May 19, 2023
Hands holding a globe (Photo source: Alinabuphoto/Envatoelements)
Professor Nicole Redvers is encouraged by a new declaration that emphasizes the crucial role of medical schools in developing climate-resilient health systems. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry has joined several other institutions in signing the Academic Health Institutions’ Declaration on Planetary Health.
Chemistry professor Elizabeth Gillies (Photo source: Jeff Renaud/Western Communications)
Professors Elizabeth Gillies and Aaron Price have developed a new biodegradable, hemp-based material that could be used as an alternative to a wide variety of plastic packaging.
"We Paddle Together" artwork and key component in the new Connection for Climate Change Action course (Artwork by: Hawlii Pichette, a Mushkego Cree [Treaty 9] artist/illustrator)
When professor Katrina Moser saw students despairing about climate change, she worked with campus colleagues to create Connecting for Climate Change Action. A free version of the award-winning course will be available through the online learning platform Coursera this fall.
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Cheryle Séguin (Photo source: Schulich Medicine & Dentistry)
Professor Cheryle Séguin was inspired to study the symptoms associated with a common spine disease called diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) after hearing from frustrated patients about their lived experiences.
Professor of occupational therapy Gail Teachman (Photo source: Faculty of Health Sciences)
Professor Gail Teachman’s recent study uncovered some very serious flaws in rehabilitation models for children with disabilities. She says the opinions and perspectives of children must be taken into account to create more just and equitable rehabilitation systems.
A parent helping their children with schoolwork (Photo source: Gustavo Fring/Pexels)
New research led by Barbara Fenesi, professor with the Faculty of Education, highlights the heightened vulnerability of families raising children with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working at Western
Students in front of the Stevenson-Lawson Building (Photo source: Western Communications)
Western Launch
Know an undergraduate student starting at Western this fall? Encourage them to participate in Western Launch, a series of transition programs
designed to help incoming undergraduate students feel confident at Western.
Summer construction updates
During the quieter summer months, Facilities Management schedules some of its more intrusive work, which may result in delays and detours. View a map of planned work, which will be updated as projects progress.
Pension workshops available on demand
Missed out on spring pension education sessions? Visit the Pension webpage for materials and information. Consultation with a Sun Life representative is also available for comprehensive reviews and financial planning.
Photo of the Week
Sharing campus with Canada geese requires additional cleaning of our sidewalks and flat surfaces. To minimize accumulations, Facilities Management’s landscape services team will be testing out a sweeper throughout the summer. (Photo source: Brandon Watson/Facilities Management)
Coming Up
Lydia X.Z. Brown (Submitted photo)
May 24 (12 to 1:15 p.m.)
Racial & Disability Justice: Queer/Trans Liberation
Lydia X.Z. Brown, advocate, organizer, attorney and writer, joins Western's Office of EDI for Asian Heritage Month. During this free virtual session, Lydia will discuss racial justice, disability justice and Queer/Trans liberation.
May 25 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.)
Friends of the Garden (FOGs) Planting Day
The Friends of the Garden (FOGs) Pollinator Garden is expanding and you're invited to help. Meet at the Middlesex parking lot by the pollinator garden and bring your own tools.
May 25 (1 to 4 p.m.)
Instructional Technology Resource Centre (ITRC) Open House
The ITRC is celebrating 25 years of using technology to bring teaching to life. Drop in and learn about the resources available for building dynamic, multimedia course content to engage students in creative ways. Refreshments provided. Support Services Building, Rm 4320. Register by
May 19.
June 6 (11 a.m.)
Keynote and networking lunch with Ziya Tong
Co-hosted by Thinking Globally, Acting Locally and the World's Challenge Challenge initiative, award-winning broadcaster and co-host of Discovery Canada's flagship science program the Daily Planet, Ziya Tong will speak on leadership, how to shift perspective and the role of science and technology in society. Register by May 26.
Western in the News
Girma Bitsuamlak, engineering professor and director of WindEEE (Photo source: Western Communications)
Global News: The New Reality
Is your home ready for the surprising number of tornadoes in Canada?
Researchers from the Northern Tornadoes Project, WindEEE and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction are working to find ways to make homes more resilient to windstorms.
CBC London
Western University researchers want to learn more about safe sport policies for para athletes
A new study from the Faculty of Health Sciences will explore the experiences of para athletes, what can help them feel supported when addressing concerns and what is missing from the conversation around safe sport.
Science Magazine
Giving heart
A new procedure for organ transplantation is saving lives but is also raising questions about the definition of death. Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Marat Slessarev explains how his research helps answer some of these complex questions.
Global News
Will new safe sport measures protect youth athletes? What parents should know
Kinesiology professor Laura Misener explains why newly announced reforms to make sports safer in Canada represent a step forward but don’t fully address the larger systemic issues.
Commentary
Police cruiser (Photo source: Adobe)
Western Law’s Sunil Gurmukh discusses how research at Western has helped to uncover police violations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the need for more accountability and transparency.
