsopp)
International humanities scholar and accomplished academic administrator Florentine Strzelczyk will join Western as provost and vice-president (academic) on May 1. Currently provost and vice-president, academic at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Strzelczyk has also been appointed professor in Western’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
(Photo source: Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia)
A project aiming to tell the stories that paint the history of a neighbourhood is seeking to fill in some gaps in the history of the Black community in London, Ont. A partnership between Vision SoHo Alliance and Western’s public history program, the project involves the collection of oral histories from the local SoHo neighbourhood.
Lesley Rigg, Western’s vice-president of research (Photo source: Western Communications)
Lesley Rigg believes achieving the best outcomes requires community and connecting with others. Those principles guide her vision as Western’s vice-president of research and underlie the message in Western Research’s new strategic plan, Mobilize for Impact!
(Western Communications file photo)
Mandatory gender-based sexual violence (GBSV) prevention training for first-year students in residence is part of Western’s commitment to address GBSV and strengthen safety on campus. The survivor-centric program was developed in consultation with students, survivors, violence-prevention teams in residence and across campus, the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children and Anova.
(Photo source: International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation)
Representing Team Canada, Kristen Bujnowski and Sara Villani are the second and third varsity track and field alumni to become Olympic bobsled brake persons. The first was Alex Kopacz who captured gold with Justin Kripps at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
(Photo source: Kindel Media of Pexels)
Engineering professor Joshua Pearce is the first to examine whether the financial payback of solar-plus-heat-pump is worth the extra upfront cost than heating with natural gas or propane. A pair of recent studies shows powering a heat pump with solar energy doesn’t just help save the planet – it can be profitable, too.
Working at Western
Winter Wellness 2022
In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves – both our mental and physical health. Take some time to participate in Winter Wellness activities to give yourself a boost and help carry you into the spring season. Programming is centred on ‘The Seven Domains of Wellness’ – all activities are virtual and include both scheduled and on-demand options. Registration is required for some events running Feb.14 to 25.
Open Educational Resources Grant and Support Program
Instructors can apply now for grants and in-kind supports to create, adapt or adopt open educational resources (OER) for one or more of your 2023-24 courses. Instructors of co-curricular learning opportunities can also apply.
The Mustangs Report
The Western Mustangs bring you behind the scenes with stories about student-athletes, teams, coaches and alumni. The podcast is available in video and audio formats and new episodes are released monthly.
Senate and Board of Governors – Polls open for faculty and staff
Online elections for faculty and administrative staff positions on the Senate and for a faculty representative on the Board of Governors will be held from 8 a.m., Feb. 8 to 8 p.m., Feb. 9.
Photo of the Week
Pop-up stations showcasing Black excellence and history can be found in campus residence buildings. (Photo source: @westernuhousing)
Coming Up
(Photo source: Don Wright Faculty of Music)
Friday, Feb. 11 (12:30 p.m.)
Livestream: Fridays at 12:30 - Omar Daniel CD release
The Don Wright Faculty of Music Fridays @ 12:30 Concert Series presents a performance of selections from Omar Daniel’s recent CD, featuring performers Erika Raum, violin; Thomas Wiebe, cello; and Xin Wang, soprano. Repertoire includes Nine Estonian Runo-Songs.
Friday, Feb. 11 (11 a.m.)
Indigenous data governance and research ethics
Presented by the Indigenous Studies program and the department of sociology, learn more about Indigenous data in ways that are reflective and respectful of Indigenous worldviews and research paradigms.
Monday, Feb. 28 (3 p.m.)
Anti-Black racism: fostering understanding, compassion and appreciation
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Wellness and Equity Education and Student Experience are offering a workshop to collectively explore, discuss and build a community that fosters understanding, appreciation and compassion. All employees are invited to attend.
Western in the News
(Photo source: Andrik Langfield of Unsplash)
BBC Worklife
Why people aren't as picky in love as they think
Psychology professor Samantha Joel’s research shows people are drawn to a much broader range of potential partners than they realize and they also grow quickly attached to these potential mates, even if they may not necessarily be their ideal partners.
CBC The National
What’s driving the protest convoy, and will it change anything?
David Guignion, PhD candidate in information and media studies, discusses the motivations behind the trucker convoy and the role misinformation is playing in the protests.
Toronto Star
Do Canadians have an advantage in the cold? The national men’s soccer team hopes so
The Canadian men’s soccer team hosted the U.S. in Hamilton, Ont. in sub-zero conditions Sunday. Kinesiology professor Glen Belfry weighs in on whether the Canadian team had a physiological or psychological advantage playing in the cold.
CBC Radio-Canada International
New Black Community Library in London, Ont., will include 600 books
A new Black Community Public Library features books of various genres written by Black authors from Canada and around the world. The project is a collaboration between the Where We Are Now (WEAN) Community Centre, the London Public Library and Western.
Commentary
(Photo source: IOC/Greg Martin)
Angela Schneider, director of Western’s International Centre for Olympic Studies and Olympic silver medalist, on why athletes should not have to choose between their moral beliefs and being allowed to compete.
