April 28, 2023
(Photo source: Western Communications)
Highlights from Western's 2023-24 budget include the addition of about 200 new faculty and staff, expansion of in-demand academic programs, a $15-million investment in the endowed matching chairs program and support for 300 undergrad summer research internships.
Penny Pexman (Photo source: Frank Neufeld)
Internationally recognized cognitive psychologist and associate vice-president (research) at the University of Calgary, Penny Pexman will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of research and innovation at Western starting Sept. 1.
Distinguished University Professors Kathy Hibbert; Lars Konermann; Lorelei Lingard; and X. A. (Andy) Sun (Photo source: Western Communications)
Four new Distinguished University Professors have been named, honouring their sustained excellence in scholarship over a substantial career. A new class of Faculty Scholars have also been recognized for their outstanding academic achievements.
Ravi Menon, scientific director of the Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (left); and Lisa Saksida, Canada Research Chair in Translational Cognitive Neuroscience (Photo source: Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Communications/Mac Lai)
Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Ravi Menon and Lisa Saksida lead the groundbreaking Translational Initiative to DE-risk NeuroTherapeutics (TRIDENT) project, which will fast-track drug development and the identification of successful therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, benefitting millions of patients worldwide.
Canadian business leader Donald K. Johnson (Photo source: Nation Wong)
A $30-million gift from pioneering philanthropist Donald K. Johnson will support a spectacular new Ivey Business School campus in downtown Toronto.
People participating in a live staking event on the banks of Medway Creek. (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Students, faculty and community members stretched out along the shoreline behind Westminster Hall this week with the goal to stabilize the bank of Medway Creek by “live staking,” an initiative to improve climate resiliency.
Working at Western
(Photo source: Western Communications)
Western’s strategic plan progress update
In June 2021, Western launched a new strategic plan, Towards Western at 150, in pursuit of some ambitious goals. Learn about our progress.
Indigenous Student Centre is seeking feedback
The Indigenous Student Centre is looking for feedback from the Western community about their space and programming. Use the virtual suggestion box to provide anonymous feedback.
Photo of the Week
The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory has a tradition of replicating photos of the past. The original photo (left) was taken 82 years ago on April 26, 1941, of visiting Royal Air Force navigators (Photo source: The London Free Press). Nine Canadian Air Force medical staff visited the Observatory on April 26, 2023, to re-create the photo, highlighting the changes in uniformed personnel and the positive link between Western and the CAF which continues to this day. (Photo source: Henry Leparskas)
Coming Up
London, Ontario (Photo source: Tourism London)
May 3 (8:15 to 10:30 a.m.)
Community Outlook: A Conversation with Our Anchor Institutions
Hosted by the London Chamber of Commerce, this event features our city’s anchor institutions and their economic impact on the community. Speakers include Lynn Logan, Western’s vice-president (operations and finance), plus leaders from Fanshawe College, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event at the London Public Library’s Wolf Performance Hall.
May 3 (1:30 p.m.)
Parr Centre for Thriving Information Session
Do you have an innovative idea that has the potential to transform undergraduate student mental health and well-being? The Parr Centre for Thriving has up to $305,000 in funding available for collaborative project ideas. Join us for an interactive information session to learn how to submit a proposal.
May 5 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
National Day of Awareness for #MMIWG2S
The Wampum Learning Lodge invites you to an in-person gathering featuring speakers, sharing circles, sacred fire and a feast. All are welcome.
May 5 (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Sparking Creativity and Engagement
Learn innovative strategies to generate ideas, recommendations and solutions for challenges and opportunities facing your organization or community.
Western in the News
Alissa Centivany, assistant professor, Faculty of Information and Media Studies (Submitted photo)
TVO The Agenda
Why is everything poorly made?
FIMS professor Alissa Centivany discusses the lifespan of consumer goods and the ‘right to repair’ social movement that would allow people to repair products themselves without impediments.
National Geographic
How wild animals cope with stress—from overeating to sleepless nights
How do animals in the wild react to stressful situations? Biology professor Liana Zanette explains her research showing the mere presence of predators makes animals anxious.
Journal de Montréal
Des milliards $ en dommages pour un tremblement de terre modéré à Montréal
Even a moderate-strength earthquake would cause damage in the tens of billions of dollars on the island of Montréal, according to a new study from earth sciences professor Katsu Goda.
The Weather Network
How just 1% of farmland could meet one third of Canada’s energy needs
Agrivoltaics is the simultaneous use of farmland for both solar power generation and agriculture. Ivey and engineering professor Joshua Pearce discusses how Canada’s energy needs could be met using just one per cent of Canada’s farmland for agrivoltaics.
Commentary
The Olympic Rings (Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)
Inviting Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as stateless members on the Refugee Olympic Team would disconnect Russian or Belarusian military complicity and demonstrate the IOC’s commitment to treating athletes equally, says Angela Schneider, director of Western’s International Centre for Olympic Studies and grad student, Alan Oldham.
