May 1, 2026
Middlesex College (Photo source: Western Communications)
The Board of Governors approved a balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, focused on academic excellence, research impact, student experience and strategic growth.
Florentine Strzelczyk (Photo source: Western Communications)
Florentine Strzelczyk has been re-appointed to a second five-year term as Provost and Vice-President (Academic), effective July 1, 2027. In her role, Strzelczyk leads a complex portfolio critical to advancing Western’s strategic goals.
Engineering professors (L to R) Apurva Narayan, Atrisha Sarkar and Mohamed Zaki (Photo source: Jacob Arts/Western Engineering)
Researchers are investigating cybersecurity risks in semi-autonomous vehicles, where a human driver remains in control while some driving tasks are automated. Backed by the National Cybersecurity Consortium, the engineering team is moving beyond code and hardware to include the driver as part of the security system.
Western's main campus (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
The Board of Governors has approved a stand-alone Responsible Investing Policy, strengthening how the university governs its investments and setting out a more robust approach that has evolved over decades.
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
Nicole Campbell (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Nicole Campbell: How to build confidence in students.
Coming Up
May 5 (11:30 a.m.)
Western Award of Excellence ceremony
Celebrate the 2025 Western Award of Excellence recipients during a formal presentation and reception in the Great Hall, Somerville House. All are welcome. Registration required.
May 6 (12 to 1 p.m.)
Preparing for retirement
Explore the physical, mental and financial aspects of retirement planning in this virtual session presented by Sun Life. Registration required.
May 7 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Zumba
Get moving with Living Well @ Western during this energizing Zumba class and earn points through Western’s Wellness Rewards program. Open to all Western employees. Register today.
May 8 (deadline)
#ScientistAtWork photo competition
Researchers are invited to capture science in action for Nature’s annual #ScientistAtWork photo competition. Open to amateur photographers, the winning image will be featured in Nature. Submit entries by May 8.
Working at Western
Beryl Ivey Garden (Photo source: Western Communications)
Join the Spring Academic Procession
Spring Convocation is June 8 to 12. Members of the Board of Governors and Senate, and current or retired faculty, librarians and archivists are invited to take part in the academic procession. Visit the convocation website for more information.
Explore AI resources at Western
Western Technology Services has launched the Artificial Intelligence Resource Centre (AIRC) to support responsible AI use across teaching, research and administrative work. Access tools, training, consultations and campus expertise through the AIRC website.
Weather siren testing
Live testing of Western’s emergency weather siren will take place May 6 at noon. Unless otherwise notified, this is only a test. No action is required. Testing occurs the first Wednesday of every month.
Photo of the Week
Staff and volunteers at Western International’s Welcome Centre connect with the incoming summer cohort, offering support and resources to help students settle in and feel at home. (L to R) Western International student orientation assistant Carlos Barzotto and student arrivals and orientation program coordinator Olivia Yusuf. (Photo source: Nyren Mo/Western International)
Western in the News
Western astronomers (L to R) Simon Van Schuylenbergh, Els Peeters, Jan Cami, Morgan Giese, Charmi Bhatt and Dries Van De Putte (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Scientific American
New JWST images reveal cosmic question marks and buckyballs in a planetary nebula
Fifteen years after Western astronomers first discovered "buckyballs" in space, they’re back with stunning images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Physics and astronomy professors Jan Cami and Els Peeters explain what they hope to find in the most detailed view yet of Tc 1 – a cloud of gas and dust where buckyballs form.
Earth.com
Fish could hear before rivers existed
Earth sciences professor Neil Banerjee was part of a research team that analyzed 67‑million‑year‑old freshwater fish fossil and explains what the tiny skeleton reveals about how hearing evolved in modern freshwater fish.
Toronto Star
Where will the money come from to pay for Carney’s new Canada Strong Fund? Experts chime in
Ivey fellow Mahmood Nanji analyzes the nuances of how Canada’s newly announced sovereign wealth fund will operate.
