March 22, 2024
(From left) Campaign co-chair Carol Jones, United Way Elgin Middlesex CEO Kelly Ziegner, President Alan Shepard, co-chair Colin Couchman and Western's sponsored employee Sydney Joao. (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Western raised more than $619,000 for United Way Elgin Middlesex in 2023, driving one of the largest university campaigns in the country and the largest gift from employees at a single organization in the region. The money raised provides United Way the ability to support critical community programs.
Alex Irving (Submitted photo)
Alex Irving has been appointed Executive Director of Government Relations, effective April 22, 2024. Driven by working with government partners to help world-class researchers solve societal problems, Irving will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role, having worked within the Ontario government and post-secondary institutions.
Ryan Stevenson (Photo source: Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Psychology professor and neuroscientist Ryan Stevenson is one of eight researchers in Canada to win the 2024 Dorothy Killam Trust Fellowship, allowing him two years to focus solely on his research that looks into how children perceive the world around them and the way it impacts their future brain development.
(Photo source: Jessica Noble)
Western recently launched the Research Engagement Collaborative Alliance with Partners to support collaborations between researchers and non-academic partners from diverse sectors. The program includes a learning platform that provides knowledge, support and opportunities for partners to authentically connect.
Also featured in: Academica's Top Ten Newsletter
The Impact Project
Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.
(Photo source: Crystal Carter/Western Communications)
Never has a discussion of impact been more important. If you have an impact story, we would love to hear it. Whether it is something you are working on, or the efforts of a colleague, drop us a note. Together, we will make a difference by inspiring others.
Coming Up
March 23 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Spring Open House
Do you know a student interested in studying at Western? Bring them to the Spring Open House to discover programs, explore campus and visit the services fair. View the schedule of events and plan your visit.
March 25 (Noon to 2 p.m.)
How is AI changing research?
Dive into the dynamic world of generative AI and learn how you might adapt it to your own needs during this Western Research Scholars Academy lecture featuring Mark Daley, chief AI officer and computer science professor.
March 27 (4:30 p.m.)
Proteus Innovation Competition Pitch Finale
Join your colleagues for the Proteus Innovation Competition live pitch, a virtual event where participants develop commercialization strategies for cutting-edge technologies. The competition fosters collaboration with top Ontario advisors and features innovations from Western. Register online.
March 28 (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Can AI be Creative?
Learn how AI and creativity can come together during a panel discussion with noted writer and Western’s Alice Munro Chair in Creativity Sheila Heti, English PhD candidate Tanja Grubnic, and Duke University professor Aarthi Vadde. Offered in person (University College, Rm 3110) and online. Register for Zoom link.
Working at Western
(Image source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)
Sharing campus with geese
Now that spring is here, you may notice Canada geese starting to mate and nest on campus. If you spot a potential safety concern, such as a nesting goose close to a high-traffic area, please report it to ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
Course feedback now open
Instructors are encouraged to let students know they can provide course feedback now until April 10.
Mental health supports
Western is committed to fostering a community that actively promotes mental health. Check out the many resources available to you.
Photo of the Week
JW was on campus this week distributing solar eclipse viewing glasses to ensure our campus community can watch the total solar eclipse safely on April 8. (Photo source: Steve Anderson/Western Communications)
Western in the News
Nicole Stachura (Photo source: Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)
The London Free Press
Match Day: Inside the annual medical-school milestone
CaRMS match day is a crucial milestone when medical students learn their residency placements and medical specialties. Dr. Scott McKay, Schulich Medicine’s family medicine chair, and Nicole Stachura, fourth-year medical student, share their insights about the process.
CBC National
Sask. teacher strikes have made 'class complexity' a hot topic. How might it affect your local school?
Advocating for teaching strategies that cater to the diverse needs of all students, Jacqueline Specht, education professor and director of the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education, emphasizes the universal right to education.
The Guardian
How did Canada end up with worse air quality than the U.S.?
Paul Kovacs, executive director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, stresses the critical need for Canada to view wildfires not just as a regional issue, but as a nationwide concern that poses significant risks to health, safety and property across the country.
